The Premier Baseball League Vancouver Cannons fall baseball school opens next Tuesday, Aug. 28.

The school includes seven weeks of professional instruction for players 13 to 18 years of age who live in Vancouver and Burnaby.

Cannons' fall ball includes at least 20 games for both the senior and junior teams, plus two or three practices each week.

The Cannons just finished their fourth season in the PBL midget league.

The Cannons emphasize player development, said Cannons head coach Dave Empey.

"When you include our league games and tournaments, like the one we had in Reno, Nevada, plus our 15 spring training games in Phoenix, Arizona, players like Josh Gaudette, Max Wood and Ian Creamore got more than 350 at-bats this season," said Empey. "That's the best way for them to grow and develop."

Empey has coached 17 professional players. Three of them reached the major leagues, including pitching ace Ryan Dempster, who signed a $52 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. Dempster was recently traded to the Texas Rangers to bolster their American League pennant drive.

The Cannon assistant coaches include Jason Andrew, one of the best hitting instructors in the country, who has worked with Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Devon Franklin will work with the infielders, and sprint coach Lorne Berkun from Oakland, California adds speed to baserunners. There will also be a catching coach, a strength-and-conditioning expert, and several batting practice pitchers on the staff.

"All players are welcome," says coach Empey. "We won't cut anyone and the players will all receive seven weeks of professional instruction. It's all about player development."