We may not have the best pinch hitters at the plate for this assignment – a radio guy and a print journalist – but we shot so many pictures at Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) ballparks this summer that it seemed like a waste to not share some of them.
So, without further ado, here’s a look at the 2018 WMBL regular season through our lens:
Riley MacDonald of the Brooks Bombers had a season for the ages. First he set the WMBL single-season HR record with 20 dingers and then he signed a pro contract with the Quebec Capitales.Hawaiian southpaw Edgar Barclay, of the Edmonton Prospects, gives the thumbs up from the visitors’ dugout at Seaman Stadium in OkotoksNik Cardinal (top) and Tyler Hodder (second from the right) share a laugh in the bullpenDawgs’ head coach Mitch Schmidt caused a stir when he launched several chairs – following a disagreement with an umpire – but he also shared plenty of smiles with the men in black.It’s always special when ball players take the field close to home. Shortstop Jayse Wilson, of Strathmore, got the chance to play at Seaman Stadium when his Yorkton Cardinals visited in JulyPitcher Jared Libke does some groundskeeping work for the Medicine Hat Mavericks before a game against the Edmonton Prospects on July 25, 2018 at Athletic Park“The Warden” smiles before play in Medicine Hat. Lethbridge first baseman Kaleb Warden put together a stellar campaign for the Bulls.Team meeting for the Okotoks Dawgs. From left to right: Nate DeChaine, Head Coach Mitch Schmidt, Assistant Coach Andy Peterson, Riley Baasch, Ryan Humeniuk and Will Hollis.
Prospect pitcher Taran Oulton tries to pick off a runner at first base.Bomber outfielder Damian Rodriguez talks to a teammate in the dugout.Calgarian Taylor Roberge, of the Melville Millionaires, talks to someone in the crowd before his game at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks.There’s always one joker in the bullpen, as you can see from the Dawgs hurlers in Okotoks.Relief pitcher Chris Stodolka offers up a baseball snack of choice – sunflower seeds – to his Lethbridge Bulls teammate Jesse Hillyard before play in Medicine Hat.Adam North, catcher with the Fort McMurray Giants, gears up and gets ready to crouch behind the plate at Seaman Stadium in OkotoksA young ball player plays catch with Medicine Hat infielder Carson Johnson in front of the Mavs dugout at Athletic Park.Right-handed pitcher Rich Walker, a native of Cave Creek, Arizona, had a fantastic season for the Edmonton Prospect. Walker threw three complete-game shutouts, including a perfect game against Fort McMurray on June 29, 2018.
Speedy outfielder Ryan Humeniuk signs autographs for some young Okotoks Dawgs fans.Calgary catcher Matt Zanutto, of the Yorkton Cardinals, warms up before playing the Dawgs.Outfielder Keegan Kwong, of the Brooks Bombers, fires a ball into the infield.Josh Iannetti, of Fort McMurray, helps a pitcher get loose at Seaman Stadium.David Salgueiro (right) of the Medicine Hat Mavericks looks up with the umpire as cloudy skies threaten play in Okotoks.Legendary Edmonton Prospects’ coaches Orv Franchuk (left) and Ray Brown (right) watch play from the dugout.A look at newly-renovated Spitz Stadium in Lethbridge from the mound.The Lethbridge Bulls huddle up after a game against the Medicine Hat Mavericks.
Strength & Conditioning in Edmonton Devoted to Helping Driven Athletes Reach Their Goals
Prospect batter Nick Spillman connects for a hit in Medicine Hat.Hanging in the dugout … Dawgs players swap stories at Seaman Stadium.Right-handed pitcher Chris Mercure, of the Fort McMurray Giants, throws heat in Okotoks.Southpaw pitcher Felix Pena, of the Brooks Bombers, watches play from the dugout.Mavs pitcher Jonathan Smithey warms up with the pigskin at Athletic Park.The Battery … Catcher Jake MacDonald (left) discusses the Edmonton Prospects’ game strategy with starting pitcher Connor Burns (right) in Medicine Hat.Lethbridge Bulls’ outfielder Dustin Braun throws a ball to a teammate following a base hit.The view from the left-field foul pole at Athletic Park in Medicine Hat.
Prospect OF Eric Crain slides home safely past Dawgs’ catcher Marcus Skundrich.
Is there a photo of a certain player or team that you’d like to see? Send us an email at AlbertaDugoutStories@gmail.com and we’ll look through our files.