The pipeline from Dawgs Academy in Okotoks to junior college powerhouse Central Arizona College continues to be fed well.
The same school that brought Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson and Tyrese Johnson in recent years has landed another top Dawgs product in Austin Collins.
The 18-year-old Calgarian spent last season with the Dawgs U18 Black squad that won several major tournaments.
He then turned his attention to the Canadian Futures Showcase, where he suited up for Team Black, allowing a run on one hit and five walks while striking out two in two innings of work.
Collins says he believes in his stuff as a pitcher, just needs to work on his confidence when he does get into a jam.
The right-hander plans on taking finance or business when he gets down to Arizona in the fall.
He sat down for a great conversation on Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast, which formed the basis of our latest 1 Thru 9.
1. How did it feel getting to finally put pen to paper and get that commitment firmed up?
It was an amazing, amazing thing. My coaches have been helping me so much and my teammates, too. It’s just an amazing opportunity to have. I’m very blessed to have this.
2. What was it about Central Arizona that made you think that was the place for you?
The weather is pretty good. Their coaching, they know what to do. They’re a good team. So many other teams look forward to playing them. It’s very competitive baseball and that’s what I’m looking forward to.
3. It’s a school with a long history of winning. What would it mean to you to be a part of another championship team?
That would be amazing. Just to be a part of something like that, I’m very lucky.
4. You had a busy 2024 including the Canadian Futures Showcase. What was that experience like?
It was amazing. I went the year before as well and they’re just so good to you over there. It’s such a great experience playing against the best in Canada. There’s so much competition there. It’s just good baseball all around.
5. How happy were you with your performance?
It’s a little tough because no one there is bad, right? You’re fighting to show off to everyone else and you’re fighting for the position to show what you have and what you can do on the field.
6. How did you get into the game in the first place?
T-ball. I didn’t really want to do it, but my dad put me in it. Ever since, I’ve been playing a couple of sports, but baseball always stuck. It’s a part of me and I love doing it.
7. What was it about baseball that made you want to chase that dream instead of another sport that might have been on your mind?
I think it’s just the overall game. The pace of it. I only became a pitcher three years ago, so it’s just being able to play almost every game and having fun with everybody. I found hockey a little more intense before I joined the Dawgs. Now that I actually want to pursue baseball, that’s when I started to actually enjoy it way more and actually play for something.
8. What has the Dawgs Academy program meant to you in your development, not just as a ball player but a human being as well?
It’s so important. They do so much for us. They’re so good. They let us treat the facility like it’s our own. We come in there, we do our work, keep it clean, keep it tidy and then get out of there. We’re so lucky to have what we have with a big facility, a weight room, everything in there. We’re just so lucky to have it.
9. What does the game of baseball mean to you?
It is such an important part of my life. I look forward to it every day. I’ve been playing it most of my life and it’s really important to me and it makes me happy. I love doing it. It feels like the best job in the world. So much fun and I would hate to lose it – I would.
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