Jack Jewell is looking to make up for some lost time this summer when he suits up with the new Energy City Cactus Rats.
The freshman infielder was set to make his much-anticipated debut at Barton Community College this spring after a stellar high school career.
However, the Sherwood Park native and AHP Academy alum ended up redshirting after missing a good portion of the year with an injury.
Jewell joins the newly rebranded Cactus Rats, who were previously known as the Edmonton Prospects, and is hoping to be a big contributor for them as they step foot on Myshak Field at Energy City Metro Ballpark in Spruce Grove for the first time this summer.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander joined us for the WCBL West Division Season Preview Extravaganza, which provides the basis for our latest 7th Inning Stretch.
1. How excited are you to get things going with the new Energy City Cactus Rats?
I’m super-excited. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to be on the first team on this rebrand, especially being a hometown kid. It’s always cool being able to play in front of your family and help grow local programs and seeing them get better.
2. How cool will that moment be when you first step into the new stadium in Spruce Grove and soak in the atmosphere of something new and exciting?
I think it’s super-exciting for me. I was kind of through something similar with AHP as I was part of the first senior academy team, I guess it was called, three years ago. I love the feeling of starting something new and trying to build a culture around it. It’ll be a super-surreal feeling and I think I’ll always remember that, especially the first time at the new stadium. Being part of the first team to play there will be something special to me.
3. When you saw all the swag and logos, what went through your mind?
I thought it was awesome. I think when you can bring more fun to baseball, it’s good for everyone. All those minor league teams that have the crazy stuff, I’m all for it. I think it just brings more attention and more people in, so why not have more fun around baseball?
4. You just came back home from your freshman season at Barton Community College. When you walked in the door to your parents’ place, what did you ask them to make you for supper?
I came back and they were gone the first night, so I walked into an empty house. Funny enough! But they got back and I ended up cooking ginger beef for everyone, which I’m a huge fan of ginger beef and rice. So that was what we had for that first dinner back.
5. Given the injury situation from the spring, you’re excited to get back on the field. What are you hoping to work on over the summer?
I just want to play a lot of baseball, obviously. When you redshirt or get injured, you miss some time. You practice, but it’s not the same as a game. I just want to play baseball, to be honest. I think that’s such an underrated thing is people talk about what you want to work on, when all I want to work on being able to play in game, showing off my talents in game and that sort of stuff.
6. How will you be gauging success for the summer?
I think I want to make sure that, first and foremost, the team has a good year. I’ll do anything to make the team have as much success as you can. You’re not going to win a championship every year, but hopefully we can make a deep run in the playoffs. On a personal level, I just want to play as much as I can. If I can be a starter for most of the summer, then I must be doing something right and help the team win. Then just develop more for the next college season.
7. What would it mean to you to bring a WCBL championship home with the new Energy City Cactus Rats?
I think that would be one of the coolest stories is a rebranded franchise being able to take down some of the big dogs of the WCBL. I think that would be super-special for the community and all the people involved.
