While this season may not go down in the record books as the longest ever road trip on baseball, it comes darn close. After all, the Energy City Cactus Rats played a total of 31 ‘road’ games, before finally swinging for the fences on home soil. The thing is, the diamond used isn’t their actual field.
Head coach Jordan Blundell said his squad has handled the adversity of this season on the road well, given the packed schedule and the thousands of miles cooped up on a bus on the way to their next game.
“Our guys have been super positive all year. It’s been a fun group to be around,” he began.
After a tough year in 2024 where they only won 12 of 56 games as the Edmonton Prospects, playing out of Sherwood Park, this year’s edition of the Cactus Rats has already surpassed that mark. As of July 7, their record was 14-19, good enough for fourth place in the West Division of the WCBL.
About keeping his players focused on the game, and not the travel, Blundell said, “I don’t think it’s about me at all; it’s about our players. We’ve had a couple of games that weren’t good and I think every team in the league runs into that with the schedule we keep. But our guys have been positive, supportive of each other. Good chemistry so when we get on the bus it’s just another day on the bus. It seems like there’s some friendships here and that’s what propels us.”
“My assistant coach Nick Salahub has done a great job with the pitching staff. Our offence is developing some chemistry and some camaraderie so more and more that makes being on the road easier because you’re pulling for your buddy,” Blundell continued. “You make friends here and all of a sudden you’re pulling for your new friend and time goes by quickly “
Asked how his squad maintains their physical conditioning with so much travel, Blundell said they make do with what they have on hand. He noted the players are motivated to show well and as such make use of hotel workout equipment when available. As well, the team will occasionally get a team membership at a local gym for the players to access.
“It’s not ideal. The most motivated players will find a way,” to do their workout. “The guys most determined, most motivated will find a way to keep that up.”
Of course with a team like this, people wonder how it comes together. The Cactus Rats roster includes guys from Spruce Grove and the surrounding Edmonton area as well as players from California, B.C., Florida, Nevada and places in between. So, how do you find what your team needs for the season?
“I do a few different things. One being luck,” the coach cracked. “One being contacts that I’ve made after two decades in the game. Another is social media. You seek out information, find out about a guy then reach out,” hoping they can meet the needs each side is seeking. “It’s an everyday job – 24/7, 365.”
So while this group has certainly earned their Frequent Rider miles, things are working out alright for a team that spends far more time on the bus than they do on the ball diamond.
