1 Thru 9: Vauxhall Academy

Vauxhall is known as the “Potato Capital of the West.”

But after more than a decade in operation, the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball is giving the town another reason to be put on the map.

This is our second installment of our “1 Thru 9” academy profiles.

1 Thru 9: Dawgs Academy

It’s about time we took you to school.

More specifically, we’re going to invite you to take a closer look at some of the baseball academies operating across Alberta.

This summer we debuted a feature called “1 Thru 9” that allowed our readers to get to know some of the players who were taking the field at ballparks throughout the province.

We’re applying that same 9-question format to the baseball academies in Alberta. Our first stop is in Okotoks, where the Dawgs Academy has been molding student athletes for years.

Talkin’ Alberta Baseball

After more than a year of writing stories about baseball in our province, we started talking about how to bring you even more.

One of the things identified early on was a podcast. And while the baseball season might be over, that doesn’t mean we’re going to slow down.

In fact, Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast is our way of keeping the conversation going year-round.

1 Thru 9: Tony Olson

His favourite baseball memory was eliminating the Okotoks Dawgs from the 2017 Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) playoffs. During Game 5 of that first-round elimination game, Tony Olson led all batters with three hits and two runs batted in as the Edmonton Prospects emerged victorious in a 3-1 contest.

Olson and his Edmonton teammates are once again looking to play spoiler as they face the Medicine Hat Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Division final tonight.

We caught up with the Sherwood Park, Alberta product in advance of tonight’s winner-take-all game at Athletic Park in Medicine Hat. Here’s what Olson said when he was presented with our “1 Thru 9” series of questions:

1 Thru 9: Reed Odland

Reed Odland made the most of his opportunities in the Medicine Hat Mavericks lineup this season.

As back-up to all-star Colton Wright, Odland put up solid numbers for the deep Mavs squad.

The 18-year-old recently answered the call for 1 Thru 9.

1 Thru 9: Mat Brisson

The rivalry between the Edmonton Prospects and Okotoks Dawgs once again hit a fever pitch in the playoffs.

The Prospects have taken full advantage of the “underdog” tag and one player happy to indulge on social media was Mat Brisson.

The right-hander sat down earlier this season to dish on everything for “1 Thru 9.”

1 Thru 9: Danny Donnelly

It’s been quite the journey for Okotoks Dawgs’ outfielder Danny Donnelly.

Donnelly – who played 32 games for the Dawgs this season, recording two home runs, 11 RBI and 11 runs over 61 regular season at bats – grew up in Okotoks. He patrolled the berm in left field as a fan, along with his father Pat, while his mother Marlene served as the Dawgs’ academic advisor.

He would later hustle around the infield as a bat boy for his beloved hometown team and join the Dawgs Academy.

He recently made time for our “1 Thru 9” series and here’s what the right-handed batter had to say.

1 Thru 9: Sal Rodriguez

If you’re trying to spot first baseman Sal Rodriguez at the ballpark, just look for the guy signing autographs, playing catch with children or chatting with the fans.

The Crystal Lake, Illinois native has quickly become a fan favourite in Medicine Hat and for the 6-foot-2 right-handed batter, the feeling is mutual. Rodriguez loves being at the diamond and he also enjoys engaging with the fans.

But the Minot State University student, who is entering his senior year, can play too.

Rodriguez recently made some time for us and our “1 Thru 9” feature series.

1 Thru 9: Damian Rodriguez

The Brooks Bombers had high expectations for Damian Rodriguez when he arrived from Laredo, TX this summer.

He’s proving everyone right with solid play and even a move in the batting order.

Rodriguez was the latest to answer the tough questions in our series “1 Thru 9.”

1 Thru 9: Connor Green

Moving around is nothing new for Connor Green.

The Manitoba product came to Vauxhall in 2015, went down to the US for college at Pratt and Minot State and is now back in Alberta helping the Medicine Hat Mavericks pace the WMBL.

We caught up with him for another edition of “1 Thru 9.”