The Sweet 16

Welcome to the fork in The Road to Okotoks.

After three Regional Qualifers were held in May, 16 teams have made the trek to Alberta for the start of the inaugural 19U national championship.

Flew Fantastic at Futures

Nathan Flewelling was flexing at the All-Star Futures Game.

The Major League Baseball (MLB) event on July 12th – part of the 2026 All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia – showcases the top prospects in the game and Flewelling made the most of his only at bat in the sixth inning by launching a two-run homer over the right-field fence with two out.

The result was MVP honours …

Chuk-in It

He’s described as being a “team-first guy” who is the ultimate student of the game.

Red Deer CarStar Rangers hurler Kalon Babchuk admits he felt really good heading into a start against Fort McMurray.

By the end of the game, he had thrown a no-hit masterpiece.

Gulls Prep’s Road to Okotoks

They have flown onto the game’s map in a big way in a short time and hope to swoop in to snag Baseball Canada’s biggest prize.

Started in 2024 as a partnership between the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Sylvan Lake Gulls and St. Joseph High School Baseball Academy, the Gulls 19U Prep team brings together the best high school baseball players from central Alberta.

They’re now ready for their biggest challenge: The Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup.

Hitching a Ride to Okotoks

We are just a couple of weeks away from The Road to Okotoks.

The inaugural Morneau Cup championship will see 16 teams duke it out over five days to settle some bets on the best academy program in the country.

We take a look at the results from the draft, the pools and schedule, and more leading up to the big event.

Terrific T-Bird

Cochrane’s Simon Baker is going to need a bigger trophy case after cleaning up the awards and recognitions with Cloud County Community College this spring.

The Webber Academy alum picked up the KJCCC West Player of the Year award, among others, all while battling an injured shoulder.

The Dawgs’ Road to Home

It’s almost time to settle some bets.

Over the years, Canadian baseball academies have claimed to the best in the country.

Dawgs Academy in Okotoks will be putting that to the test at home during the inaugural The Road to Okotoks.

Mahar-velous Performance

Luke Mahar put an exclamation point on the end of his first-ever perfect game.

The young righthander was dealing, in every sense of the word, when his Parkland Twins took on the Black Gold 47’s on June 9.

Hartley Honoured

One of the top umpires in the Western Canadian Baseball League has been recognized for his officiating achievements across several sports in Alberta.

Kris Hartley – who serves as an umpire and an assignor for the 12-team WCBL – was presented with a Technical Official Recognition Award at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 induction ceremony on June 6th in Red Deer.

The Little Giant

Skyler Stromsmoe has always said he was “more will than skill.”
Back on the family farm near Etzikom, he reflects on his nine-year minor league career and the opportunity to win medals with Baseball Canada.