Making the List

Bob Elliott has released his list of the most influential Canadians in baseball, and the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) makes a number of appearances on the esteemed roll call.

The Hall-of-Fame journalist produced a list of 135 top names in the sport, with Alex Anthopoulos, general manager of the Atlanta Braves, at first overall; followed by Phillies skipper Rob Thomson in second; and Josh Naylor – slugger with the Cleveland Guardians – in the third spot.

Here’s a look at where WCBL personalities landed on the Canadian Baseball Network list …

Field of Seams

They’re having a ball in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

Good thing, too, because baseballs are a vital piece of equipment for the WCBL. You literally cannot play the game without them.

The league, with a dozen teams in Alberta and Saskatchewan, welcomes a new official baseball supplier this year.

Angel Adjustments

Matt Coutney remembers the exact moment when he realized that professional baseball was going to be a grind.

32 games into what became 121 games played in the Los Angeles Angels’ farm system, the Wetaskiwin product says he wasn’t sure he’d be able to make it.

But he put up great numbers, earned a promotion, and now has his eyes on bigger things in 2024.

2023 ADS All-WCBL Team

With the Western Canadian Baseball League handing out its awards, we wondered if we could put together a league All-Star Team.

With a twist.

Introducing our 26-man roster, an idea born out of imagination and accomplishment.

Prospects in the Park

It’s been a long four years since the Edmonton Prospects had a place to call “home.”

The Western Canadian Baseball League team has faced plenty of challenges in building the new Myshak Metro Ballpark.

Owner Pat Cassidy says construction is ongoing, but several challenges could affect opening day, meaning a backup plan is being looked at in Sherwood Park.

OPINION: Baseball’s Opportunity in Alberta

“Does Alberta punch above its weight when it comes to baseball in Canada?”

It’s a question our Joe McFarland posed on social media recently after what should be considered another successful year in our province.

But are we doing enough to celebrate it?

Funderstruck

A two-way star with the Okotoks Dawgs and Edmonton Prospects has made his Major League Baseball debut in stellar fashion.

2017 Western Major Baseball League MVP Kody Funderburk pitched two perfect innings – including three strikeouts – with the Minnesota Twins on August 28.

All Halen the King

Coming off a fantastic 2022 season, it was hard to believe that Halen Knoll would be able to find a way to beat it.

Instead, the 23-year-old Edmonton product thrived with the hometown Riverhawks, winning the West Coast League’s Pitcher of the Year Award.

OPINION: What’s next for the WCBL’s Mid-Summer Classic?

The Okotoks Dawgs can take a bow.

After hosting two successful Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Games in 2022 and 2023, could it be time for them to pass the torch?

Joe McFarland wades into the possible locations as well as ways to expand the game and festivities.

Ahead of Schedule

It might still be early, but Erik Sabrowski is already exceeding expectations in restarting his professional baseball journey.

Not only is the Edmonton-area product back from his second Tommy John surgery earlier than expected, but he has been nearly flawless in his first few appearances for the Akron RubberDucks.