1 Thru 9: Kaleb Warden

It’s safe to say that Kaleb Warden – the first baseman for the Lethbridge Bulls – has made an impression on the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL).

During 46 games, the 6-foot-2 Texan finished the regular season at third in league batting average (.369), eighth in RBI (38), and sixth in runs (42). The man they call “The Warden” had such an impressive campaign that he was named the WMBL Rookie of the Year and a first-team all star.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello product recently made time for us and our nine questions that make up our “1 Thru 9” series.

Aussies in Alberta

Baseball’s popularity across the world is rising. With players from all over the world getting an opportunity to play in the MLB, it comes as no surprise that some of that talent is finding its way to the Western Major Baseball League.

In particular, two Australians called Alberta their home for the summer. Edmonton’s Michael Gahan and Lethbridge’s Lachlan Mayo made names for themselves in different ways over the past couple of years in our province.

2018 WMBL Picture Gallery

We may not have the best pinch hitters at the plate for this assignment – a radio guy and a print journalist – but we shot so many pictures at Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) ballparks this summer that it seemed like a waste to not share some of them.

So, without further ado, here’s a look at the 2018 WMBL season through our lens

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.”

1 Thru 9: J.T. Patterson

Calgarian J.T. Patterson is a player who gets it.

Okotoks Dawgs head coach Mitch Schmidt, who also coached the corner infielder at Bellevue University this year, has seen a lot from the 6-foot-1, left-handed hitter … and he likes what he’s seen.

Patterson made some time for us recently and answered our “1 Thru 9” questionnaire. Here’s what he told us …

1 Thru 9: Josh Iannetti

As the Fort McMurray Giants strive for the first-ever playoff berth, the team has looked to some veterans to lead the way.

Enter: Josh Iannetti.

The hometown boy, who has gone through the good and bad with the team, is the latest to be profiled in our series, “1 Thru 9.”

1 Thru 9: Matt Coutney

After putting in a strong campaign for the Colby Community College Trojans this year, Matt Coutney is doing everything he can to keep the Edmonton Prospects in the playoff hunt in 2018.

The Wetaskiwin-born infielder, who played for Canada’s Junior National Team last year, played 52 games for the Trojans, recording 12 home runs, 54 RBI, 60 runs and a .431 batting average in his freshman season. He also won a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Gold Glove for his excellent defensive play and the third baseman was named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Freshman of the Year.

The 6-foot-1, left-handed hitter was kind enough to answer some questions for us. See what he had to say for our ongoing “1 Thru 9” series.

1 Thru 9: Riley MacDonald

He’s taken the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) by storm and is truly living up to his team’s name.

Riley MacDonald is not just a Brooks Bomber … he is THE Brooks Bomber.

The infielder from North Vancouver, B.C., crushed the WMBL’s single-season home run record in just 28 games, sending 19 bombs out of the park. With two homers against the Melville Millionaires on July 7th, MacDonald surpassed the mark set by Jesse Sawyer, who hit 18 dingers for the Lethbridge Bulls in 2011.

We caught up with No. 24 and presented him with nine questions, as part of our “1 Thru 9” series.

1 Thru 9: Brodie Stairs

The Weyburn Beavers are off to a torrid start to the 2018 season.

One of the key pieces is reliever Brodie Stairs. The Calgary product has been a part of the club since their last regular season division title in 2015.

We chatted with the right-hander for the latest “1 Thru 9.”