They all say it took them by surprise and that it was also an honour.
Baseball Canada quietly unveiled its four major award winners recently and three of them went to Alberta products.
We chatted with Kelsey Lalor, Ellie Jespersen and Nicole Luchanski about what it meant to them to be recognized for their contributions to the game.
Read More Three’s CompanyIt wasn’t just Americans who suited up in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
A total of 68 Canadians were part of the league between 1943-1954. And the AAGPBL lists ten as being from Alberta.
On this International Women’s Day, we shed some light on their contributions on and off the field.
Read More The Albertans of the All-American LeagueLet’s be honest. We know we will be watching more than just five players.
But with the baseball season fast-approaching, we thought it would be fun to gaze into our crystal baseball.
One undeniable conclusion: there will be no shortage of storylines heading into 2020 from the professional ranks right down to the community ball parks in Alberta.
Read More 5 Players We’re Watching in 2020‘Tis the season for year-end and decade-end lists.
We decided to put a different spin on those lists with a roster of Alberta’s baseball talent to suit up between 2010 and 2019.
From an MLB phenom to college stars to women’s national team stalwarts, take a look at who we think deserves recognition for their performances.
Read More Alberta’s All-Decade SquadEllie Jespersen’s 2019 season can be summed up in one word: incredible.
After pacing Alberta at the national championships in Okotoks, the 16-year-old was named to Baseball Canada’s National Women’s Team, contributing in major ways.
She put the wraps on the year by being named to two major Baseball Alberta awards in November.
Read More Stand Up DoubleShari Reiniger has turned her love of baseball and travel into quite the career.
Over the last 15 years, she has served in a multitude of roles for Baseball Canada at international events.
The Californian-turned-Edmontonian has seen it all, and gave us a snapshot in a recent episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.
Read More Shari of All TradesYou can’t spell “baseball” without “A … L … B … E …” … well, you get the picture.
Baseball Canada’s 2019 Women’s Invitational Championships – which pitted rivals from four provinces and a national prospects team against one another – have come and gone from Okotoks and Alberta turned in another impressive performance.
In addition to capturing their second straight bronze medal finish at the event, Alberta saw eight players chosen to participate in the national team’s three-day selection camp that followed the July 4-8 tournament at Tourmaline Field and Seaman Stadium. Of those eight players, five earned spots on this year’s Women’s National Team, including Spruce Grove sisters Carrie and Ellie Jespersen, Red Deer’s Kelsey Lalor, Edmontonian Madison Willan, and Kaitlyn Ross of Redcliff.
Read More Making An ImpactShe admits it’s been on her mind for a while.
But just days before her 29th birthday, Nicole Luchanski announced her retirement.
The Baseball Canada Women’s National Team star and Edmonton native is now ready for the next chapter of her life.
Read More The Legend of LuchIt’s hard to imagine calling Kelsey Lalor a “veteran.” She is only 20, after all.
Yet, her resume is an impressive one, including being named to the All World Team after this summer’s Women’s Baseball World Cup.
The Red Deer native finished off the year by being named the top women’s player in Alberta.
Read More Act of LalorWith one eye on the prize of the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup, Canada has another eye on the future and it may not be more prevalent than by looking at the Alberta contingent heading to Viera, Florida.
Five Albertans make up the roster, including three first-year national team players.
While there is plenty of new blood, the expectation remains the same: win.
Read More Unfinished Business