By MASON KENNEDY

(Special to Alberta Dugout Stories)

Have you ever thought about catching the first game of a doubleheader, then be the starting pitcher in the second game?

That’s exactly what Aidan Robinson did. In a doubleheader against the Calgary Cubs on April 6, 2025, he caught a few innings of the first game for the Webber Wildcats, then proceeded to get the first seven outs (three via strikeout) while allowing no earned runs in the second game.

You’re still thinking about it, while Aidan Robinson has already done it.

When Robinson isn’t pitching or catching, he’s hitting. His performance at the plate is what pushed him over the other candidates, earning him the Baseball Alberta 13U Player of the Year award in 2024.

Since then, he hasn’t stopped mashing – not during the season, not after he got picked for Team Alberta, and not now. This display of excellence is exactly what got him noticed to play for the Milwaukee Brewers Canadian Scout Team over the last year.

Not content and ready to keep rising up the rankings, Robinson was kind enough to answer some questions about his career, bringing you the latest “1 Thru 9.”

1. What goes through your mind when you win a major award like 13U Player of the Year and how did it motivate you to push even harder?

After winning the 13U Player of the Year award in 2024, I felt proud and a little shocked. It was one of those moments where all the work I put in finally felt noticed. It definitely gave me a boost going into the next season, but not in a “pressure” way. It made me want to keep proving to myself that I earned it, so I tried to carry that same focus and effort into the following year. At the same time, I knew one award didn’t make me a finished player, so it pushed me to keep improving instead of getting comfortable.

2. What did you do to replicate that season this year?

To try to replicate that season this year, I really focused on just being consistent with not just the big things but also the little ones. I made sure I was getting swings in regularly, even on days without a scheduled practice, and I put a lot into strength and mobility so I felt stronger and healthier during the season. A big part of it was my coaches here at Webber, too. They were amazing and pushed me in the right ways, which made it a lot easier to stay on track and keep improving.

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3. Give us your background story in baseball. How did you get into the game in the first place?

I started playing baseball when I was five. I think one of the reasons I chose to play it is because it felt fun and natural to me. I still play today because I love competing, getting better, and making great friendships.

4. How do you deal with the ups and downs of the year, mentally and physically, particularly this past season?

I handled the ups and downs by trying to stay steady no matter what the situation was. Not overly high over good games and not beating myself up over the bad ones. Physically, I was mainly focused on staying healthy and recovering well after all the innings I caught and pitched this year. But overall, I’m happy with how I handled this season.

5. Do you have any rituals or superstitions that you abide by?

I wouldn’t say I’m very superstitious, but I do have some small habits. Like how I warm up before games depending on where I’m playing and keeping my body ready to go.

6. You played for Team Alberta last summer. What was that experience like for you?

Playing for Team Alberta was an amazing experience for me. It was awesome to be part of such an amazing group of guys, and the competition was great. I came away with some great memories and a stronger sense of what I can do as a player.

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7. You were also chosen to play for the Milwaukee Brewers Canadian Scout Team in Arizona. What did it mean to you to get chosen for this prestigious team?

Being chosen to play for the Milwaukee Brewers Canadian Scout Team was surreal. It meant a lot to see my effort pay off and to know I was being recognized at that level. I didn’t really do too much to celebrate, just being there and playing my sport felt like more than enough of a reward.

8. When you play on these teams, there is often an immense amount of pressure put on yourself to perform. How do you deal with these pressures and stop them from affecting you negatively?

Yes, there one hundred percent is. In those moments I try to stay confident in myself and know that I’m here for a reason and only worry about controlling the things I can control, like my attitude and actions. I try not to dwell on mistakes or outcomes and instead just take things one play at a time. This approach helps me stay calm and play my best even in high pressure situations.

9. If you were speaking to the next generation of ballplayers, what message would you give them to help them succeed in baseball?

I would tell them to stay dedicated and to enjoy the process. Baseball ultimately is meant to be fun, don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad game but also make sure you learn from the things you did good and the things you didn’t do as great.