From Bat Boy to Hall of Famer

It could have been quite easy for Orv Franchuk to dislike or even hate baseball right from the very start.

The Wandering River, Alberta product instead turned around and made it a passion, earning him numerous accolades including being named to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Baseball Call to the Hall

Baseball players, coaches, builders and dreamers are taking their place among the sporting legends of Alberta.

Five major baseball figures in the province – Orv Franchuk, Dr. Randy Gregg, W.P. Kinsella, Mel Kowalchuk and Reno Lizzi – are part of a major induction ceremony that will take place at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame …

Hall-of-Fame Worthy Nominee

We are very excited to announce that Alberta Dugout Stories has applied to have Mel Kowalchuk inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

In an effort to promote Alberta baseball and help give recognition to one of the sport’s major players, we determined Kowalchuk – the man largely responsible for bringing the Edmonton Trappers to the provincial capital for a quarter century – was a worthy nominee.

Alberta Kid with an American Arm

An Alberta Sports Hall of Famer still holds the Guinness World Record for longest baseball throw: 60 years later.

Fantastic Mrs. Fox

One of Alberta’s tiniest communities is home to one of baseball’s biggest stars of yesteryear: Helen Nicol (Fox).