2022 Season Preview: Medicine Hat Mavericks

The Medicine Hat Mavericks get back in the saddle for the 2022 Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) season …

Medicine Hat Mavericks Season Preview

The Medicine Hat Mavericks proved they had the horses last season.

The Mavs were such a stable force all summer – going 38-9 in the regular season – that it ultimately wasn’t a big surprise to see them claim the 2018 Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) title.

Technically, they won the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) championship. With a new league name in 2019 and a different playoff format – best-of-five series have been replaced with best-of-three competitions – Medicine Hat goes into the history books as the last champions of the WMBL.

How The West Was Won

There are final outs and then there are final outs.

When Maverick centre fielder David Salgueiro caught a fly ball in the ninth inning of a game against the Regina Red Sox on Thursday, Aug. 16th at Athletic Park in Medicine Hat, it sealed an 8-2 win for the Mavs.

It was the final out of the deciding game of the series. It was also the final out of the last Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) game of 2018 and it marked the end of the league as we know it.

1 Thru 9: Sal Rodriguez

If you’re trying to spot first baseman Sal Rodriguez at the ballpark, just look for the guy signing autographs, playing catch with children or chatting with the fans.

The Crystal Lake, Illinois native has quickly become a fan favourite in Medicine Hat and for the 6-foot-2 right-handed batter, the feeling is mutual. Rodriguez loves being at the diamond and he also enjoys engaging with the fans.

But the Minot State University student, who is entering his senior year, can play too.

Rodriguez recently made some time for us and our “1 Thru 9” feature series.

Medicine Hat Mavericks 2018 Season Preview

Medicine Hat’s sports community is always built on a foundation of partnerships and expectations of excellence.

We continue our series of previews of the WMBL’s Alberta teams with a visit to the Gas City and the Mavericks, who once again are looking to the playoffs and beyond.