Turn the Paige

Even though her playing days are behind her, Paige Wakefield is still more than happy to reminisce about her time in baseball.

Whether it was her home association teams, Baseball Alberta or Baseball Canada, she enjoyed every minute of it.

We caught up with her earlier this year for a chat on Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast and here is the full transcript of that conversation.

Play Ball!

Baseball fans, coaches, volunteers, fans and families have been yearning for the return of their beloved sport.

With phase two of Alberta’s re-opening plans set to begin Thursday, we take a look at the work that’s been going on behind-the-scenes to get the summer going.

We also look at what’s needed and what we will be missing out on.

Great Scott

In the immortal words of the great Yogi Berra: “Baseball is 90 per cent mental. The other half is physical.”

It’s a saying that Ty Scott is taking to heart as a senior at Bryan College. The Calgary native is having a career year with the Lions as they chase an NAIA championship.

We chatted with him about mindset, his baseball journey and more for an episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

Soren’s Serenity

The only drama that Soren Graversen wants to hear about from here on out is baseball-related, like coming up to bat in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded in a tied game.

The 21-year junior at William Penn University has been a major offensive threat this spring and, more importantly, he’s having fun on the field again after dealing with drama earlier in his college career.

We chatted with him about that and more in a recent Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

2020 ADS All-College Team

“Unparalleled” is a word used far too often when describing 2020.

But when you look at some of the performances being put together by Alberta’s baseball products at US colleges, the year was actually setting up to be one of the best.

We take a look back at some of those highlights by naming an All-Alberta team for 2020.

The Book on Jonah

Jonah Arseneau has been able to one-up his fellow Alberta baseball products.

In November, the Calgary Bucks pitcher and outfielder announced his commitment to Minot State University.

While many others have done the same in 2020, Arseneau also announced he would be playing for New Zealand’s 18U National Team as they try to get into the 2021 WBSC World Championships in Florida.

We talked about that and much more with Arseneau in a recent episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

DeLand of Opportunity

There’s a difference between being a thrower and being a pitcher in baseball.

Dawgs Academy product Simon Lusignan admits he was more of a thrower when he arrived in Okotoks a couple of years ago.

But since then, he has improved dramatically, with a few opportunities to pitch on bigger stages.

2021 might be his year, as he is a highly-ranked Canadian prospect for the MLB Draft, while he is also committed to Stetson University.

Hill of Tara

“I really still feel that baseball is just such a huge part of my heart and my life.”

Fort Saskatchewan’s Tara Sliwkanich might not be playing baseball right now, but she still feels it has shaped who she is.

The former Baseball Alberta and Baseball Canada star pitcher joined us in a recent episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast to talk about her days of playing and the lessons she has taken to her new career.

Three’s Company

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.

North Star Smith

Dawgs Academy grad LaRon Smith is chomping at the bit to get going.

After being chosen in the 25th round of the 2018 MLB Draft by Minnesota, he has been dealing with a transition to catching as well as injuries.

He’s putting it all behind him heading into the Twins’ 2020 Spring Training.