Achen For More

Cohen Achen has faced more adversity than most college athletes could imagine dealing with.

Just one week before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Calgary-born pitcher was hit in the face by a comebacker while he was on the mound for Big Bend College.

His comeback attempt was temporarily put on hold when he couldn’t cross the border, but when he joined Lindsey Wilson College, the young fireballer found his stride and was rewarded for his efforts.

Now, he’s looking to make an even bigger impact with the Blue Raiders.

Too Legit to Quit

This isn’t your kid’s Little League game.

And it definitely isn’t The Show.

Somewhere in between, during this year that has resembled an episode of The Jerry Springer Show much more than it has Happy Days, is the Foothills Major Baseball Association (FMBA).

It seems fitting that this 10-team circuit playing senior men’s baseball in Calgary is one of the few leagues able to take the field in Alberta in 2020.

1 Thru 9: Absolute Baseball Academy

Standing in the shadow of Foothills Stadium in Calgary is Absolute Baseball Academy.

And while the aging stadium – which was home to the Triple-A Calgary Cannons and the independent league Vipers – serves as a reminder of the great history of baseball in Cowtown, the academy signals a hopeful future for the game in Alberta’s largest city.

Academy director Cam McLachlan, who is also a coach with the Junior Dinos program, made time for us and told us what is happening with baseball at 2221 Crowchild Trail N.W. in Calgary. Here’s what he shared with us in our ongoing “1 Thru 9” look at the province’s baseball academies.

Travelin’ Man

Calgarian Geoff Freeborn has seen a lot of baseball. Six continents worth, to be exact.

The 36-year-old southpaw has played in European Championships, pitched in the Colombian Winter League, toured around the South Australian Baseball League, represented Canada at the Hong Kong Invitational and he was an All Star with the Calgary Vipers.

We caught up with him for a Q&A. Find out what he had to say.