Putting on a Clinic

Everyone had their reasons for smiling on a cold Saturday just outside Calgary.

The Blue Jays Academy National Coaches Clinic was moved to Webber Academy, where athletes and coaches were able to learn from some of the best.

Pat Borders, Devon White, Ernie Whitt, Ashley Stephenson, Buck Martinez and Chris Reitsma served as instructors for the weekend-long camp.

Soaking It All In

We take a look at the World Series celebrations of Albertans Mike Frostad and Mike Soroka.

Both men helped the Atlanta Braves achieve baseball’s ultimate goal.

In the Cards: Ian’s All Stars

In a pre-internet world, baseball cards served as a fantasy baseball type of resource that connected fans with players.

They provided stats, factoids, interesting graphic designs and photos that ranged from fantastic to hilarious. On occasion, the packs of cardboard collectibles even provided mouth-scraping gum that was capable of losing flavour faster than a card in bike spokes could drop its value.

Of course, baseball cards are still around – they’re even available in mobile app form – but the popularity of the memorabilia is nowhere near what it was in the sports card boom of the 1990s and before that era.

Here at Alberta Dugout Stories, we love our collectibles, so we’ve decided to unveil a baseball card-themed All-Star Team!

Welcome to the Ohtani Sho

Two-way beast Shohei Ohtani looked unstoppable at the plate and on the mound at times with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.

But before he was an international superstar, some Canadian baseball players got the better of him. And it was a Spruce Grove, Alberta pitcher who picked up the win over Ohtani.

Soroka picks up win in MLB debut

Calgary pitching prospect Mike Soroka made his Major League Baseball debut last night, taking the mound for the Atlanta Braves during a start against Noah Syndergaard and the New York Mets at Citi Field.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound righty ended up picking up the win after putting in six innings of work. He gave up six hits and one earned run – a solo home run off the bat of Yoenis Cespedes – while issuing no walks and striking out five, en route to a 3-2 Braves victory.

Here’s a look at Soroka’s special day and the reactions to it …