Dorothy said “there’s no place like home.”

And in the early-going of the 2018 Western Major League Baseball season, the saying is holding true for the Okotoks Dawgs. The team is off to a 10-5 start, including a perfect 6-0 mark within the friendly confines of Seaman Stadium.

Part of the success might be attributed to the number of players who were either born and raised in and around the community, or have been brought through the Dawgs Academy program.

One of those players is Jacob Bouzide. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound second baseman has turned heads in his young career, including a stint with Team Alberta at the high-profile T12 tournament in Toronto. Now he’s relishing in the opportunity of playing for the team he essentially grew up watching.

In the latest installment of “1 Thru 9”, Bouzide was enthusiastic in answering the hard-hitting questions for Alberta Dugout Stories.

1. What is your walk-up/warm-up tune?

My walk-up song is “Too Good” by Drake. I try to choose a song with a good beat that I can groove to. Just to calm me down before my at-bat.

2. What is the best pre-game meal?

I gotta go with a Sausage and Egg English Muffin from Tim Hortons.

3. Your family sends you a care package. What’s in it?

Definitely a family-sized bag of ketchup chips! Also a Coffee Crisp.

4. What is your favourite stadium to watch or play baseball in?

My favourite stadium to watch or play in is Seaman Stadium. It was such a privilege to play there growing up.

5. Who has had the biggest influence on you as a baseball player and why?

Val Helldobler and Tyler Hollick have both influenced my baseball career tremendously. This started when I was 14-years-old and they still help me out today.

6. Who was the best teammate you’ve ever had and why?

It’s hard to choose just one! I’ve made tons of friends and have had many great teammates growing up playing at Dawgs Academy. I also had many great teammates at Colby College this year.

Jacob Bouzide (2017) from Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Academy (AB) commits to Colby CC. https://t.co/iAtgeKP9cn via @FieldLevel

— Okotoks Dawgs (@DawgsAcademy) November 23, 2016

7. What is the best thing about playing baseball in the WMBL?

For me, the best part is playing with a bunch of great guys, as well as playing against a lot of ex-teammates.

8. What is your favourite baseball memory?

My favourite baseball memory was my last high school game. I ended my Dawgs Academy career with my best friends while wining the Buckeye Elite Tournament in Ohio.

9. What is the best piece of baseball advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I ever received was just to be myself. I got to where I am by being myself, so I shouldn’t change what has worked.

Bouzide and his teammates will be getting plenty of home cooking over the next while. They will be home to Fort McMurray on Saturday, which will be the first of eight dates at Seaman Stadium over their next ten games.