2020 Vision

Despite a summer that pretty much didn’t happen weather-wise, the Western Canadian Baseball League is touting it as a success.

Now all eyes are on the future, starting with a 2020 season that will feature two fewer teams.

As league president Kevin Kvame told us, 2021 will also be a season of change with expansion coming to Alberta.

2019 WCBL Award Winners

The Western Canadian Baseball League recently announced their 2019 award winners and all-star teams.

Here’s a look at the people who were recognized for their outstanding achievements in the 12-team WCBL, which calls Alberta and Saskatchewan home.

Let the Big Dawg Eat

“You win it.”

Visitors to Seaman Stadium may have become familiar with this phrase over the last two summers. Those seated close enough to the home dugout could hear Mitch Schmidt, the head coach of the Okotoks Dawgs, bark this motto to his charges dozens of times each game.

The spirited slogan was often used as encouragement to achieve a seemingly small task – you win an at bat, you win by stealing a bag on the base paths, you win by getting a bunt down, you win by inducing a ground ball, you win by punching through a third strike, you win by making a routine defensive play in the field.

After piling up all those little victories over the course of the 2019 Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) season, the Dawgs claimed the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy with an 8-6 victory over the Regina Red Sox on Aug. 16th and will enter next year as the defending champions.

7th Inning Stretch: Jaden Griffin

One of the harsh realities of any baseball season is that players may not get a chance to finish the campaign and help their teammates when they need them most.

For pitchers at the Major League Baseball (MLB) level, they may have innings limits or be forced to sit out due to injury.

Such is the case for lefty hurler Jaden Griffin, who recently wrapped up his season with the Lethbridge Bulls. He is the subject of our most recent 7th Inning Stretch feature.

7th Inning Stretch: Ashton Roy

They say that home is where the heart is.

As it turns out, Ontario’s Ashton Roy is feeling pretty good about his second home here in Alberta.

He moved here in 2015 and talks to us in our latest 7th Inning Stretch about the move, this province and the “Major League” character he channels in the clubhouse.