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.

Blue Jays Academy Gallery

A thrill of a lifetime for many aspiring baseball players in our province with the annual Blue Jays Academy Super Camp powered by Honda.

George Bell, J.P. Arencibia, Homer Bush and Ricky Romero showed players in St. Albert and Okotoks a few tricks of the trade over the last four days.

We were invited onto the field to snap a few photos of the festivities.

Going Out With A Bang

Not only did Calgary’s J.T. Patterson hit three home runs in a game. He did it twice. In back-to-back games.

The Bellevue University Bruins star has been lights out in his senior season.

Right after that first 3-HR game, we chatted with him for a later episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

1 Thru 9: Danny Donnelly

It’s been quite the journey for Okotoks Dawgs’ outfielder Danny Donnelly.

Donnelly – who played 32 games for the Dawgs this season, recording two home runs, 11 RBI and 11 runs over 61 regular season at bats – grew up in Okotoks. He patrolled the berm in left field as a fan, along with his father Pat, while his mother Marlene served as the Dawgs’ academic advisor.

He would later hustle around the infield as a bat boy for his beloved hometown team and join the Dawgs Academy.

He recently made time for our “1 Thru 9” series and here’s what the right-handed batter had to say.

1 Thru 9: Jacob Bouzide

Home field advantage is something the Okotoks Dawgs are hoping to capitalize on this season with a bevy of home-grown talent, including Jacob Bouzide.

The Dawgs Academy product is the focus of the newest “1 Thru 9.”

Mr. Versatility: A Q&A with Andrew Kittredge

It hasn’t been the smoothest of rides for Andrew Kittredge. The Spokane native has traveled along many different roads, including a stretch with the WMBL’s Okotoks Dawgs. We caught up with Kittredge to talk about his journey, his time in Alberta and advice he has for any kid hoping to make it to the MLB.

Catching Up With Jordan Procyshen

Like a quarterback in football, catchers are in charge of how a play turns out. Alberta’s Jordan Procyshen is readying himself for the start of 2018 spring training, also teaching kids about his journey and calling the plays.

Dawg Days of Summer

The Dawg days of summer are over, and gone with them is the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) season.

Many of the Okotoks Dawgs players and coaches have bid summer in Alberta adieu, having packed up and left for the colleges they plan to attend in the U.S. over the school year.

A first-round playoff exit to the Edmonton Prospects in five games brought a dejecting end to the season for the Dawgs and their fans. But the post-season heartbreak should not overshadow what was a special season in Okotoks.

Love of the Game. Love of Our Province.

Two love letters to a beautiful game from a couple of Alberta boys.

This is why we’re passionate about this project.

This is why Alberta Dugout Stories exists.