By JOE McFARLAND

Heading into the 2024 Western Canadian Baseball League season, the only question mark surrounding Cooper Ciesielski was how to pronounce his last name.

The Monument, Colorado native has heard it all during his young baseball career, although it didn’t take long for fans in Alberta and Saskatchewan to get used to hearing it the right way.

Pronounced sah-ZELL-skee, the Sylvan Lake Gulls slugger had a fantastic summer by tying for the league lead in doubles (21) and home runs (13) while placing in the top-ten in several other categories including batting average (.382), runs batted in (53) and beanballs (16).

Named to the WCBL All-Star Game and representing the Gulls in the Home Run Derby, Ciesielski was also named the Team MVP at the end of the regular season.

The 6-foot-, 185-pound outfielder will be heading back to the University of Texas Permian Basin in the fall, where he hit .324 with eight homers and 40 RBI in 48 games in 2023 before being sidelined for all but five games this past spring.

Ciesielski joined our Ian Wilson before the All-Star Game in Okotoks to talk about being honoured and much more for the latest installment of 7^th Inning Stretch.

1. Tell us a little bit about how you found out about the All-Star Game nod and what your reaction was.

My coach actually told me about two weeks ago, right before a game – like 30 minutes before – and I was just stoked and very excited. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a cool experience.

2. This is your first year in the WCBL. What’s the experience been like for you?

I love it. Very competitive and a very welcoming league.

3. What was your recruitment path in getting from Colorado to Sylvan Lake?

I went to school at University of Texas Permian Basin and my head coach there had connections with the head coach here at Sylvan Lake and that’s how I got involved.

2024 Gulls Team Awards 🏆

Team MVP: Cooper Ciesielski
Gulls Culture of Excellence: Matty Fung
Top Offensive Player: Gavin Roy #GDTBAG pic.twitter.com/XLlmqSEiL6
— Sylvan Lake Gulls (@SylvanLakegulls) August 6, 2024

4. It was a special time recently around the Gulls as you had a couple of teammates taken in the MLB Draft: Nathan Flewelling and Owen Pote. What was it like being around those guys as they were selected?

It’s great to be around. I love seeing it and I look forward to seeing them play along the road. It’s a cool experience for them.

5. What is your favourite ballpark food?

Hotdogs with ketchup, mustard and relish.

6. What is the best bit of baseball advice you’ve received along the way?

Play your heart out and have fun.

7. What does the game of baseball mean to you?

It means a lot. I was introduced to it at a very young age and it’s a blessing to play the game I love.

The Gulls completed the two-game sweep of the Brooks Bombers in the first round of the WCBL playoffs and will host game one of the West Division final on Sunday, August 11 against the winner of the Okotoks Dawgs-Lethbridge Bulls series.