Stairs shares hitting wisdom in Alberta, impressed by Dawgs' facilities
“Matt Stairs must feel at home in Alberta.
The former big league slugger, who was at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta., as a special guest at the Western Canadian Baseball League’s All-Star Game on Saturday, has a brother that lives in Calgary and he and his wife, Lisa, were staying with his ex-sister-in-law in Okotoks.
It was also in Alberta with the Oakland A’s triple-A Edmonton Trappers in 1996 that Stairs turned his professional baseball career around. At age 28, after seven seasons in the minors with only short stretches of big league action, he decided to open up his batting stance.”
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WCBL All-Star Game starting lineups, details about HR derby unveiled
Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares the starting lineups for the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game, as well as details about the home run derby, which will take place at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta., today.
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Wilson: Analyzing the WCBL All-Star Game rosters
Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, takes a look at the East and West rosters for the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game which will take place at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta., on Saturday.
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Hometown Giants pitcher gets job “Dunn” on Canada Day
“It was a moment Sean Dunn won’t soon forget.
After being introduced over the public address system to a raucous crowd at Legacy Dodge Field, he went through his pre-game motions as his Fort McMurray Giants were about to face the Sylvan Lake Gulls.
However, this wasn’t just another game on the schedule – this was Canada Day 2022.
And the hometown hurler knew he had to take a moment to soak it all in.”
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WCBL’s state-of-the-art parks drawing big crowds
Never mind if you build it. The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) has built it, is building it, and will continue to build it. And they – meaning the fans, the players and anyone else interested in being at the ballpark – are coming. Over the years, WCBL franchises have poured millions of dollars into investing in stadiums and baseball facilities in Western Canada. Even more funding is earmarked for the years ahead. Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, takes a deeper look at the stadiums in the WCBL.
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Lanferman returns home to coach Edmonton Collegiate Hawks
“It’s not hard for Jake Lanferman to list off the coaches who have had an impact on his baseball career.
Sheen Bromley. Ray Brown. Taylor Burns. Ethan Elias. Mike Johnson. Chris Pritchett. Jason Chatwood. It’s a who’s who of baseball coaches in Alberta and Western Canada.
Now, Lanferman is hoping to add his name to that list of influential people as the head coach of the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks of the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference.”
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Focus on consistency helping Logan excel as Oregon State’s starting catcher
Okotoks Dawgs Academy alum Gavin Logan (Oyen, Alta.) is enjoying a breakout collegiate season as the starting catcher for the Oregon State Beavers. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with Logan.
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Chatwood savors being home, leading Gulls
After a successful collegiate career south of the border, Jason Chatwood (Innisfail, Alta.) is happy to be back in his home province to raise his young family and lead the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Sylvan Lake Gulls for a second season. Joe McFarland and Ian Wilson, from Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke to Chatwood about his baseball odyssey.
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“Intent” key to Zdunich’s success at Reinhardt University
Okotoks Dawgs alum Tucker Zdunich (High River, Alta.) says an emphasis on “intent” has been a key to his success on the diamond with Reinhardt University this season. Alberta Dugout Stories writer Joe McFarland recently caught up with Zdunich.
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Frostad California dreamin' in new position as Angels' head trainer
After earning a World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, Calgary native Mike Frostad has started his new role as head trainer and director of sports medicine for the Los Angeles Angels. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares Frostad’s story.
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Questions followed Brookins to stops in Vancouver, Regina
“All he wanted to do was play the game he loved.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1879, Richard “Dick” Brookins began the 20th century with a professional baseball dream, but had it dashed after several stops with a handful of teams.
At nearly every turn, he found controversy because of the colour of his skin.”
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Prankster, ex-MLBer Comstock has fond memories of Alberta
Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with former big league reliever Keith Comstock, who played two stints in Alberta and is the subject of one of the most-talked about baseball cards ever produced.
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Baseball Alberta announces 2021 award winners
Baseball Alberta recently announced its 2021 award winners. Joe McFarland, from Alberta Dugout Stories, was present for the virtual event and he wrote about the winners.
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Sabrowski headed to Cleveland after second Tommy John surgery
Prospects Baseball Academy alum Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) just underwent his second Tommy John surgery. He will rehab in a new organization after the Cleveland Guardians selected him from the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 draft. Joe McFarland, from Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Sabrowski to discuss his operation and his future with the Guardians.
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Kirwer gets unexpected call, lands with Mariners
Sherwood Park Dukes alum Tanner Kirwer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) was selected by the Seattle Mariners from the Toronto Blue Jays in Wednesday’s Minor League Rule 5 draft. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, caught up with Kirwer to talk about the transaction.
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From saving games to saving lives, Northcott thrives under pressure
Right-hander Heidi Northcott (Rocky Mountain House, Alta.), who has saved games for the Canadian Women’s National Team, is now saving lives as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in Edmonton during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with her to talk about her new career and her baseball experiences.
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Legendary First Nations pitcher Jimmy Rattlesnake inducted into Canadian ball hall
Jimmy Rattlesnake was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously on Tuesday night. Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares the story of this legendary First Nations pitcher’s career.
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Hartman grateful for Junior National Team experience
“Extending his baseball season wasn’t exactly at the top of Max Hartman’s mind.
He was deep into his summer school classes when he received an unexpected phone call from Baseball Canada Junior National Team head coach Greg Hamilton.
The 18-year-old St. Albert, Alta., native was being invited to the team’s camp in Ajax, Ont., where a team would be chosen to represent Canada in the 18U Friendship Series against the United States in Florida.”
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WCBL - Three Up, Three Down - Tyler McWillie
Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, caught up with Okotoks Dawgs alum and Sylvan Lake Gulls first baseman/pitcher Tyler McWillie (Watrous, Sask.) for the Western Canadian Baseball League’s latest “Three-Up, Three Down” feature.
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Three Up, Three Down with Lethbridge Bulls catcher Noah Or
Lethbridge Bulls catcher Noah Or has gotten off to a cracking start in the Western Canadian Baseball League. Through nine games, the Richmond, B.C., native is leading the WCBL in batting average (.486), runs (15), hits (17), and on-base percentage (.568). He also hit a home run at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks on June and has posted nine runs batted in (RBI). Ian Wilson, of the Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up to Or for his latest “Three Up, Three Down” column.
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