Betts: Abbotsford Cardinals a program on the rise heading into Road to Okotoks
The Abbotsford Cardinals’ senior squad, shown here, opened their 2026 BCPBL season in April. Photo: Abbotsford Cardinals
May 22, 2026
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
The Abbotsford Cardinals believe they can compete with the best programs in the country.
And what better opportunity to prove it than the Road to Okotoks national championship?
“Over the last few years, our program has grown significantly in numbers, as well as overall talent and performance,” Cardinals Director of Baseball Operations Max Ishikawa said.
“We believe we’re a program that may be overlooked on the national stage, but because of our culture, commitment to excellence, elite staff and overall talent, we’re excited for the opportunity to see where we stack amongst the best of Canada.”
The Cardinals will be led on the mound by right-hander and North Dakota State University commit Dylan De Meyer, Alex Manuel (University of British Columbia) and two-way left-hander Austin Meinen (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College).
Catcher Ryder Silverton (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College), infielder Elias Robinson (Indian Hills Community College), infielder Dylan Bird (uncommitted) and outfielder Jake Carriere (uncommitted) will be relied upon to drive the offence.
“Our players play with a unique balance of selflessness, grit, pride and excitement,” Ishikawa said.
“Our players have played in high pressure situations against top competition before, and though the national championship is unlike anything our players have experienced, we believe our players won’t let the moment get the best of them.”
Abbotsford is coming of an organizational-best 42-16 record in 2025 and has played to a 15-7 record in the Premier Division of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League this season.
It became a member of the BCPBL in 1997 and has produced 12 Major League Baseball draft picks and helped send over 150 players to college.
“Our program finds a perfect balance of on-field product, online presence, holistic development, intense competition and having fun in our community,” Ishikawa said.
“A unique aspect of our organization is that we don’t recruit, rather we take a lot of pride in developing the young ball players in our area.”
The BC qualifier, which is being hosted in Langley and White Rock, features six teams. The Langley Blaze, Mid-Island Pirates, UBC Thunder, Victoria Eagles and White Rock Tritons join the Cardinals.
Abbotsford opens against UBC on Thursday, May 28 before facing White Rock, Langley, Victoria and Mid-Island in the round robin.
Four teams will advance to the national championship tournament to compete for the Morneau Cup at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks from July 14 to 19.
“The Road to Okotoks is an opportunity for our players to face elite competition at every stage of the tournament,” Ishikawa said.
“Through the qualifier to the national tournament, our guys will be facing the best, and along the way we’ll learn a lot about our program and our players. We take a lot of pride in never being a finished product, rather continuing to get better every day, week, month and year.”
Other Road to Okotoks Articles
AHP Renegades Baseball Academy
Home Run Sports Training Centre (Winnipeg)
Wilson: WCBL to showcase teams to young talent during Road to Okotoks — Canadian Baseball Network
Sweeney: Atlantic provinces prep for Road to Okotoks — Canadian Baseball Network