Betts: From collecting candy to coming on in relief, Kopp relishing time with Berries
Right-hander Carter Kopp (Saskatoon, Sask.) is relishing his opportunity to pitch for his hometown Saskatoon Berries. Photo: Steve Hiscock, Saskatoon Berries (file photo)
May 31, 2025
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
SASKATOON, Sask. _ A lot has changed over the course of Carter Kopp’s career but Cairns Field has remained a consistent baseball backdrop.
Back in the days of the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets, who fielded a team in the Western Major League from 2002 to 2014, Kopp (Saskatoon, Sask.) recalls chasing foul balls in hopes of exchanging them for a bag of candy at the concession stand.
More than a decade later, he’s the one young fans are looking up to.
And the honour isn’t lost on the Saint Xavier University right-hander.
“It’s the best,” Kopp said prior to the Berries home opener against the Regina Red Sox.
“I grew up watching the Yellowjackets. Being here, you used to grow up and want to play for them. Then, we got a team when I was in university, so that was perfect.”
Armed with a sinker, curveball and a changeup, Kopp relies on finesse to get his outs.
This year at school, his Cougars qualified for the NAIA Opening Round, taking part in the Lawrenceville bracket. After dropping their first game they rallied for a pair of wins before losing to eventual winner and host Georgia Gwinnett College.
He’s now back for his second season with the Berries and is looking to build off his success from 2024 when he posted a 3-2 record and a 2.19 ERA over 17 relief appearances.
But just as important as the on-field success is the ability to give back to the game locally.
“When we’re here and I’m in town, I want to be the best role model I can be,” Kopp said.
“I want people to look up to me in some way.”
The berth of the Berries is another indication that Saskatchewan is firmly on the Canadian baseball map.
Look at recent Canada Cups for further proof. Since 2009, the province has hosted the tournament six times, twice each in Kindersley, Saskatoon and Regina.
In that span, they’ve won silver medals in 2011 and 2015 and a bronze in 2023.
But their biggest moment came in 2016 when they beat British Columbia for gold in Fort McMurray, Alta., their first since 1994 when they defeated Quebec in Moncton, N.B.
The growth is something Kopp has experienced first hand coming up in the minor baseball ranks.
From five Western Canadian Baseball League teams to programs like the Saskatoon Berries Academy, the future is bright.
“I feel like growing up, it was small and it keeps getting bigger and bigger,” he said.
“We started with this small complex and now we have this huge one and all these academies. I’ve been saying to the younger guys that are in the academy, they look good nowadays. They have so much to look forward to and I think they’re lucky. I’m privileged to even be a part of it.”