Fitzpatrick: Gurney’s WCBL All-Star Game experience a family affair
Moose Jaw Miller Express slugger Austin Gurney (Campbell River, BC) with his father, Hugh, prior to the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game Home Run Derby on Saturday. Photo: Moose Miller Express
July 20, 2025
By Trevor Fitzpatrick
Canadian Baseball Network
Of the 2025 WCBL All-Star Game participants, perhaps none had as much support present as Austin Gurney (Campbell River, BC) of the Moose Jaw Miller Express.
As a contestant in his third WCBL Home Run Derby, Gurney had a special pitcher tossing to him – his dad, Hugh.
The All-Star ceremonies this season meant a little extra to the power-hitting infielder/corner outfielder, as this is his fourth and final year in the league.
“It was a lot of fun, it’s always nice to come here and play with everyone you play against all summer. A cool experience for sure,” he smiled, as rain poured down on the interview.
His time with Moose Jaw has been nothing short of incredible. In each of his three prior seasons he hit over .300, and is above .350 so far in 2025.
Gurney is no stranger to Seaman Stadium. He was a part of the 2022 and 2024 Miller Express teams that played the eventual champion Okotoks Dawgs in those years’ finals.
He’s also made two prior Home Run Derby and All-Star Game appearances, both of which were in Okotoks as they’ve hosted for four years in a row.
“My dad throwing me BP in the derby was an experience I’ll never forget for sure,” said Gurney, “It was really cool to have my family here and tie it all back to where it started so many years ago.”
Gurney’s mom, Marnie, was also in attendance to watch as he smashed two home runs during the derby and notched an RBI double in the game that followed.
The slugger’s rise to WCBL success has come from his family perhaps more than most other players.
Austin Gurney’s twin brother, Robert, plays for the WCBL’s Weyburn Beavers. Photo: Weyburn Beavers
Hugh is the head coach of the North Island Cubs, where Austin and his twin brother Robert both played during their high school years.
While Robert wasn’t a WCBL All-Star this season, he is a former attendee. He played with Austin for Moose Jaw in 2022, before moving to the Weyburn Beavers for 2023-2025.
The two have enjoyed solid college years with Austin playing for Cochise College and Marshalltown Community College. Robert has attended the College of the Desert (Palm Desert, California) and Waldorf University. Both have spent time with the University of Pikeville.
Still, Austin says the WCBL holds a special place in his heart.
“It’s real special because a lot of the talent in this league is homegrown. There’s a lot of good Canadian players up here that choose to stay and perform in their own country,” he explained, “So, I like it, it’s a lot of fun. It’s in a way in my own backyard being from Vancouver Island. I’ve really enjoyed my last few years out here.”
What’s next for the sweet-swinging lefty bat? According to Gurney himself, it remains to be seen, “I’m just hoping for an opportunity to keep playing this game.”
The Miller Express currently sit fourth in the East Division with an 18-24 record. The top four teams of each division make the playoffs, so they’ll have to hold off the 11-30 Weyburn Beavers and 9-31 Swift Current 57’s to secure the spot down the stretch.