Kvame, Pothakos receive Hall of Fame nods
Regina Red Sox head coach Rye Pothakos and WCBL president Kevin Kvame have been elected to the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame respectively. Photo: WCBL
*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on May 7. You can read it here.
May 8, 2025
By Ian Wilson
Alberta Dugout Stories
The Western Canadian Baseball League is getting Hall-of-Fame recognition for two of its best and brightest people.
WCBL president Kevin Kvame, who is also the owner of the Lethbridge Bulls franchise, has been named a 2025 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductee in the builder category.
Kvame has worked tirelessly for decades to advance baseball in southern Alberta and across Western Canada.
His baseball journey began in Fort Macleod as a player, coach and a volunteer.
At just 19 years old, Kvame spearheaded the creation of the Fort Macleod Royals American Legion baseball team. He oversaw the development of Westwinds Stadium in the town, which became the home of the Royals, as well as Canadian championships between 1989 and 1991.
In addition, he has served continuously in various Little League roles at the local, provincial, national and international levels, including chairing 17 national championships in Lethbridge over the years.
“You cannot do it . . . without recognizing how many people had to be part of the history and the teams and the events,” said Kvame in an interview on The Bullhorn: The Lethbridge Bulls Baseball Report podcast.
An avid New York Yankees fan, Kvame is the president/CEO of the Under the Lights Sports & Entertainment Group, an organization that runs baseball operations for the Lethbridge Bulls, the Prairie Baseball Academy (PBA), Lethbridge Longhorns High School Academy, and the Junior Academy youth development programs. They also provide services and support to other baseball groups, including Spitz Stadium, Little League Alberta, Little League District No. 1, the WCBL, the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) and the Canadian College World Series.
He was an early adviser to the Lethbridge Bulls – a WCBL squad that celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024 – during their formation before becoming the team’s general manager in 2002, and president in 2006. The Bulls have two league titles in five WCBL final appearances to their credit, with championship wins occurring in 2015 and 2021. They have only missed the postseason once in their history.
The Bulls support many causes each year and host charity events such as the Battle of the Badges, featuring members of the Lethbridge Police Service and the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services. In 2024, the club introduced the Lethbridge Bulls Youth Baseball Camp.
Kvame became the Western Canadian Baseball League president in 2009, when it was still known as the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL). He has steered the league through several hurdles, including small-market challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. Since taking on a leadership role with the summer collegiate league, he has also overseen major growth with the addition of expansion teams and significant increases in WCBL attendance.
Kvame is also the president of the CCBC, a post he’s held since 2017. That spring collegiate circuit has teams across British Columbia and Alberta.
His other roles over the years include president of the Alberta Amateur Baseball Council (1999-2010); member of the Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee, including chair for the last four years of his participation (2002-2012); and founding director of the Lethbridge Sport Council (2008-2012).
He has been the president of the Henderson Stadium Society since 2001. Spitz Stadium, the home of the Bulls, was previously known as Henderson Stadium.
Through it all, Kvame has always sought to foster a love of baseball, especially among young people.
“You try to get players of any ability to love the game,” said Kvame.
“And even if they cannot play it at a high enough level … they can become a great advocate and a great supporter of the game of baseball.”
The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 induction banquet will be held at the Lethbridge and District Agri-Food Hub in the Lakeview Salon on May 9.
As part of the 2025 class, Kvame will be inducted with others, including the 1986 Lethbridge Miners and 1987 Lethbridge Elks championship baseball squads, which are being honoured with a team award by the Hall of Fame.
POTHAKOS HONOURED IN SASKATCHEWAN
Rye Pothakos – the director of recruiting and baseball operations, as well as the head coach of the Regina Red Sox – is also set to be recognized this year.
The longtime skipper and scout has been named as an inductee to the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame.
“It is very humbling and rewarding to receive this honour. Baseball is a passion and a love of mine since I can remember. I am as full of excitement to go to the ballpark as I was at age seven, when I began to play this game we all love so much,” said Pothakos.
“To be recognized for your body of work is very special to me. I would like to thank the nomination and selection committee for this great honour, and I would like to thank my family for their love and support.”
Pothakos is in this 10th season with the Red Sox, an East Divison team in the WCBL.
“Rye Pothakos continues to bring the talent to the Red Sox. The Sox have not missed the playoffs since our first season in 2005. His experience in coaching and finding talent will eventually win the Sox another championship,” said team president Gary Brotzel.
Pothakos is an associate scout for the Kansas City Royals, and he managed, scouted, and coached for the Greek National Team between 2017 and 2021.
He calls Saskatoon home and he has been the director of recruiting the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets (WMBL), Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks (Northern League), Elmira Pioneers (Northeast League), Regina Cyclones (Prairie League).
He is also an assistant scouting director for the United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPL), based in Utica, Mich.
The Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame was established in Battleford, Sask., in 1983 by Dave Shury. Induction ceremonies have been held every year since 1985.
The class of 2024 included former Saskatoon Berries pitching coach Andrew Albers, Moose Jaw Miller Express pitching consultant Dustin Molleken, and Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire Stu Scheurwater of Regina.