McFarland: Umpire shortage a concern in Alberta
“An age-old question in the world of officiating is facing a new twist: how do you recruit and retain talented people coming out of a global pandemic?
It’s often a thankless job that has come under enormous scrutiny in the face of instant replay and cellphone video, but COVID-19 also opened up the eyes of potential umpires and referees to other ways to spend their summers.
Organizations like Baseball Alberta have been left holding the bag, scrambling to find enough people to service each game.”
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“True Dawg” Sanchez climbing U.S. collegiate ranks
From Mexico to Okotoks to Kansas, 2022 Western Canadian Baseball League MVP and Okotoks Dawgs star Ricky Sanchez has excelled on the baseball field. The young infielder’s ascent up the U.S. college ranks will continue when he heads to Lamar University in the fall. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with the 5-foot-9, 170-pound sparkplug and Dawgs fan favourite.
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Wilson: When "Captain Canada" was "Earl of Edmonton"
Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, writes about legendary Canadian Stubby Clapp’s two important seasons with the independent Northern League’s Edmonton Cracker-Cats in 2005 and 2006.
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Ex-Rays prospect Letkeman settles into coaching and fatherhood
From Red Deer to Big Bend Community College to the Tampa Bay Rays organization, Reign Letkeman experienced both success and adversity during his pitching career. The new father has now returned to his alma mater to share his wisdom as a coach. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Letkeman.
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McFarland: Vauxhall grads Macko, Palmegiani reunited in Jays' organization
Vauxhall Academy Jets grads Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) and Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, B.C.) have been reunited in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with the two Canadians.
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McFarland: Platts still has big league dreams, only as coach
Okotoks Dawgs Academy alum Brett Platts (Albany, P.E.I.) still has a goal of reaching the big leagues, but he’s taking a different route than he originally anticipated. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares Platt’s story.
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Signed, healed and ready to deliver, Soroka hopes for strong return in 2023
Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, provides an update on how Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) is progressing from his twice-torn, right Achilles that has keep him out of major league action since August 3, 2020.
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WCBL well represented on CBN's All-Canadian teams
The Western Canadian Baseball League was well represented on the Canadian Baseball Network’s All-Canadian college teams in 2022. Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, provides a summary.
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Baseball Alberta hands out 2022 awards
For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Baseball Alberta was able to host its annual general meeting and awards gala in-person in Edmonton November 11-13. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares the names of the province’s annual award winners.
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Macko, Peters land with new big league teams
Former Vauxhall Jets left-hander Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) has been dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Meanwhile ex-Okotok Dawg Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) has landed with the Tampa Bay Rays. Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, has the details.
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Halen makes “Jump” in Alberta baseball ranks, lands NCAA scholarship
Right-hander Halen Knoll, named after the rock group Van Halen, made significant strides in the Alberta baseball ranks this year. He has also landed a scholarship to the University of Mary. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, has Knoll’s story.
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Penner living his dream in Phillies’ organization
“If you would have told Ty Penner in high school or even early in his college baseball career that he would one day sign a contract with a Major League Baseball team, he would have wanted to believe you.
But he admits, he doesn’t know if every bone in his body would have thought it was possible.
Just a few short years later, a life-long dream for the Lethbridge infielder became a reality when he signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.”
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Trailblazing coach Stephenson excited about future of women’s national team
Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Canadian Women’s National Team legend Ashley Stephenson to talk about her new role as coach of the team and how she hopes to help grow women's baseball in Canada.
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Late-blooming Mahmood to play for Pakistan in WBC qualifier
“For all intents and purposes, Amar Mahmood is a late-bloomer in the game of baseball.
The Edmonton product loved the game, but admits he was out of shape in high school and “not very good” on the diamond.
He had been cut from various teams, and was simply playing the game for fun while training at St. Francis Xavier Academy in Grades 10 and 11 then 5 Tool Fieldhouse in Grade 12.
That’s when he met Absolute Human Performance (AHP) founder Taylor Burns, who convinced Mahmood to take a gap year and play with AHP’s first academy team.”
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Inspirational Abbott spent time in Calgary
Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, writes about inspirational left-hander Jim Abbott’s tenure with the Calgary Cannons.
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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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