McFarland: Wapella's near-perfect summer
“It was one of the most impressive performances the province of Saskatchewan has ever seen on a baseball field.
A team based out of Wapella, with a population of just 400, nearly ran the table for the entire summer of 1924, winning 16 of 20 tournaments they played in.
They won 51 times, were defeated on five occasions, and took home a total of $2,600.”
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McFarland: Soroka bets on himself with one-year deal with Nats
Calgary Redbirds and Junior National Team alum Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) has chosen to bet on himself with his recent one-year, $9-million deal with the Washington Nationals, writes Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories.
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Wilson: Peters to hone skills in Venezuela this winter
“Tristan Peters is used to taking the plunge.
The outfielder made a name for himself with the Triple-A Durham Bulls by making spectacular diving catches in the International League.
He’s also been known to jump at the opportunities he’s been presented with during his baseball career.
It’s that mindset that has him hopping on a plane for South America to take part in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League this winter.”
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McFarland: Two-sport star Marien headed to Hutchinson College
“When Aidan Marien isn’t collecting hits on the diamond, he is delivering them on the gridiron.
During the summer months, the Saskatoon product has been found in a variety of ballparks plying his trade as a catcher and pitcher.
Once the fall arrives, he’s on the football field as an outside linebacker for the St. Joseph High School Guardians.
Marien is coming off a banner year in both sports, representing his province at the Baseball Canada Cup and heading to Toronto for the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase before helping the Guardians claim the 6A provincial football championship.”
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Wilson: WCBL’s Edmonton franchise aims to open new park in Spruce Grove June 7
“As the concrete walls and steel beams rise out of the dirt in Spruce Grove, a new ballpark is finally starting to take shape.
The forging of a new identity for a Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) franchise that will celebrate its 20th year of existence in 2025 is also underway.
With a moving in date set for June of next year, the multi-million dollar stadium project has moved well beyond photorealistic renderings and that much closer to becoming a reality.
It’s been a painstakingly long process from when the stadium was initially conceived in 2020 by Pat Cassidy – owner of the WCBL’s Edmonton Prospects – to get to this stage, which now includes the horizon-altering vertical construction of the baseball venue.”
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McFarland: Doing “little things right” major reason for Puhl’s long career
Joe McFarland, of Saskatchewan Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Canadian baseball legend and Houston Astros Hall of Famer Terry Puhl (Melville, Sask.). Puhl talked about his playing career which began in Saskatchewan and ended after parts of 15 seasons in the majors.
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Wilson: 2025 WCBL schedule released
The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) has released their 2025 schedule.
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McFarland: Baseball Saskatchewan announces award winners
Baseball Saskatchewan recently announced their 2024 award winners. Joe McFarland, of Saskatchewan Dugout Stories, has the details.
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McFarland: Dream come true for Dawgs’ Thierman to play for Junior National Team
“Getting a call from Greg Hamilton at Baseball Canada is a pretty good reason to be late for class.
Already running behind, Taye Thierman was walking the halls at Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks about to walk into class when his phone started ringing.
Even with Alberta’s new cell phone policies in place, the Dawgs Academy product couldn’t help but look at the phone as he knew the Hamilton was making phone calls for the upcoming Junior National Team’s trip to the Dominican Fall Instructional League camp.”
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Wilson: Remembering when Fernandomania came to Alberta
Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Fernando Valenzuela passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63. Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares the story of when “Fernandomania” came to Alberta.
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Wilson: Resilient Sabrowski made Alberta proud in 2024
“Don’t cry because it’s over.
Smile because it happened.
Although if the glimpse into what Erik Sabrowski is capable of is any indication, his Major League Baseball (MLB) career is far from over – it’s just getting started.”
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McFarland: Hard-working Tetreault commits to Cloud County
“Miguel Tetreault couldn’t help but smile as he glanced around Legacy Dodge Field.
Playing in Team Alberta’s first game of the 2024 Baseball Canada Cup in Fort McMurray, the starting shortstop was living every Canadian baseball player’s dream of representing their province on home turf.
While Alberta fell 3-0 to Manitoba in the opener on their way to a sixth-place finish in the national championship, Tetreault says he will never forget the emotions of the opener.
“That first pitch, I was looking up in the crowd and it was a surreal moment,” the infielder told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “Playing in front of friends and family, it was definitely a blessing to represent not only my hometown but my home province, too.”
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McFarland: Dawgs’ Poirier headed to Miami
"After seeing all that Western Canada has to offer, Max Poirier is ready for something different.
In fact, the young hurler is heading to the opposite coast to continue his baseball journey.
After living and playing the game in Canada’s three western-most provinces – suiting up in some major tournaments and playing for Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team – the 17-year-old has committed to the University of Miami."
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WCBL's Medicine Hat Mavericks announce coaching staff
The Western Canadian Baseball League's Medicine Hat Mavericks have announced their 2025 coaching staff.
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Hartley named WCBL Umpire of the Year
The Western Canadian Baseball League has named Kris Hartley as the top umpire on the summer collegiate circuit.
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McFarland: Red Deer Braves “scratched and clawed” their way to 18U provincial and national championships
"When the Red Deer CarStar Braves clinched the Baseball Alberta Elite League championship this summer, a massive weight came tumbling off their shoulders.
Feeling like they were a favourite heading into each of the last three seasons, the Braves had great regular seasons only to have the playoffs end in heartache.
Little did they know, bigger things were on the horizon as the team would run the table to capture the Baseball Canada 18U National Championship in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador."
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McFarland: Jesson's no-hitter at Ray Carter Cup highlight of successful year
"It wasn’t until after the game that Tucker Jesson realized what had happened.
With the goal of getting Saskatchewan into the semi-finals at the Baseball Canada 15U Ray Carter Cup in Laval, Quebec, the Regina product was focused solely on getting the win.
As the innings rolled along in a tight baseball game, he was completely oblivious to an extra zero on the scoreboard, under the hits column for their opponents for Ontario.
When Jesson struck out Sam Thiessen in the bottom of the seventh to secure the 1-0 quarterfinal victory, his teammates and coaches swarmed the pumped-up Jesson, who had thrown a complete-game no-hitter."
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Beck wins WCBL's Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Canadian awards
Saskatoon Berries outfielder Carter Beck (Carnduff, Sask.) has been named the Western Canadian Baseball League's Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Canadian.
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McFarland: Morgan draws inspiration from Sabrowski heading into Canadian Futures Showcase
AHP Academy and Junior National Team catcher Dominik Morgan (Sherwood Park, Alta.) will compete in his first Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre this week. He will draw inspiration from current Cleveland Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) whom he was catching at the AHP Academy earlier this year. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, spoke to Morgan before the young catching prospect headed for Toronto.
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McFarland: Kooy looking forward to representing Saskatchewan at Canadian Futures Showcase
"The opportunities keep coming for Trentin Kooy and he’s more than happy to take them, no matter how far he has to go.
The Saskatoon native has quickly risen up the ranks of some of the best Canadian prospects set to graduate high school in 2026 thanks to some big performances on even bigger stages.
After appearances at the Prep Baseball Report Junior Future Games in 2023 and the 2024 Baseball Canada Cup with Team Saskatchewan, Kooy is looking forward to adding to that resume when he suits up for Team Black at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre in Toronto Sept. 17-21."
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