“It’s still a little surreal for Thomas Ireland to see his “Homegrown Hero” banner up at the North Regina Little League ballpark.

Back home for the offseason after a very successful year in the Texas Rangers system, the 23-year-old was visiting his old stomping grounds with his wife, Jessica, and his parents to help with the program’s fall clean-up when he looked up at the banner again.

What makes it even more special in Ireland’s eyes is, just to the right of his banner, is the one for his idol, mentor, and fellow Regina native Dustin Molleken.

He couldn’t ask for more as he blazes his own professional trail.

“I have nothing but great things to say about Dusty and his family, and the amount of support he’s given me over the last couple of years,” Ireland told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories.”

“You would be hard-pressed to find a more memorable opening weekend of professional baseball than the one Eric Hartman had.

Hitting cleanup for the Augusta GreenJackets as the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves hosted the Columbia Fireflies, the 2024 20th round MLB draft pick was already 1-for-3 with a single, walk and run scored when he came up to bat in the seventh inning.

With a runner on and facing right-hander Ismail Michel, Hartman launched a rocket to right field that cleared the fence and added some insurance for the GreenJackets in taking an 11-7 lead.”