Posts in Sandlots
Tyson Shushkewich on Tyson Moran: Getting the Royal treatment

“The Kansas City Royals have continued to tap into the Canadian pipeline in recent years and Tyson Moran is the latest player to join the American League Central club.

A product of the Great Lake Canadians program, Moran (Wingham, Ont.) knew there was a chance he would hear his name called in this summer’s draft.”

Read More
Glew: Piasentin brings power and passion for the game to Jays’ prospect ranks

“When it was time for Tim Piasentin to step into the batting cage at Chase Field for the MLB Combine on June 18, the 18-year-old slugger was so nervous that he was almost shaking.

“I had to put a bunt down for my first pitch and I bunted it straight back and I’m like, ‘Oh, no, this isn’t going to go well,’” recalled Piasentin. “Then the first swing I took I caught a barrel, and it was 105 [mph] or something like that off the bat and I’m like, ‘OK, we’re good.’”

The Coquitlam, B.C. native was more than good that day.

He put on a show, smacking several home runs that registered exit velocities higher than 100 mph. That performance certainly helped his draft stock and the following month he was selected in the fifth round by the Toronto Blue Jays.”

Read More
Wilson: Red Sox beat Gulls to set up winner-take-all game in WCBL finals

“Regina Red Sox manager Rye Pothakos has been preaching about "clean baseball" to his players this postseason.

It's the type of baseball that requires minimal mistakes and no self-inflicted damage. Basically, don't shoot yourself in the foot - no fielding errors, few walks or hit batters, and limited wild pitches.

The 1,925 fans at Gulls Field were treated to that for eight innings on Friday during Game 2 of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) championship series and then chaos ball erupted.”

Read More
SandlotsIan Wilson
Wilson: WCBL Championship preview - Regina Red Sox vs. Sylvan Lake Gulls

“The Western Canadian Baseball League will crown a new champion.

For the first time since 2021, when the Lethbridge Bulls hoisted the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy, a team other than the Okotoks Dawgs will claim the WCBL championship.

The Sylvan Lake Gulls will represent the West Division after limiting the title reign of the Dawgs to a three-peat, while the Regina Red Sox battled their way through the East Division after toppling the league’s winningest team, the Saskatoon Berries.”

Read More
SandlotsCBN Staff
Elliott: Duncan impresses in debut at Area Code Games

“Sean Duncan is the top Canadian heading into the 2026 draft of high schoolers and collegians.

Duncan has been on the radar for three seasons, but now it is his time ... we’re inside 11 months of his draft. Rated 26th overall by the highly-respected Baseball America, Duncan made his debut in front of scouts who are looking in “the now.”

LHP Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) was one of three Canadians evaluated at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. Duncan is listed 105th by Perfect Game Scouting Service, after earlier having him as high as 35.”

Read More
Glew: Hawthorn hits home run with new book about Vancouver baseball history

Did you know that the first night baseball game in Canada was played in Vancouver in 1931?

Or that Jackie Robinson was rumoured to be the first manager of the Pacific Coast League’s Vancouver Mounties in 1956?

These are just two of the engrossing and little-told stories shared in an outstanding new book called, “Play Ball! The Amazing Stories and Captivating Characters Who Have Made Baseball a Winning Ticket in Vancouver for Over 100 Years.”

Read More