September 18, 2024

By Ian Wilson

Western Canadian Baseball League

Carter Beck is just doing what comes naturally.

The result was a lot of walloped baseballs over the summer.

It also meant a series of awards and accolades from the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

Beck, an outfielder with the Saskatoon Berries, has been named the Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Canadian for his phenomenal 2024 season in the WCBL.

The Carnduff, Saskatchewan native was exceptional this year in posting a .374 batting average, 53 runs, 11 homers, 19 stolen bases and 38 runs batted in (RBIs) over 51 regular season games with the Berries. Beck also had a .458 on-base percentage and the fifth highest hit total (77) in the WCBL.

"It is an absolute honour to be awarded the WCBL Rookie of the Year," said Beck after receiving the news.

"To be awarded the Most Outstanding Canadian is a dream come true. I remember seeing the WCBL announce these awards when I was in high school and mentioning to my dad that it would be a very cool award to win. To now be receiving this award is just so cool."

Beck is hopeful that his WCBL award wins will help provide encouragement to other aspiring baseball players from his home province.

"I also hope that it goes to show all the small-town kids of Saskatchewan that it is possible to make dreams come true just by setting your goals high and continuing to work, even if, at times, it feels like you are not getting the progress you want," said the lefty slugger.

The outfielder was recognized for his great play throughout the 2024 campaign. After finishing second in the WCBL Home Run Derby in Okotoks in July, Beck went 3-for-3, scored a run and produced three RBIs on his way to collecting the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his efforts in the All-Star Game.

He was also named a First Team All-Star by the WCBL after the season.

"I feel that after every season of baseball I say this, but I truly believe that this summer with the Saskatoon Berries was one of the most fun I have ever had playing baseball," said Beck.

"There is something about being blessed with the opportunity of playing baseball in front of 1,500-plus people that just can’t be beaten. It gives you, as a player, another reason to up your game. You no longer feel as if you are just playing another baseball game, you are playing for the fans as much as you are for your team and for yourself. You are playing for the little kids who look up to you and push you to be not only a better baseball player but also a better person."

It was a season of firsts for the expansion Saskatoon Berries, who went 31-25 during the regular season. The team finished third in the East Division and qualified for the postseason, where Beck helped push the club past the Medicine Hat Mavericks in the opening round before the Berries lost in three games to the Moose Jaw Miller Express.

Beck elevated his game in the playoffs and led all postseason hitters in batting average (.607), runs created (17.379), slugging percentage (1.000) and OPS (1.621). He also hit for the cycle during a game against the Miller Express. Over his six WCBL playoff games and 28 at bats with the Berries, Beck scored eight runs, produced six RBIs, smacked three doubles and launched two long balls.

"Not only was the atmosphere of Saskatoon great, but we also as players, got treated first-class. The Berries organization made sure things were always run at a professional level," said Beck.

"Whether it was trainers, social media, travel, or even food, they always had things organized and in place for us. I truly think they could not have done a better job than what they did as a first-year organization."

Beck's love of baseball comes from his family. His father played senior ball and his mother competed in softball.

“I was probably on a ball diamond when I was two or three years old ... as soon as I could walk I had a ball and bat,” Beck told Saskatoon Star-Phoenix reporter Don Rice in July.

“When I was little I remember watching WCBL play in Regina and I thought, ‘I’m going to play in that league one day,’ and now I am, so that’s pretty cool.”

WCBL coaches voted on the league's major awards. In the Rookie of the Year category, Beck finished ahead of infielders Antony Gilbert (Brooks Bombers), Nathan Houston (Moose Jaw Miller Express) and Marshall Burke (Medicine Hat Mavericks). He also beat out both Gilbert and Houston - along with Gavin Roy (Sylvan Lake Gulls) - for the Most Outstanding Canadian award.

Dawson Tweet of the Miller Express won the 2023 Most Outstanding Canadian award, while Eric Rataczak of the Bombers took home Rookie of the Year honours last year.

Beck played his college baseball at the University of Mary in 2024 and he will suit up for Indiana State in 2025.