Carnahan named head coach of Saskatoon's WCBL club

Joe Carnahan has been named the head coach of the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Saskatoon team. Photo: Saskatoon Baseball Club.

July 5, 2023

Official Saskatoon Baseball Club news release

SASKATOON, Sask. – The Saskatoon Baseball Club is pleased to announce Joe Carnahan as the head coach of the baseball team for its inaugural season.

Carnahan brings a wealth of experience after 20 years of being involved with the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL). Originally from Ashland, Wisc., he began his college career at Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) in 2000. It was this team that advanced to the Junior College World Series in 2001. From IWCC, he moved to Vanguard University where he was a part of the 2002 regional championship team. As a player at Vanguard, Carnahan was a 2002 and 2003 First Team All-Region selection.

Carnahan played with the Swift Current 57’s on the team’s 2001, 2005, and 2006 championship squads in the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL), the predecessor of the WCBL. In 2002 and 2004, he was named the league’s regular-season most valuable player. He claimed playoff MVP honours in 2001 and 2005. It was during this time that he was named an All-Star five times in seven seasons.

He then took over as Swift Current’s head coach in 2007 and built championship teams in 2010, 2016, and 2017. He was voted Coach of the Year four times.

“I am very excited about this opportunity and looking forward to working with Steve, Mark, and everyone else in the organization to provide a successful and entertaining brand of baseball to Saskatoon. My wife, Lauren, and three kids – Gracie, AJ, and Cam – can’t wait to watch games at Cairns Field next summer,” said Carnahan.

Team president Steve Hildebrand was also excited about the coaching move.

“We have had many conversations with Joe throughout the application process and have no doubt that he is the best person to lead and grow our team to success. Joe’s career in ball and years of experience coaching in this league will help tremendously when it comes to recruiting players and developing players’ skills. We are excited to have Joe, Lauren, and their children, to our great city of Saskatoon.” said Hildebrand.

FINAL FOUR

In other Saskatoon Baseball Club news, the team has reduced its list of prospective names from 10 down to four. The remaining names include:

Saskatoon River Pirates

Saskatoon Bridge Pigeons

Saskatoon Berries

Saskatoon Cobra Chickens

The franchise solicited suggestions from the public and received over 1,500 possible ideas. Voting on the final four choices will close on July 11, with a winning name revealed a couple days after that.

Those interested in voting can do so through this poll. A number of prizes, including game tickets and team merchandise, will be awarded to those who participate in the vote.