July 7, 2019

By Dan Khavkin

Okotoks Dawgs

Edmonton, Alta. – The inaugural Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) All-Star Game took place at RE/MAX Field in Edmonton on Sunday.

The day began with an all-star staple - the home run derby.

Four of the best sluggers from the Eastern and Western divisions alternated four minutes at a time with the ability to stop the clock for 45 seconds just like in the MLB.

Frisco, Tex. native and Lethbridge Bulls infielder Kaleb Warden won the home run competition, sending eight fly balls over the highest fence line and deepest ball-park (340 to left, 320 to right and 420 down centre) in the league.

Maleny, Australia export and WCBL home run leader Jack Barrie was a close second with seven dingers while two sluggers,Yorkton Cardinals' Noah Barron and Brooks Bombers infielder McCoy Pearce, tied for third with six long balls each.

Due to the non-stop Edmonton rain, the 'playoff' was called off. A 30-minute break took place before the all-star showcase.

Despite the weather, Edmonton Prospects owner Patrick Cassidy still saw success in the event.

"We gave the league a lot of exposure with this event. This gives something for fans and future players something to look forward to on top of playing in a growing summer ball league," he said.

He continued: "In a media-heavy city like Edmonton, the expectations are high. If the weather cooperated, we would've drawn around 3,000 fans but this is a very good foundation. The quality of players in this league will continue to be on the rise and now there is a stage for the league's best."

The Western Division came out on top with a 5-4 victory. Edmonton Prospects ace Hunter Boyd started in front of his home crowd and threw the first two innings.

The Western Division pitching staff kept their Eastern counterparts hitless until the sixth inning.

Three Okotoks Dawgs representatives were responsible for three RBIs on the day as Okanagan College senior Davis Todosichuk, UBC infielder Jaxon Valcke and Oregon State commit Richard Mascarenas all chipped in during the win.

Dawgs relief pitcher Andrew Yates threw the seventh inning and played well outside of a home run yielded to WCBL long bomb leader Barrie.

The East Division rallied late and put three runs on the board in the ninth but left two men on base before hitting into their third out.