Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, provides an update on how Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) is progressing from his twice-torn, right Achilles that has keep him out of major league action since August 3, 2020.
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For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Baseball Alberta was able to host its annual general meeting and awards gala in-person in Edmonton November 11-13. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares the names of the province’s annual award winners.
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Right-hander Halen Knoll, named after the rock group Van Halen, made significant strides in the Alberta baseball ranks this year. He has also landed a scholarship to the University of Mary. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, has Knoll’s story.
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“If you would have told Ty Penner in high school or even early in his college baseball career that he would one day sign a contract with a Major League Baseball team, he would have wanted to believe you.
But he admits, he doesn’t know if every bone in his body would have thought it was possible.
Just a few short years later, a life-long dream for the Lethbridge infielder became a reality when he signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.”
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Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Canadian Women’s National Team legend Ashley Stephenson to talk about her new role as coach of the team and how she hopes to help grow women's baseball in Canada.
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“For all intents and purposes, Amar Mahmood is a late-bloomer in the game of baseball.
The Edmonton product loved the game, but admits he was out of shape in high school and “not very good” on the diamond.
He had been cut from various teams, and was simply playing the game for fun while training at St. Francis Xavier Academy in Grades 10 and 11 then 5 Tool Fieldhouse in Grade 12.
That’s when he met Absolute Human Performance (AHP) founder Taylor Burns, who convinced Mahmood to take a gap year and play with AHP’s first academy team.”
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Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, writes about inspirational left-hander Jim Abbott’s tenure with the Calgary Cannons.
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Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, takes a look back at the 1982 Medicine Hat Blue Jays, who 40 years ago won their only Pioneer League championship with help from players like Jimmy Key, David Wells and Pat Borders.
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Just like his dad, former big leaguer Ray Chadwick, Okotoks Dawgs Academy right-hander Tyrelle Chadwick (Kamloops, B.C.) is opening some eyes on the mound. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with the younger Chadwick.
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Clayton Loranger put together an All-Star season with his hometown West Coast League Edmonton Riverhawks. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with the young leadoff hitter to reflect on the campaign.
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“It was a moment Sean Dunn won’t soon forget.
After being introduced over the public address system to a raucous crowd at Legacy Dodge Field, he went through his pre-game motions as his Fort McMurray Giants were about to face the Sylvan Lake Gulls.
However, this wasn’t just another game on the schedule – this was Canada Day 2022.
And the hometown hurler knew he had to take a moment to soak it all in.”
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Justin King used to think pitchers were dumb. Growing up exclusively as a hitter, the Okotoks Dawgs alum always thought they only wanted to throw fastballs, so he would wait on a hanging slider or curveball so that he could send it flying. However, King’s mindset changed in the summer of 2020, when he became a pitcher. That decision helped the Lloydminster, Alta., native land a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in June. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently connected with King to talk about the young left-hander’s path to pro baseball.
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After winning a Canadian College Baseball Conference championship with the Okanagan College Coyotes this spring, shortstop Brendan Luther (Mississauga, Ont.). has brought his winning ways and potent bat to the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Okotoks Dawgs this summer. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with the young Mississauga, Ont., native.
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Okotoks Dawgs Academy grads Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, B.C.) and Tyrese Johnson (Calgary, Alta.) helped lead the Central Arizona Vaqueros to a JUCO World Series championship. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with the two Canadians who reflected on their triumphant seasons.
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Unlike his brothers, Morgan and Conor, Noah Geekie (Strathclair, Man.) is pursuing a career in baseball rather than hockey, and after a successful season at Emporia State University, he is back with the Okotoks Dawgs for his third Western Canadian Baseball League season. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with him.
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Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Langley Blaze, Absolute Baseball Academy and Calgary Junior Dinos alum Tom Poole (Calgary, Alta.) to talk about his record-breaking season with the Cloud County Thunderbirds.
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“As the strikeouts pile up, Matt Wilkinson might have to think about adding a few more K’s to his name.
The Dawgs Academy grad has been electric in his first season with the Central Arizona College Vaqueros, going 5-1 with two saves and a 1.56 earned-run average (ERA) in 16 appearances.
The eye-popping statistic is that in just over 40 innings of work, Wilkinson has registered 71 strikeouts.”
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After some poor performances during night games, Matt Coutney (Wetaskiwin, Alta.) decided to try wearing a contact lens he had been prescribed. The next game he had four hits and that contact lens has helped him set the Old Dominion University record for most home runs in a season. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Coutney.
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Forever a Dino, Cam Williams, who holds the university’s record for most hits as a player, is now in his first season as the head coach of the University of Calgary’s baseball team. He is optimistic about the team’s future. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with Williams.
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“It’s not hard for Jake Lanferman to list off the coaches who have had an impact on his baseball career.
Sheen Bromley. Ray Brown. Taylor Burns. Ethan Elias. Mike Johnson. Chris Pritchett. Jason Chatwood. It’s a who’s who of baseball coaches in Alberta and Western Canada.
Now, Lanferman is hoping to add his name to that list of influential people as the head coach of the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks of the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference.”
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