McFarland: Sabrowski returns early to Guardians’ ranks from second Tommy John surgery
“It might still be early, but Erik Sabrowski is exceeding expectations in restarting his professional baseball journey.
Following his second Tommy John surgery since 2018, the Edmonton-area product was hoping to make his debut in the Cleveland Guardians system sometime in late-June or early-July.
Much to the delight of his teammates, friends, family and those who have known Sabrowski, there he was on May 23, recording a strikeout in extended spring training action.
A week later, he had officially graduated from rehabilitation and was assigned to the double-A Akron RubberDucks.”
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McFarland: Shakotko to star in Lethbridge, same city as hockey-playing dad before him
“It would have been easy for Demetri Shakotko to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Darren Shakotko had a successful sports career that included a Western Hockey League (WHL) championship with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 1996-1997. His puck pursuits continued at the University of New Brunswick, followed by a few seasons in the East Coast Hockey League and Central Hockey League.
While Demetri did excel on the ice growing up in Fredericton, his real passion was on the baseball field.
So when it came time to make a decision about what to pursue, the young man didn’t hesitate and faced no pressure from his father.”
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McFarland: Louis Bull Tribe in Alberta receives funding from Jays Care to rebuild diamond
The Louis Bull Tribe in Maskwacis, Alberta will receive funding to rebuild their baseball diamond from the Jays Care Foundation. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, has the details.
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McFarland: Determined Soroka makes long awaited "second" MLB debut
On Monday, Canadian right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) made his first major league regular season start since August 3, 2020. It was an inspiring and triumphant return, despite the fact that he allowed four runs in six innings to the Oakland A's. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, has more about Soroka’s long awaited major league return.
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Calgary Dinos soar to first CCBC championship
The Calgary Dinos captured their first CCBC championship on the weekend. Joe McFarland and Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, have the details.
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McFarland: Bloor makes successful transition from catcher to closer
Prairie Baseball Academy alum Kyle Bloor (Lethbridge, Alta.) has made the successful transition from catcher to All-Conference closer at Tennessee Wesleyan University. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with the young right-hander about his baseball odyssey.
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McFarland: With mom’s support, Kobitowich succeeding in “jack-of-all-trades” role on Niagara staff
Prospects Academy alum Brady Kobitowich (Edmonton, Alta.) says his mother, Erin, is “everything” to him, having raised him as a single parent. These days, thanks largely to his mom’s support, the 6-foot-1 right-hander is succeeding in a “jack-of-all-trades” role on the Niagara University pitching staff. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with Kobitowich.
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McFarland: Guardians prospect Sabrowski close to return from second Tommy John surgery
Left-hander Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) is rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery in the Cleveland Guardians organization. Despite his injury setbacks, he is confident that he will one day pitch in the major leagues. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with Sabrowski.
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McFarland: 2023 Alberta pro baseball connections
Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares a list of active professional players with Alberta connections.
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McFarland: The WCBL's 16-team dream
The Western Canadian Baseball League is adding a team in Saskatoon in 2024, but they would like to add even more teams in the future, writes Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories.
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McFarland: Umpire shortage a concern in Alberta
“An age-old question in the world of officiating is facing a new twist: how do you recruit and retain talented people coming out of a global pandemic?
It’s often a thankless job that has come under enormous scrutiny in the face of instant replay and cellphone video, but COVID-19 also opened up the eyes of potential umpires and referees to other ways to spend their summers.
Organizations like Baseball Alberta have been left holding the bag, scrambling to find enough people to service each game.”
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“True Dawg” Sanchez climbing U.S. collegiate ranks
From Mexico to Okotoks to Kansas, 2022 Western Canadian Baseball League MVP and Okotoks Dawgs star Ricky Sanchez has excelled on the baseball field. The young infielder’s ascent up the U.S. college ranks will continue when he heads to Lamar University in the fall. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with the 5-foot-9, 170-pound sparkplug and Dawgs fan favourite.
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Ex-Rays prospect Letkeman settles into coaching and fatherhood
From Red Deer to Big Bend Community College to the Tampa Bay Rays organization, Reign Letkeman experienced both success and adversity during his pitching career. The new father has now returned to his alma mater to share his wisdom as a coach. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Letkeman.
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Nolan donates $500,000 to Prairie Baseball Academy
The Prairie Baseball Academy’s Night of Celebration was, indeed, a night to celebrate. The Academy received a $500,000 donation from longtime supporter Larry Nolan. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, reports on the donation, as well as on the new group of Prairie Baseball Academy Hall of Fame inductees.
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McFarland: Vauxhall grads Macko, Palmegiani reunited in Jays' organization
Vauxhall Academy Jets grads Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) and Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, B.C.) have been reunited in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with the two Canadians.
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McFarland: Platts still has big league dreams, only as coach
Okotoks Dawgs Academy alum Brett Platts (Albany, P.E.I.) still has a goal of reaching the big leagues, but he’s taking a different route than he originally anticipated. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares Platt’s story.
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Alberta standout Galenza headed to Colby
Standout St. Joseph’s Baseball Academy and Red Deer CarStar Braves catcher Gavin Galenza (Camrose, Alta.) is headed to Colby Community College this spring. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of 2022 Canadian Baseball Network Player of the Year Matt Coutney (Wetaskiwin, Alta.) who played for Colby and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the MLB draft last July. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with Galenza to talk about his baseball career and his future.
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Reds' prospect Lloyd looking to bounce back from leg injury
Okotoks Dawgs alum and Cincinnati Reds first base prospect Matt Lloyd (Calgary, Alta.) is looking to bounce back from a leg injury in 2023. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with the 26-year-old infielder.
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McFarland: Five Alberta baseball storylines to watch in 2023
Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, takes a look at five Alberta baseball storylines to follow in 2023.
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Multisport star Willan developing into leader on Women’s National Team
She’s only 21, but Madison Willian (Edmonton, Alta.), who’s also a standout hockey player and golfer, is developing into a leader on the Canadian Women’s National Team. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently caught up with the young multisport athlete to talk about her career and her future.
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