Posts in Alberta Dugout Stories
“Greatest fans in baseball” help Dawgs’ Seaman Stadium earn Ballpark Digest honour

William Gardner, the Okotoks Dawgs’ vice president, director and pre-game ceremony host, called Dawgs fans “the greatest in all of baseball.” And those fans played a big role in the Dawgs’ home field, Seaman Stadium, being recently named top summer collegiate stadium by Ballpark Digest. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with Gardner about the honour.

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McFarland: Lethbridge Bulls lefty De Alejandro throws no-hitter on dad's birthday

Javier De Alejandro wanted to provide more than just a solid performance for his team.

The Lethbridge Bulls starter went into the July 19 matchup with the Brooks Bombers wanting to do something special for his dad, Juan, who was celebrating his birthday.

He did something special, indeed. He threw a no-hitter.

Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, has the story.

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McFarland: Grant excited about second WCBL All-Star Game nod

“Logan Grant admits he’s not the best cook, so getting to play close to home for the first time in a few years has been a nice treat.

He grew up in the Dawgs Academy program in Okotoks before heading off to school at Bismarck State College and, most recently, Bellevue University.

After successful stints with the Sylvan Lake Gulls in 2021 and the Swift Current 57s in 2022, he’s back in the friendly confines of Seaman Stadium as part of the Okotoks Dawgs, a team he always wanted to play for.

“It’s unbelievable being able to be on this side of it,” Grant told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “Watching those players growing up, it’s super-cool getting to do what they got to do.”

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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: 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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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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