McFarland: Resilient Lloyd earns national team MVP honour
“If you would have told Matt Lloyd about the trials and tribulations he would see in 2023, he might not have believed you.
Coming off an injury-shortened 2022 season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, the Dawgs Academy grad was hoping to continue to climb up the Cincinnati Reds’ depth chart.
However, he was released during Spring Training and ended up finding a home with the Sioux City Explorers of the independent American Association.
Instead of getting down on himself, Lloyd put together a great season with the Explorers and was a key member of Canada’s roster at the Pan Am Qualifier in Argentina.”
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McFarland: Ex-hurler Burgmann a rising star in hockey scouting ranks
“Sitting in the stands of a hockey rink as a scout, Josh Burgmann says he’s really happy with how life has turned out.
It’s a far cry from his days as a baseball player, rising through the ranks of the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball to the University of Washington before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2019 and embarking on his professional career.”
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Worden: Dawgs Academy righty Labonte impresses at Canadian Futures Showcase
“An appearance at the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase isn’t the end goal for Okotoks Dawgs Academy right-hander William Labonte, but it’s a significant checkpoint for the young pitcher.
The hard-throwing 16-year-old took the Rogers Centre mound on September 22 for Team Navy, and while he admitted he didn’t have his best stuff, Labonte grinded his way through three innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out two.”
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Wilson: WCBL talent shines at Canadian Futures Showcase
The Western Canadian Baseball League was well represented at the Canadian Futures Showcase held last week at the Rogers Centre.
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McFarland: Getz, Bonilla ready to shine at Canadian Futures Showcase
“He might not have realized it when the plans were first put in place, but Brett Getz will be bringing a Little League World Series vibe to the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.
The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball product stayed in touch with several of his tournament teammates from across Canada when they played in Ottawa last year.
Instead of trading pins like they do in Williamsport, Getz says they will all come bearing gifts for each other in the form of swag from their hometowns when they arrive in Toronto for the Sept. 19-23 showcase at Rogers Centre.”
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Wilson: WCBL breaks attendance records
Attendance in the Western Canadian Baseball League reached record-breaking levels this summer.
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McFarland: Knoll savors WCL Pitcher of the Year honour
Edmonton Riverhawks right-hander Halen Knoll (Edmonton, Alta.) has been named the West Coast League Pitcher of the Year. It was an honour that caught the young righty by surprise. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke with Knoll.
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“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: What's next for WCBL All-Star Game?
The Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game, hosted at Seaman Stadium, home of the Okotoks Dawgs, was a huge success again this year. Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, takes a look at what might be next for the WCBL’s Midsummer Classic.
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Wilson: WCBL Postseason Preview
Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, shares his Western Canadian Baseball League postseason preview.
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McFarland: Barry's gritty start helps Alberta to bronze at Women's Nationals
Sixteen-year-old Sydney Barry (Fort McMurray, Alta.) started and turned in a fantastic 108-pitch performance as Alberta edged the hosts from Nova Scotia 5-4 to claim a bronze medal at the Women’s Nationals in Nova Scotia.
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Wilson: Tweet sets WCBL record with 36-game hitting streak
Moose Jaw Miller Express infielder Dawson Tweet (Russell, Man.) set a Western Canadian Baseball League record when he registered a hit in 36 consecutive games earlier this season. Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, recently spoke to Tweet about the streak.
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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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Wilson: WCBL Home Run Derby Preview
Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, provides a preview of the participates in the Western Canadian Baseball League Home Run Derby that will take place on Saturday at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta., prior to the league’s All-Star Game.
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WCBL All-Star rosters announced
The rosters for the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game, which will take place at Seaman Stadium, home of the Okotoks Dawgs on Saturday, have been announced.
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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: 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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Wilson: Team Canada roster gets WCBL boost
The Western Canadian Baseball League will be well represented on Canada’s roster when they participate in the Pan Am Games Qualifier in Argentina beginning on June 16. Ian Wilson, of Alberta Dugout Stories, has the details.
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