tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439322470537247952024-03-12T21:58:01.160-07:00Baseball in AlbertaBaseball related happenings in Alberta, and about Albertans.Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-68211052886687018332014-04-28T21:40:00.001-07:002014-04-28T21:40:06.530-07:00THIS BLOG HAS MOVEDI have moved the posts on this site to <a href="http://rubensbaseball.blogspot.com/">RubensBaseball.blogspot.com</a>. Please update your bookmarks and follow me over there.<br />
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Baseball Rubenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07686283543491037841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-85164794080630427052014-02-22T13:12:00.002-08:002014-02-22T13:13:25.364-08:00Albertans playing ball in College<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0738533793/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0738533793&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lSvlIYL_jQ/UwkRqivuFPI/AAAAAAAAAxc/gFIl78fS6mw/s1600/az+cws.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> (AP Photo/Eric Francis)</td></tr>
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With everyone having the Olympics on their mind, once again it's time to remind everyone that there are still a lot more Canadians playing college ball than there are<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003552JV0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B003552JV0&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20"> playing hockey</a>. Of the almost 700 Canucks playing baseball in the NCAA and NAIA, more than 60 are from right here in Alberta. <br />
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Included in this are several players who are on the<a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/draft-list/2014/"> 2014 draft list</a>:<br />
Chayse Marion, Red Deer, McNeese State University<br />
Jake Hansen, Fort MacLeod at LSU-Shreveport<br />
Brendan Hendricks, Cochrane at USF<br />
Chad Hodges, Med Hat, South Dakota State<br />
Jordan Procyshen, Calgary, Northern Kentucky University<br />
Jeremie Fagnan, Calgary at TCU<br />
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Below is the full list:<br />
<u>NCAA - Div 1</u><br />
<b>Freshmen</b><br />
RHP-OF Russell Rockwell, Fort Saskatchewan, Northern Kentucky University (KY)<br />
OF Dawson Ruschkowski, Oyen, North Dakota State University (ND)<br />
<b>Sophomores</b><br />
RHP Chad Hodges, Medicine Hat, South Dakota State University (SD)<br />
INF Mitch McGeein, Calgary, Eastern Michigan University (MI)<br />
<b>Juniors</b><br />
OF Jeremie Fagnan, Calgary, TCU (TX)<br />
INF Brendan Hendriks, Cochrane, University of San Francisco (CA)<br />
C Jordan Procyshen, Calgary, Northern Kentucky University (KY)<br />
INF Eric Ranson, Calgary, University of Buffalo (NY)<br />
<b>Seniors</b><br />
RHP Cashtyn DeLeeuw, Grimshaw, Murray State University (KY)<br />
LHP Keegan Hucul, St. Albert, University of Texas-Arlington (TX)<br />
INF Chayse Marion, Red Deer, McNeese State University (LA)<br />
OF Shane Zimmer, St. Albert, Canisius College (NY)<br />
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<u>NCAA - Div II</u><br />
<b>Freshmen</b><br />
C-3B Mike Belliveau, Calgary, Bellarmine University (KY)<br />
2B Braden Goldade, Medicine Hat, Northern State University (SD)<br />
RHP Aaron McCarty, Calgary, Salem International University (WV)<br />
<b>Sophomores</b><br />
2B Nick Granton, Calgary, Truman State University (MO)<br />
OF-RHP Tyson Hudson, Magrath, Dixie State College (UT)<br />
2B Corbyn Shields, Innisfail, Minot State University (ND)<br />
C Travis Steinke, Red Deer, University of Arkansas at Monticello (AK)<br />
C Ramon Valdez, Chestermere, Barry University (FL)<br />
<b>Juniors</b><br />
INF Kevin Czarnecki, Edmonton, Fort Hays State University (KS)<br />
LHP Matthew Davis, Red Deer, Minot State University (ND)<br />
OF Bretton Gouthro, Calgary, Mount Olive College (NC)<br />
LHP Jake Hansen, Fort Macleod, LSU-Shreveport (LA)<br />
INF Cooper Langley, Edmonton, Fort Hays State University (KS)<br />
LHP Andrew Malone, Calgary, Colorado Mesa University (CO)<br />
LHP Alex Regan, Calgary, Mount Olive College (NC)<br />
OF Travis Sormaz, Calgary, Northern State College (SD)<br />
RHP Levi Westerlund, Oyen, Lubbock Christian University (TX)<br />
<b>Seniors</b><br />
INF Tyler Hayes, Calgary, New Mexico Highlands University (NM)<br />
RHP Jamin Heller, Lethbridge, Minot State University (ND)<br />
INF Justin Lee, Strathmore, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TX)<br />
INF Joel Lutz, Medicine Hat, Lubbock Christian University (TX)<br />
LHP Taylor Simmonds, Saint Albert, Wayne State College (NE)<br />
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<u>NCAA - Div III</u><br />
<b>Freshman</b><br />
INF Blake Patterson, Calgary, Spalding University (KY)<br />
RHP Cole Slamko, Okotoks, Spalding University (KY)<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>NAIA</u><br />
<b>Freshmen</b><br />
LHP Dave Erickson, Sherwood Park, Waldorf College (IA)<br />
OF Brendan Rose, Calgary, University of British Columbia (BC)<br />
NAIA - Sophomores<br />
RHP Colin Feenstra, Calgary, University of Cumberlands (KY)<br />
RHP Ryley Ross, Edmonton, Bethany College (KS)<br />
<b>Juniors</b><br />
INF Kym Barthel, Lethbridge, LSU-Shreveport University (LA)<br />
RHP Brendan Ethier, Calgary, Jamestown College (ND)<br />
LHP Jake Hansen, Fort Macleod, LSU-Shreveport University (LA)<br />
LHP Jeremy McPhee, Calgary, Jamestown College (ND)<br />
1B Bryn Redhead, Leduc, Graceland University (IA)<br />
INF Brenden Watamaniuk, Westlock, Benedictine College (KS)<br />
<b>Seniors</b><br />
RHP Donovan Feenstra, Calgary, University of Cumberlands (KY)<br />
OF Tom Muhlethaler, Edmonton, Jarvis Christian College (TX)<br />
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<u>Junior Colleges and Community Colleges</u><br />
<b>Freshmen</b><br />
INF Tyler Czech, Raymond, Porterville College (CA)<br />
RHP Noah Gapp, St. Albert, Merced College (CA)<br />
RHP Tyler Grayston, Edmonton, Hill College (TX)<br />
INF Michael Heaton, Calgary, Spokane Community College (WA)<br />
RHP Bo Lewington, Calgary, Southeastern Illinois College (IL)<br />
RHP CJ Lewington, Calgary, Southeastern Illinois College (IL)<br />
RHP/IF Reign Letkeman, Red Deer, Big Bend Community College (WA)<br />
RHP Owen Renwick, Edmonton, Hutchinson Community College (KS)<br />
OF Triffon Tatarin, Vegreville, Garden City Community College (KS)<br />
C Ryan Thrasher, Sherwood Park, Marshalltown Community College (IA)<br />
OF Doug Clapperton, Calgary, Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ)<br />
RHP Brad Paradis, Medicine Hat, Miles City Community College (MT)<br />
<b>Sophomores</b><br />
LHP Wyle Cunningham, Red Deer, Salt Lake Community College (UT)<br />
RHP Connor Girard, Morinville, Allan Hancock College (CA)<br />
LHP Tyrell King, Calgary, Paradise Valley College (AZ)<br />
C Konner Lutz, Medicine Hat, John A. Logan College (IL)<br />
LHP Kurtis Taylor, Calgary, Skagit Valley Community College (WA)<br />
INF Andy Scott, Medicine Hat, Miles City Community College (MT)<br />
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If you are aware of any other Albertans playing US College ball, please <a href="mailto:baseballinalberta@gmail.com">drop me a line</a> and I'll update this list.Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-82187980054091049612014-01-14T11:48:00.000-08:002014-01-15T15:44:58.487-08:00Blue Jays highlight upcoming banquets and fundraisers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r58uLAoyrxg/UtNlXrz-4WI/AAAAAAAAAw8/RDIvd5IBcFo/s1600/zaun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r58uLAoyrxg/UtNlXrz-4WI/AAAAAAAAAw8/RDIvd5IBcFo/s320/zaun.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
It's the time of year for fundraisers for baseball clubs, and there are a handful coming up in Alberta. Several of these have a Blue Jays related theme.<br />
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First of all, there is the University of<a href="http://www.godinos.com/news/2013/11/27/BASE_1127131547.aspx"> Calgary Dino's baseball </a>and fastball annual fundraiser dinner. <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2013/01/come-see-goose-gossage-or-brent-sutter.html"> Last year,</a> they had Hall of Famer<a href="http://www.godinos.com/news/2013/1/3/BASE_0103134339.aspx?path=baseball"> Goose Gossage</a>, and in previous year's they've had such great as <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/12/tim-raines-to-speak-at-u-of-c-baseball.html">Tim Raines</a>, Fergie Jenkins, Bill Buckner and more. This year's guest is Gregg Zaun, who might be better known to Canadians as an analyst on Sportsnet than he was when he was a catcher in Toronto. He has some <a href="http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/07/04/blue-jays-jp-arencibia-slams-sportsnet-analysts-gregg-zaun-and-dirk-hayhurst">unpopular opinions</a>, is <a href="http://www.bloguin.com/theoutsidecorner/2012-articles/december/former-catcher-gregg-zaun-doesn-t-like-toronto-s-women.htm">sometimes controversial</a>, but <a href="http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=7677663">never dull</a>! Listening to him will certainly make for an entertaining evening. The dinner is on Thursday Feb 6th, tickets are $200 and can be purchased by calling (403) 220-7749. <br />
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The <a href="http://www.bullsbaseball.com/">Lethbridge Bulls</a> also have a former Blue Jay as their<a href="http://www.bullsbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174:1st-annual-legends-of-sports-gala&catid=8:bulls-news&Itemid=155"> Legends of Sports Gala</a> will feature <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/067084795X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=067084795X&linkCode=as2&tag=basemanagcons-20">Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar</a>. This event is being held on February 22nd and includes dinner, dance and silent auction.Tickets range from $100 to $200. To get your tickets or for more information, please contact <a href="mailto:chelsea.mereska@bullsbaseball.com">chelsea.mereska@bullsbaseball.com</a> or call (403)320-2025 .<br />
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The Okotoks Dawgs annual <a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Save-the-Date---Dawgs-Award-Banquet.html?soid=1104030126694&aid=gg-8Llkcmkk">awards banquet</a> will feature another Blue Jay second baseman, Homer Bush. This event is on Saturday February 1st, tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling (403) 262-3294.<br />
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Another fundraiser is an online silent auction by the <a href="http://vauxhallbaseball.com/">Vauxhall Academy</a>, where you can get to watch the Jays home opener, a hockey game, and another Jays/Yankees game during a 4 night stay in Toronto which includes airfare. You need to submit your bid by noon on January 30th, details are <a href="http://vauxhallbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads//Online-Auction-Final1.pdf">here</a>.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.badlandsbaseballacademy.com/">Badlands Baseball Academy </a> will be holding their annual Gala Evening & Fundraiser on Thursday January 30th. This reception will include dinner, a silent and a live acution. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by calling (403) 664-2200<br />
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As well, the <a href="http://www.prairiebaseball.com/">Prairie Baseball Academy</a> will be hosting their annual awards banquet on January 25th. <a href="https://twitter.com/LAV1212">Aaron Lavorato</a> will be the guest speaker, and he will not only talk baseball but also share his experience with the <a href="http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=451817">Rickshaw run he was involved in</a> to raise money for cancer. There will be a live and silent auction with items including jerseys of Mariano Rivera, Bo Jackson and Roberto Alomar as well as a fly fishing trip down the Missouri and lots more. Tickets are $50 a plate or a table of 8 for $350. Contact <a href="mailto:info@prairiebaseball.com">info@prairiebaseball.com </a>for tickets or more information.<br />
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If you're a baseball fan all these events all promise to be a lot of fun, and are a great way to support local baseball.<br />
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If you have a baseball team, league or organization in Alberta that is holding a fundraising event, send me the details (to <a href="mailto:BaseballInAlberta@gmail.com">BaseballinAlberta@gmail.com</a>)and I'll add it to here, and promote it on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/baseball_in_ab">@baseball_in_ab</a><br />
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<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-43081959640646318752013-06-06T09:16:00.002-07:002013-06-06T09:16:58.836-07:002013 MLB Draft: Alberta Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAzT-EoxGqs/UbC0fn4cucI/AAAAAAAAAsc/9gtKoiP_CkU/s1600/AB+2013+draft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAzT-EoxGqs/UbC0fn4cucI/AAAAAAAAAsc/9gtKoiP_CkU/s400/AB+2013+draft.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The MLB draft is coming up the next three days. Here's a preview on some Albertans to keep an eye on. Last year <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/06/4-albertans-taken-in-mlb-draft.html">four players from our province were drafted</a> and<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/06/alberta-drafteessigning-updates.html"> all of them signed</a> and are now playing professional ball. This year once again there are several local players on the<a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/draft-list/2013/"> Canadian Baseball Network's draft list</a> including the top Canadian who was born in Edmonton.<br />
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Here is a rundown on some of the players expected to be drafted:<br />
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<b>Rob Zastryzny</b> - Projected to be the first Canadian taken this year, <a href="http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/rob_zastryzny_747839.html">Zastryzny</a> is a left-handed pitcher who is the staff ace of the University of Missouri Tigers. He grew up in Texas, playing for the Callalen High School Wildcats, although he was born in Edmonton. He is a consesus (Baseball America and Perfect Game) top 100 pick and should be taken by the 3rd round.<br />
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<b>Adam Nelubowich</b> - This 3rd baseman from Stony Plain was drafted out of Vauxhall in 2009 by the Mariners, but did not sign. He is playing for the Washington State Cougars, and has spent last summer playing for the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Code League. He also appears in BA and PGs top 500 lists.<br />
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<b>Jake Hansen -</b> Another left handed pitcher, Fort MacLeod's Jake Hansen was previously t<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/06/7-players-from-alberta-taken-in-annual.html">aken by the Mets in the 2011 draft</a>. Locally, he played for the Spitz Canadians in Lethbridge, as well as the Prairie Baseball Academy's Junior Dawgs, and led his FP Walshe High School to a Provincial Championship. He is currently pitching for Penascola State College in Florida.<br />
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<b>Jordan Procyshen</b> - Calgary's Jordan Procyshen is a power-hitting catcher for the Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, who has slugged 15 homeruns leading all JUCO players.<br />
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<b>Chayse Marion</b> - This big first baseman from Red Deer is another Vauxhall grad. He played two seasons for the Trinidad State Junior College Trojans and is now at McNeese State University playing for the Cowboys.<br />
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<b>Ryan Thompson</b> - Thompson is a pitcher at Franklin Pierce, who<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/04/ryan-thompson-from-prairies-to.html"> I've written about before</a> and was <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/06/7-players-from-alberta-taken-in-annual.html">previously drafted by the Yankees in 2011</a>.<br />
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Good luck to these and all other players in the upcoming draft. I will post updates once some local players have been drafted.<br />
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And anyone who thinks baseball is only an American game, should watch <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000MKXEYM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000MKXEYM&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">this</a>. <br />
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-42729767946251867002013-03-23T11:17:00.002-07:002013-03-23T14:01:08.102-07:00Calgary teams have great experience in Florida<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lq9eZFJxmo/UUzPAhogXTI/AAAAAAAAApU/vKz18UpqJxI/s1600/IMG_1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lq9eZFJxmo/UUzPAhogXTI/AAAAAAAAApU/vKz18UpqJxI/s400/IMG_1473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redbirds playing at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg<br />
(Photo courtesy of Bev Paulhus)</td></tr>
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From March 8th to 12th, the <a href="http://www.probaseballforce.net/">Calgary PBF Redbirds</a> Varsity(18U) and Junior Varsity (15U) teams had the opportunity to go to St. Petersburg. Not only did they get to play some good ball in the type of beautiful weather that is <strike>rarely</strike> never seen in Alberta winters, but there were several other activities that made this a memorable trip to Florida. Each team had eight games scheduled into this extended long weekend, as well as the opportunity to meet with some former MLB players, and watch some Spring Training games.<br />
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On the first day, both teams played games at the Walter Fuller baseball complex, which is an excellent facility which has been used by the Tampa Bay Rays as their minor league spring training facility as well as Team Canada and has 5 MLB sized fields.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6AddTrZ5Kyw/UU3lplCOUeI/AAAAAAAAAqE/yh5PcdPxGNQ/s1600/endofgame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6AddTrZ5Kyw/UU3lplCOUeI/AAAAAAAAAqE/yh5PcdPxGNQ/s320/endofgame.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-game celebration</td></tr>
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The day started with the Varsity team playing a morning game against the Ontario Terriers Gold team.. Behind the strong pitching of Nelson Lipszyc who threw a complete game against this potent lineup, Jake Derwent who scored twice, and a clutch 2 run pinch hit double in the 7th inning by Joel Campbell, the Redbirds were victorious in their first game, 4-2. <br />
At the same time, the JV team was taking on the 16U Terriers Blue team. The Calgary bats were quiet, with Blake Enders driving in the only 2 runs in a 9-2 defeat.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZpoZx7F5IY/UUo1j8e_etI/AAAAAAAAAok/-z0USDTx6bA/s1600/2013-03-08+Quantrill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZpoZx7F5IY/UUo1j8e_etI/AAAAAAAAAok/-z0USDTx6bA/s320/2013-03-08+Quantrill.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Canadian prospect, Cal Quantrill </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile, there was a buzz starting to form in an adjacent diamond. Paul Quantrill's son, Cal, who is<a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/draft-list/2013/"> projected</a> to be one of the top Canadians drafted this year, was slated to pitch in the afternoon and several scouts had come out to watch him. I mingled in with the scouts and counted upwards of 20 MLB scouts behind the home plate area with their radar guns and clipboards. <br />
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The Varsity and JV teams also played afternoon games, both falling short to the Ontario Terriers. Due to an umpiring scheduling conflict, yours truly was even summoned from the stands to serve as a base umpire for one of the games. This was more baseball than any of the players had participated in since the end of October. In spite of the Alberta teams combining for a 1-3 record on the day, it was great just to be outdoors and in the sunshine, and the players all seemed to be in good spirits.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TY2C6RnwDuw/UUo41tcnrjI/AAAAAAAAAos/9XED9-IxQPI/s1600/SAM_2599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TY2C6RnwDuw/UUo41tcnrjI/AAAAAAAAAos/9XED9-IxQPI/s320/SAM_2599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PBF Redbirds players listening to Lyle Mouton</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2thutgNiaw/UUo7nGQbT4I/AAAAAAAAAo0/OB3vOTLZHYM/s1600/2013-03-09+Mouton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2thutgNiaw/UUo7nGQbT4I/AAAAAAAAAo0/OB3vOTLZHYM/s320/2013-03-09+Mouton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> PBF coaches Joe Sergent (L) and Brian Rios with Mouton (R)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Although both teams only played a single game the following day, they managed to compress even more baseball into it. The morning started with 7 year MLB veteran, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moutoly01.shtml">Lyle Mouton</a> talking to all the players, sharing his experiences and giving advice on how to get to the next level. I found him to be extremely well-spoken. He shared a lot of stories, and answered several questions (Toughest pitcher to face? David Cone. Easiest? Mike Mussina) and the coaches finally had to cut short the Q&A session, as the players kept asking him questions and they had to get ready for a game. In a side conversation with him, he mentioned to me that he was good friends with<a href="http://rsnalberta.blogspot.ca/p/about-me.html"> Jim Rice</a>, and left no doubts in confirming the oft-heard reports that Rice could have been on the PGA pro tour if he had swung a golf club instead of a baseball bat professionally. He stuck around and helped in the dugout during the JV game and kept providing observations on the game and giving nuggets of wisdom, in a game where the Redbirds tied the <a href="http://www.winninginning.com/">Winning Inning Academy</a> at 9. Josh Trybuch started and provided 4 strong innings on the mound, while Jake House provided the power with a triple and 2 RBIs and Luke Lepine scored twice.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the Varsity team was facing <a href="http://www.proboundusa.com/about">Florida ProBound</a> which was a team mainly of semi-professionals. Every player had played at least a couple of seasons of college ball, three players had recently been cut by MLB organizations, and others were playing in professional leagues overseas. Brodie Stairs started on the mound and pitched very well, and in spite of the level of the competition, the Redbirds kept it a reasonably close game, ending up on the short end of a 10-6 decision. This drew praise both from the opponent's coaching staff and players who were impressed at how well this younger team played.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRZkhmu24oE/UUyeUi7tzZI/AAAAAAAAApE/iCBktbvfLeU/s1600/boys+watching+jays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRZkhmu24oE/UUyeUi7tzZI/AAAAAAAAApE/iCBktbvfLeU/s320/boys+watching+jays.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Redbirds players relaxing at a Jays game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After this full morning of baseball talk and a game, it was over to Dunedin to relax and watch our country's Blue Jays take on the Tigers in a spring training game. A very long day ended with the teams resting up while getting ready for Sunday's games.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7O_lUzhcfo/UUzWy19aZNI/AAAAAAAAApk/HzuymGq7YJc/s1600/tigers+gym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7O_lUzhcfo/UUzWy19aZNI/AAAAAAAAApk/HzuymGq7YJc/s320/tigers+gym.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The JV team had an excellent day on Sunday. The morning stared with them beating the Oakville Royals 7-2. Jake Sakon threw 6 strong innings only allowing 2 runs, while the power was provided by Mike Soroka who knocked in 4 runs.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l2iAyENA-oA/UUzUNq945NI/AAAAAAAAApc/XM2ocbVu2TA/s1600/tiger+lockeroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l2iAyENA-oA/UUzUNq945NI/AAAAAAAAApc/XM2ocbVu2TA/s320/tiger+lockeroom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Tigers locker room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the game, it was off to Tigertown in Lakeland to watch another exhibition game. Not only did the players watch some MLBers in action, but due to Rios' connections with Tigers staff from when he played in the organization they were able to get a tour of the facility and meet some of the players.<br />
Meanwhile the Varsity team played a doubleheader against the <a href="http://hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=ONTARIOOUTLAWS&s=baseball&t=c">Ontario Outlaws</a>. In game 1, they only managed 3 hits and lost. But they looked much better in Game 2. They were down 4 runs in the first inning, before starting to fight back. Jake Derwent went 4-4 with 2 triples, while Ty Scott also reached base in all 4 of his plate appearance. Three straight hits in the bottom of the 7th, including an RBI double by Colton Seaman, brought the tying run to the plate with no outs, but the Redbirds ended up on the wrong end of a 7-5 final.<br />
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On Monday, the JV team faced the Etobicoke Rangers in their first game. Owen Steele pitched 4 innings while only being charged with 3 earned runs, but the offense didn't get in gear, only outputting 4 singles and Calgary lost. In the afternoon, they faced the Oakville Royals again. In this game they managed to get across three runs. But playing their 6th game in just over 72 hours, finally caught up to them, as some tired arms led to a 19-3 loss.<br />
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Meanwhile, the Varsity team played a late afternoon/evening doubleheader against the Ontario Prospects at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_Energy_Park">Al Lang Stadium</a>. This is a beautiful park overlooking the Bay, and the <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0738509132/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0738509132&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">New York Yankee</a>s, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0738533017/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0738533017&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">St. Louis Cardinals</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0738500585/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0738500585&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">Tampa Bay Rays</a> and several other teams have called this home to their spring training teams in the past. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_u9__UNmoo/UUzga3iDrfI/AAAAAAAAAp0/uB9Kd9hiSDg/s1600/SAM_2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_u9__UNmoo/UUzga3iDrfI/AAAAAAAAAp0/uB9Kd9hiSDg/s320/SAM_2757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
In game 1, Calgary lost 8-7. Joel Campbell was on the mound, and kept the Redbirds in the game. He looked very strong early on, striking out the side each of the first two innings. He pitched into the 6th inning and left in a 7-7 tie, having been victimized by some poor defense as he only gave up 3 earned runs. Calgary was down early but stormed back with a 4 run 4th inning. The offense was provided by Matt Harris who had 4 RBIs including 3 with a double in that 4th inning, and Nelson Lipszyc who had 3 hits. Putting his batting gloves away in the nightcap, Lipszyc took the mound and looked very strong in the early going, not allowing a base runner until the 4th inning. Like Campbell earlier, he also pitched into the 6th but left the game trailing 5-3, having given up two earned runs while striking out five. Matt Harris had three outfield assists in the game, while Colton Seaman scored 2 runs in this narrow 5-4 defeat.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow2d0rA3bq4/UU3r96vFipI/AAAAAAAAAqU/9nXRQ2Gj5tI/s1600/out+at+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow2d0rA3bq4/UU3r96vFipI/AAAAAAAAAqU/9nXRQ2Gj5tI/s400/out+at+home.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of two runners thrown out at home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4p8U9Ff-IC4/UU3nKY0LJ6I/AAAAAAAAAqM/EJau7Jy6OL0/s1600/rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4p8U9Ff-IC4/UU3nKY0LJ6I/AAAAAAAAAqM/EJau7Jy6OL0/s320/rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving to field... We ain't playing today!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Proving that bad baseball weather isn't restricted to Alberta, Tuesday's games were all rained out and the teams returned from the trip late in the day.<br />
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Overall it was a great experience for all members of the teams, and a good way to get ready for the spring season.<br />
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Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-63233951441075981312013-02-20T18:20:00.001-08:002013-03-02T15:23:21.749-08:00World Baseball Classic Alberta Connections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/articles/wbc-opener-24-days-away/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hcc3e3P177U/USWEFJHkbDI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/bQi1x02u6Fs/s200/wbc.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
The World Baseball Classic is starting soon, and Team Canada is hoping to add to its accomplishments in the International stage. In the inaugural WBC in 2006, they shocked the world by <a href="http://www.baseball.ca/eng_news_story.cfm?NewsID=805">upsetting Team USA</a>. More recently they won bronze at the <a href="http://www.baseball.ca/eng_news_story.cfm?NewsID=1512">World Cup in 2009</a> and again in <a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/articles/a-wet-bronze-medal-for-canada/">2011</a> and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/pan_am_games/2011/10/25/canada_wins_pan_am_baseball_gold.html">beat the US to take Gold</a> at the Pan-Am Games in 2011. Last fall Canada's Junior Team won <a href="http://www.baseball.ca/eng_news_story.cfm?NewsID=2282">Silver at the IBAF 18U World Championships</a>.<br />
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Now they are ready to compete in arguably the world's biggest international baseball stage in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.<br />
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First of all, Canada made the 2013 WBC thanks to the its efforts in the Qualifier Tournament last fall. Twelve nations had spots guaranteed in the WBC and Canada was one of 16 teams that had to battle in the Qualifier Tournament to get one of the final four spots. Because it was held in September, Joey Votto, Russell Martin, Brett Lawrie, Justin Morneau and the other Canadian MLB stars were unavailable. But Team Canada persevered and won the right to play in this year's World Baseball Classic. That team had several Albertans including: Edmonton's <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsmi02.shtml">Mike Johnson</a>, current technical director of Baseball Alberta and a Blue Jays draftee who played for the Expos; <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=mcdona002she">Sheldon McDonald</a> of Spruce Grove who is currently in the Chicago Cubs organization; and Bow Island's <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=stroms001sky">Skyler Stromsmoe</a> who is knocking on the door of the World Series champions, having played for the Giants' AAA affiliate last season.<br />
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The full roster for the current team can be seen at the <a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/articles/wbc-opener-24-days-away/">Canadian Baseball Network</a>. But once again, there are several Alberta connections. Milwaukee Brewer reliever <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendeji01.shtml">Jim Henderson</a> from Calgary is the only Alberta native on the team, but joining him are <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=johnso004jay">Jay Johnson </a>who is a lefthanded pitcher in the Phillies organization and who played high school and college ball in the southern end of our province, with the Vauxhall Jets, Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs and Lethbridge Bulls. As well, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=mollek001dus">Dustin Molleken</a> who is also a pitcher who played with the Prairie Baseball Academy will be on the team.<br />
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Canada is in Pool D which is playing its games in the Phoenix area starting on Thursday March 7th. They are starting with a couple of exhibition games on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Brewers and Reds. The first Pool game for Canada is on Friday March 8th against Italy, and then they take on Mexico and the US on Saturday and Sunday. If they advance they will then play in the 2nd round which will include the top two teams from Pool C (out of Venezuela, Spain, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic) in Miami starting on March 12th. And if they're one of the two top teams, they will advance to the medal round in San Francisco where the semi-finals will be held on Mardch 17th and 18th, and the championship game on Tuesday March 19th.<br />
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Stay tuned to the <a href="http://canadianbaseballnetwork.com/">Canadian Baseball Network</a> for the latest update on Team Canada.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=5Yez*Zm66SU&offerid=280925.105&subid=0&type=4"><img alt="CBS Interactive Inc." border="0" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=5Yez*Zm66SU&bids=280925.105&subid=0&type=4&gridnum=1" /></a></div>
Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-68821315753779569452013-01-18T18:34:00.001-08:002013-01-18T18:34:37.538-08:00Former Professional Teams in Alberta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0061791652/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0061791652&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_yRB-9iyvU/UPnPHwjZk-I/AAAAAAAAAlA/gcm2xAjN_I8/s1600/AROD-+Calgary-Cannons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The other day I saw a Calgary Cannons card of Ryan Dempster, and that inspired me to write an article <a href="http://rsnalberta.blogspot.ca/2013/01/more-red-sox-alberta-connections.html">on my Red Sox blog</a> about how many Red Sox players used to play in our Province. In researching that I learned about a lot of teams that used to play here that I was unaware of. I'm sure most people fondly remember the<a href="http://shrsl.com/?~35ms"> Cannons</a> or <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~35mr">Trappers</a>, or even the Med Hat Blue Jays of the Pioneer League, but there have been many more Minor League and other semi-professional teams that have played in Alberta. No less than 12 MLB franchises have had minor league affiliates here. And there have been hundreds of stars who have played here including Alex Rodriguez (left - pictured batting for Calgary) and<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B006T88HG6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B006T88HG6&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20"> Hall of Famer Andre Dawson</a> who started his professional career in Lethbridge. <br />
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Here are all the teams I found, listed with the name and level of their league and affiliation. If you are aware of other professional teams that have played in our Province, please <a href="mailto:baseballinalberta@gmail.com">let me know</a>.<br />
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<b>League / Level<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Year<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Affiliation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Pacific Coast League - AAA<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Calgary Cannons<o:p></o:p></div>
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1985-1994<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mariners<o:p></o:p></div>
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1995-1997<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pirates<o:p></o:p></div>
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1998<o:p></o:p></div>
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White Sox<o:p></o:p></div>
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1999-2002<o:p></o:p></div>
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Marlins<o:p></o:p></div>
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Edmonton Trappers<o:p></o:p></div>
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1981-1982<o:p></o:p></div>
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White Sox<o:p></o:p></div>
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1983-1992<o:p></o:p></div>
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Angels<o:p></o:p></div>
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1993-1994<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Marlins<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1995-1998<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Athletics<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1999-2000<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Angels<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2001-2002<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Twins<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2003-2004<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; height: 15.75pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Expos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Pioneer League - Rookie Ball<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lethbridge Expos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1975-1976<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Expos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Medicine Hat A's<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1977<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Athletics<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Cardinals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1977-1978<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Cardinals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lethbridge Dodgers<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1977-1983<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Dodgers<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Medicine Hat Blue Jays<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1978-2002<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Blue Jays<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Expos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1979-1984<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Expos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lethbridge Mounties<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1992-1995<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
none<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lethbridge Black Diamonds<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 78.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="104"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1996-1998<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 76.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Diamondbacks<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 31.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 31.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Western International League - Class
A<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Stampeders<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1953-1954<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Eskimos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1953-1954<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Western Canada League - Class B<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Broncos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1907; 1910-1921<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Eskimos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1920-1921<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 30.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 30.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Western Canada League - Class D<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Grays<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1907<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lethbridge Miners<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1907-1910<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Medicine Hat Hatters<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1907-1914<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Cowboys<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1909<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Eskimos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1909-1911; 1914<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Bassano Boosters<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1912<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 35;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Red Deer Eskimos<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1912<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 36;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Gray Birds<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
1912-1913<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 33.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 37;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 33.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Independent
Leagues<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 30.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 38;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 30.75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Canadian Baseball League<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 39;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Outlaws<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2003<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 31.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 40;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 31.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Northern Baseball League<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 41;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Vipers<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2005-2007<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 42;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Cracker-Cats<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2005-2007<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 32.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 43;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 32.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Golden Baseball League<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 44;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Vipers<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2008-2010<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 45;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Cracker-Cats<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2008-2010<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 46;">
<td colspan="3" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 287.55pt;" width="383"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>North American Baseball League<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 47;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Calgary Vipers<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid black 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2011<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 48; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 133.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="177"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Edmonton Capitals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.75pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="206"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
2011<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-73026848333288572912013-01-05T00:03:00.003-08:002013-01-27T10:00:05.039-08:00Come see Goose Gossage or Brent Sutter and support local baseball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBmzkHLCx1k/UOfY5H7QliI/AAAAAAAAAkY/r5ukXwzuBZQ/s1600/dinos+and+badgers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBmzkHLCx1k/UOfY5H7QliI/AAAAAAAAAkY/r5ukXwzuBZQ/s400/dinos+and+badgers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/12/tim-raines-to-speak-at-u-of-c-baseball.html">Once again</a>, the Calgary Dinos will have a former MLB star who will be joining them at their baseball and fastball teams annual fundraising dinner. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rich "Goose" Gossage </span><a href="http://www.godinos.com/news/2013/1/3/BASE_0103134339.aspx?path=baseball" style="font-family: inherit;">has been announced</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> as this year's keynote speaker</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. As well, Brent Sutter will be the featured guest for</span><a href="http://www.badlandsbaseballacademy.com/" style="font-family: inherit;"> Badland Baseball Academy's</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> fundraiser.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gossage is a Hall of Fame reliever, best remembered for his trademark Fu Manchu </span>moustache<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and a blazing fastball. His resume includes helping the Yankees win a World Series in his first season in New York, and being only the second pitcher (after Rollie Fingers) to amass 300 career saves. Aside from his time in New York, his storied career also took him through Chicago (both the North and South side), Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco, Texas, Oakland and Seattle on the way to Cooperstown. After retiring he also wrote his memoirs in his very humorous autobiography "</span><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0345430689/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bbiab1967-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0345430689" style="font-family: inherit;">The Goose is Loose</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">" and is sure to be an entertaining speaker at this event.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0345430689/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bbiab1967-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0345430689" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPUa4srIXt0/UOfWWAoSGsI/AAAAAAAAAjs/g02mtBaMUD0/s1600/goose.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brent Sutter is very well known to hockey fans in the area. A native Albertan (from Viking), he played 18 seasons in the NHL before switching gears and becoming a very well regarded coach. Twice he led Team Canada to the World Junior Hockey Championship, and also won the <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1550171704/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bbiab1967-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1550171704">Memorial Cup</a> with Red Deer, as well as coaching in the NHL with New Jersey and Calgary.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Aacbl8XWo/UOfXP05jo8I/AAAAAAAAAj4/qssN4A8_IA8/s1600/sutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Aacbl8XWo/UOfXP05jo8I/AAAAAAAAAj4/qssN4A8_IA8/s320/sutter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff McIntosh / Associated Press</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Dinos fundraising dinner featuring Goose Gossage will be held on Thursday January 31st at the Red & White Club at McMahon Stadium. To purchase tickets ($175) please call U of C Kinesiology Client Services at (403) 220-7749 and for more information on the event you can contact Mike Boyles at </span><a href="mailto:mboyles@ucalgary.ca" style="font-family: inherit;">mboyles@ucalgary.ca</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or (403) 220-4413.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Badgers Gala evening with Sutter will be on Wednesday January 30th. The reception starts at 5:30 followed by dinner and a silent and live auction. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by contacting the Academy Office at (403) 664-2200.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Both of these events promise to be very entertaining and are a great way to support local baseball. </span>Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-13061667889065066312012-11-15T17:00:00.000-08:002012-11-15T17:00:03.960-08:00Blue Jays trade analysis - part deux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjMXr_QC7pM/UKRRoRifRkI/AAAAAAAAAX4/_Sse8M4XIOA/s1600/JaysChamps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjMXr_QC7pM/UKRRoRifRkI/AAAAAAAAAX4/_Sse8M4XIOA/s200/JaysChamps.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
Yesterday<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/11/blue-jays-blockbuster-world-series.html"> I wrote </a>about the Jays recent trade and warned fans not to have high expectations, based on the results of some other blockbuster deals or big signings. I outlined several examples over the past 10 or so years where teams added major parts in the offseason and didn't get the results they expected.<br />
<br />
That's all well and good, but just because some big trades don't pan out, doesn't mean that they all won't. So today, I'm going to look at the specific players involved in this trade, and analyze how much of an impact they can be expected to provide.<br />
<br />
The players the Blue Jays received were Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buerhle, John Buck and Emilio Bonifacio. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Jose Reyes is a dynamic player. A multiple time all star, he can
get on base, has a bit of power and is <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000IOLZYI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000IOLZYI&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">FAST</a>. Also plays a pretty decent
shortstop (although statisically is below average). In total he was worth
2.8 <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0465005470/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0465005470&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">WAR</a> (wins above replacement) last season. He will be replacing Yunel
Escobar who wore out his welcome in Toronto with his homophobic pranks. Escobar
doesn't get on base quite as much, has slightly less power and is nowhere as
fast. Obviously not as good as an all around player, although slightly better
with the glove. All in all he was worth 2.3 WAR last year. Wait,
what? The difference between these 2 players over the course of a season
is 1/2 a win. That means, that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>all
things being equal</i>, a team with Reyes at shortstop will on average win 1
more game than a team with Escobar over 2 complete seasons. I know you
don't believe me. But this is assuming both players perform the exact
same way they did last year. Early in his career Reyes had a
couple of 5+ WAR seasons. If he can somehow duplicate that, then the Jays are 3 or
so games better than with Escobar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Mark Buehlre: I'll cut to the chase. In his career he has
struggled against the AL East. The good news is that he won't have to face the
Blue Jays. The bad news is that he'll pitch against the rest of the division
more often. The inconclusive news is that this stat might not matter. Small
sample size, he won't be pitching against the Ramirez/Youkils Red Sox and maybe
it was Jorge Posada or Bobby Abreu who destroyed him as Yankees. I don't know /
too lazy to look it up. I'll assume the best case scenario that he'll
pitch the same way he has throughout his career. He's been a pretty
consistent 2 WAR pitcher, maxing out at 4.2 a few years ago, and had a 1.8 last
season. He'll be replacing Henderson Alvarez, who although pitched the
most inning for the Blue Jays was pretty much the definition of
"replacement level", garnering a 0.1 WAR for the season.
Optimistically, let's say he has a career year which would be a 4 win improvement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Josh Johnson is another all-star caliber pitcher. Potentially. He was mediocre last season, but had a pair of 5 WAR seasons early in his
career. If he can duplicate that, pencil him in to add 5 wins to the Jays (as
he'll be bumping whoever the #5 starter was out of the rotation).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
John Buck is a back up catcher. He'll replace Jeff Mathis.
Not going to waste my time looking up the numbers, I don't think he's the
reason why anyone is excited over this trade. Let's call that even.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Finally, Emilio Bonifacio is also headed north. He's a utility player who may become their
everyday 2nd baseman. He can also play the outfield but the Jays are set there.
So at best he'll be replacing Kelly Johnson who left as a FA. I don't think he can
duplicate Johnson's numbers, but again, let's be optimistic and call it a wash.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
So if we assume none of the prospects the Jays gave up would have
helped the big league roster next year, and career best seasons from the
haul they got back, the Jays could expect to win 12 more games. That
would get them to 85 wins. And of course all these assumptions are EXTREMELY
optimistic. Realistically, I would predict that combined these players will net the Blue Jays an extra 7 wins. Now, the Jays may still end up making the playoffs, but if they do, it will due to contributions from other players. Duplicating the results of last year, and the new additions will only get them to about 80 wins. Any additional increase will be a combination of players bouncing back from poor seasons, somebody having a career year, and unexpected contributions from rookies and bench players. (they will also need help with avoiding injuries, outperforming their expected pyth record, better then expected BABIP, and other sabrmetric things that can be called "luck" for simplicity). It could happen - just like the Orioles and Oakland won over 90 games this year - but you should not expect it to.</div>
Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-53017503200442721932012-11-14T18:52:00.000-08:002012-11-14T21:12:05.600-08:00Blue Jays blockbuster = World Series?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000MKXEYM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B000MKXEYM&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YjMXr_QC7pM/UKRRoRifRkI/AAAAAAAAAX4/_Sse8M4XIOA/s320/JaysChamps.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
The Toronto Blue Jays pulled off a blockbuster deal and have added 4 all-star players to their roster. Money aside (Rogers still has a few
excess billions), the only cost was a <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1897113161/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1897113161&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">controversial</a> shortstop (whom will
be replaced by one of the premier shortstops in the league), an under-performing pitcher and some prospects. And although some of these prospects might
pan out in future years, it’s not as though any of them were the kind of
prospects that your average baseball fan was following in the minors – a la
Bryce Harper or Jesus Montero. In fact it wasn’t even the top organizational
prospects – but their consensus #2, 5 and 8 guys.<br />
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<u1:p></u1:p></div>
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What does any of this have to do with Baseball in Alberta?
Well, if these moves help the Blue Jays win the World Series, the impact
will be felt at the local level. There will be a resurgence in fan
interest, like there was in the early 90s, and it will cascade all the way down
to cities building more youth baseball diamonds, more revenue for independent
teams, more players wanting to play, attracting more qualified coaches north of
the border and so on. So, yes, this trade could have a major impact on the
baseball landscape in Alberta, from Little League to the WMBL to
semi-professional franchises to potentially attracting minor league teams back
to our province.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So</b>…</span> will this trade:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
- make Toronto a better team for the immediate future?
Absolutely. <o:p></o:p></div>
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- help the Jays' chances of making the playoffs? Probably<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">- bring the World Series trophy to Canada soon? <b>Nope!</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Look, I'm sorry. Even though I'm a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://rsnalberta.blogspot.com/">Red Sox fan</a>, I'm involved enough in
Canadian baseball to know that the Jays winning will help the baseball industry
nation wide, and I'm all for that but I just don't see these moves making<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>that</i> kind of a difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are two ways we can look at this: Look at individual
player's impacts, or look at what history tells us about the fate of teams that
made huge acquisitions, bolstering their rosters in hope of attaining that
elusive championship. Today I'm going to start by looking at history for
some parallels. In my next post, I'll analyze this specific trade more
closely.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<u>1998 Baltimore Orioles </u></div>
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Let me start with the Baltimore Orioles of the late 1990s.
In 1996 they almost beat the Yankees in the ALCS, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1594866708/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1594866708&linkCode=as2&tag=bbiab1967-20">losing a game on acontroversial home run call</a>. In 1997 they won 98 games and returned to
the ALCS but again lost, this time to the Cleveland Indians. In 1998,
they took a step backwards only winning 79 games. Something needed to be
done, so they made a big splash in the offseason. They signed
slugger Albert Belle who was coming off a career year (49 HR, .328 BA, 399
total bases - Jim Rice in 1978 was the only player since Joe DiMaggio in 1937
to break the 400 mark) to a 5 year $65 M contract. They added three more
all-stars, trading for catcher Charles Johnson and signing closer Heathcliff
Slocumb and Will Clark. Things were looking good in Oriole land.
For sure they'd be back to the playoffs with a chance to get to the World
Series this time! Except that the plan didn't exactly turn out as
envisioned, and they only won 78 games the next season, and in fact only in
2012 did they finally win more than the 79 games that they retooled from after the 1998 season<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>2001 New York Mets</u></div>
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Next we have the New York Mets. In 2000, they won the NL pennant
and faced the Yankees in the World Series. But in 2001, barely finished at .500
with an 82-80 record while the Yankees went to the World Series again.
Something had to be done to get back to relevance with the New York media.
So that offseason, they traded for all stars David Justice, Roberto
Alomar and Mo Vaughn. Justice's best years were behind him, but Roberto
Alomar had just come in 4th in MVP voting, and was named an all-star for the
12th season in a row. And although Mo Vaughn was a few yeas removed from being
the league's MVP, he had hit over 30 home runs 6 seasons in a row and was still
a legitimate power threat. So, how did these acquistions work out for the
Mets? They won 75 games the following season, and it wasn't until 2006
that they climbed back to .500 with an uninspiring 83-79 campaign.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>2007 Detroit Tigers</u></div>
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The Detroit Tigers flirted with success in the mid 2000s. They
went to the World Series in 2006, and missed the playoffs by 6 games in 2007. Wanting to get back to the postseason, they upgraded by
signing 5 time all star shortstop Edgar Renteria, and trading for Miguel
Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Cabrera was every bit the player he is now
having garnered MVP votes in all 5 of his seasons, and Willis was coming off a
down year, but he was a very exciting 25 year old, with 2 all star appearances
and a 2nd place finish in the Cy Young race on his resume already. Everyone
handed the Tigers the AL pennant after that trade. How did it turn out for
them? Well, with the help of Miguel Cabrera they returned to the World Series
THIS year but in 2008, they scraped together all of 74 victories. The big
splash they made, resulted in them going backwards.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>2009 Seattle Mariners</u></div>
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In 2008 the Mariners only won 61 games. In 2009 they had
improved to 85 wins and Felix Hernandez showed the potential everyone thought
he had, coming in 2nd for the Cy Young. The AL West was within reach.
They resigned starter Erik Bedard and shocked everyone by acquiring Cliff Lee,
who was only 1 year removed from a Cy Young, from the Phillies. With that
starting pitching they were going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2010.
Well, they won all of 61 games and haven't been relevant since.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>2010 Boston Red Sox</u></div>
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After winning the World Series in 2007, the Red Sox lost the ALCS
in 2008, and were eliminated in the ALDS in 2009. In 2010, they missed the
playoffs for only the 2nd time since 2003. Looked like they were going in
the wrong direction. So, me and several other Red Sox fans were very
excited when within the span of a week, Boston traded some prospects to get
Adrian Gonzalez and then signed Carl Crawford in the 2010 offseason. It's
painful for me to even talk about what happened next. Suffice it to say
they've been in a donwhill spiral ever since, only wining 69 games this year,
and only somehow getting the Dodgers to take these contract off of Boston's
hands gives us hope for the future.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<u>2011 Anaheim Angels</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The <strike>California</strike> <strike>Anaheim</strike> Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won the World Sereis in 2002. They also won the AL West in 5 of the 6 seasons from 2004 to 2009. But in 2010 they stumbled to an 80 win season, and bounced back a bit to 86 wins in 2011, which still left them 5 games short of the playoffs. So they went out and spent some money to ensure a return to the playoffs. Within a 24 our span, they signed Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson committing well over $300 Million to the pair. Pujols is 3 time MVP and a certain first ballot Hall of Famer,and Wilson was coming off an all star season where he ended up 6th in Cy Young voting. More importantly, Wilson left the Rangers whom the Angels finished second to. This should have been enough to propel the Angels past the Rangers and into the playoffs in 2012. Well, they improved by 3 games winning 89 and ended up 4 games short of the playoffs. Not too different from their 2011 results and most of their improvement can probably be attributed to Mike Trout.</div>
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<u><br /></u>
<u>2011 Miami Marlins</u><br />
After the 2011 season, the Marlins got ready to move into their new state-of-the-art stadium in Miami. And it looked like it was a good time to make a move in the standings. The NL East included perennial cellar dwellars, the Washington Nationals and the New York Mets and it looked like the Phillies window of opportunity was closing. With a 2nd wildcard added into the playoffs, and with other wildcard contenders such as St. Louis and Milwaukee weakened with big offseason losses, Miami could try and capitalize. Within a one week span, they signed Heath Bell to be their closer, Jose Reyes to be their dynamic leadoff hitter and shortstop and Mark Buerhle to bolster their starting rotation. Later on they traded for Carlos Zambrano. And the result was a 69 win season, their worst this <strike>decade</strike> <strike>century</strike> millenium!<br />
<br /></div>
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<u>2012 LA Dodgers</u></div>
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During the 2012 season, the Dodgers started off strong, building up a 7.5 game lead on their competition before the end of May. But a weak June allowed the San Francisco Giants to catch up and throughout August and July they were neck and neck. At the trade deadline they added 2 time all star Shane Victorino and batting champion and 3 time all star Hanley Ramirez. Still ,battling for a playoff spot on August 25th they they agreed to trade for all stars Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett. The acquisition cost was high in both the price of prospects, and being saddled with Carl Crawford's (who was out for at least the rest of the season) remaining $100 + million in salary obligations. But it would be well worth it to win the division or at least get a wildcard spot, and go into the playoffs with both their offense and starting rotation bolstered. Well, when Gonzalez hit a 3 run home run in the 1st inning of the first game he played for the Dodgers, things were looking good! Unfortunately they played sub .500 ball the rest of the season and ended up 8 games behind the<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/re70qgpmgo3856CD9A354C77D64"> to-become-World-Series-Champion San Francisco Giants</a><br />
<br />
In all of the above the team's fan base, as well as the national media proclaimed the moves as huge game changers. The franchises in question were sure to reap immediate as well as long term rewards from their new shiny acquisitions. And it has never paid off.<br />
<br />
In my next post, I'll use some numbers to demonstrate why fans usually grossly overestimate the value of new additions. Stay tuned....<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-50115995688396918902012-08-21T19:05:00.001-07:002012-08-21T19:11:03.830-07:00Coaching changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--A2WHYFpOKw/UDQ_r6aP-TI/AAAAAAAAARY/EXgDQpq0dkM/s1600/morodinos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--A2WHYFpOKw/UDQ_r6aP-TI/AAAAAAAAARY/EXgDQpq0dkM/s320/morodinos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Back in March, I wrote an article asking<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/03/colin-moro.html"> what’s next for <b>Colin Moro</b></a>. The Calgary native and former Calgary Viper star had suddenly found himself without a place to play as spring neared. Well, the phone never did ring from a team looking for an experienced hitter. Instead he spent the spring and summer coaching a high level team with Calgary’s<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/02/new-baseball-academy-planned-for-fall.html"> Pro Baseball Force</a>. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Well, he enjoyed coaching so much that he has now taken the next step and been named head coach of the <a href="http://www.godinos.com/index.aspx?path=baseball">University of Calgary Dinos men’s baseball</a> team. The Dinos play in the <a href="http://www.bcpbl.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=149&Itemid=1192">Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC</a>), and the opening presented itself when incumbent <b>AJ Fystro</b> left the organization <a href="http://www.canada.com/sports/baseball/Dawgs+shake+coaching+staff+after+first+round+exit/7043365/story.html">to join the Okotoks Dawgs of the WMBL</a>. Fystro had coached the Dinos since 2004.<br />
<br />
Congratulations to both Moro and Fystro and we wish them the best of success in their new roles.<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------<br />
<br />
On an unrelated note, I would like to express my condolences to the family of <b>Jeff Gidney</b> who passed away last week. Gidney was <a href="http://www.canada.com/sports/Former+Vipers+owner+passes/7108291/story.html">responsible for bringing professional baseball back</a> to the area after the move of the Cannons. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but by all accounts he was a very well liked and respected individual and will be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing or doing business with him.<br />
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-57466132338465381122012-08-18T15:38:00.002-07:002012-08-18T15:43:39.470-07:00World Cup of Women's Baseball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0800177258/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0800177258&linkCode=as2&tag=baseruleedge-20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmjEqLT20Y0/UDAOElz9JiI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/RNDxorSGb5E/s200/ibafwomens.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.ibaf.org/en/competition/ab0f26e6-4b5f-420f-b773-414f2a6c4a68">IBAF World Cup of Women's Baseball</a> has been going on all week at Telus Field in Edmonton, and the first round is now complete, and the playoffs are being played this weekend. Yes, there is girl's baseball-real baseball, not softball-and not just in the
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/search?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&index=dvd-ca&keywords=a%20league%20of%20their%20own&linkCode=ur2&tag=baseruleedge-20" target="_blank">movies</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=baseruleedge-20&l=ur2&o=15" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Canada has had a very impressive showing so far. The team is made up of 20 women from across the country ranging in age from 17 to 29, including four from right here in Alberta who have been major contributors to the team's success so far. These Albertans who are representing team Canada are <b>Heidi Northcott</b>, a pitcher from Rocky Mountain House, <b>Nicole Luchanski</b>, a second baseman (basewoman? baseperson? someone please help me out with the proper nomenclature here) playing in her hometown of Edmonton, <b>Tara Sliwkanich </b>a pitcher from fort Saksatchewan, and<b> Meagan Cornelssen</b>, an outfielder from Grande Prairie.<br />
<br />
The squad started off strong, with their first two contests being mercy-shortened 5 inning affairs, 12-2 over China - with Luchanski going 3-4 scoring 3 runs and knocking in 2 while Cornelssen added 3 RBIs - and 14-2 over Venezuela. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>They then had a close match with Australia, scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th to take a 5-3 lead, and holding on for the 5-4 win. They then had to face the American women. They held a comfortable 5-1 lead heading into the last inning, and then added 3 more runs. But team USA improbably scored 7 runs to tie it and send the game to extras. However, some wild pitching helped Canada score 7 runs of their own in the first extra frame, and we ended up easily winning 15-9. The next day, the women had another easy win, defeating the Netherlands 19-2. Sliwkanich got the win, only giving up 1 hit while striking out 4 through 3 innings. After a day of rest, we played Cuba, and again won a mercy contest, although it wasn't until the 6th inning that we got the requisite 10 run lead. Luchanski was the hitting star, going 4-5 and knocking in 3 including the game-winning (game-mercying?) walkoff hit while Northcott picked up the W on the mound. The last game in round 1 was against Japan. The Japanese team was 5-1, whose only loss was against team USA earlier in the week. Japan jumped on the bat early, getting off to a 9-1 lead after 4 innings. But the Canadian women fought back, managing to get the tying run to the plate in the 7th inning, but ultimately ended up on the short end of a 9-7 final.<br />
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With this loss, they ended the first round in 2nd place, with an identical 6-1 record as Japan, but having lost in their head to head game. This sets up a semifinal match against Team USA, Saturday at 7:30 PM, with the winner taking on the winner of the Japan/Australia game on Sunday at 5 PM for the championship. <br />
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Good luck!<br />
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-46988584275665908712012-08-08T07:00:00.000-07:002012-08-14T10:53:28.071-07:00Provincial Championships - Part Deux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAqTuGLmDd8/TYqJ9Me0VkI/AAAAAAAAAE4/0qXigJHPItk/s1600/BA+Official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAqTuGLmDd8/TYqJ9Me0VkI/AAAAAAAAAE4/0qXigJHPItk/s200/BA+Official.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The last weekend of July saw <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/08/provincial-championships.html">Baseball Alberta Championships</a> in the Competitive Mosquito, PeeWee and Midget levels. The August long weekend completed the rest of the Provincial championships. <br />
<br />
Strathmore were crowned Competitive Bantam champions in Tier I, beating Grande Prairie 25-20 in a slugfest in the championship game, hosted in St. Albert. In other Tiers, the Olds Spitfires hosted and won Tier II, Calgary PBF hosted and won Tier III, Bawlf won Tier IV in Confederation Park and Barrhead took the Tier V title hosted by Kikino.<br />
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At the Performance level, Red Deer hosted the PeeWee championshiops. Sherwood Park went undefeated in pool play, while Red Deer and Spruce Grove tied for 2nd. Due to Spruce Grove winning the head to head game, they advanced to the final to play the A's. The Spruce Grove White Sox won the first final game 10-7, but since the A's were undefeated, a second final game was necessary. In that one, Sherwood Park rebounded from their loss beating the White Sox 10-3 and taking home the Provincial Championship.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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The Bantam championships were played in Okotoks. In Tier I, Foothills, Spruce Grove and St. Albert tied with 3 wins apiece in pool play. Spruce Grove got a bye into the final game due to tiebreaker rules, while Foothills defeated St. Albert in the semi final to earn the other berth in the championship game. And Foothills won that game too, beating Spruce Grove 11-1 and winning the Bantam performance championship. Meanwhile, in Tier II, Red Deer narrowly defeated Edmonton 5-4 to take home Tier II champion honours.<br />
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The Midget championship were also hosted in Okotoks. Eleven teams played through some inclement weather at times throughout the 4 days of pool play, to get into the playoffs. All 3 Foothills teams made the playoffs along with Edmonton, Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park Gold. The championship game on Monday saw the host Foothills Black team face off against the Sherwood Park Gold, and the hosts won 5-2 to repeat as Provinical Champions.<br />
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Good luck to all the teams representing Alberta at the Nationals and Westerns.<br />
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-38542003882664262762012-08-03T10:57:00.004-07:002012-08-03T10:57:44.229-07:00Provincial Championships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAqTuGLmDd8/TYqJ9Me0VkI/AAAAAAAAAE4/0qXigJHPItk/s1600/BA+Official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAqTuGLmDd8/TYqJ9Me0VkI/AAAAAAAAAE4/0qXigJHPItk/s200/BA+Official.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Last weekend <a href="http://www.baseballalberta.com/">Baseball Alberta</a> crowned it's PeeWee and Midget Competitive Champions.<br />
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In Tier I PeeWee held in Grande Prairie, Camrose Red and Lacombe went undefeated in pool play, earning a berth in the semi finals. Camrose held off Leduc to advance to the finals, while Lacombe suffered their only loss to Fort McMurray, setting up a championship game between Fort McMurray and Camrose Red. Fort Mac again handed a team their only loss of the weekend, narrowly defeating Camrose 8-7 and winning the PeeWee Tier I Provinical Championship.<br />
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The other Tiers were all won by Calgary area teams, as the Calgary Cubs won Tier II in Barrhead, Calgary Redbirds hosted and won Tier III, and the Okotoks Blue Outlaws won Tier IV that they also hosted in Okotoks.<br />
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Meanwhile, the Tier I Midget Provincials were held in Acme. The host team, Rocky Mountain House, Bonnyville and Vegreville made it to the playoffs. Vegreville was the only unbeaten team, but they fell to Acme 5-4 in the first semi-final, while Bonnyville edged Rocky 6-5. The championship game was a high scoring affair with hometown Acme prevailing 17-15.<br />
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Other Provincial winners were North Peace taking the Tier II championship in Slave Lake, Fort Saskatchewan winning Tier III in Sherwood Park, and Innisfail being crowned Tier IV champs in Calgary.<br />
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Congratulations to all these teams!<br />
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The Bantam Competitive Championships are taking place this weekend, as are all the Performance Provincials.Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-5322633919368720652012-08-02T15:59:00.003-07:002012-08-02T16:07:15.172-07:00Albertans in the minors... and majors too!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiX5FMz4D2g/TaCrI4QKz8I/AAAAAAAAAFM/k3FYnWTWFjw/s1600/mlb+prospects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiX5FMz4D2g/TaCrI4QKz8I/AAAAAAAAAFM/k3FYnWTWFjw/s320/mlb+prospects.jpg" width="320" /></a>A while ago I posted a list of <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/04/albertans-in-mlb-and-minors.html">Albertan players playing in the minor leagues</a>. Since that time several more players have started playing, and one has gotten the long-awaited call. Here is an update on these home province players:<br />
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Let me start with the ones mentioned in my April post:<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
“<i>Jim Henderson who is a Calgary native and was originally
drafted by the Montreal Expos is pitching at AAA for the Nashville Sounds. This is his second stint at AAA, having had
prior experience there with the Iowa Cubs in 2008, before the Brewers
organization promoted him to their AAA affiliate last year. Although a bit old to
be considered a 'prospect' at age 29, he could be called up during the season
and help out in Milwaukee's bullpen</i>”<br />
As undoubtedly most of my readers have heard by now, <b>Jim Henderson</b> did indeed get called up, receiving the call the evening of July 25th and has appeared in 3 games so far for the Brewers and has yet to give up a run. I don't expect him to continue to sport a 0 ERA indefinitely or even approach the success of the<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/05/life-in-prairies-after-mlb.html"> last pitcher from Calgary</a> to play in the show, but he is doing his job and helping the Milwaukee bullpen.<br />
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"<i>Also at AAA is 28 year old middle infielder Skyler Stromsmoe
from Bow Island. He is playing for the
Giants' affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies.
He is a very versatile player, spending a lot of time at 2nd, short and
3rd as well as the outfield and has even pitched on a few occasions. He led Canada to gold in the Pan Am Games
last year, and was just promoted to AAA for the first time this season.</i>"<br />
<b>Skyler Stromsmoe</b> continues to perform well in a versatile role for the Grizzlies. Although not an everyday starter, he has appeared in about 2/3 of their games at whatever position he is needed, and is expected to be on Canada's <a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2012/07/29/canada_baseball_world_baseball_classic_qualification_roster/">WBC roster</a>.<br />
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<i>"A litte further away at AA is catcher Lars Davis from Grande
Prairie. He is in the Rockies
organization playing for the Tulsa Drillers"<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<b>Lars Davis </b>continues to impress, hitting about .300 and showing some power in Tulsa.<br />
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"<i>Sheldon McDonald, a left-handed pitcher from Spruce Grove
was drafted by the Cubs last year where he pitched for their rookie and low A
affiliates. He has started this season
with a promotion to Single A Peoria
Chiefs"</i></div>
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<b>Sheldon McDonald </b>is showing that he deserved that promotion, having appeared in 23 games so far while keeping his ERA around 2.<br />
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The following players had not yet started their seasons when I wrote the original article.:<br />
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RHP <b>Ethan Elias</b> from Entwhistle who was <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/06/7-players-from-alberta-taken-in-annual.html">drafted last year</a> has been pitching for the Cubs Rookie League affiliate in Arizona.<br />
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RHP <b>Adam Paulencu</b> from Sherwood Park who was <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/06/4-albertans-taken-in-mlb-draft.html">drafted (again) this year</a>, is pitching for the Rockies "A" affiliate, the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Northwest League.<br />
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Edmonton's <b>Steven Inch </b>was promoted from the Rookie League and has been pitching for the Phillies "A" affiliate in the New York - Penn League, the Willamsport Crosscutters.<br />
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<b>Tyler Hollick</b>, an outfielder from Calgary<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/06/4-albertans-taken-in-mlb-draft.html"> drafted this year</a>, has been playing for the Giants Rookie League affiliate in the Arizona League, and has been hitting very well, currently batting .350 while slugging at .500 pace.<br />
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<b>Cory Scammell</b>, who was <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/06/7-players-from-alberta-taken-in-annual.html">drafted last year</a> as an outfielder from Edmonton has also been playing in the Arizona League for the Mariners Rookie League affiliate.<br />
<br />
RHP <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/search/label/Seifrit"><b>Logan Seifrit</b> from Spuce Grove</a> has joined him on the roster of the Mariners Rookie affiliate in the Arizona League team as well.<br />
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LHP <b>Shane Dawson</b> from Drayton Valley <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/06/4-albertans-taken-in-mlb-draft.html">selected by the Blue Jays this year</a> has been pitching for their Rookie league affiliate in the North Division of the Gulf Coast League.<br />
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To learn more about all top prospects check out<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1932391401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1932391401&linkCode=as2&tag=baseruleedge-20"> Baseball America's Prospect Handbook</a> below:<br />
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<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=baseruleedge-20&o=15&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=1932391401" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-82630987926713286852012-06-26T11:29:00.000-07:002012-06-26T11:31:41.109-07:00Alberta draftees:Signing updates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9_UdK-Df8/T8rx0paFJVI/AAAAAAAAAPY/T8BNS6BuafA/s1600/draft2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9_UdK-Df8/T8rx0paFJVI/AAAAAAAAAPY/T8BNS6BuafA/s200/draft2012.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Earlier this month,<a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/06/4-albertans-taken-in-mlb-draft.html"> 4 Albertan baseball players </a>had their dreams realized when they were drafted in the MLB draft. Players only have until July 15th to sign. If they don't sign, they may or may not be eligible to be drafted again next year, depending on their circumstances (If players go to college, they are only eligible after their junior year or 21st birthday, unless it's a community or junior college).<br />
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And this year, with MLB's new collective bargaining agreement, it's made it tougher for teams to sign everyone they want. Teams no longer have an unlimited budget. There are consequences, some severe, to spending more than an allotted bonus pool. Anywhere from paying a "luxury tax" on the amount over the bonus they spend, to losing 2 first round draft picks in the future. The specific details are<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/alex-speier/2012/05/31/entering-new-world-order-2012-red-sox-draft-pr"> here</a>.<br />
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Fortunately, this has not impacted the Alberta players as they have all been signed already:<br />
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<b>Tyler Hollick</b> signed with the San Francisco Giants, and<a href="http://www.highriveronline.com/images/stories/audio/hollick-giants-june15-2.mp3"> has been assigned </a>to their Class A short season affiliate, the Salem-Keizer (Oregon) Volcanoes of the Northwest League. <br />
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<b>Adam Paulencu</b> who was also drafted by the Giants last year, but didn't sign due to tendinitis, has been signed by Colorado. The Rockies have assigned him to the Tri City (Washington) Dust Devils, also in the Northwest League.<br />
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The Toronto Blue Jays signed <b>Shane Dawson</b> and he has been assigned to Dunedin (Florida) of the High Class A Florida State League.
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<br />
And the Seattle Mariners signed <b>Logan Seifrit</b>, and have assigned him to the Peoria (Arizona) Mariners, of the Arizona League who play in the Rookie League.<br />
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Congratulations and best of luck to all these players!<br />
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<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-51286283611536762642012-06-06T17:25:00.000-07:002012-06-06T17:25:50.073-07:004 Albertans taken in MLB Draft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9_UdK-Df8/T8rx0paFJVI/AAAAAAAAAPY/T8BNS6BuafA/s1600/draft2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9_UdK-Df8/T8rx0paFJVI/AAAAAAAAAPY/T8BNS6BuafA/s320/draft2012.png" width="320" /></a></div>
As usual, pitchers led a strong contingent of Alberta players drafted by the MLB. Last year 5 out of the 7 players selected were hurlers, and this year all but one is a pitcher.<br />
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Yesterday, Calgary outfielder <b>Tyler Hollick</b> was the only Albertan player taken, as he was selected by the Giants in the 14th round. Today he was joined by three pitchers: <b>Shane Dawson</b>, a lefty from Drayton Valley who went to his home country Blue Jays in the 17h round; righthander <b>Adam Paulencu</b> from Sherwood Park who was taken by Colorado in the 26th round; another righty,<b> Logan Seifrit</b> from Spruce Grove selected by Seattle in the 33rd round.<br />
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Tyler Hollick is a lefty hitting outfielder who is attending Chandler-Gilbert Community College and playing for the WMBL Okotoks Dawgs in the summer. Shane Dawson played minor ball in Fort McMurray and Spruce Grove, before going to the Prairie Baseball Academy. Adam Paulencu also pitched for Spruce Grove before going to the Vancouver Island Baseball Institute. He was the first Alberta player drafted last year, when the Giants selected him in the 13th round, but shoulder problems prevented him from signing, and he pitched for Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach, as well as the WMBL Swift Current Indians during the summer. Logan Seifrit is still another pitcher who threw for Spruce Grove, and is now attending the Vauxhall Baseball Academy.<br />
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Here is a summary of the selections:<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: 4.65pt; width: 465px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.75pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 115pt;" width="153"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Name <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 47pt;" width="63"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Position<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 74pt;" width="99"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hometown<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 46pt;" width="61"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Round<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15.75pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67pt;" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Team<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 115pt;" width="153"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tyler Hollick<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 47pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">OF<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 74pt;" valign="bottom" width="99"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Calgary<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 46pt;" valign="bottom" width="61"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">14<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67pt;" valign="bottom" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Giants<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 115pt;" width="153"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Shane Dawson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 47pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">LHP <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 74pt;" valign="bottom" width="99"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Drayton Valley</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 46pt;" valign="bottom" width="61"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">17</span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67pt;" valign="bottom" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Blue Jays<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 115pt;" width="153"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Adam Paulencu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 47pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">RHP<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 74pt;" valign="bottom" width="99"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sherwood Park</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 46pt;" valign="bottom" width="61"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">26</span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67pt;" valign="bottom" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rockies<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 115pt;" width="153"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Logan Seifrit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 47pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">RHP<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 74pt;" valign="bottom" width="99"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spruce Grove</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 46pt;" valign="bottom" width="61"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">33<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67pt;" valign="bottom" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mariners</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 15pt;"><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 115pt;" width="153"><br /></td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 47pt;" valign="bottom" width="63"><br /></td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 74pt;" valign="bottom" width="99"><br /></td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 46pt;" valign="bottom" width="61"><br /></td><td nowrap="" style="height: 15pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 67pt;" valign="bottom" width="89"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-59777489850898630272012-06-02T22:53:00.000-07:002012-06-06T17:22:19.448-07:002012 MLB Draft: Alberta preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9_UdK-Df8/T8rx0paFJVI/AAAAAAAAAPY/T8BNS6BuafA/s1600/draft2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9_UdK-Df8/T8rx0paFJVI/AAAAAAAAAPY/T8BNS6BuafA/s320/draft2012.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
With the MLB draft coming up next week, here is a quick
preview of local baseball players to keep an eye on. </div>
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Last year, <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/06/7-players-from-alberta-taken-in-annual.html">seven
players from our province were drafted</a>.
Stay tuned to this blog as I will post updates as Albertans are
selected. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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According to the <a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/draft-list/2012/">Canadian Baseball Network’s draft list,</a> Alberta
has four players ranked in the top 20 in the country and several more who may
be selected. Many of these are familiar
names who have been mentioned on these pages and elsewhere previously. </div>
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The following are among the players expected to be drafted:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<b>Logan Seifrit</b>, a right handed pitcher who pitched for Spruce
Grove is expected to be among the first Canadians taken. At the start of last year he was on <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/02/spruce-groves-logan-seifrit-on-list-of.html">Baseball
America’s list of Canada’s top prospects</a>.
Since then <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/03/2-albertans-pitch-in-jnt-finale.html">he’s
played for the Canadian Junior National Team</a> (JNT) – both as a 16 and 17
year old, and is currently attending the Vauxhall Baseball Academy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Adam Paulencu</b>, a right handed pitcher from Sherwood Park,
who also played for Spruce Grove and the Vancouver Island Baseball Institute,
before being the <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/06/3-albertans-drafted-in-day-2.html">first
Albertan drafted last year</a>, is once again expected to be one of the first
Albertans selected. He was picked in the
13<sup>th</sup> round by the Giants, but<a href="http://www.canada.com/sports/Paulencu+rallies+after+nightmare/6353944/story.html"> failed a physical</a> (tendinitis in his throwing shoulder) and went to
Embry-Riddle where he has pitched for the Eagles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tyler Hollick</b>, a left hitting outfielder from Calgary who played for Chandler Gilbert Community College in Arizona, and has committed to playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes for his Junior season this fall.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Adam Nelubowich</b>, a third baseman from Stony Plain, who played at Vauxhall and is now at Washington State. He played for Wenatchee AppleSox of the West Coast League last year where he played in the all-star game, was named to the 2011 All-WCL First Team and was ranked as the 11th best prospect in the league.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other top Albertan players to watch for during the draft
include:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ryan Thompson</b>, who was also drafted last year. He was selected in the 33<sup>rd</sup> round
by the Yankees, but did not sign. A
Calgary native, he has been a <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/04/ryan-thompson-from-prairies-to.html">standout
pitcher for the Franklin Pierce University</a> Ravens.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wyle Cunningham</b>, a left-handed pitcher from Red Deer <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2012/02/albertans-named-to-junior-national-team.html">who
has pitched for the JNT</a> and has committed to Salt Lake Community College for the fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Blake Carruthers</b>, a Calgary outfielder who has been playing for the UBC Thunderbirds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Shane Dawson</b>, a left-handed pitcher from Drayton Valkey,who played for Spruce Grove and the Prairie Baseball Academy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Chayse Marion</b>, a Red Deer first baseman playing for Trinidad State College</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Curtis Smith</b>, a left-handed pitcher from Calgary pitching for the Razorbacks at the University of Nebraska and for the Swift Current Indians of the WMBL.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Levi Westerlund</b> from Oyen who is also in the WMBL,with the Medicine Hat Mavericks, and pitched at Midland College.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We wish good luck to all these local baseball players in the upcoming draft</div>
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-8724861480888472782012-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:002012-05-12T15:33:00.846-07:00Baseball dead in Calgary?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1894963407/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=baseruleedge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1894963407" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73tHLGuTZWs/T6Vg6drUplI/AAAAAAAAAO8/a9Ct9_VSXE4/s1600/can+baseball.jpg" /></a></div>
So go the rumours. And looking out the window today seeing an unwelcome snowstorm serves as a reminder that this is a hockey first <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">– </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>if not hockey only <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">– </span>town. The Vipers folding at the end of last season helped create the perfect storm (yes, pun definitely intended) for any casual fan to believe that there is no baseball left in Calgary.<br />
<br />
But <a href="http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=ea765e34-e563-4744-8d8b-e5a3af2a230c">this excellent article</a> by the Calgary Herald's Scott Cruickshank articulates splendidly why this isn't so. It includes the viewpoints of most of the city's baseball movers and shakers. This includes the heads of several local programs, including <a href="http://probaseballforce.net/">Pro Baseball Force</a>, <a href="http://fmba.ca/">FMBA</a>, <a href="http://www.baberuthcalgary.org/view/baberuthcalgary/home-page">Babe Ruth</a>, <a href="http://www.eshootsescores.com/baseball_school_based_program.php">NSA</a>, <a href="http://www.godinos.com/baseball">U of C</a>, <a href="http://albertadistrict3.com/">Little League</a>, <a href="http://www.jdawgsbaseball.ca/">Okotoks Dawgs</a>, and <a href="http://www.absolutebaseballacademy.com/">more</a>.<br />
<br />
Calgary has had <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wong--001jor">several local players</a> drafted into the MLB and<a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/articles/lehn-searches-alberta-for-the-next-lawrie/"> there will be more soon</a>.<br />
<br />
Those who think that baseball is exclusively an American sport, check out
<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0195410394/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=baseruleedge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0195410394">Diamonds of the North</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=baseruleedge-20&l=as2&o=15&a=0195410394" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> or Bob Elliott's <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1894963407/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=baseruleedge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=1894963407">"The Northern Game: Baseball the Canadian Way</a>" for <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=baseruleedge-20&l=as2&o=15&a=1894963407" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />a Canadian perspective of the game.<br />
<br />
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-78039004880862481002012-04-26T20:58:00.000-07:002012-05-15T21:00:53.014-07:00Albertans in the MLB... and minors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaVbuBL-w88/T5oZJx_CKOI/AAAAAAAAAOw/NNcH6IhWewE/s1600/milb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaVbuBL-w88/T5oZJx_CKOI/AAAAAAAAAOw/NNcH6IhWewE/s1600/milb.jpg" /></a></div>
A post on Albertans in the MLB would be pretty short. There are currently many Canadian stars in the MLB including Joey Votto, Justin Morneau and Brett Lawrie, but there isn't a single player who hails from the Texas of Canada. In fact there haven't been too many Albertans who have played in the majors. <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/05/life-in-prairies-after-mlb.html">Chris Reitsma</a> was the last man to appear in the show who came from Wild Rose country. <br />
<br />
But below are a few local prospects to keep your eyes on:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hender004jam">Jim Henderson </a></b>who is a Calgary native and was originally drafted by the Montreal Expos is pitching at AAA for the Nashville Sounds. This is his second stint at AAA, having had prior experience there with the Iowa Cubs in 2008, before the Brewers organization promoted him to their AAA affiliate last year. Although a bit old to be considered a 'prospect' at age 29, he could be called up during the season and help out in Milwaukee's bullpen.<br />
<br />
Also at AAA is 28 year old middle infielder <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=stroms001sky">Skyler Stromsmoe </a></b>from Bow Island. He is playing for the Giants' affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies. He is a very versatile player, spending a lot of time at 2nd, short and 3rd as well as the outfield and has even pitched on a few occasions. He led Canada to gold in the Pan Am Games last year, and was just promoted to AAA for the first time this season.<br />
<br />
<br />
A litte further away at AA is catcher <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=davis-002lar">Lars Davis</a></b> from Grande Prairie. He is in the Rockies organization playing for the Tulsa Drillers.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=mcdona002she">Sheldon McDonald</a>, a left-handed pitcher from Spruce Grove was drafted by the Cubs <a href="http://baseballinalberta.blogspot.ca/2011/06/7-players-from-alberta-taken-in-annual.html">last year</a> where he pitched for their rookie and low A affiliates. He has started this season with a promotion to Single A Peoria Chiefs.<br />
<br />
There are also several players who will be playing in lower levels that haven't started their season yet. I will update this post once those leagues get underway.<br />
<br />
It's just a matter of time before the next player from Alberta is playing in the show.<br />
<br />
<br />Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-39794651336085302882012-04-05T18:24:00.000-07:002012-04-05T18:24:20.807-07:00Canada Cup and Talent ID camps scheduled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv5nF8E6hO8/TayI6v0gwlI/AAAAAAAAAFk/vCuWQQdWSZk/s1600/aabc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv5nF8E6hO8/TayI6v0gwlI/AAAAAAAAAFk/vCuWQQdWSZk/s1600/aabc.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bGBAkWDsGM/Tl0rsbOd5SI/AAAAAAAAAG0/OqdXI279KUE/s1600/baseballcanada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bGBAkWDsGM/Tl0rsbOd5SI/AAAAAAAAAG0/OqdXI279KUE/s1600/baseballcanada.jpg" /></a></div>The 2012 Canada Cup Team Alberta ID Camp dates have been announced. This is for 16 and 17 year old players (born in 1995/96) and those selected from the ID Camps will have the opportunity to compete as Team Alberta at the Canada Cup in London, Ontario in August. Please look <a href="http://baseballalberta.com/default.aspx?p=idcamps">here </a>for registration and other information.<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; width: 524px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 3364; mso-width-source: userset; width: 69pt;" width="92"></col> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 4717; mso-width-source: userset; width: 97pt;" width="129"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 6400; mso-width-source: userset; width: 131pt;" width="175"></col> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td class="xl74" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>Date</b></td> <td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; width: 69pt;" width="92"><b>City</b></td> <td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>Time*</b></td> <td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; width: 97pt;" width="129"><b>Location</b></td> <td class="xl76" style="border-left: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><b>Contact</b></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl71" height="32" style="height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">22-Apr</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Medicine Hat</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">11:00am</td> <td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Athletic Park</td> <td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:mcdonnel@memlane.com" target="_self">Lovell McDonell</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">23-Apr</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Lethbridge</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Spitz Stadium</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:A.Lavorato@albertabaseball.org" target="_self">Aaron Lavorato</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">4-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Calgary</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">6:00pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Optimist Park</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:miki@diamondawgs.com" target="_self">Miki Kawahara</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">7-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Okotoks</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Seaman Stadium</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:brettthomasbaseball@gmail.com" target="_self">Brett Thomas</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">8-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Calgary</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Inland Park</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:techdirector@baseballcalgary.com" target="_self">Dennis Odding</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">14-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Sherwood Park</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">SAP #4</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:curtis@bigleagueedmonton.ca" target="_self">Curtis Denney</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">15-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Red Deer</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Edgar Park</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:tletkeman@chinooksedge.ab.ca" target="_self">Terry Letkeman</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">22-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Edmonton</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Callingwood Park</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:drude@shaw.ca" target="_self">Dan Rude</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="48" style="height: 36.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="48" style="border-top: none; height: 36.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">29-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">St. Albert</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Legion Memorial Park</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:siegefan@gmail.com" target="_self">CJ Jayasekera</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">31-May</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Grande Prairie</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Evergreen Park</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:info@gpmba.ca" target="_self">Mona Turner</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="48" style="height: 36.0pt;"> <td class="xl66" height="48" style="border-top: none; height: 36.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">4-Jun</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Ft. McMurray</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">5:30pm</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Ron Morgan Park</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:chinuck58@aol.com" target="_self">Lou Pote</a></td> </tr>
<tr height="33" style="height: 24.75pt;"> <td class="xl68" height="33" style="border-image: initial; border-top: none; height: 24.75pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">7-Jun</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">Elk Point</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">6:30pm</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 97pt;" width="129">Bassett Field</td> <td class="xl70" style="border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; width: 131pt;" width="175"><a href="mailto:dbassett@breckels.com" target="_self">Doug Bassett</a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
* The registration process will begin 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and run for up to 3.5 hours.<br />
<br />
<br />
As well, below are the locations and times for the Talent ID camps for13-15 year olds interested in trying out for the Alberta Summer Games. Please look <a href="http://albertabaseball.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=2">here</a> for registration and other information.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" style="background-color: #efefdd; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0pt; border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0pt; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0pt; color: #686362; font-family: Geneva, 'Trebuchet MS', Lucida, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 234px; line-height: 15px; width: 518px;"><tbody>
<tr align="left" style="background-color: lightgrey;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Date</strong></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>City</strong></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Time</strong></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Location</strong></span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">April 22nd</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Medicine Hat</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">11:00am</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Athletic Park</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">April 23rd</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Lethbridge </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Spitz Stadium</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 4th</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Calgary </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">6:00pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Optimist Park </span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 7th</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Okotoks </span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Seaman Stadium</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 8th</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Calgary</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Inland Park</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 14th </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Sherwood Park</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Strathcona Athletic Park #1</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 15th</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Red Deer </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Edgar Park </span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 22nd</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Edmonton</span><span style="color: black;"></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Callingwood Park</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 29th</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">St. </span><span style="color: black;">Albert</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">Legion Memorial</span><span style="color: black;"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">May 31st</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Grande Prairie </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Evergreen Park </span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">June 4th</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Ft. McMurray </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">5:30pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Ron Morgan Park </span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">June 5th</span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Elk Point </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">6:00pm </span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(169, 169, 169); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Basset Field </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-27688903917033334392012-04-03T12:57:00.000-07:002012-04-06T15:05:45.145-07:00Strong showing for Alberta in Best of the West<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HOCVxAN1Gs/T39oORY7qNI/AAAAAAAAANQ/ZUc0nFT6IKI/s1600/bb+trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HOCVxAN1Gs/T39oORY7qNI/AAAAAAAAANQ/ZUc0nFT6IKI/s200/bb+trophy.jpg" width="105" /></a></div>Alberta sent four teams to the Best of the West 18U Invitational Tournament held in Kamloops, and had a very strong showing. This is an annual invitational tournament that features the best teams in Western Canada.<br />
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In round-robin play, the Prairie Baseball Academy (PBA) from Lethbridge, went 3-0 to get the overall first seed in the playoffs, while the Okotoks Dawgs also went undefeated to secure the 2nd playoff spot. Meanwhile Calgary's PBF Redbirds and the Vauxhall Jets went 2-1. Vauxhall secured the 3rd playoff spot by winning their pod, while Calgary waited for the results of a Langley Blaze - White Rock Tritons match to see if all four teams in the playoffs would be from Alberta. However, the Blaze won to finish with an identical 2-1 record and got the wildcard berth edging out the Redbirds on tiebreaker rules.<br />
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This left 3 out of 4 Alberta teams, and 1 of 8 BC teams playing for medals. In total Alberta teams went 10-1 against teams from BC in round-robin play, as Calgary's lone loss was to Vauxhall. <br />
<a name='more'></a>There were several exciting matches during the tournament. In a game between Okotoks and Langley, the Dawgs held to a slim 1-0 lead until Langley tied it with 2 outs in the 7th. But the Dawgs scored a walkoff run in the bottom of the frame to win it 2-1. The Redbirds were involved in some pitcher's duels of their own, as they beat the North Delta Jays 1-0, and survived a bases loaded rally by the Jays, throwing the potential tying run out at home. In the following game, against the Parksville Royals, neither starting pitcher had given up a hit heading into the 5th inning. But the Redbirds managed to cobble some offence together, and ended up scoring three times, and their pitcher completed the no-hitter, shutting out the Royals 3-0. Vauxhall also survived a scare, jumping off to a 7-0 lead, but barely holding on to beat the Redbirds 9-7 as Calgary had the tying run on second base in the last inning.<br />
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In the playoffs, Okotoks defeated Vauxhall, while Langley eliminated PBA. This still left an Alberta team with a chance to bring home the trophy, but Langley got some revenge in a rematch of the round-robin game, as they defeated the Dawgs by a score of 5-3 to win the tournament for the 3rd year in a row. <br />
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With the strong showing by all the Alberta teams, hopefully in 2013 an Alberta team will bring home the trophy!Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-71633597925058614582012-03-20T18:19:00.002-07:002012-03-20T18:23:17.435-07:00What's next for Colin Moro?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=moro--001col" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HkYo_TaT0gk/T2kpGCN0aaI/AAAAAAAAAMI/MryL-L5OB9M/s200/moro.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=moro--001col">Colin Moro</a> has done it all. From winning championships in the city he grew up in, having the opportunity to play with his childhood favourite team’s jersey on his back, getting a baseball scholarship, to winning Rookie of the Year and all-star awards. But as spring approaches this player who has always had baseball in his blood is looking for a place to play this season.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Growing up Moro played for his local Little League and Babe Ruth teams in Calgary before going to the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge in 2003. After two seasons there he got a scholarship to play baseball for the LSU-Shreveport Pilots where he played until 2007. During the summers he played in the WMBL, winning a championship with the Calgary Dawgs in 2004 and again with the Okotoks Dawgs in 2007. These were huge highlights for him, both for winning a championship in his home town as well as the honour to be a part of such a great organization.<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In 2008, he started playing professionally, joining his hometown Calgary Vipers and instantly made an impact. </div><div class="MsoNormal">He won Golden Baseball League (GBL) Rookie of the Year honors, as he led the Vipers to the Championship Series. It was a great experience for Moro : “I remember how satisfying it was to be the starting centerfielder everyday and to be able to contribute to a championship caliber team”, he said, adding that in the deciding game, “standing on deck with a one run lead in the 8th inning I remember saying to myself that I was willing to do anything to keep the lead for just six more outs”. Alas, it was not meant to be and “it was absolutely heartbreaking to watch them score the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the 9th”, he lamented.</div><a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OftOkoHOmoo/T2kpFckNA_I/AAAAAAAAAL4/vkcC8nXxc7A/s1600/Moro+batting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OftOkoHOmoo/T2kpFckNA_I/AAAAAAAAAL4/vkcC8nXxc7A/s320/Moro+batting.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In 2009 he improved on his inaugural season, being one of the offensive leaders on the team, batting .376, garnering him GBL All-star recognition and sharing the <a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/articles/2009-canadians-in-the-minors/">Canadian Baseball Network’s Independent League’s Offensive Player of the Year</a> honours. In the last semi-final game, down by a run in the 9<sup>th</sup>, the Vipers tied the game against Edmonton and then Moro crossed the plate with the winning run to send his team to the league finals again. This time, he led them to the GBL championship, giving his hometown team the distinction of being the first team in the league’s history to bring the trophy to Canada. “It was the most incredible year of my life”, Moro exclaimed, adding that he hopes “every ballplayer gets to experience that feeling”.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">In spite of his personal and team accomplishments, the highlight of the season may have been on a sunny Saturday in August when the Calgary Vipers hosted the Victoria Seals. The Seals owner was Russ Parker who had been the Calgary Cannon’s owner before that AAA franchise moved. The Vipers decided to honor the Parker family which had been such a big part of baseball in the city, by holding “Cannons throwback jersey day”. All the Viper players wore special commemorative jerseys with the Cannons logo on it. Growing up, the Cannons were Moro’s favourite team, so it was a special feeling to be able to play with their logo on his uniform. After the game, the jerseys were auctioned off to the highest bidder, but luckily his mother outbid all the fans and he was able to keep this special souvenir. Having mentioned in the local paper what a thrill it was going to be to “play” for the Cannons, Russ Parker sought Moro out after the game to shake his hand, and Moro told him it would be an honour to play for him one day.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pS6x6QOIj2s/T2kpF59-y6I/AAAAAAAAAMA/AUXhCncTApE/s1600/Moro+with+Russ+Parker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pS6x6QOIj2s/T2kpF59-y6I/AAAAAAAAAMA/AUXhCncTApE/s320/Moro+with+Russ+Parker.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moro talking to former Calgary Cannons owner Russ Parker</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just prior to the start of the 2010 season, Moro found out how prophetic that conversation was when he learned he had been traded to the Victoria Seals. He was disappointed to have to leave his friends and fans in his hometown, but happy for the opportunity to play for Parker. And his fan support was evident as when the Seals visited Calgary, many fans came out to cheer for Moro and the crowd was always louder than usual. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Moro started the 2011 season playing for the Normal CornBelters of the Frontier Baseball League. But due to financial considerations he was released in the early part of the season and was picked up by the Lake County Fielders of the North American Baseball League. He had some highlights there including striking out 2 batters in his only professional pitching appearance of his career. But there were also many lowlights and other shenanigans. One game had to be forfeited when the team ran out of official balls and could only buy little league caliber balls. The entire team was left stranded in Edmonton and had to go all the way back towards Chicago via public bus. Amidst rumours of bankruptcy, the team canceled a trip to play in Maui just hours before they were scheduled to depart, and finally the team was unable to survive financially and folded. Moro hopes that this is not the way his professional career ends. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Unsure where he’d play in 2012, Moro spent the winter coaching with the Pro Baseball Force Academy in Calgary. With the Vipers shutting down operations at the end of the 2011 season, Moro looked North to Edmonton to see if the Capitals needed an all-star caliber outfielder. Luckily they did, and he had a plan for this summer. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago the Capitals suspended operations for this season, and there are no professional teams left in Alberta. “With the reduction in Canadian teams, it makes it tougher to find a place to play”, Colin said. “I was lucky that last year US teams were willing to do the paperwork for my VISA, but that’s rare. Lots of other Canadians who were with the Vipers and Capitals last year are in the same situation, looking for a team to play on”.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Moro has had a lot of success and has played with and against many great players including Gary Carter, Jose Canseco, Bret Boone, Tony Phillips and many other ex-big leaguers, but he’s not ready to shut it down yet. With any luck, in the next few weeks, Moro will get that call he’s hoping for and won’t have to spend the first spring since 1989 not playing baseball.<o:p></o:p></div>Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-53610823299558189642012-03-17T19:45:00.000-07:002012-03-17T19:45:14.706-07:00Successful weekend for Big League Experience in Alberta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svALQthTPGg/T1gDBdLq3GI/AAAAAAAAALw/h_c-gF7u748/s1600/BLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svALQthTPGg/T1gDBdLq3GI/AAAAAAAAALw/h_c-gF7u748/s200/BLE.jpg" width="190" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-l4156v9_U/TWAAqFnoZ_I/AAAAAAAAACc/N0IYHLXVS3k/s1600/PBF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-l4156v9_U/TWAAqFnoZ_I/AAAAAAAAACc/N0IYHLXVS3k/s200/PBF.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.bigleagueexperience.com/">Big League Experience</a> (BLE), out of Oliver BC, was in Calgary on the weekend of March 3<sup>rd</sup> to run the 2012 Alberta Super Clinic. BLE have been running these clinics all throughout BC for the last 14 years, and have been coming to Calgary to provide Albertans with their top level coaching since 2004. It was a very successful weekend for everyone involved, from the instructors and scouts to the participants.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The clinic ran for 2 days and the players who participated benefitted from the opportunity to get instructions from many top tier coaches. The instructional staff was led by BLE co-owner and director Marty Lehn who is the Milwaukee Brewers scout for Western Canada and whose background includes coaching at the international level for Team Canada at two World Qualifier tournaments, three World Championships, three Olympic Qualifiers, the Pan-Am games as well as at the 2004 Olympics. Additionally, he has led Team BC to 3 National Championships and was named Canadian Coach of the Year in 1998. Lehn was joined by Red Sox Canadian Scout <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pritcch01.shtml">Chris Pritchett</a> who was drafted in the 2<sup>nd</sup> round by the Angels in 1991 and played with them throughout his MLB career until finishing up with a stint in Philadelphia in 2000. </div><a name='more'></a>The coaching staff for the weekend was boosted by coaches from the local <a href="http://probaseballforce.net/">Pro Baseball Force Academy</a> (PBF) in Calgary. These included <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=lawson003jam">Jim Lawson</a> who was drafted and played for the Oakland A’s organization and pitched for the Canadian National Team, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=sergen001jos">Joe Sergent</a> who pitched for the Florida Marlins organization and is a local hero, holding many Calgary Viper pitching records, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rios--001bri">Brian Rios</a> who was drafted by the Tigers and played both for them and the Orioles organization up to AAA, and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=moro--001col">Colin Moro</a> who is very well known in the local baseball community as a long time Calgary Viper fan favourite and was named CBN’s Independent League <a href="http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/articles/2009-canadians-in-the-minors/">Offensive Player of the Year in 2009</a><span class="MsoHyperlink">. </span> Other PBF coaches also participated including Bryan Allen, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=pate--001dus">Dustin Pate</a>, Tad Desimone, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=alexan001gor">Jordy Alexander</a>, Dave Ruhr, Wayne Bennett and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wong--001jor">Jordan Wong</a>.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">According to Lehn, PBF’s coaching staff that helped out during the clinic “is as good as anybody’s” and he wished these kind of developmental opportunities for up and coming players were available when he was younger. It was also an opportunity for the coaches to learn from each other and improve and be able to pass better information on to the players. Lehn always looks forward to this annual clinic. He enjoys working with the players to help them get the “right information from guys who have played the game and been around it to help them get to the next level whether it’s college or the pros”. Additionally, Alberta has a very good talent pool, and “it’s a huge plus, as a scout, to be able to see these guys first hand”, he added. Not only did he see all the PBF academy players who attended the camp, but while in the area also took a look at some of the top players from the University of Calgary, Vauxhall and Foothills baseball programs. He sees a lot of talent coming out of Alberta in the next couple of years and is glad for the opportunity to get a leg up on other teams’ scouts.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pritchett shared many of the same sentiments as Lehn. He believes with the high level of programs currently being run in the province, the development will result in churning out many more players in the future, and he definitely sees Alberta as a place to spend a lot of time scouting. He got a good look at all the players in the camp and said that almost all the guys from PBF participating in the BLE camp were worth looking at and he also benefitted from the opportunity to look at the players from the other local baseball programs. Pritchett was also impressed with the level of instruction given by the local coaches. “The PBF guys are all very knowledgeable, having all played at different levels” he noted, adding “they all want to make the teams better and you can see everybody has genuine interest in getting the players to the next level”.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jim Lawson also thought it was a great weekend for both his players and staff. Most of his coaches who run the spring and summer teams as well as the winter academy program contributed during the weekend and it gave them an opportunity to share information and learn from the BLE instructors. And of course it was a huge benefit for the players participating getting the “opportunity to get one on one instruction from some of the best coaches around”, Lawson said. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Aside from these weekend clinics, BLE also offers week long camps to players of all ages throughout the summer. Take a look at their <a href="http://www.bigleagueexperience.com/baseball/">website</a> for more details.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-343932247053724795.post-34426271578328818702012-02-18T11:05:00.000-08:002012-02-18T11:06:08.123-08:00Blue Jays Super Camp coming to Alberta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83Agn_x3IcA/Tz_zDPfcRBI/AAAAAAAAALg/hT4UyQScuNI/s1600/Blue+Jays+Camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83Agn_x3IcA/Tz_zDPfcRBI/AAAAAAAAALg/hT4UyQScuNI/s400/Blue+Jays+Camp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>For the<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/community/blue_jays_super_camps_en.jsp"> second year</a> in a row, the Toronto Blue Jays are partnering with Baseball Canada to give young players a chance to participate in camps with former MLB all star players. This year they have expanded their tour from 7 cities to 13, adding Edmonton as a stop along with Calgary. This camp is open to players aged 10 to 16. The instructors in the Alberta camps are scheduled to be Sandy Alomar, Homer Bush, Lloyd Moseby, Rance Mulliniks & Duane Ward.<br />
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The cross-country camps start off at Telus Field in Edmonton on July 2nd - 4th, and continue at Foothills Stadium in Calgary July 5th - 7th. To register and for more information, click on<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/community/blue_jays_super_camps_en.jsp"> this link to the Blue Jays site</a>.<br />
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And parents... this is a great time to share some Canadian baseball history with your young ones. With the Blue Jays looking like they are ready to challenge to be a playoff contender again, why not relive the glory of the first time the World Series flag flew in Canada, and the dramatic Joe Carter World Series clinching walk-off homerun by getting highlights of both World Series on the DVD below:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=baseruleedge-20&o=15&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B000MKXEYM" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Ruben Lipszychttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18090589603428890393noreply@blogger.com0