3 Albertans drafted in Day 2

{editor’s note:  I wrote this last night, but due to technical difficulties was unable to post it on the blog until after the end of the 3rd day.}

There were no Canadians taken in the first round of the MLB draft.  On day 2, Tom Robson was the first Canadian taken as expected, when the Blue Jays selected the big LHP with their 4^th round pick.   RHP Adam Paulencu of Spruce Grove was the first Albertan taken when the Giants took him in the 13th round.   The next local prospect taken was another RHP, Ethan Elias of Entwistle who went to the Cubs in the 22^nd round.  The third and last Albertan drafted today was another pitcher, this time a southpaw. Jake Hansen from Fort MacLeod was taken in the 30^th round by the Mets.

There are still several outstanding prospects available, including Ryan Thompson and Cory Scammell, who are likely to be taken in tomorrow’s rounds.  I will post an article with the results of the final day after tomorrow.

Dale Anderson leads Seton Hall to NCAA Regionals

There are 64 teams who earned an entry into the annual NCAA baseball tournament to ultimately crown a College World Series Champion.  There are several Canadians playing on these rosters, but only one player is from Alberta. That is Strathmore's own Dale Anderson.  Read my article about how he helped the underdog Seton Hall Pirates beat #1 UConn on the way to win the Big East Championship, and are now playing in the NCAA Regionals.

Badlands Baseball Academy

There is another new high school age baseball academy starting up in the fall in Alberta.  The Badlands Baseball Academy is setting up in Oyen.   Here is an article I wrote for the Canadian Baseball Network with some of the highlights of this program.  More details can be found on their website at www.badlandsbaseballacademy.com.

Life in the Prairies after MLB

Editor's note:  I wrote the following article on Calgarian Chris Reitsma,  and it's been published on the Canadian Baseball Network. 

Chris Reitsma is an accomplished baseball player, from being the first Canadian ever drafted in the first round to pitching for Team Canada in the 2008 Olympics. In between he has had many other memorable moments. But at times it seemed like powers were conspiring against him to prevent his dream of playing in the bigs a reality. Prior to making the majors he broke his pitching arm not once, not twice, but three times, as well as suffering breaks to his leg, collarbone, fingers and toes.

MLB Pitch, Hit & Run coming to Alberta

Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) is an official skills competition that provides boys and girls the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including Team Championship events at all 30 Major League ballparks and the National Finals at the MLB All-Star Game.   This is a FREE 1-day event for boys and girls ages 7-14.


There will be 3 hosts of the MLB PHR in Alberta this year:
Lethbridge - April 30th at 1 PM at Spitz Stadium.  Hosted by Southern Alberta Little League: Contact kkvame@littleleague.ca
Calgary - May 14 at 10 AM at Foothills Stadium.  Hosted by Calgary Redbirds.  Contact almolnar@shaw.ca
Calgary - May 15 at 12 noon at Blackfoot Baseball Diamonds.  Hosted by Calgary Rocky Mountain Little League. Contact al@explor.net


More details at http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/kids/mlb_pitch_hit_run.jsp