Alberta Amateur Baseball Council

Bob Miller has a “Passion for Baseball”

Published

2 years ago

December 19, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Alberta Amateur Baseball Council is recognizing those individuals who have contributed significantly to Alberta baseball, at the grassroots level. This week’s nominee, regarding “Passion for Baseball’, is Bob Miller of the Vauxhall and Taber Minor Baseball Programs. Bob has also been instrumental regarding the development of Jets Stadium, in Vauxhall.

Bob’s inspiration for baseball came as young kid playing a fielding game called “500”. Bob loved chasing baseballs, and the game was a good fit. Because of the gaps in the Vauxhall Minor Baseball Program, and a shortage of kids his age, Bob would play one year and then the next year there would be no team for him. This reality, he faced as a boy, created a determination to make baseball a better sport for the Vauxhall area youths that followed him. Bob also cites Bing Miller, no relation, as an individual who impacted Bob in a positive way. Bing would often do the maintenance on Jets Stadium in a volunteer capacity. Bing’s influence upon Bob, helped create a mindset that if things needed to be done on the field, then roll-up your sleeves and get involved.

Bob is proudest, regarding his playing abilities, by being a contributing member of a senior men’s baseball team at the age of 15. (He was especially proud of showing off his arm strength from 3rd base to 1st base) Bob also takes a great sense of pride regarding his involvement in the inception of the Southern Alberta Junior Baseball League. He, along with Russ Parker, who later became the owner/gm of the Calgary Cannons, were the driving forces behind the league. Bob also takes great deal of satisfaction in the renovation/revival of Jets Stadium. Jets Stadium had become a disaster, and major work was needed to revive the baseball park. Bob kept finding ways, and funds, to keep improving the field even after he moved to Taber. Eventually, through Bob’s hard work and generosity, Jets Stadium was able to obtain LIGHTS. Not only did Jets Stadium have one of the best playing surfaces in Alberta, it also had a field that games could be played on after dark!

Bob was also the driving force behind the development of Ken McDonald Sports Park in Taber. He was able to get the baseball, football, and soccer people to come together, and develop one of the finest parks in all of Alberta. Bob also takes great pride in his role of a coach, for his two children, Brendan and Kendra. Bob and Brendan were members of the Taber Jets Club that won a Western Canada Championship. And with Kendra, he coached alongside Chris James when she was a member of Team Alberta. Kendra played on Team Alberta four years and was co-MVP her final year.

Bob also takes great joy in the friendships he has made through his participation in baseball. He likes the fact that you play hard, but, for the most part, the competition stays on the diamond. When you meet up with people years after competing against them, in baseball, it is easy to strike up a conversation; he feels it is almost like some sort of reunion of past baseball experiences. Many other sports do not allow or contain that same type of camaraderie that baseball does.

In the future, Bob would like to see more parents “step it up” and get involved regarding their kids and baseball. Play catch with your kids or pitch to them; they will play if you are there and involved in their activity. Parents must drive the bus; volunteer your time to coach, fix the baseball fields, organize the team/league, or any other capacity that makes the local minor baseball team/program a success.

Alberta Amateur Baseball Council, and the Alberta baseball community, would like to thank Bob for his volunteerism and generosity towards Alberta youth baseball.

Alberta Amateur Baseball Council

Bentein “Crushing” it in Chestermere

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

Alberta Amateur Baseball Council is recognizing those individuals who have contributed significantly to Alberta baseball, at the youth level. This week’s nominee, regarding “Passion for Baseball”, is Corey Bentein of the Chestermere Crushers Little League/Baseball Alberta program.

Corey has coached Crushers teams and worked/helped organize the Chestermere winter camps for many years. As well, he has assisted many other Chestermere Crushers’ mentors regarding their coaching duties and responsibilities.

Corey feels his passion for baseball, initially, comes from his dad. His Dad played in the Detroit Tigers organization, and was great teacher/mentor to Corey, and the rest of the kids from Corey’s hometown. Corey would also like to acknowledge Randy Mair, who also signed with the Tigers, as being a great youth baseball coach in Corey’s local area as well. He credits the personal skills of both Randy, and his dad, as contributing to his love of baseball. One of Corey’s inspirations as a coach came from his first All-Star coach, Larry Lecour, who he admired because of his outstanding game strategies. Two Ontario provincial team championships also helped increase his passion for the sport.

Corey treasurers the friendships he made as a youth player; he still stays in contact with many of his former teammates. Today, he feels lucky to work with a great group of people who comprise the Chestermere Minor Baseball Association. Corey states, “he fell in love with baseball at 11 or 12” and has never strayed too far from the sport.

Corey has pride in his playing days, and today, his role as a youth coach. As a player, he is fondest of being part of two local teams that went on to become provincial championship teams. As a coach, he is extremely proud of the growth regarding athletic skills by Chestermere players, including his daughter Hailey. In his second year as a coach, he led a Chestermere team that never lost a game during their Little League season. As well, he is extremely satisfied with the growth in the number of Chestermere youth baseball participants. He is also glad to see the development of a Chestermere Fall baseball program this past year. Also, he is delighted with the continued growth and enthusiasm regarding the Chestermere winter baseball camps. Joy abounds, for Corey, when one of his past Chestermere players does well beyond the Crushers’ youth program; he cites Logan Grant and Steen Wallin as players that have done well, since they moved past the Chestermere association. And every Chestermere provincial win, or city championship, or even a good showing by his local team, is special for Corey.

A special event/moment occurred for Corey recently. A few years past, Calgary hosted the Canadian Nationals for players aged over 40. He was fortunate enough to play with an Ontario team which included some friends and former teammates; Corey had not played with some of them for more 25 years. Many of Corey’s youth players watched the finals, and cheered on Corey’s team. Unfortunately, Corey’s team did not win, but Corey was selected MVP of the tournament. (However, his coaching credibility, regarding base-running, was somewhat diminished by his tournament play.) Corey was extremely pleased, and surprised, to see the large number of his players and parents, make the effort to attend a tournament that he was participating in.

In the future, Corey would like to see more action/games across the US border. As a youth, he enjoyed his trips to Michigan in order to play against similarly aged teams. He is positive towards the tiering done by Baseball Alberta, and wants it to continue. Corey would also like most youth programs to try and schedule in another 5—9 games per season. However, he does not want teams to cut down their practice time to play more games.

Alberta Amateur Baseball Council, and the Alberta baseball community, would like to thank Corey for his time, knowledge, and efforts towards Alberta youth baseball.

Alberta Amateur Baseball Council

Oikawa, Ianetti latest AABC weekly Honorees

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

Alberta Amateur Baseball Council is recognizing those individuals who have contributed to significantly to Alberta baseball, at the youth level.

Nominees for the past two weeks, regarding “Passion for Baseball”, are Scott Oikawa, of the Lethbridge American Legion program and Dutche Iannetti of the Fort McMurray Minor Baseball program.

Oikawa played in the Picture Butte and Lethbridge Little League programs, and later competed in the Lethbridge Legion program. Once his playing days were done, he became a coach in the Lethbridge American Legion program.

Scott’s interest in baseball started by coming from a baseball family. His parents, Mary and Tricky, were avid supporters of youth baseball in the Lethbridge and Picture Butte area (the Lethbridge Elks hold an annual tournament named after Mary in appreciation of her volunteerism). Mary and Tricky impressed upon Scott the need to give back to the game after enjoying it for several years. Regarding his mentors, he gained some knowledge and perspectives from each one of the coaches he had as a youth baseball player in the Lethbridge area. Scott would like extend his gratitude towards his co-coaches Jim Kotkas and Chad Layton; he feels they are both good teachers and have great baseball minds. Today, he is inspired by getting a chance to work young people as a baseball coach.

Scott Oikawa, Lethbridge American Legion Program

Scott is proudest when he sees his past players, and realizes how much they have grown as individuals. He is extremely pleased to see them contribute to the Lethbridge Elks or Miners’ programs, but even more satisfied to see them become good citizens and positive contributors to society.

He is also proud of coaching one of the top Alberta U18 programs called the Lethbridge Elks. Scott is honoured that the Lethbridge Elks are a program that is well-known in Alberta, but also throughout Montana and the Pacific Northwest.

Regarding the future of Alberta youth baseball, Scott would like to see the sport continue to grow in numbers, and steady improvement regarding player skill sets. He also appreciates it when coaches emphasize teamwork and good citizenship, when fulfilling their duties as a youth baseball instructor.

Scott also hopes that coaches remember, their best coaching jobs may not be reflected in the win/loss ratio; it is shown by your approach when working with players, and how you help them to grow as players and people.

Ianetti has served on the Fort McMurray executive, and coached several Fort McMurray teams. As well, he has rolled up his sleeves and been part of facility maintenance groups.

Dutche interest in baseball stems from being a participant in many Cape Breton Little League teams, growing up in Nova Scotia. He really liked the game, and cites his youth coaches, Monte Bradley and Billy Foster, as being positive influences regarding his love of the sport. In Fort McMurray, his children, Joey, Josh, and Felicia, motivated him to get involved in Fort McMurray Minor Baseball. The entire family enjoyed the travel and competition that youth baseball provided. As an adult, he would like to acknowledge Jerry McPherson as person who convinced him to get more involved in youth baseball; he is happy for Jerry’s encouragement.

Dutche Iannetti, Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Association

Dutche is proud of all the new relationships that evolved from his association with youth baseball. He has made great friends in his community, but also throughout the province. Baseball has enhanced his social network. Dutche also is very satisfied that he has the capacity to give back to his community, through his volunteerism regarding youth baseball.

In the future, Dutche would like all baseball associations to “get on the same page” when it comes youth players. The emphasis should be on what is best for the kids, not individual associations. Check egos at the door, and step it up for deserving kids, not your geographical location. As well, coaches need to try and move kids forward, no matter what their starting level of skills are. .

The Alberta Amateur Baseball Council, and the Alberta baseball community would like to thank both Scott and Dutche for their dedication and efforts towards Alberta youth baseball.

Baseball Alberta

Baseball Alberta Seeks New Program Coordinator

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

The Baseball Alberta Programs Coordinator role is a comprehensive, multi-faceted role with broad responsibilities for baseball program administration and delivery in Alberta. Reporting to the Executive Director with ultimate accountability to the Board of Directors of Baseball Alberta, this role will be based out of the Baseball Alberta Edmonton office working as part of a team of employees focused on serving the member Associations of the province in developing, administering, and growing the sport of baseball in Alberta.

Application deadline is January 31, 2022.

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION and to apply on line via INDEED, CLICK HERE