Connect with us

Summer Collegiate

Western Canadian Baseball League’s 2021 season to proceed

Published

on

League announces five to seven teams will proceed in 2021 using Canadian players only, six teams will not play

Lethbridge, AB – For the first time in Western Canadian Baseball League history, all players will be from Canada!

“The long-standing league, with a history dating back over 80 years, is excited to put this unique product on the field this summer for Canadian players,” League President Kevin Kvame commented on this major development.

After ongoing discussions and a meeting earlier this week, governors agreed this move would be a real opportunity to showcase how much the game has grown and developed in training top-notch baseball players and students in Canada. The league has also announced that non-Canadian players that had been recruited have been informed that it is unlikely that we will be able to resolve border issues in time for the 2021 season and have allowed those players to seek playing opportunities elsewhere.

“While we’re extremely disappointed that we won’t be seeing US and other foreign players as we would in a normal season, we are confident that the quality of Canadian athletes who play this great game at an extremely-high, competitive level will perform for their respective teams,” Kvame added. “In addition, we felt it vital to let our significant number of foreign players know that the window and opportunity to get them to our 2021 clubs is becoming too tight and we want them to have the opportunity to adjust their plans given the current health restrictions in Canada.”

The league has also announced that the 2021 season will not feature all eleven of its member franchises. The Okotoks Dawgs (2 teams), Lethbridge BullsSylvan Lake Gulls and Edmonton Prospects have committed teams consisting of Canadian talent. The Fort McMurray Giants and Medicine Hat Mavericks continue to discuss the options available to them and will decide in the coming weeks. And unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, border issues and the uncertainty of any changes, the Swift Current 57’sRegina Red SoxWeyburn BeaversMoose Jaw Miller Express and Brooks Bombers have regrettably made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to wait until 2022 to return to the field.

“Just like 2020, the WCBL is aware of the logistical differences between communities in the league and those logistics may result in some franchises having to make the difficult decision to accept an emergency leave of absence,” Kvame said. “However, we also feel it is important to provide a platform for our strong Canadian talent that needs to continue to develop this summer and, as such, we have assembled key franchises who can pull off this endeavour.”

Kvame also noted that the decisions have been made in the best interests of players, coaches, staff, officials and fans. He adds the teams are eager to bring baseball back to each community as quickly and safely as possible, with government and health authority consent, as baseball is a part of the fabric of our communities and it’s vital to provide a safe outlet for our world-class athletes.

“The franchises and teams that have committed to this unique 2021 season realize the challenges ahead,” Kvame said. “Fan capacities are uncertain and will likely be very limited to start. However, we’re also optimistic that our message about baseball being a naturally socially-distanced game in an outdoor setting will take root and make for positive communities for those choosing to participate this summer.”

As for those teams that couldn’t take part, he’s optimistic they will continue to be stewards of the sport in their respective communities and will try to remain as involved as possible.

“I can tell you that no rock was left unturned by those teams that opted out,” Kvame added. “They have met, brainstormed, considered roster changes, and looked for funding that could have made it possible. But instead they will become, for one unforeseen season, fans and followers of the baseball teams who will take the field.”

The WCBL expects to release an updated schedule, details on the 2021 season, ticketing plans based on health authorities and additional information near the end of April.

SOURCE

Summer Collegiate

Son of former MLB star part of latest NightOwls signing group

Published

on

Todd Hollandsworth was a third round pick of the Dodgers after a stellar high school showing in the Seattle area — he would go on to win the World Series with the 2003 Florida Marlins and play 12 MLB seasons and more than 1,100 games, with the Dodgers, Indians, Marlins, Rockies, Rangers, Cubs, Braves and Reds. He was the 1996 National League rookie of the year with the Dodgers, batting .291 with 26 doubles and 21 stolen bases.

.

Tugg bats and throws left like his dad, and is now a prized developing freshman at Illinois State. His teammate Minshew is a valued 90mph-plus power arm out of the bullpen who is already being used as a freshman.

.

Felix, a physical player with power, is being watched closely this spring by NightOwls pitching coach Gorm Heimueller, and projects as a star catcher at the baseball factory at Cal Poly — where Heimueller was a pitcher many decades ago on a team that featured Ozzie Smith.

.

Hadley is a power lefty bat, a former Langley Blaze star, who was going to join the NightOwls in 2023 until he was injured. He’s second in at-bats with Barton this spring, batting .355 with five doubles and a home run, and 16 RBIs.

.

Noonan is at Grossmont College but is making the jump to SDSU, a slick shortstop who smashed eight home runs as a freshman.

.

Welter, a valuable lefty for deployment out of the bullpen at Serauxmen Stadium, is filling a key role for the Trojans this spring.

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Arms from Oz, Hawaii and Golden Tide added for 2024 summer

Published

on

For immediate release

March 13, 2024

VICTORIA, B.C. — The reigning CCAA player of the week, San Marcos infielder Garrett Teunissen (pictured above), leads the latest signees for the Victoria HarbourCats for the 2024 season.

SEE FULL 2024 ROSTER TO DATE HERE

Teunissen, a junior from Corona, CA, stole three bases, had two doubles, a triple and a home run among a 9-15 weekend against San Bernardino, leading his team to three wins in four games. He’s leading the league in stolen bases and sac bunts, a year after a .352 season with seven bombs and 16 stolen bases at Mt. San Jacinto.

The HarbourCats are excited with the mix of elite bats and top arms, including local product Brett Paterson of the Victoria Golden Tide, announced today.

  • IF Garrett Teunissen, Cal State-San Marcos, 5-9/185, Corona, CA
  • C Cam Macleod, Cloud County, 5-11/195, Vancouver
  • RHP Luke Hayhow, Hawaii, 6-2/235, Sydney, Australia
  • C Griffen Sotomayor, Washington State, 6-1/215, Turlock, CA 
  • RHP Shea Lake, Hawaii Pacific, 6-3/180, Temecula, CA
  • RHP Ryne Palmer, Cal Baptist, 6-4/200, Peoria, AZ
  • RHP Brett Paterson, Victoria Golden Tide, 6-2/220, Victoria

Hayhow is a highly regarded Hawaii recruit from Sydney, Australia, a monster at 6-2/235 with immense potential and a fastball up to 93.

Local Golden Tide product Brett Paterson will bring an extra arm and some character to the HarbourCats bullpen in 2024 (Photo: Christian Stewart)

Sotomayor is a sophomore with the Cougars and was rated the third best catcher in California in his senior year, after being team captain for two seasons at Turlock High School.

Macleod is a product of the North Shore Twins who has three home runs and 18 driven in while batting .333 in 19 games for Cloud County so far this spring.

Palmer is a big righthander who touches 90 and is used out of the pen by Cal Baptist. Lake is 3-0 with a 4.32 ERA so far this season, mostly used as a starter.

Paterson is a local baseball product who has grown into his own with the CCBC Victoria Golden Tide, and was a workhorse for the Weyburn Beavers of the WCBL last summer. Known for his hard work and positive leadership with the Golden Tide, uses a funky delivery to be effective as a starter.

Single game tickets are now available for the HarbourCats 2024 season including the home opener on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 6:35pm against the Kamloops NorthPaws. These can be purchased online at www.harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are also now on sale via the HarbourCats office or by calling 778-265-0327.

REMINDERS!

 

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats load up on top-school bats with latest signings, Crossland returns

Published

on

Above:  Returning outfielder Michael Crossland highlights the latest six HarbourCats signings for 2024 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

March 7, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA, B.C. — All Michael Crossland did last summer was hit, and hit a lot — including a league-best 19-game hitting streak. The outfielder from Seattle and UC-San Diego returns for a second season as a Victoria HarbourCat, and is off to a strong start for the Tritons in San Diego. He’ll be joined by versatile teammate Kerim Orucevic, recruited from the Chicago area.

Also added today are top TCU hitters Camdon Sos, who hails from the San Diego region but was lured to Texas, and infielder Ryder Robinson from TCU, a Utah native.

Others signed are Floridian Jake Haggard, a big bat at Louisiana-Monroe, along with Cal State-Fullerton speedster Ny’Zaiah Thompson, who is originally from Oakland.

“This is a deep group of bats who will be expected to develop fast in our pro environment at Wilson’s Group Stadium,” said Head Coach Todd Haney, who recruited these players. “We all know what Michael can do, and this group is going to be right there with him, I’m excited to coach them all and our fans are going to like this group.”

  • OF Michael Crossland, UC-San Diego, 6-0/210, Seattle, WA
  • IF/OF Kerim Orucevic, UC-San Diego, 6-1/205, Park Ridge, Illinois
  • IF Ryder Robinson, TCU, 6-2/185, Cedar Hills, Utah
  • IF Camdon Sos, TCU, 6-3/200, Alpine, CA
  • IF/OF Jake Haggard, Louisiana-Monroe, 6-3/230, West Palm Beach, Florida
  • OF Ny’Zaiah Thompson, Cal State-Fullerton, 5-11/170, Oakland, CA

TCU’s Ryder Robinson in action against Washington State earlier this spring (Photo: TCU Athletics)

Crossland had 40 hits in the summer of 2023 in as many games, a .290 average with two home runs, 30 driven in and 18 stolen bases. He scored 24 runs and drew more walks (19) than he struck out (18) and somehow didn’t make the WCL all-star team. Crossland is batting .386 through a dozen games with five doubles and a home run this spring.

Orucevic, whose family is Bosnian, is a lefty hitter known for his all out style of play and his versatility — shortstop, outfield, any corner, he can handle it.

Sos is a top end recruit for TCU after a stellar high school career at Granite Hills. Robinson is batting .355 through his first nine collegiate games, showing extra-base power.

Haggard is all power — he hit five home runs as a true freshman at ULM while making 46 starts and tied for the team lead in walks, too. He already has four home runs in 12 games this spring, batting .293.

Louisiana Monroe’s Jake Haggard (14) celebrates a home run hit earlier this spring against Grambling (Photo: Luke Richard)

Thompson, who is related to former Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch, stole 35 bases as a senior in high school to set an all-time record, part of three championships for Mountain House High School.

Single game tickets are now available for the HarbourCats 2024 season including the home opener on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 6:35pm against the Kamloops NorthPaws. These can be purchased online at www.harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are also now on sale via the HarbourCats office or by calling 778-265-0327.

REMINDERS!

 

Source

Continue Reading

Trending