June 17, 2026

Official OBA News Release

The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) is proud to announce the roster for the 2026 Ontario Youth Team that will represent the province at the prestigious Baseball Canada Cup, taking place August 5-9 in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

The Baseball Canada Cup is Canada's premier championship for elite 16U athletes and serves as a showcase for the nation's top young baseball talent. Ontario enters the tournament with a roster featuring players from across the province who have earned the opportunity through a series of identification camps, evaluations, and high-performance development programs.

2026 Ontario Youth Team Roster

Cooper Doan

Myles Stevens

Brody Battah

Lucas Sproule

Korbin Greaves

Aiden MacLellan

Ryan McIntosh

Colton Lewis

Brayden Matresky

Lucas Hudson

Andrian Teodorowych

Matthew Benevides

Brady Martynuik

Jehmar McClure

Mason Mendes

Petro Vrantsis

Kamron Noori

Nolan Carter

Cole Round

Brett Rienguette

The selected athletes will continue their preparation throughout the summer before heading to Prince Edward Island to compete for a national championship against the top provincial teams from across Canada.

The OBA would like to congratulate all athletes selected to Team Ontario and thank the coaches, families, clubs, and volunteers who have supported their development throughout their baseball journey.

Fans can follow Team Ontario's progress throughout the tournament by visiting Baseball Canada and the Ontario Baseball Association's social media channels for updates, scores, and highlights.

June 18, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Paterson, N.J. - A pair of homers was not enough, as the Ottawa Titans fell 17-4 to the New Jersey Jackals on Thursday, seeing the Titans drop the series.

Jackie Urbaez launched a two-run homer over the right field wall in the top of the first against right-hander Malik Binns to put the Titans up 2-0. Urbaez left the yard for the second time in the series and pulled into a tie for most on the team with his fifth of the year.

Making his fourth start of the year, left-hander Caiden Johnson fanned three in the first before command struggles in the second led to the Jackals taking a 4-2 lead. The Jackals got runs off a walk, wild pitch, hit-by-pitch, and a Felix Stevens single to pull ahead.

In the third, the Titans answered right back. Kaiden Cardoso (Abbotsford, B.C.) ripped an opposite-field two-run homer to left, tying the score at four. Cardoso homered for the second time in the series and for the third time on the road trip, accounting for all three long balls this season.

After just an inning and a third from Johnson, who allowed four runs on two hits, walking five, hitting one, and striking out three, the Titans turned to right-hander Jack Kalisky who put out the fire in the second to leave the bases loaded.

In the fourth, a sacrifice fly to left scored a leadoff Gustavo Sosa double to put the Jackals on top for good at 5-4.

Heitor Tokar allowed four runs on a trio of extra-base hits in the fifth before Brandon Marklund (North Vancouver, B.C.) allowed eight in the sixth inning. In total, the Jackals batted around twice in the game, sending ten to the plate in the second and 13 to the dish in the sixth.

After the Cardoso homer, the Titans managed just one hit against the Jackals' bullpen in the lopsided loss.

Allowing 17 runs, including eight in the sixth, along with walking 14, all set new season-highs.

Over the 4-2 road trip, the Titans blasted nine homers.

The Titans now return home to open a three-game series with the Québec Capitales on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.

June 18, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs scored 10 runs in the third inning in a 16-9 win over the Lethbridge Bulls in front of 3,059 fans at Seaman Stadium on Thursday.

The Dawgs have now won nine games in a row and have improved their record to 14-3.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by another standout performance by Dawgs Academy alum Jacob Wrubleski (Okotoks, Alta.), who went 3-for-5, with four RBIs, including a pair of RBI doubles.

Fellow Dawgs Academy alum Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.) also went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while yet another Dawgs Academy alum Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) continued his torrid hitting, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

The Dawgs’ bullpen once again excelled on the pitching side. Tonight it was Nolan Jackson (Grimsby, Ont.), Wyatt Sadleir (Calgary, Alta.), and Ashton Luera who were strong in the win, striking out a combined nine batters in six innings while allowing four runs. Luera struck out the side in the ninth to secure the win.

The Dawgs will now look ahead to their next matchup, a resumed game on Friday in Lethbridge against the Bulls after it was paused on Tuesday due to a rain delay. They then return home Saturday for a meeting with the Moose Jaw Miller Express at Seaman Stadium. First pitch for both is set for 7:05 p.m.

June 18, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team showed plenty of fight but fell 11–8 to the State College Spikes in the final game of their MLB Draft League International series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Box Score

Canada came out firing again in the opening inning. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) worked a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on an error before Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) brought him home with an RBI single. Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) capped the inning with a three-run home run to centre field, scoring Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) and Blain to give the Juniors an early 4–0 lead.

After State College battled back to take a 7–4 advantage, Canada answered in the sixth. Blain drew a walk before Jacob and Austin Blair (Victoria, B.C.) singled to load the bases. Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, B.C.) drove in a run with a single before Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) delivered a two-run, game-tying single to level the score at 7–7.

The Spikes responded with four runs in the bottom half, but the Juniors continued to battle until the final out. In the ninth, Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, B.C.) reached on an error, Omidi was hit by a pitch and Blain singled to left to bring Armitage home and cut the deficit to three.

Jacob finished with a home run, a single and three RBIs, while Blain collected two hits and two RBIs. Ellis added a pair of hits, two RBIs and a stolen base to lead an offence that outhit the Spikes 11–8.

On the mound, Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.) struck out five over three innings in his start. The Juniors also received late scoreless work from Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.), who helped keep the Spikes off the board over the final two innings.

The Juniors will now hit the road as the MLB Draft League International Series shifts to Mahoning Valley for the final three-game set of the 2026 tour.

June 17, 2026

Official Ontario Baseball Association News Release

The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) is proud to announce Lucas Benham, of the Waterloo Tigers 18U AA program, as the recipient of the 2026 R. Jack Middlemass Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating student-athlete who has demonstrated excellence both on the baseball field and in the classroom, while embodying the values of leadership, sportsmanship, and community involvement that were synonymous with R. Jack Middlemass' lifelong dedication to amateur baseball in Ontario.

Lucas has been actively involved in baseball for more than a decade through Waterloo Minor Baseball and currently competes with the Waterloo Tigers 18U program. This fall, he will continue both his academic and athletic careers at Carleton University, where he will study Industrial Design while competing for the Carleton Ravens baseball team.

Beyond his achievements on the diamond, Lucas has demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back to his community. He has volunteered with Woolwich Community Services, Waterloo Minor Baseball, the Waterloo Regional Food Bank and a variety of youth development initiatives. An honour roll student and aspiring coach, Lucas has consistently demonstrated the qualities of leadership, dedication, and service that make him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

The R. Jack Middlemass Memorial Scholarship was established to honour the legacy of one of Ontario baseball's most respected leaders and supporters. Through this scholarship, the OBA continues to recognize student-athletes who strive for excellence both on and off the field.

The Ontario Baseball Association congratulates Lucas Benham on this outstanding achievement and wishes him continued success at Carleton University and beyond.

June 17, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team jumped out to an early lead but fell 8–5 to the State College Spikes in game two of MLB Draft League International Series action at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Wednesday.

Box Score

Canada opened the scoring in the second inning after Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) singled, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball before Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) walked and stole second. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) delivered the clutch two-run single to centre field to give the Juniors a 2–0 lead.

After State College got one run back in the bottom half, Canada answered again in the third. Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) walked, Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) singled, and both moved up on a wild pitch before Omidi scored on another wild pitch. Aiden Kilshaw (Saskatoon, Sask.) then capped the inning with an RBI single to right field to score MacDonald and extend the lead to 4–1.

The Spikes responded with a big third inning and added another run in the fourth, but Canada continued to push late. Lascelles tripled to centre field in the ninth and came in to score on a ground out from Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), who finished his day 2-for-5 at the plate.

On the mound, Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, Ont.) started for Canada and struck out one over two innings of work. Logan Cummins (Mississauga, Ont.) turned in a strong relief appearance late, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just one hit to keep the Juniors within striking distance.

The Juniors will look to bounce back and salvage the series finale against the Spikes on Thursday evening at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

June 17, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs recorded a 4-1 road victory over the Energy City Cactus Rats on Wednesday in a game that was delayed one hour by rain.

The Dawgs have now won eight in a row and have improved their season record to 13-3.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by a standout performance by Dawgs Academy alum Jacob Wrubleski (Okotoks, Alta.), who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, including a two-run home run to give the Dawgs the early lead in the top of the first.

Fellow Dawgs Academy alum Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.), continued his nice start to the season, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the fourth.

Newcomer Emmett Stacher also continued to impress, going 2-for-3 with an RBI single in the sixth.

On the mound, Dawgs Academy alum, Brody Forno (Okotoks, Alta.) threw two scoreless innings to open the contest. Following Forno, the Dawgs’ bullpen once again came in and shut things down. Tonight it was Brody Burnette, Dalton Hoffart and Max McRaray who locked down the win, going a combined four innings and allowing just one run. McRaray picked up the save.

The Dawgs will now play the Lethbridge Bulls on Thursday at Seaman Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

*This article originally appeared on the Alberta Dugout Stories website on June 16. You can read it here.

June 17, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

The game of baseball in Canada has come a long way since Tyler Hollick was a Dawgs Academy outfielder.

In fact, the current president of baseball operations says the current 18U Black squad would “wax” the Dawgs teams he played for 15 years ago.

It’s why he’s excited to see them put in the national spotlight with the upcoming The Road to Okotoks – the inaugural 16-team academy national championship culminating with the Morneau Cup being handed to the winners.

With the friendly amenities at Seaman Stadium and Tourmaline Field, Hollick says the Dawgs want to create something similar to the College World Series in Omaha or, as some people have started putting it, the “Memorial Cup of Baseball.”

“We’re really pushing the envelop to make this a world-class tournament,” Hollick said. “Kids might only get to play in it once and we want it to be something they will never forget.”

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Tyler Hollick, the Okotoks Dawgs’ president of baseball operations, here.

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It will be a showcase of the best programs and best talent across the country, and Hollick says it will give fans a chance to see the college and professional stars of tomorrow.

BETTER THAN EVER

The Road to Okotoks will also give some national exposure to a Dawgs program that has been turning heads in North America for years.

Sitting No. 2 in Perfect Game’s 18U End of Summer Rankings, the 18U Black club finished 2025 with a 60-5-1 record against non-junior college teams and captured six of seven tournament championships they played in across Canada and the U.S.

As good as last year’s team was, head coach Jeff Duda believes this year’s team has more depth than ever before in all facets of the game.

“Our pitching depth is unmatched across the country,” he said.

“Offensively, we have a healthy blend of speed, contact and power from top to bottom, while maintaining balance between right-handed and left-handed hitters that makes it difficult for teams to match up against.”

The Dawgs started off 2026 in much the same fashion by capturing their third-straight Best of the West title in Kamloops, beating the Langley Blaze 8-2 in the championship to finish 5-1 in the tournament.

CONFIDENT CANINES

It could have been easy for the Dawgs to put their feet up and relax while the 15 other teams went through their respective regional qualifiers in late May.

Aside from the Best of the West tournament, they continued their annual series of road trips and tournaments – including their first-ever Spring Training game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

However, nothing can compare to hosting the first-of-its-kind national championship for bragging rights in a debate that has raged on for years – who has the best academy program in Canada.

Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native and highly touted pitcher AJ Rogers is excited to face the best competition in the country.

“Our confidence level is high,” he said. “We’ve been one of the best academies in Canada – if not the best – for years now and we haven’t slowed down at all. I think there aren’t a lot of teams that can take us down.”

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Okotoks Dawgs Academy pitcher AJ Rogers here.

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Fellow hurler and Cloverdale, B.C. product Brydon White has played with and against many of the players both in his home province as well as at national events like the Canadian Futures Showcase.

He’s looking forward to showing everyone around the Canadian baseball world what Okotoks and the Dawgs have to offer.

But first thing’s first: they want to win.

“I think the key to winning is going to be what our team has focused on all season long: support for each other and patience,” White said. “We have a very talented roster, we are all very competitive and we never give up.”

HOMETOWN EXPECTATIONS

The significance of hosting the first-ever national championship and potentially winning it all isn’t lost on the Dawgs players, coaches and staff.

It does, however, come with some high expectations, which surprisingly aren’t being felt as we approach the start of the tournament.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure for us,” Rogers said. “We know how good we are, we know how good we can be, and we just have to show it on the field when the time comes.”

White adds it would mean the world to the team to win the inaugural Morneau Cup for their families, friends, coaches, the academy and everyone who has supported them along the way.

While winning is a priority for the Dawgs, Hollick is also wanting to make sure the event goes off without a hitch.

He says it’s a unique opportunity to bring the country together in the name of baseball and build something that everyone looks forward to attending or watching every year.

“I think it’s going to be competitive and it’s going to be a great tournament,” said the Dawgs’ baseball operations head honcho. “It’s also going to really be a celebration for everybody to see how far baseball has come in Canada.”

The Road to Okotoks is set for July 14-19.

June 17, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame News Release

Six new members will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday.

Former Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder Devon White will be inducted alongside national team legend and current St. Louis Cardinals coach Stubby Clapp (Windsor, Ont.), former Women’s National Team star Kate Psota (Burlington, Ont.) and early Montreal Expos ace and later executive Bill Stoneman.

Longtime Baseball Canada executive director Jim Baba (Moose Jaw, Sask.) will also be inducted posthumously.

Former major league umpire Paul Runge (St. Catharines, Ont.), elected by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee, will also be inducted.

In addition, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae will be honoured with the Jack Graney Award, handed out annually to a member of the media who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through their life’s work.

The ceremony will be hosted by Blue Jays radio play-by play announcer Ben Shulman.

“We look forward to celebrating the outstanding careers of this year’s inductees in St. Marys,” said Scott Crawford, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Director of Operations. “Each of them, in their own way, has made a tremendous impact on the game of baseball in our country.”

The induction ceremony will be part of a series of activities that will also include a meet-and-greet with the inductees and other special guests called “The Opening Pitch” at the Toboggan Brewing Company in London (June 18) and the Hall’s 28th annual celebrity golf tournament and banquet (June 19).

Agenda of 2026 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Events   

*All times in Eastern Standard Time (E.T.)   

Thursday, June 18 

Event: The Opening Pitch, which will feature a meet and greet with inductees Devon White, Stubby Clapp, Bill Stoneman, Kate Psota, Paul Runge and the family of Jim Baba, plus past inductees Fergie Jenkins, Ashley Stephenson, Jeff Francis, Lloyd Moseby and Rob Thomson. 

Location: Toboggan Brewing Company, 585 Richmond Street, London, Ont.,   

For more information about the venue, click here.     

Time: 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.   

Cost: Tickets are $100, which includes food, drinks and silent auction. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.  

The Opening Pitch Silent Auction runs from June 11 to June 18 at 9 p.m. E.T. 

Friday, June 19 

Event: 28th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic and Banquet  

Time: Registration at 9 a.m., Tee-off at 10 a.m., Banquet starts at 4:00 p.m. Dinner served at 5 p.m. Program and awards will immediately follow the dinner.   

Location: St. Marys Golf and Country Club, 769 Queen Street East, St. Marys, Ont.  

Banquet will be held on the Hall of Fame grounds, 386 Church Street South.   

Cost: Golf tournament is sold out, but banquet tickets are available for $100 each. The deadline to purchase banquet tickets is 5 p.m. on June 16.  Tickets HERE. 

Celebrities for this event will include: Devon White, Stubby Clapp, Kate Psota, Bill Stoneman, Paul Runge, Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Whitt, Lloyd Moseby, Steve Rogers, Jeff Francis, Rob Thomson, Billy Atkinson, George Kottaras, Larry Landreth, Larry Balkwill, Merlin Malinowski, Sarah Wilkes-Lizmore, Jeremy Ware, Claire Dalton and Jessie McPherson. 

Saturday, June 20 

Event: Induction Ceremony for Devon White, Stubby Clapp, Kate Psota, Jim Baba, Bill Stoneman and Paul Runge. Plus the Jack Graney award presentation to Hazel Mae. It will be emceed by Blue Jays radio play-by-play announcer Ben Shulman. Free to attend.  

Parking: $10 to park in the Induction parking lot. FREE parking on the side streets. 

Induction Day Schedule:   

10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Ballgames on the site 
9:15 a.m.- 10:15 a.m. – Inductee press conference inside Museum (386 Church St. S.) (media only) 
11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Museum open to public for tours 
1:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. – Induction Ceremony and Jack Graney award at the Hall of Fame (386 Church St. S.). 
3:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. – Autograph session with inductees and special guests. (Devon White, Bill Stoneman, Stubby Clapp, Kate Psota, Paul Runge, Rob Thomson, Lloyd Moseby, Steve Rogers, Matt Stairs, Jeff Francis, Ashley Stephenson, Pat Gillick, Gord Ash, Billy Atkinson, George Kottaras, Rob Butler, Steve Green)   

*Celebrities signing autographs are subject to change.*  
*Autographs are not guaranteed and autograph session can only last set amount of time due to other private events.* 

Cost for Autograph Session (Please read rules below):  
*Autographs are not guaranteed  
*Members should bring their membership card. 
*Members $35 each to enter the autograph session.    
*Non-members $45 each to enter the autograph session.    
*Hall of Fame 2026 members will enter the autograph line first.   
*Autograph session is 90 minutes long.    
*Autographs are limited to one item per person per inductee/special guest.    
*Autographs will be signed on a first-come first-serve basis.    
*Hall of Fame staff reserve the right to cut the autograph line at any time.    
*NO posed photos.    

2026 Inductee Bios

Stubby Clapp

Born in 1973 in Windsor, Ont., Stubby Clapp is known as “Captain Canada” for his long commitment to the national team. He joined the Junior National Team in 1991 and helped them to a gold medal at the World Youth Baseball Championship in Brandon, MB, that summer.

Five years later, the infielder was selected in the 36th round of the 1996 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. In total, Clapp played 23 games with the Cardinals and 11 seasons in the pro ranks.

But even during his pro career, Clapp never forgot his roots. In 1999, he suited up for Canada at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, MB and delivered a walk-off, bases loaded single in Canada’s extra-inning, upset win over the U.S. to help propel Canada to an eventual bronze medal.

Following his playing career, Clapp managed the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds to Pacific Coast League championships in 2017 and 2018. That earned him a promotion to the position of first base coach with the Cardinals in 2019, a post he continues to hold.

Over the years, Clapp has also served as a coach for the national team, including on the 2015 Pan Am Games gold medal-winning squad. Clapp was inducted onto Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence in January 2025.

“This is an absolute honour to receive the call from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Clapp when informed of his induction. “I was totally caught off guard. It’s a great blessing to get this news on my daughter’s birthday.”

For his full bio, click HERE. 

Devon White

Born in 1962 in Kingston, Jamaica, Devon White cemented his reputation as one of the greatest defensive centre fielders in major league history while with the Toronto Blue Jays from 1991 to 1995.

After being selected in the sixth round of the 1981 MLB draft by the California Angels, he’d spend parts of six big league seasons with the club before being traded to the Blue Jays on December 2, 1990. In his first season with the Blue Jays, White batted .282 with 17 home runs and 33 stolen bases and captured his first of five consecutive Gold Glove awards.

He followed that up with another strong season in 1992 that saw him lead the majors with a 3.9 dWAR (Defensive Wins Above Replacement). In the World Series that year, he made what is arguably the most famous defensive play in franchise history. In the fourth inning of Game 3, Atlanta Braves slugger Dave Justice belted a ball deep to centre field at SkyDome. White leapt into the wall and made a miraculous catch to begin a double play.

White returned in 1993 to serve as a catalyst atop the Blue Jays’ order and help them to their second consecutive championship. He collected two more Gold Gloves in 1994 and 1995 before signing with the Florida Marlins.

White still ranks in the top 10 in several all-time Blue Jays statistical categories, including second in stolen base percentage (84.6%), sixth in stolen bases (126) and seventh in triples (34).

Since hanging up his playing spikes after 17 major league seasons in 2001, White has worked as a coach in the minor league ranks. His most recent position is special assistant to player development in the Blue Jays’ organization. 

“Receiving the phone call last night informing me that I was being inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame was a dream come true!” said White earlier this year. “Toronto has always felt like home to me and to now be etched into history is a legacy I could have only hoped for. I am deeply humbled and grateful.”    

For his full bio, click HERE. 

Kate Psota

Born in 1986 in Burlington, Ont., Kate Psota joined the Women’s National Team in 2004 and evolved into one of its best and longest tenured players.

Psota honed her skills with the Burlington Organized Minor Baseball Association (BOMBA) where she cracked the roster of a boys triple-A rep team at age nine. In 2002, she became the first female to be named the Baseball Ontario Junior Player of the Year.

When the Women’s National Team was formed in 2004, Psota made the team and developed into a star at first base. In 2008, she won Baseball Canada’s Ashley Stephenson Award, which is handed out annually to a women’s team member to recognize their on-field accomplishments, team spirit and leadership. She followed that up by being named the Women’s National Team MVP in back-to-back years (2009, 2010).

In her 15 seasons competing for Canada, Psota was on teams that captured six Women’s World Cup medals, including silvers at the 2008 and 2016 tournaments. In total, Psota was named to the World Cup All-Star team four times (2010, 2012, 2016 and 2018).

She hung up her playing spikes in 2021 and became a coach with the Women’s National Team. For her efforts, she was inducted into the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. 

“I was surprised to get that call from Scott on a frosty January morning. I am genuinely honoured and humbled to be part of the 2026 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction class,” said Psota. “There is no better feeling than representing Canada on the international stage.  I have always been so proud to be associated with such an amazing group of women and our support staff. I am excited to share the weekend with the other inductees and all of the people who helped me get here.”   

For her full bio, click HERE. 

Jim Baba 

Born in 1956 in Moose Jaw, Sask., Jim Baba devoted more than three decades to the growth and development of baseball in Canada.

Throughout his career, Baba’s greatest passion was coaching and he taught countless National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) courses. In the early 90s, Baba began his association with Baseball Canada, coaching and managing national teams at international competitions, including at the 1991 Pan Am Games.

In 2000, Baba became Baseball Canada’s Manager of Baseball Operations prior to transitioning to the executive director position. Some of his most notable achievements as Executive Director included supporting men’s senior national team gold medal wins at the 2011 and 2015 Pan Am Games and overseeing the implementation of national programs like Rally Cap and Girls Baseball.

Between 2002 and 2021, he also served as a technical official for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) at 25 international events, including Olympic qualifiers, Pan Am Games, the Women’s Baseball World Cup and the World Baseball Classic. 

For his efforts, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. 

He passed away on September 12, 2025 at the age of 69. 

“We are incredibly proud of our dad and the impact he had on the baseball community across Canada. He poured his heart into baseball, and we are deeply grateful to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. While we wish he were here to experience this honour himself, it means so much to see his contributions recognized in such a meaningful way.” – Melani, Jamie and Mitch Baba   

For his full bio, click HERE. 

Bill Stoneman

Born in 1944 in Oak Park, IL, Bill Stoneman was the ace of the Montreal Expos during their early years. He’d later become a key executive with the club.

Chosen by the Expos from the Chicago Cubs in the 1968 expansion draft, the right-hander cracked the Expos’ inaugural Opening Day roster and on April 17, 1969, in just the ninth regular season game in Expos’ history, he tossed a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium. This made him the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for a Canadian major league team.

In 1971, Stoneman recorded a career-high 17 wins and posted a 3.15 ERA in 39 appearances (38 starts) and established then Expos’ records in complete games (19), innings pitched (294-2/3) and strikeouts (251). He followed that up with another outstanding season in 1972 when he registered a career-best 2.98 ERA in 35 starts. On October 2 of that year, he threw his second no-hitter. This one came at home, at Montreal’s Jarry Park, in a 7-0 victory over the New York Mets. This made him the first pitcher from a Canadian major league team to throw a no-hitter in Canada.

After one more season with the Expos, Stoneman completed his playing career with the California Angels in 1974. He returned to the Expos as an assistant to the president in 1983 and rose to the position of vice-president, baseball operations. Following the 1999 season, he was hired to be the general manager of the Angels. In 2002, he assembled the Angels’ only World Series-winning team. 

“I was totally surprised to hear the news that I would be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Stoneman when informed of his induction. “I am looking forward to joining the group in St. Marys in June.”   

For his full bio, click HERE. 

Paul Runge 

Born in 1940 in St. Catharines, Ont., Paul Runge was a highly respected National League umpire for parts of 25 major league seasons.

He polished his skills as a minor league umpire for parts of nine seasons before graduating to the National League in 1973. Over his quarter century as a big league umpire, Runge was selected to umpire nine National League Championship Series, four World Series and three All-Star Games.

On Oct. 23, 1993, he was umpiring second base when Blue Jays slugger Joe Carter belted his walk-off, World Series-winning home run against Phillies closer Mitch Williams.

In total, Runge umpired 3,194 regular season MLB games, 43 championship series contests and 22 World Series games. Just three Canadians have umpired more MLB games: Bob Emslie (Guelph, ON), Jim McKean (Montreal, QC) and Ernie Quigley (Newcastle, NB).

In 1998, Runge became the National League’s director of umpires. He served in that post through 1999. 

His father, Ed, was an American League umpire from 1954 to 1970 and his son, Brian, umpired in the National League from 1999 to 2012. This made them the first three-generation family of MLB umpires. 

“This news came as a wonderful surprise and I am truly honoured to be recognized,” said Runge. “It is a pleasure to be accepted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.”   

For his full bio, click HERE. 

June 16, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team jumped out to an early 4-0 lead but fell 7–5 to the State College Spikes in MLB Draft League International Series action at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Canada wasted no time getting on the board in the opening inning. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) led off with a single and a stolen base before Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, B.C.) and Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) followed with back-to-back RBI doubles that gave the Juniors an early 2–0 lead.

The Juniors added another run in the second when Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) walked, stole second and scored on Lascelles’ second hit of the game. Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.) later worked a bases-loaded walk in the fourth to extend Canada’s lead to 4–0.

On the mound, Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.) gave Canada a strong start, recording nine strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings of work.

State College battled back to tie the game in the fifth, but Canada responded in the seventh. Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) doubled with two outs before Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) drove him in with a single to right field, putting the Juniors back in front 5–4.

The Spikes answered again with a run in the bottom half before scoring twice in the eighth.

Canada made one final push in the ninth with a leadoff double from Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) and a walk from Jacob that brought the tying run to the plate, but the rally came up short.

On Wednesday, the Juniors will look to even the series against the Spikes as action continues in the MLB Draft League International Series.

June 15, 2026

By Shari Reiniger

Special to the Canadian Baseball Network

When I stood on the field at Loan Depot Park in March as a member of the Game Organizational Technical Committee at the World Baseball Classic, I looked up through the closed roof and thanked a great baseball leader and friend who opened up trails for me to blaze - a mentor who handed me the baton to pave new pathways.

Only one other person had ever represented the World Baseball Softball Confederation at the WBC finals besides our late WBSC Baseball Technical Commission Chair, Jim Baba. And now it was me standing there in his place. Just like working as an International Baseball Technical Commissioner at the Tokyo Olympics, and being the first woman to do that, the moment was not lost on me.

My journey in international baseball was made possible by my friend, my mentor, my brother in baseball and our longtime WBSC Baseball Technical leader, Jim Baba.

Hard to believe it all started when my husband met Jim instructing coaching clinics in the mid 90s. I came to hang out, chat baseball and enjoy a few cold beverages at the end of their sessions. When he came to town with Baseball Canada, we found a way to grab a beer between meetings and banquets. We always made space for Jim and he always made space for us. At that time, I had no idea the impact he would make on my life beyond being a good friend and a phenomenal baseball guy.

Before moving to Canada, I played junior college softball in my home state of California where I met my husband. As I finished my university degrees, I spent a couple of summers as the head groundskeeper at Legion Park in St. Albert, Alberta where we hosted the very first Baseball Canada Bantam National Championship.

After college, I coached competitive softball and went back to play in the top women’s fastball league in Edmonton which included two trips to the Western Canada championship. I served on the Sherwood Park Minor Baseball Association Board as a committee chair, tournament director and protest committee member for Provincial level tournaments. I coached a house league team with my husband one year and then became the GM and Chef de Mission for our son’s Provincial level rep teams that competed at a Western Canada Championship and then three straight Baseball Canada National Championships. I led the coaching staff for the U-13 Baseball Alberta Girls’ Provincial Team for two years and then took on the role of Playoff Committee Chair at Baseball Alberta where we redesigned the model of play into the tiered league concept that exists today. I sat on the Baseball Calgary Executive as well as the Baseball Alberta Board of Directors where I made presentations at Baseball Canada National Conventions. I was invested in the game I never got to play growing up but had always loved.

I had recently turned down an invite to travel with Team Canada’s Women’s National Team as a guest coach when my phone rang. It was Jim, who by then was the Executive Director for Baseball Canada. He asked if I would join the Technical team at the very first Women’s Baseball World Cup held in Edmonton in 2004. I had no idea what that even meant, or that I would be the first woman ever assigned to such a role (something he did not bring up either). I jumped at the opportunity to be part of the inaugural international women’s baseball championship and stepped through the door that has led to nearly 35 years in the game and over 20 years in international baseball.

Jim fought for girls’ and women’s baseball both in Canada and at the international level. He would be ecstatic to see Kate Psota inducted beside him into the Canadian Baseball of Fame this weekend, joining Ashley Stephenson and Amanda Asay, who was taken from this world much too soon. Because of Jim Baba, I got to see these women represent Canada with great skill and even better class.

Jim also believed that strong baseball women should be given the opportunity to work in the game. Thanks to his leadership, Ontario umpire Lisa Turbitt and I both worked that first Women’s Baseball World Cup, where Lisa earned the plate for the Gold Medal game. Lisa was the first woman to join the WBSC Baseball Umpire Commission in 2016 and to umpire at a World Baseball Classic Qualifier in 2022. When I spoke to longtime MLB Umpire Supervisor, Larry Young, about her plate assignment in Panama, he gave high praise in three words - ”She nailed it.”

I was appointed to work on the Technical Committee at the 2023 WBC Pool A in Taiwan so we both went from that first Women’s Baseball World Cup to the World Baseball Classic level after nearly 20 years in the international game. We each sit on the respective WBSC Umpire and Technical Commissions and work as Umpire and Technical Directors at WBSC baseball events. All thanks to Jim opening the door. As my good friend Lisa recently told me, “Jim always made space for others to shine and because of Jim, we both got to shine brightly!”

After that first World Cup, I was invited to sit on Baseball Canada’s Long Term Development Committee. I worked alongside Jim and a who’s who list in Canadian baseball as we developed the framework for Baseball Canada’s LTAD policy. This group of top level baseball guys always invited and valued my input. They proved to me that anyone with strong knowledge, skills and approach belongs at the table. Many of them remain great friends to this day.

Jim always led the way to support people building toward their own potential and elevated them based on performance and approach. Period. If Jim believed you could do the job, he let you do it and offered support, but never micromanaged. He didn’t care what gender you were, what your skin colour was or what country you hailed from. He gave credit where credit was due and was willing to put his reputation on the line to sponsor good people to new roles they had earned.

I finally got the chance to work with Jim on the field in 2012. In total, I worked on his technical teams at four international championships and he worked on my team at one. No matter which role we were in, we worked well together and saw the game the same way. Perhaps that’s why we were able to accomplish so much working on major international baseball technical projects together the last five years.

I still remember the night when Jim told three of us that we were being appointed to work the Olympic Games. We got sideswiped by two typhoons that year at the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Korea. Jim and I pulled tarps when the grounds crew was busy on the field beside us and we all jumped in to repair the fields and bullpens to keep games moving. After a long week, our Technical Team was enjoying a celebratory beverage after selecting the All-World Team. Jim pointed directly at me with a stern look, and called me over. I remember saying, “Uh oh, looks like I’m in trouble.” Then Jim grinned that boyish grin and said, “I just want to tell you that you’re going to the Olympics.” I had to put my hand down on the table beside me to hold myself up.

I never even dreamed that working the Olympic Games could be an option. I just kept showing up and doing the work alongside a great team of people, just as Jim has done his entire life. Baba never broadcast what was next, but when the time came, he gave you a high five and opened another door. All we had to do was walk through and keep doing good work. And we knew he always had our back.

Jim was named our Technical Delegate for the Tokyo Olympics and everything was ready to go. Then Covid hit a week before we were set to run the Americas Olympic Qualifier. Before we could get out on the field again, Jim was diagnosed with leukemia and lost what ended up being his final chance to work the Olympic Games. We missed him in Tokyo and it hurt to know he lost his Olympic dream. True to his nature, he never complained and was genuinely happy for every one of us who did get to fulfill our dreams.

He came back to the international field in 2022 and 2023 and never stopped working virtually from home. There were weeks where he was too sick to meet and days where he only had enough energy to sit up with us for an hour. If he could, he did. And then when he was in the airport on his way to work the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay in 2024, he got a tough call that sent him back home to face his biggest battle. I was coaching at the World Children’s Baseball Fair in Fukuoka, Japan when he told me what happened and I literally sobbed for him and for Penny. Not one to sulk, he got up and endured as long as his body would allow. They both did. Their courage to fight and to live right to the end will forever be my inspiration.

Last summer, Jim told me he found it gratifying to appoint others to do what he had been doing for so long. He was the master at running baseball championships both in Canada and globally. He taught us well and was finally ready to hand over the reins for us to take the game from there.

When Jim Baba finally received his call to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on February 5, 2026, I literally wept with joy. One of the most deserving inductees in Canadian baseball who shaped the game not only in Canada, but around the world. Who championed building the game for anyone who loved the game and who wanted to play a part, on or off the field. Players, coaches, scorers, umpires, tournament directors and especially volunteers - they all had a special place in Jim’s heart. He treated each person like they were just as important as anyone else in the game.

Jim exemplified teamwork, hard work and having fun when the day was done. He was humble, kind and treated everyone with respect. Calm, cool and collected. That is until his fiery side came out. At our last World Cup together, a third base coach walked to the mound to meet their new pitcher between innings. Everyone could hear Jim yelling, “Get him out of there” from the press box. He believed in playing the game the right way and he made sure everyone did just that. Everyone respected him for that. And I do mean everyone.

I have never heard anyone say one bad thing about Jim Baba after a lifetime in the game around the globe. He was as fair as can be and ensured nobody received an unfair advantage, no matter who they were. He never big leagued anyone and he did not take it well when it happened to someone on his team.

The former National Team Manager in Jim also loved to win. When Team Canada won the 2015 Pan Am Games on home soil in extra innings to defend their crown, he threw off his proverbial Tournament Director hat and yelled out something I cannot share here. Let’s just say he was as excited as any National Federation Executive Director could be.

I remember the final night after the medal games finished that year in Korea. Jim was asked if our technical team wanted to join the staff for dinner and he politely declined. Instead, we literally took over a restaurant with the umpires and scorers and everyone got to see the young man Jim still had inside. I can still see him laughing as he chirped our umpire friends with “That’s a Review!” Our officials team all got to see the fun side of Jim that I knew from hanging out with him for over the course of 30 years.

I will be forever grateful that I was able to drive to Saskatoon to see Greg Brons and his Baseball Saskatchewan crew name a U-15 field after Jim. He never would have allowed them to do that if they had told him ahead of time. Instead, they duped him into working as the Tournament Director at the Canadian National Championship and planned the big surprise. He worked the entire first day before his entire family and many of us longtime friends snuck onto the field as they presented him with the honour. Then they told him he was off the hook for the rest of the weekend and we went to the beer garden to celebrate.

That was actually the first time I got the chance to meet Penny in person and to meet their kids. Penny had already become a special friend of mine. She joked that she used to call me Jim’s baseball wife. I reminded her I was more like his little sister that got the chance to follow in his footsteps. Thank goodness we all got to have one more cold drink together in Ottawa in the fall of 2023 before both of their cancers took a tragic turn. I miss them both dearly.

WBSC brought me onto the Technical Commission in 2022 where Jim and I worked together on projects to improve our processes and support our technical people around the world. One of my hardest days as his friend was seeing him tell me in a virtual meeting there was nothing more the doctors could do for him. I told him he had given enough to the game - go hold hands with your loved ones and hug those grandkids - but he wanted to finish the meeting we started. I sent him a few Watermelon Wednesday items to share with the grandkids as that was his thing. He was definitely the fun grandpa and he even had the watermelon shirt to prove it!

Jim stayed committed to the game right to the end. We finished off a big project the week he passed away. He joined us via a virtual meeting then gave his formal resignation right after. Our WBSC Events Manager, Giovanni Pantaleoni and I got to tell him that we loved him and thanked him for his lifetime of impact on the game. I promised Jim we would carry his torch forward. But I could never bring myself to say goodbye.

He made an impact like nobody we’ve ever known. We will never forget what he did for the game, and for each and every one of us in the game.

Instead of stepping up on stage to give his induction speech on Saturday, his incredible family will accept his invitation into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Jim and Penny will watch from their stadium seats above and Jim will probably shout an instruction or chirp someone down below. Truly fitting for our good friend and mentor who preferred to elevate others into the limelight and remain in the background to cheer them on. This time, it will be our turn to cheer as Jim’s name is called and he takes his place in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame as one of the best coaches, leaders and builders this game has ever seen.

You did a lot of good, Jim Baba. The game of baseball is forever blessed by all of the progress you led and, more importantly, how you led. We will forever remember you as a legend in the game and everyone’s best friend in international baseball.

A final note to Jim’s children and grandchildren:

Thank you for sharing your dad and grandfather with all of us in the game across Canada and around the world. I know he loved you all more than he loved the game of baseball. And he really loved baseball and those Yankees. He was so proud of you all and loved nothing more than being a husband, dad and especially grandpa. We all miss him greatly and know you all lost so much. Jim and Penny both have incredible spirits and showed undeniable strength that will live on in all of you. I know they will keep an eye on you all from their seat above. Wishing you much love, peace and strength as you celebrate Jim’s induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. We will raise a glass to honor our good friend Jim Baba, here in Alberta and around the world.

Shari and Kirk Reiniger

June 15, 2026

Official Toronto Blue Jays News Release

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired RHP Denis Samudio and cash considerations from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for RHP Connor Seabold.

Samudio, 21, has appeared in six games (three starts) between the ACL Royals and Single-A Columbia, posting a 4.12 ERA over 19 2/3 innings with 22 strikeouts, a 1.17 WHIP, and a .183 opponent average. The right-hander from David, Panama, was signed by the Royals as an international free agent in 2025, making a total of 17 appearances (12 starts) in the Royals’ system.

Seabold, 30, has made 16 appearances between the Blue Jays and Tigers this season, recording a 4.26 ERA across 19 innings. The Laguna Hills, Calif., native was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the third round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, making his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2021. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound righty has suited up for 56 career MLB games (19 starts) between the Red Sox, Rockies, Braves, Rays, Tigers and Blue Jays, combining to post a 7.30 ERA over 138 innings of work.

June 15, 2026

By Abby Fralic

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs continued their winning ways on Monday, cruising to a 28-4 victory over the Brooks Bombers.

The Dawgs racked up 23 hits in the win, which was their seventh straight. They now have a 12-3 record.

Fueling the Dawgs’ offence was Jeremy Kuiper who went 5-for-7 with three runs, two home runs, six RBIs, a double and a stolen base. Ayden Crouse also had a big night, finishing 3-for-6 with five runs, two home runs and three RBIs.

Jayden Lusk, Hank Griffin (Montreal, Que.), and Emmett Stacher added further production, combining for nine runs, 12 RBIs and a home run apiece.

On the mound, Gabe Brabec set the tone with a solid four-inning start, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out four.

Jerome Pare (Montreal, Que.) delivered another impressive relief appearance, holding the Bombers scoreless over two innings while surrendering just one hit and striking out four. Ty Johnson shut the door in the final frame, striking out three and allowing no hits or runs.

The Dawgs now shift their focus to a road matchup against the Energy City Cactus Rats on Wednesday before returning home to Seaman Stadium on Thursday to host the Lethbridge Bulls at 7:05 p.m.

June 15, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Right-hander Tyler Boudreau enjoyed the most dominant start of his professional career on Saturday.

Toeing the rubber for the New York Yankees’ class-A Tampa Tarpons, the Vauxhall Academy grad fanned a career-high 11 batters and limited the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bradenton Marauders to one run on three hits in six innings to record the win.

For his efforts, he has been named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week (June 9 to June 14).

Boudreau threw 59 of his 92 pitches for strikes.

His previous career-high for strikeouts in a game was nine, which he notched for the Tarpons on April 9 against the Clearwater Threshers.

With his performance on Saturday, Boudreau, who was born in Middle Sackville, N.S. but raised in Sylvan Lake, Alta., improved his 2026 record to 3-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.18. He has 67 strikeouts in 51 innings.

The 6-foot-1 righty was signed as a free agent by the Yankees following the 2025 MLB draft.

2026 CBN Minor League Player of the Week winners

Opening Day to April 5 - Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Rangers

April 7 to April 12 - Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), Phillies

April 14 to April 19- Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Guardians

April 21 to April 26 - Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), Braves

April 28 to May 3 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

May 5 to May 10 - Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.), Royals

May 12 to May 17 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays

May 19 to May 24 - Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Diamondbacks

May 26 to May 31 - Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Giants

June 2 to June 7 - Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.), Blue Jays

June 9 to June 14 - Tyler Boudreau (Middle Sackville, N.S.), Yankees

Top Canadian Minor League Batters (June 9 to June 14)

Top Canadian Minor League Pitchers (June 9 to June 14)

June 10, 2026

By Jake Ross

UCCS Athletics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Tanner Spencer (Craik, Sask.) as second head coach of the UCCS Baseball program.

Spencer takes over after previous head coach and program founder Dave Hajek retired from his position at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tanner Spencer as the next head coach of UCCS Baseball," said UCCS Executive Director of Athletics Nathan Gibson. "Throughout the search process, Tanner consistently distinguished himself as the top candidate and an exceptional fit for our department's culture, expectations, and values. He is a proven winner, a strong program builder, and an outstanding recruiter who understands what it takes to develop a championship-caliber program.

“What stood out the most is Tanner's deep commitment to the total development of our student-athletes. He is intentional about investing in their growth not only as players, but as students, leaders, and people. Tanner approaches coaching with a genuine desire to make a lasting impact in the lives of the young men in his program, and he takes seriously the responsibility to help shape them during this important season of their lives.

We are excited for coach Spencer to build on the strong foundation already established within our baseball program and lead Mountain Lion Baseball into its next chapter."

Tanner Spencer joins the Mountain Lion family after spending seven seasons at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. and is coming off his most successful season with the Marauders. This spring, Spencer led his team to 37 wins, while going 27-10 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), both totals being program records for Mary Baseball, earning Spencer the NSIC Coach of the Year honour.

This spring alone, Spencer's athletes totaled five All-NSIC selections, Two NSIC All-Tournament performers, four All-Region athletes, 10 NSIC All-Academic Team members, 13 NSIC Academic Team of Excellence honorees, and one All-American Honorable Mention (Cole Smith, NCBWA).

In seven seasons with the Marauders, Spencer was 155-155 overall, while finishing 116-100 in Northern Sun contests, reaching the postseason five of the seven seasons including the shortened 2020 campaign. The winningest coach in the program's history, Coach Spencer also stressed the importance of academic success, with his program maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or better during his time in Bismarck, garnering 91 NSIC All-Academic players, 13 NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic Award recipients, ten CSC Academic All-Academic All-District players, and two CSC Academic All-Americans.

"I'm extremely grateful for Mr. Gibson and the entire search committee for their trust and the opportunity to lead UCCS Baseball," said coach Spencer. "I'm excited to continue to build on the foundation that Coach Hajek has set forth. I am fully committed to building a championship level culture that not only aids in the development of championships on the field but also helps to form exceptional young men that our alumni base, university and community can be proud of."

Coach Spencer takes over a UCCS Baseball program that is coming off their most successful season in program history, setting program team records in wins (33), batting average (.356), slugging percentage (.617), on-base percentage (.442), runs (538), hits (641), home runs (108), RBIs (488), total bases (1,111), and walks (242). Twenty different student-athletes earned awards both academically and athletically, with the squad winning 33 games overall and 21 in the RMAC.

Coach Spencer will begin his position on June 15.

June 14, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

FARGO, N.D. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes defeated the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 13-10 in a wild 10-inning contest Sunday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field.

After surrendering a four-run lead for the second time in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Goldeyes scored three times in the top of the 10th, then kept Fargo-Moorhead from replying in the bottom of the frame.

The RedHawks got things started in the bottom of the third when left fielder Jairus Richards hit a two-run double to left field that scored third baseman Brian Fuentes and shortstop Aidan Byrne.

Winnipeg got one run back in the top of the fourth inning on right fielder Max Murphy’s two-out solo home run to right-centre field that made it 2-1.

The Goldeyes tied the score an inning later when designated hitter Jiandido Tromp homered to right, and they took a 3-2 lead moments later when first baseman Roby Enríquez scored on a fielding error after left fielder Keshawn Lynch doubled into the left-field corner.

The visitors added three more in the sixth to take a 6-2 lead, with all the scoring coming with two outs in the inning. Tromp lined a base hit to right field that drove in third baseman Ramón Bramasco, then Enríquez doubled down the left-field line to plate catcher Kevin García and Tromp.

For the first of two times Sunday, Fargo-Moorhead tied the game with four runs of its own in the bottom of the seventh. First, right fielder Dillon Thomas hit a sacrifice fly to centre field that brought home centre fielder Andy Nelson. Then, second baseman Colby Wilkerson lined a single to right that drove in Byrne and Richards. Finally, designated hitter José Sermo crossed the plate as the result of a two-out throwing error to make it 6-6.

Winnipeg struck for four in the top of the ninth to take a 10-6 lead. Centre fielder Noah Marcelo singled up the middle to bring in second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.). Murphy blooped a single into shallow centre to score Marcelo, then came around on García’s sacrifice fly to left field. Before the inning was through, Tromp lined a base hit to right that drove in Bramasco.

In the bottom of the inning, the RedHawks erased their second four-run deficit of the afternoon on back-to-back home runs by Wilkerson — a three-run shot to right — and catcher Carlos Amaya.

The Goldeyes, playing their second extra-inning game in four days, finally enjoyed some timely hitting in the bonus frame. Marcelo lined a single to centre that drove in Lynch and Hall to make the score 12-10 before scoring on Bramasco’s base hit to centre field.

Fargo-Moorhead brought the tying run to the plate with one out in the bottom of the 10th, but Eli Saul (Vancouver, B.C.) gave Winnipeg the shutdown inning it had been looking for most of the afternoon.

Mitchell Lambson started for the Goldeyes and worked six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking four. Dominic Hambley (Victoria, B.C.), Quinn Waterhouse, and Derrick Cherry followed out of the bullpen before Saul entered to record the final out in the ninth and then worked a scoreless 10th.

Angelo Cabral pitched the 10th for the RedHawks, their fifth reliever of the day. Wyatt Cheney started and gave up six runs — five earned — on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Winnipeg stole six bases, including three by Hall and two by Marcelo. Eight Goldeyes had at least one hit, with Bramasco and Tromp notching four apiece.

The four-game series at Newman Outdoor Field concludes Monday at 7:02 p.m. with Arij Fransen expected to take the mound for Winnipeg. Fellow right-hander Bryce Brassfield is scheduled to start for Fargo-Moorhead.

June 14, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs earned a 9-6 come-from-behind victory over the Medicine Hat Mavericks in front of a crowd of 6,127 at Seaman Stadium on Sunday.

With the victory, the Dawgs extended their winning streak to six games and improved their record to 11-3.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by another standout performance by Dawgs Academy alum Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.), who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a two-run home run to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Fellow Dawgs Academy alum, Ricky Sanchez also had a good day, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

But Ayden Crouse stole the show when he came off the bench to pinch-hit in the bottom of the 10th. Crouse came through with a pair of runners on, hammering a 1-2 count fastball over the fence in left, and walking it off. It was Crouse’s second home run of the season.

On the mound, Tyson Willis got the start for the Dawgs, going five strong innings and allowing just two runs.

The back end of the Dawgs’ bullpen was also lights out, with Wyatt Sadleir (Calgary, Alta.) and Ashton Luera combining for four scoreless innings to close out the game. The two combined for six strikeouts. Luera earned his first win of the season.

The Dawgs will now hit the road to play the Brooks Bombers on Monday. Their next home game is Thursday against the Lethbridge Bulls.

June 14, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team fell just short in a 7–6 loss to the Aberdeen IronBirds in the finale of their three-game MLB Draft League International Series at Ripken Stadium.

Box Score

After Aberdeen jumped out to an early 3–0 lead, Canada answered in the third inning with four straight hits. Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.) and Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) opened the rally with back-to-back singles before Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, B.C.) drove in Blain with an RBI single to centre. Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) followed with a run-scoring single of his own, bringing home Ellis to cut the deficit to one.

The Juniors continued to battle offensively throughout the afternoon. Blain added another single in the fifth before launching a solo home run to left field in the eighth, while Ellis finished with three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and an RBI single in the sixth that scored Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) after his triple to right field.

Canada made one final push in the ninth, loading the bases after walks from Omidi, Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) and Austin Blair (Victoria, B.C.). Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, B.C.) brought Omidi home on a fielder’s choice to make it a one-run game, but the rally ended with the tying run at third.

On the mound, Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, B.C.) delivered a strong relief appearance, entering in the sixth and keeping the IronBirds off the board the rest of the way. He struck out four over three scoreless innings, including a clean seventh and eighth to give Canada a chance late.

The Juniors will now hit the road to take on the State College Spikes in the next stop of the MLB Draft League International Series.

June 14, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Lopez still leads MLB in hits

We are now 70 games into the 2026 season and Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.) still leads the majors in hits and batting average.

Lopez’s 96 hits are eight more than San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez for the MLB lead.

Also, his .345 batting average is, by far, the best in the majors. In second place is Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee with a .328 average.

The 27-year-old Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal, also leads the Marlins in doubles (18), runs (43) and is second in RBIs (31) and stolen bases (13).

Soroka notches eighth win

Last Sunday, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) permitted just one run on three hits in seven innings, while striking out six, to record his eighth win of the season in the D-Backs’ 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals at Chase Field.

Soroka is tied for second in the National League in wins, one behind leader Aaron Ashby of the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Calgary Redbirds and Junior National Team alum followed up that start by limiting the Cincinnati Reds to one run on two hits in seven innings yesterday but got a no-decision.

Soroka leads D-Backs pitchers in wins and strikeouts (79) and is tied for the team lead with 14 starts.

Smith leading majors in saves

Cleveland Guardians reliever Cade Smith recorded his major league-leading 23rd save of the season on Saturday when he got the final four outs against the Detroit Tigers in a 3-1 win.

He has now been successful in his last 20 save opportunities.

For the season, the Abbotsford, B.C., native is 2-0 with a 2.48 ERA and has 49 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings. In my view, he should be a lock for the American League All-Star team.

This is the 27-year-old Smith’s first full season as the Guardians’ closer. He took over as the team’s closer in late July last year and finished 2025 with 16 saves.

Remembering Don Newcombe

Dodgers legendary right-hander Don Newcombe would’ve turned 100 today.

In parts of eight seasons with the Dodgers, the 6-foot-4 right-hander, who was one of the first Black pitchers in Major League Baseball, had three 20-win campaigns.

In 1956, he went 27-7 and posted a 3.06 ERA in 268 innings. For his efforts, he captured the Cy Young Award and National League MVP honours.

Newcombe was also one of the best-hitting pitchers of all-time. In 1955 with the Dodgers, he batted .359 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs.

Prior to pitching with the Dodgers, Newcombe honed his skills with the Montreal Royals. In 37 appearances – including 27 starts – with the triple-A Canadian club in 1948, he went 17-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 189 innings. He returned to post a 3.18 ERA in five starts with the Royals the following year before being promoted to the big leagues for good.

The hard-throwing righty finished his major league career with the Cincinnati Reds (1958 to 1960) and Cleveland (1960). He had served in an honorary role with the Dodgers prior to his death in 2019.

Blue Jays send Macko down

On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays sent left-hander Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) down to triple-A Buffalo to clear a roster spot for future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, who was returning from a forearm injury.

The transaction definitely wasn’t performance related. Macko was an impressive 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 12 appearances for the Blue Jays.

The Vauxhall Jets grad was 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 13 relief appearances for triple-A Buffalo prior to his call-up.

In March, he didn’t allow a run in three relief appearances for Canada at the World Baseball Classic.

Macko was acquired from the Seattle Mariners, along with reliever Erik Swanson, for outfielder Teoscar Hernandez on November 16, 2022.

Hiller recorded career-best in strikeouts 49 years ago

Forty-nine years ago today, John Hiller (Toronto, Ont.) made a rare start for the Tigers and tossed a complete game, while registering a career-high 12 strikeouts, in a 7-2 win over the Blue Jays at Tiger Stadium. Hiller allowed just four hits in the game.

It was one of eight starts Hiller made that season. His other 37 appearances that year came out of the bullpen.

For the record, Hiller, who’s arguably the greatest Canadian major league reliever, tossed 13 complete games in his 15-season career.

Josh Naylor belts third MLB grand slam

On Monday, Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) clubbed the third grand slam of his MLB career. It came in the fifth inning off Orioles right-hander Anthony Nunez in the Mariners’ 6-3 win at Camden Yards.

It was Naylor’s seventh home run of the season. He also socked a solo home run on Friday in the Mariners’ 10-2 victory over the Nationals at Nationals Park.

Naylor hit his first MLB grand slam on May 9, 2022 when he was with the Guardians. It was a game-tying round-tripper off Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks with two outs in the ninth inning.

His second grand slam came in even more dramatic fashion when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 9, 2025. It was a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning that gave the D-Backs an 8-4 win over the Mariners.

Happy Birthday to Tim Smith!

Happy 40th Birthday to men’s national team alum and Toronto native Tim Smith!

Selected in the seventh round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers, the 6-foot-3 outfielder played three seasons in the Rangers’ system before splitting his final three campaigns in the affiliated ranks between the Kansas City Royals (2010-11) and Atlanta Braves (2012) organizations.

He completed his pro career with the Winnipeg Goldeyes (2013) and Quebec Capitales (2014-15).

Over the years, Smith also suited up for the Canadian national team several times, including on the gold medal-winning teams at the 2011 and 2015 Pan Am Games and on the 2013 World Baseball Classic squad.

Pitch count? What pitch count?

Fifty-two years ago today, Nolan Ryan struck out 19 batters, walked 10 and threw 235 pitches (!) in 13 innings for the Angels against the Red Sox but settled for a no-decision.

The Angels eventually won 4-3 in 15 innings.

Luis Tiant pitched 14 1/3 innings for the Sox and took the loss.

Young hitting cleanup for Mets

The New York Mets have Bo Bichette, Juan Soto, Marcus Semien and Francisco Lindor (injured right now), but who has been batting cleanup regularly since the end of May?

That would be Jared Young (Prince George, B.C.).

So far in June, Young has belted three home runs and has a .526 slugging percentage in 11 games.

Aaron signed by Braves 74 years ago

On this date 74 years ago, the Boston Braves signed a promising 18-year-old shortstop out of Mobile, Ala., named Henry Aaron.

He proceeded to bat .336 with nine home runs in 87 games (all at shortstop) with the Class-C Eau Claire Bears in 1952.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Brash back on IL

Mariners right-hander Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a right lat strain.

It’s his second tenure on the IL with this injury this season. He was previously sidelined from May 1 to May 20.

Brash has quietly been one of the best set-up men in the majors this season. He is 3-0 with a 0.54 ERA in 20 appearances, spanning 16 2/3 innings.

The Mariners are being extremely cautious with the 27-year-old righty who missed the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Brash also experienced some mild inflammation in his throwing arm during the past off-season.

A Kingston Thunder grad, Brash is in his fourth campaign with the Mariners. In total in his MLB career, he is 17-11 with eight saves and a 3.06 ERA with 242 strikeouts and 86 walks in 190 games (five starts).

June 13, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Trois-Rivières, Que. - The Ottawa Titans won their third series in a row, adding six runs of insurance in the ninth to secure a 9-2 victory over the Trois-Rivières Aigles on Saturday night.

Making his second start of the season, former Blue Jays farmhand Eric Pardinho was fantastic, going seven innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits, walking one, and striking out eight in the win. Pardinho put together the third consecutive quality start for Titans starting pitching.

Kaiden Cardoso (Abbotsford, B.C.) opened the scoring off Anthony Escobar with a two-run homer in the top of the second. The first long ball for Cardoso on the year gave the Titans an early 2-0 lead.

The lone run for the Aigles off Pardinho came off the bat of John Montes, who cleared the wall for a solo shot in the bottom of the second.

Up by one, the Titans tacked on a run against Lucas Vega in the sixth inning, as Jackson Lyon poked an RBI double to right-centre. The extra-base hit scored a leadoff Chris Davis single to make it 3-1.

Following seven quality innings from Pardinho, the Titans turned to Yohanse Morel in the eighth. Lizandro Rodriguez smoked an RBI double off the centre field fence, scoring Francesco Barbieri to make it a one-run game. Later in the frame, Brandon Marklund (North Vancouver, B.C.) walked two to load the bases. With two outs, Marklund got out of the jam by getting Montes to ground out to second in an eight-pitch at-bat to end the threat.

Up one entering the ninth, the Titans put together a two-out rally to blow it open. Myles Smith crushed a two-run homer before Lyon brought home his second of the game with a single. Daniel McElveny and Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) also picked up RBI hits while a wild pitch scored another. In all, the Titans sent 11 to the plate in the ninth, scoring six times to put the game out of reach.

Heitor Tokar worked a clean ninth to lock down the victory.

Taylor Wright picked up three hits, including a double and an RBI. Smith, Lyon, Cardoso and Davis all recorded multi-hit efforts. Thomas Ferroggiaro walked three times in the victory.

The Ottawa Titans wrap up a three-game series with the Trois-Rivières Aigles on Sunday night at 5:05 p.m. at Stade de Trois-Rivières in Trois-Rivières, Québec. Next week, the Titans will play a trio in New Jersey before coming home Father's Day weekend to face Québec.

June 13, 2026

By Abby Fralic

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs delivered another strong performance to beat the Energy City Cactus Rats 11-3 on Saturday.

With the Cactus Rats' home venue still undergoing final preparations for the season, a strong crowd of loyal Okotoks fans made it to beautiful Seaman Stadium to watch the Dawgs earn another victory.

The Dawgs’ offence was paced by a strong performance from leadoff hitter Ayden Crouse, who went 1-for-2 with three runs, one RBI, two stolen bases and two walks.

Hank Griffin (Montreal, Que.) also made a significant impact, finishing 1-for-3 with two runs, one RBI, four stolen bases and a walk. Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) continued the offensive production, going 2-for-5 with a run scored, a double, two RBIs and a stolen base.

In his first appearance with the Dawgs, starting pitcher Aaron Taka delivered a solid outing, going four innings, allowing three runs.

The bullpen, including Dalton Hoffart, Bracken Rice, Nolan Jackson (Grimsby, Ont.), Wyatt Sadlier (Calgary, Alta.) and Grady Keljo, shut things down from there, keeping the Cactus Rats off the scoreboard over the final five innings.

The Dawgs return home on Sunday to host the Medicine Hat Mavericks at 2:05 p.m.

June 13, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team struck first but fell 7–1 to the Aberdeen IronBirds in the second game of their MLB Draft League International Series at Ripken Stadium.

Box Score

Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) gave Canada an immediate spark, leading off the game with a solo home run to right field to put the Juniors in front 1–0.

Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) collected the only other hit for the Juniors later in the inning with a single to left, stealing second and third before Canada was unable to cash in with the bases loaded.

On the mound, Josh Mills (Leduc, Alta.) turned in a strong start for Canada, working four scoreless innings while striking out three. He worked around traffic in the second inning and continued to keep Aberdeen off the board with help from the defence, including a clutch diving force-out up the middle by Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.).

Damarcus Rideout-Carter (Brampton, Ont.) followed with a scoreless fifth before the IronBirds broke through with two runs in the sixth and added five more in the seventh. Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.) came on in relief and helped limit further damage, punching out a pair of batters across the final innings.

The Juniors will be back at Ripken Stadium on Sunday with a quick turnaround for a 2:00 p.m. E.T. start in the series finale.

June 12, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team opened MLB Draft League International Series action under the lights with a 5–1 setback against the Aberdeen IronBirds at Ripken Stadium on Friday.

Canada broke through in the fourth inning when Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) singled, stole second and advanced to third on an error before Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) drove him in with an RBI double to left field.

Lascelles later added his second hit of the game in the eighth, finishing 2-for-4. Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) singled and stole a base in the fifth inning, collecting the only other hit for the Canadians in the game.

On the mound, Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.) was sharp early, retiring the first 14 batters he faced and striking out five over 4 2/3 innings of work.

The IronBirds eventually answered with a three-run fifth to knock Nantais-Vlahovich out of the game. Aberdeen added two more in the sixth before the Canadian bullpen settled things down late.

Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.) turned in a strong relief appearance, working 2 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. He also helped erase a baserunner with a pickoff in the seventh before working around a double in the eighth to keep the IronBirds off the board.

The Juniors will be back at Ripken Stadium on Saturday as they continue their three-game series against the Aberdeen IronBirds.

June 12, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Trois-Rivières, Que. - Down entering the late innings, the Ottawa Titans stormed back to take down the Trois-Rivières Aigles by a 3-2 final on Friday night.

After leaving two runners aboard in the first, the Titans could not solve Canadian left-hander Harley Gollert (Toronto, Ont.), who hurled five innings of scoreless baseball. At one point, Gollert retired nine in a row and struck out five consecutive batters. Leaving in line for the win, Gollert allowed just two hits, walked one and fanned 10.

Ky Hampton was terrific in his second start of the season, going six quality innings. The Aigles connected for two runs in the second with an RBI double from Canadian Connor Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) and a single off the bat of Isaac Nunez.

The Australian spun six innings of two-run ball, allowing seven hits, walking three and striking out seven to keep the Titans in the game.

Against the Aigles' bullpen, the Titans took advantage of a pair of walks in the sixth, with Myles Smith getting the visitors on the board with an RBI ground out.

With runners on the corners against Canadian lefty Blake MacMillan (Mississauga, Ont.) in the seventh, Jackie Urbaez tied it up with a sacrifice fly to right.

In the eighth, Smith drew a leadoff walk, stealing second then advancing to third on a throwing error to stand at third with nobody out. With the infield in, Jackson Lyon pulled an RBI single to left off Jeffrey Colon to put the Titans ahead at 3-2.

Kevin Miranda was dominant out of the bullpen, retiring all four he faced with a pair of strikeouts. In the eighth, Heitor Tokar faced traffic but managed to get out of trouble, while Brett Garcia fanned two in a clean ninth to lock down the win.

Although the offence went down on strikes a season-high 17 times, Mitsuki Fukuda and Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) each picked up two hits. Chris Davis walked twice and singled in three plate appearances.

The Ottawa Titans continue a three-game series with the Trois-Rivières Aigles on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. at Stade de Trois-Rivières in Trois-Rivières, Québec. Next week, the Titans will play a trio in New Jersey before coming home Father's Day weekend to face Québec.

June 12, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs came through in the clutch late for an important 10-6 victory over the Swift Current 57s on Friday.

With the victory, the Dawgs extended their winning streak to four and improved their record to 9-3.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by another standout performance by Jayden Lusk, who went 1-for-3, with a two-run double to the gap in the fourth inning.

Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.) was also a big part of the offence, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, a walk and two runs. Jeremy Kuiper also had a strong day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

On the mound, Jordan Kievman made his first start of the year for the Dawgs and also hit fifth in the lineup. He threw three scoreless innings, giving up just one hit, while also contributing two hits and two RBIs at the plate.

Dalton Hoffart had another solid performance out of the bullpen, limiting the damage in the sixth and shutting down the threat in a scoreless inning of work.

The wind picked up as the night went on, but the Dawgs turned to Max McRaray for the seventh and eighth innings and he shut down any comeback attempt by the 57s. He struck out five batters in two innings.

The Dawgs will now play the Energy City Cactus Rats at Seaman Stadium on Saturday at 2:05 p.m.

Saturday night also marks the annual Futures Game at Seaman Stadium, featuring the brightest young stars in the Dawgs Academy. First pitch for the Futures Game is set for 7:05 p.m.

June 13, 2026

By Mark Whicker

Canadian Baseball Network

Tarik Skubal has returned to the Tigers. He was supposed to be out for months, but only missed five weeks after having “loose bodies” removed.

Reportedly, Texas Senatorial candidate Ken Paxton has consulted Skubal’s doctors to find out how. Skubal’s tightened-up elbow makes him Target No. 1 in this summer’s edition of Let’s Make A Deal. The back-to-back Cy Young Award winner would be at the top of nearly every rotation in baseball and would, on paper, drastically improve the chances of the Blue Jays, Padres, Diamondbacks and Brewers. And even though the Yankees, Dodgers and Phillies don’t need Skubal as desperately, that’s never stopped their pursuits.

In acquiring Skubal, and then signing him long-term, one of those franchises will endear itself to its ticket base and its clubhouse. But this is an opportunity for the Tigers, too. Trading for Skubal and picking up three everyday players, or three kids who can become such players, could empower Detroit in the A.L. Central for the long term. There are examples of how that can work, how a white-flag deal can actually become a white paper for contention. The best illustration might be found in Washington.

Juan Soto had announced himself to baseball when he drove in 110 runs for the Nationals as a 20-year-old. They won the World Series in that 2019 season. Soto maintained his sky-high trajectory, but had trouble with health. The Nationals gave Stephen Strasburg everything but an arch and a ballroom after that season, and he gave them eight appearances in the next three seasons. The owners, understandably, wanted to sell the club, and Soto became the most prized asset.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres were consumed by ambition, an odd place for them. They sensed opportunities to make the playoffs, and they chased Soto harder than anybody. They caught him by sending Washington a massive Doordash package that featured shortstop CJ Abrams, outfielder James Wood and lefthander MacKenzie Gore at the 2022 trade deadline.

Soto responded by hitting .236 in 52 games and getting booed by the same fans who waved palm fronds upon his debut. The Padres did gather themselves and won their way to the N.L. Championship Series, and in 2023 Soto played all 162 games and had 35 homers, 109 RBIs and a .930 OPS. But Soto wasn’t simpatico with some of the other Padres stars, like Manny Machado, and it was obvious that he wasn’t interested in signing there long-term. San Diego unloaded him to the Yankees for the 2024 season, and now Soto is with the Mets for 15 years and $765 million, the highest contract in the history of American professional sports. He got a late start to the season but has a .931 OPS. Meanwhile, the Mets were 30-38 going into Friday’s play.

How did the Padres come out? Well, they’re 35-32 and in line for a playoff spot, but that is borderline miraculous, considering how gently their hitters have treated the baseball. They are the only team in the National League that isn’t averaging four runs per game, and their .218 batting average, their .291 on-base percentage and their .350 slugging percentage are league lows.

Machado is hitting .172. He has 22 singles in 65 games. Jackson Merrill, so promising two years ago as a 21-year-old rookie centre fielder, is hitting .207. Fernando Tatis Jr., the Ex-Next Face Of The Game, has two home runs. The Padres only owe him $271 million to the end of the 2034 season.

Oh, what they wouldn't give to have two dynamic young hitters leading the way. You know, like Abrams and Wood.

From nearby Rockville, Md., Wood leads the majors with 62 runs and leads the N.L. in walks with 56. He might not ever get on baseball’s Rushmore but he could certainly pose as the mountain, at 6-foot-6 and 234 pounds. His power was no secret, even in the Padres’ low minors, and he has 19 home runs, but he is showing the ability to spot his own jagged edges and smooth them out. Last year he led everyone in baseball with 221 strikeouts. He still has 97 so far this year, but he has improved his OBP to .408, and his OPS has improved to .953. Respect? He also leads the N.L. with seven intentional walks.

Abrams also has a cloud to dispel. For years he’s been known as the least stable defensive shortstop in the game, which inflames trade rumors. But Abrams, a former first-round pick from the Atlanta area, is erasing every mistake with a lively bat. His OPS of .748 last year was a career high. Now he’s at .895, with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs, and he’s hitting .284.

Gore, another high pick, is no longer in Washington. The Nationals sent him to Texas for five minor leaguers, one of whom is rigthhander Gavin Fien, a former No. 12 pick in the draft. Gore is 27 with a career record of 30-46 and a career WHIP of nearly 1.4.

He will be given every chance to fulfill his template, but the Nationals suddenly don’t feel like waiting.

They came into Saturday’s game with a 35-35 record and a true chance to make the playoffs. They have lost 91 games in each full season since the champagne of 2019. In the off-season, 36-year-old Paul Toboni became the general manager and, because he didn’t want to be the Old Guy, hired 33-year-old Blake Butera as the manager. Butera is the youngest major league skipper but was already the youngest minor league manager in history at 25, in the Tampa Bay organization. He won a pennant in every classification.

Butera was the nuts-and-bolts guy for the Italian team in the World Baseball Classic, managed nominally by Mike Piazza. The Dodgers’ Hall of Fame catcher heartily recommended Butera to Toboni. The watchwords among today’s pro athletes are “communication” and “positivity,” when it comes to accepting a coach or a manager, and Butera is well-versed, although he did watch the Nationals blow a 9-1 lead to the Giants in the final two innings the other day and informed them, later, that “this loss should really sting.”

That’s the area that the Nationals need to address. They lead the league, unfortunately, in percentage of inherited runners to score, and only Colorado has given up more runs per game in the N.L. But in the spirit of starting somewhere, the Nationals have found a recycled gem in lefthander Foster Griffin, who was Kansas City’s first-round pick 12 years ago. He stalled there, was traded to Toronto, stalled there and has spent the last three seasons in Japan. Since his return, Griffin is 7-2 with a 1.090 WHIP in 14 starts.

Otherwise, Butera is leaning into the “opener” mode of pitching and has no designated closer. Therefore, the bullpen is a bit of an unmade bed. The Nationals also have walked 3.7 batters every nine innings.

Still, there are reasons to ride the Metro to Nationals Park again, and certainly there’s less frustration in that stadium than in the generally sold-out confines of Petco Park. This is not to say that teams shouldn’t push in their chips for Tarik Skubal. Just make sure that the bodies you’re letting loose aren’t carrying your lifeblood with them.

June 12, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

Standing at 6-foot-4, Zij Mina (Wasaga Beach, Ont.) towers over most of his competitors on the 18U circuit.

The left-handed hitting middle infielder has made his presence known on the Mississauga Tigers High Performance Program over the last couple of years and has been making great strides.

“I was looking for more playing time and got in contact with Sean Travers (director of player development), and things just took off from there,” said Mina. “I didn’t play summer ball that year, just worked out in the gym, but then I eventually joined on with the 17U team with coach Byron, and things took off from there.

“I really liked what the Tigers had to offer. They just focus on making you better from a development standpoint and give you the opportunities to play. We recently went to a tournament through Perfect Game, and every single player got into the game; everyone got an opportunity. And that sticks out to me.”

“Zij has really worked hard,” said Greg Byron, head of college placement for the Tigers. “He continues to build on his physicality, and people are starting to see the type of athlete he is. He can hit for average, for power, and can really run. Add that to playing from the left side, and playing everywhere on the diamond, it’s truly exciting to think about his future.”

Mina has found himself on the diamond almost every day this year. The Tigers play in the Future Stars Canada Scout League, but the program also plays south of the border. They take various trips and tournaments to help players get more exposure on the diamond, developing and getting players in front of more college eyes.

The Tigers also recently qualified for the Road to Okotoks tournament, becoming one of the seven teams from the Ontario qualifier to advance to the first-ever installment of the showcase between Canada’s top prep teams.

“That qualifier was really fun, there was a lot of good energy coming from the players and the stands,” explained Mina. “I hit a home run that I am really proud of, sitting in a 3-2 count and was able to do damage on a fastball.

“It really comes down to just feeling confident lately, and that translates into hitting the ball well. I spent some time in the Dominican Republic earlier this year with a couple of the guys, and we just played every day, getting better, sharpening our skills. It’s come a long way.”

At 19 years old, Mina is in the midst of a gap year before heading to Vernon College, a program in the NJCAA route.

He committed to the Chaparrals in August of 2025 and will be heading down to Texas later this fall to get ready for the upcoming season as he moves on to his post-secondary endeavours.

“Vernon really wanted me from the start, and I was able to experience their facilities and the field during one of our visits with the Tigers' fall schedule,” explained Mina. “The coaching staff was very approachable, and I found that they put a lot of work into their impressive facilities. What also sets them apart is their approach to development. Other programs told me that they thought I could help them win games, but Vernon gave me a detailed plan on how I could develop as a player and as a person to get better, and where that could take me moving forward.”

For now, Mina has a busy summer ahead of him.

He will continue to suit up for the Tigers in their Future Stars league play, but will also be part of the Tigers' schedule down south later this year at various tournaments. Then the Road to Okotoks tournament is slated for mid-July, which will see him head out west before taking his talents to the post-secondary route.

Regardless of what lies ahead, Mina was still critical of things he wants to work on before heading down to Texas later this year. Focusing on what he can control to get better before taking that next step in his baseball career.

“I just really want to get my approach down at the plate, and make it more consistent,” explained Mina. “And that starts with just getting at-bats, and taking reps in the cage. Over and over. Getting the approach down to an exact science. Really focusing on what I am trying to do and what I can control, and that will help shape what I can do at the plate.”

June 11, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans took the rubber match over the Brockton Rox in a pitchers' duel, 3-2, on Thursday night.

Titans ace Kaleb Hill shoved through 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out four.

For the Rox, Zach Eldred looked phenomenal through seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits, walking two, and striking out five.

Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) was the hero in the bottom of the seventh, sending a 411-foot shot over the right-field fence to make it 3-0, breaking the ice.

Rox first baseman Jack-Thomas Wold kept things interesting, as in the eighth inning, he would send a two-run shot just over the fence to cut the deficit to one at 3-2.

Brett Garcia came in with two outs in the eighth and went 1 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out one to earn his sixth save of the year. Garcia now sits at nine saves on his Titans career, closing in on third place on the franchise's all-time saves list.

Wright took Player of the Game honours, providing the go-ahead shot with his first home run of the season. Daniel McElveny reached base twice with a single and a hit by pitch while Thomas Ferroggiaro singled and walked.

The Ottawa Titans will now hit the road, opening a three-game series with the Trois-Rivières Aigles on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Stade de Trois-Rivières in Trois-Rivières, Qué. Next week, the Titans will play a trio in New Jersey before coming home Father's Day weekend to face Québec.

June 11, 2026

A 10-run second inning powered the Oakville A’s to an 18-5 win over the East York Bulldogs in the annual 13U Mississauga North Michael Kim tournament at Meadowvale North.

Max Nanvavati led off with a double. Following a walk and a Xander Eichhorn double, and a hit by pitch, Colton Accadia singled in a run. An out later, Savante Goure doubled and scored on Hunter Latimer’s singled and Eichhorn singled. Noah Cornelisz-Guerrero was next and he singled. An out later, Nanvavati singled in a run and a batter was hit by a pitch. Eichhorn singled in another run and Willy Janzen doubled home a run.

Eichhorn gained the win, pitching five innings allowing one earned run and striking out a pair. William Kniginyzky and Cornelisz-Guerrero each drove in three runs apiece, while Accadia and Cornelisz-Guerrero had three hits apiece.

In the opener, Charlie Bellmore pitched Oakville to a 9-4 win over the Leaside Leafs. Bellmore gave up one run in four innings. Kniginyzky went 4-for-4 with three doubles and two runs knocked in. Accadia and Latimer added two hits, while other doubles went to Bellmore, Janzen and Latimer.

Next, the Pickering Red Sox gave the A’s their toughest match. Pickering led 8-7 with two out in the seventh when Goure singled and Latimer reached on a dropped third strike with two outs in the seventh. Back-to-back walks, tied the score and then Levi Price hit the key blow, a two-run double. Nanvavati worked four innings allowing one run and Damian Gonzalez picked up the win working 1 1/3 scoreless. Goure had three hits including a homer.

Then, Oakville finished round-robin play unbeaten knocking off Mississauga North 12U 10-0 as Latimer pitched a two-hit, complete-game, shutout, fanning six. Accadia and Nanvavati had three hits each, while Bellmore tripled.

Goure hit three homers as the A’s beat the North York Blues 13-3 in the semi-final. Goure knocked in four runs, while other home runs were by Latimer, Kniginyzky and Eichhorn. Lachlan Kern gained the win, working three innings and allowing two runs.

June 10, 2026

By Brian Larson

UMary Communications

BISMARCK, N.D. – After seven seasons leading the Marauders, University of Mary Head Baseball Coach Tanner Spencer (Craik, Sask.) has resigned to accept a coaching position at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), an opportunity that allows him and his family to return closer to home.

"Tanner has had a tremendous impact on Marauders baseball and on the lives of the scholar-athletes he has coached during his tenure at the University of Mary," said UMary Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marcus Wagner. "He leaves our program in a stronger position than he found it, and for that we are deeply grateful. While we will certainly miss Tanner and the energy he brought to our program every day, we are excited for him, his wife, and their family as he will have the opportunity to continue coaching at a high level while returning to be closer to family that are important to them. Opportunities like this are special, and we are happy for the Spencers as they take this next step together.

"On behalf of the University of Mary, I want to thank Tanner for his service and commitment to our scholar-athletes and wish him, his family, and the UCCS program nothing but success moving forward."

During his seven seasons at UMary, Spencer helped elevate the Marauders baseball program to unprecedented success, culminating in a record-setting 2026 campaign.

The 2026 Northern Sun Coach of the Year, Spencer led the Marauders to a school-record 37 wins this season. UMary finished third in the conference during the regular season and also claimed third place in the league tournament while winning NSIC playoff games for the first time. The NSIC regular-season and tournament finishes are also program bests.

Other firsts for the Marauders in 2026 included receiving votes in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division II national poll and earning a spot in the NCAA Central Region regular season rankings.

Five Marauders earned All-NSIC honors and three claimed NCAA All-Central Region accolades in 2026, both program bests. Additionally, the Marauders boasted an All-American for a second straight season.

UMary baseball posted a 3.40 grade point average for the spring with 23 players earning NSIC all-academic honours and five garnering CSC Academic All-Region recognition.

Spencer closes his UMary career as the Marauders' all-time leader in coaching wins with a record of 155-155 overall and 116-100 in the NSIC. He directed the Marauders to the only five NSIC tournament appearances in program history.

Since taking over the Marauders program prior to the 2020 season, Spencer has coached two All-Americans, seven All-Region performers, 18 All-Northern Sun selections, one NSIC Player of the Year, two NSIC Freshmen of the Year, five NSIC Players of the Week, eight NSIC Pitchers of the Week, two regional players of the week, one regional pitcher of the week, one national pitcher of the week, two NSIC all-tournament players, one NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, 91 NSIC All-Academic players, 13 NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic Award recipients, two CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-Americans and 10 CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District players.

The search for the next Marauders head coach is underway.

June 10, 2026

By Abby Fralic

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs defeated the Brooks Bombers 11–6 in front of 3,044 fans at Seaman Stadium on Wednesday.

The Dawgs registered 10 hits and improved their record to 8-3.

Nash Crowell (Yarmouth, N.S.) led the Dawgs offensively, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI double and two walks. Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) also made an impact at the plate, finishing 1-for-3 with three runs scored, a double, a stolen base and a walk.

Cal Gates also turned in an impressive all-around effort, going 2-for-4, swiping four bases and making a highlight-reel diving catch in centre field.

On the mound, Brody Forno (Okotoks, Alta.) got the start and recorded five strikeouts over three innings. Wyatt Sadleir (Calgary, Alta.) was dominant in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out five.

The Dawgs will look to keep things rolling in their next home game on Friday when they welcome the Swift Current 57’s to Seaman Stadium for the first time this season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

June 10, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Our country is best at producing left-handed power hitters like Larry Walker, Matt Stairs, Justin Morneau, Joey Votto and Josh Naylor.

Canada has also produced pitchers like Fergie Jenkins, Erik Bedard, Rich Harden, Jeff Francis, Rheal Cormier and Ryan Dempster, as well as catchers like Russell Martin, George Kottaras and Bo Naylor.

And second basemen like Dave McKay and Stubby Clapp plus third basemen like Corey Koskie, Pete Ward and Reno Bertoia.

And shortstop? Well, for whatever the reason -- weather, shortened season or who knows? -- we do not churn out shortstops.

Until this year, that is. The future could be bright for Canada at shortstop.

Exhibit A: SS PJ Moutzouridis of the Arizona State Sun Devils. Though he was born in San Jose, his father, John, is Montreal-born.

Exhibit B: SS Taj Marchand, a high schooler from Charleston, S.C. His father Hugo, is also Montreal born. He played for the Victoriaville Tigers in the Quebec League and was a seventh-round draft of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1997. No matter what projected draft list you look at he is expected to go in the top 80 picks. He batted .531 with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 45 RBIs.

Moutzouridis’ grandparents were born in Greece and then moved to Montreal. His father, John, was born in the at Jewish General hospital in the Ahuntsic area of Montreal, spent three years in Quebec and then it was time for his family to move.

New York or San Jose?

“My parents chose California and opened two restaurants in the South Bay area of San Jose,” said John Moutzouridis, who did not chose the same path. “They worked almost 20 hours a day for 30 years.”

Instead he became a police officer. He was on the SWAT team for four years and investigated sexual assault cases (similar to Law and Order: SIV) for 17 years before retiring from the force. Now, he works 40 hours a week for NVIDIA Corporation in Santa Clara, Calif.

* * *

“PJ is looking forward to the draft,” said the father, whose son batted .291 with six doubles, four triples, four homers, 40 RBIs and a .933 OPS in 54 games.

So, one of the shortstops could be an option for Canada at the next WBC.

“It would be a tremendous honour for my son to play for Canada,” John said. “The Greek team contacted us a couple of years ago. But it looked like a lot of work. I would have had to get paperwork from Sparta and Corinth. I looked at it and said, ‘this is going to painful.’ I have a citizenship in the US, Canada and Greece.”

After two years at California-Berkley, PJ Moutzouridis transferred to Arizona State in an effort to make the College World Series in Omaha. It started when Jarren Advincula transferred from Cal to Georgia Tech.

The Sun Devils made the NCAA regionals but fell short. They opened with a 7-6 loss to the Ole Miss Rebels in 14 innings in Lincoln, Neb.

“In extras, PJ hit a ball to the warning track ... off the bat we thought it might have been a three-run homer.”

Moutzouridis singled in the game.

Next was a 17-0 win over South Dakota State as Moutzouridis singled and walked with the bases loaded to knock in a run.

The Sun Devils stayed alive -- with help from two hits from Moutzouridis -- beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers 11-5.

In the elimination game, Ole Miss beat Arizona State 5-4 in 10 innings despite Moutzouridis walking twice and scoring a run. Arizona State finished the season 39-21.

John Moutzouridis, who played outside linebacker at San Jose City College, has not been back to Montreal since his uncle’s funeral in 2008, but “I always talk to my cousins.”

“As a freshman, PJ was being recruited by Willie Bloomquist and was about to commit when he decided to stay at home -- so we could come to every game,” said John Moutzouridis, who made four trips to Phoenix and one to Dallas where Arizona State met up with some of the big boys.

* * *

Career starts at shortstop by Canadians in the majors:

(Up to June 10)

1. Arthur Irwin, Toronto, Ont. 947 starts 1888-1894

(Philadelphia Quakers, Providence Grays, Worcester Rudy Legs, Boston Reds, Washington Nationals)

2. Otto Lopez, Montreal, Que. 189 starts 2022-26

(Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins)

3. Milt Whitehead Toronto, Ont., 95 starts in 1884

(St. Louis Maroons, Kansas City Cowboys)

4. Kevin Nicholson, Surrey, BC, 24 starts in 2000

(San Diego Padres)

5. Dave McKay, Vancouver, BC, 19 starts 1975-82

(Oakland A’s, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins).

6. Peter Orr, Newmarket, Ont., four starts 2005-13

(Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals)

7. Danny Klassen, Leamington, Ont., three starts 1998-2003

(Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers)

June 10, 2026

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Eddie Haas played in 55 games in the majors but his true calling was coaching, managing, evaluating and scouting players after a short stint as manager of the Atlanta Braves.

When he went looking for prospects in the backfields of America and on high school fields and college diamonds, he didn't necessarily look for statistics. He looked at a prospect's character and fundamentals. He was keen on developing players for the majors after they were drafted.

It was Haas, who recommended the likes of Delino DeShields, Marquis Grissom, Cliff Floyd and Rondell White for the Expos. 

An account of Haas's life on memoritree.com called him a "legendary scout'' for the Expos. It was true. He was named the Expos scout of the year in 1988

Former Expos general manager Dan Duquette said in an interview today that Haas first started working for the Expos in 1986 not long after being let go as Braves' manager in 1985.  He worked as an amateur scout under Expos scouting director Gary Hughes and then as a pro scout under GM Bill Stoneman. 

Haas is being remembered for his 50+ years in baseball following his death at age 91 on June 4 in Kentucky.

When Dave Dombrowski took over as Expos GM from Stoneman, he kept Haas, who worked at one time under Paul Richards, the great Orioles GM and manager who penned the excellent book Modern Baseball Strategy. Haas followed Richards's thinking by becoming a strategist of his own.

"When Dave Dombrowski got the opportunity to go to Miami to start the Marlins, he took over 20 people with him from the Expos,'' Duquette told me. "However, I asked Eddie to stay and work with me. And he became my right-hand man, similar to Whitey Lockman’s job for Dombrowski.

"Eddie helped me manage all aspects of the baseball operations in scouting, development, roster management and construction and he was especially helpful in trades because he knew so many people in baseball. I developed a relationship with him as director of player development when he took an interest in developing the players he had a role in recommending. Eddie knew the farm system.

"Eddie stayed with the club through 1994 and then joined me with the Red Sox where he enjoyed a similar role to what we did in Montreal,'' Duquette added.

“When I was in Montreal, the general managers were Murray Cook, Bill Stoneman, Dave Domrowski and Dan Duquette so they had pretty good people running the place,’’ Haas told me in an interview in 2015 as he celebrated his 80th birthday.

Haas lived for years in Louisville where he got re-acquainted with DeShields, who at that time, was managing the Louisville Redbirds triple-A team. One day, Haas went to the ballpark to see DeShields, who was tutored a lot in the minors by Haas.

Of course, Bop remembered his teacher. Haas also recalled the time DeShields was introduced to the Louisville media.

“DeShields started talking about the Expos and what a great group of guys they were and how it was a lot of fun,” Haas told me. “I had to laugh because a reporter then asked, ‘But you got traded, what did you think of that?’”

Without missing a beat, DeShields elicited a few chuckles saying: “Well, I got traded for a guy who won three Cy Young awards.”

“I don’t suppose you know to remember Pedro Martinez?’’ Haas needled this reporter in 2015, of course, all in fun, talking about the guy acquired in exchange for DeShields.

“I was in on discussions for the two times Pedro was traded, first from the Dodgers and then from the Expos,’’ Haas revealed.

Haas also was in on a lot of conversations involving many Expos before they were drafted and when they were up for possible trade. In short, he was a special assignment scout for Duquette with the Expos and then the Red Sox.

“We had a lot of frank discussions about certain players,’’ Haas said.

Following the 1994 season, Haas left the Expos to work with Duquette in Boston and stayed with the Red Sox until 2003.

"Eddie had a great influence in baseball,'' Duquette said. "In fact, he recommended Brian Snitker for managing in the Braves' organization and he was also instrumental in the Red Sox acquiring Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe, Tim Wakefield and Pedro Martinez.''

One player Haas didn’t scout or recommend for the Expos was a Canadian, who was his favourite Expo.

"Larry Walker was already taken by the Expos before I went to work for them,’’ Haas said. “Walker had a good feel for the game. He had a lot of good ability and he played hard. You could see it when he went out there in the first inning.’’

Haas is survived by his daughter Kathy, baseball-scouting sons Matt (Orioles) and Danny (Tigers) and his sisters Charlotte and Mariette

"Eddie was one of a kind and we lost a good baseball man,'' Duquette said. “He had a career that spanned over 50 years and he was one of a few that played in the majors and managed in the big leagues.''

June 10, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Danny Gallagher is back.

After a one-year hiatus, the hardworking author has returned with his 11th book about the Montreal Expos. Published by Dundurn Press, it’s called The Tragic Story of Willie Davis and other Expos Vignettes and it’s well worth the wait.

Like Gallagher’s previous offerings, it’s chock full of never-told-before Expos stories, including six riveting chapters about Willie Davis, a longtime Dodgers star who spent one memorable season with the Expos in 1974.

There has never been an official biography written about the talented but troubled Davis, so this represents the most detailed account of his highs and lows – on and off the field.

For the book, Gallagher tracked down Davis’s first wife, Gina, once a model/dancer who performed in Sammy Davis Jr.’s troupe.

She told Gallagher that everything changed with her ex-husband on June 6, 1969. Heading into a game against the Expos at Dodger Stadium that day, Davis, in his ninth big league season, had established himself as one of the National League’s best centre fielders.

But in the first inning he was hit in the jaw by a pitch from Expos lefty Dan McGinn. Davis dropped to the ground so quickly that Expos catcher Ron Brand thought he was dead. The Dodgers star was rushed to the hospital where he underwent major reconstructive surgery.

“With that pitch, he was never the same person I married, particularly with the drugs and pain,” Davis’s ex-wife told Gallagher.

Unbelievably, Davis was back playing just 10 days later. And a little over a month after that, he was hit in the head with another pitch – this time behind the right ear – from San Francisco Giants ace Juan Marichal.

Davis’s ex-wife believes these beanings caused her ex-husband concussion-like symptoms for the rest of his life. She also thinks it also contributed to his drug use, erratic behavior and financial mismanagement.

With all of this said, Davis still managed to have four more productive seasons with the Dodgers before he was traded to the Expos on December 5, 1973 for reliever Mike Marshall.

In 1974, he performed well for the Expos – batting .295 with 12 home runs while topping the team in hits (180), triples (9) and RBIs (89).

But away from the field his behavior was growing increasingly odd. Davis would often recite Buddhist chants at his locker or while playing pepper with his teammates.

“We were in San Francisco at the Hilton,” former Expos pitcher Don DeMola told Gallagher. “I was going to eat with Pepe Frias. Willie was sitting at the flower-bed wall. I asked him if he wanted to come with us. He declined, saying that he was observing people, watching their actions and moves. Strange guy. We came back two hours later and he was still there, king of chanting something.”

Gallagher writes that Davis was using drugs during that season with the Expos. The veteran outfielder also arrived late for a game and was accused of dogging it on the field.

Then, late in the season, he called his own press conference and demanded that the Expos renegotiate his contract. According to Gallagher, Davis was seeking a three-year contract extension for $500,000. Rather than sign him, the Expos traded him to the Texas Rangers after the season.

Davis continued to play until 1979 but his off-field issues, which are documented thoroughly in the book, worsened.

And following his playing career, he found himself almost broke. Gallagher details that at one point Davis asked his mother and stepfather to loan him $5,000 and when they said no, he was arrested for threatening to kill them.

Hall of Fame worthy?

Despite Davis’s off-field drama, Gallagher contends that Davis has not received proper acknowledgement for what he did on the field. In 18 major league seasons, Davis accumulated 2,561 hits and finished with a 60.8 WAR, yet somehow he has never appeared on a National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot (not the writers ballot or the various Veterans committee ballots).

Gallagher’s chapters about Davis serve as a strong start for the book, which includes a foreword by former Expos outfielder Jerry White.

In total, Gallagher conducted more than 70 interviews for this 265-page project that includes 38 chapters and a little bit of everything about the Expos.

If you’re looking for star power, Gallagher has written a chapter about Andre Dawson’s 1983 season in which the five-tool outfielder batted .299 with 32 home runs, 113 RBIs and 25 stolen bases, while also leading the National League with 189 hits.

Gallagher also catches up with longtime Expos ace Steve Rogers who opens up about his poorly handled release by the club in 1985. In that chapter, Rogers reveals that he, as a player with 10 major league seasons under his belt and the last five with the same team, vetoed a trade to the Houston Astros in April 1985 that likely would’ve landed the Expos right-hander Mike Scott.

Lesser-known Expos

But one of Gallagher’s strengths has always been his tenacity in tracking down and sharing the stories of lesser-known former Expos.

For example, he devotes a chapter to former Expos infielder Gary Sutherland, who was a steady contact hitter in the club’s early years, but later became a highly respected scout. As a scout with the Dodgers, he evaluated and signed Pedro Martinez. Sutherland then moved on to the Angels’ scouting department to work for his former Expos teammate and Angels GM Bill Stoneman. Gallagher notes that it was Sutherland who recommended that the Angels hire former Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia to be their field manager.

Rare interviews

And the tenacious Gallagher once again secured some rare interviews for this book. He managed to connect with elusive former Expos and Toronto Blue Jays reliever Dale Murray who has been the “foreman on a huge Texas ranch, a cow-calf operation” for close to 25 years.

“I’ve had heart problems,” Murray shared. “I’ve had a couple of heart attacks. I have a pacemaker – it keeps everything going.”

Another coup for Gallagher was speaking with volatile slugger Milton Bradley, who seemed to wear out his welcome at every big league stop, despite his otherworldly talent. It’s clear that Bradley still carries a chip on his shoulder about his tenure with the Expos in the early 2000s.

“When I played for them [the Expos], I was the best outfielder in the organization. They didn’t like my body language,” Bradley told Gallagher. “I had to walk a certain way. It was exasperating. They had a stopwatch on every ball I ran. They thought I was dogging it. I ran four seconds flat to first. I was judged unfairly.”

Great trivia

And of course, Gallagher also supplies some great trivia in this book.

For instance, did you know that Ty Cline, who played 101 games for the Expos in 1969, is the first player to be featured on a Topps baseball card in an Expos uniform (See 1969 Topps card below)?

Or that former Expos reliever Jon Rauch is the only pitcher to hit a home run off Roger Clemens? 

And Gallagher provides the answer to, perhaps, the ultimate Expos trivia question: Who was the last player to wear an Expos uniform in a professional game? The answer is Josh Labandeira who donned an Expos uniform in the Arizona Fall League after the 2004 season. 

It’s fascinating trivia like this, combined with Gallagher’s never-told-before Expos stories and his passion for Canada’s first major league team that make his books such an enjoyable trip down memory lane. 

And this book is no different.  

After a one-year hiatus, Gallagher is back and better than ever.  

You can purchase the book here. 

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on June 8. You can read it here.

June 10, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

He calls it “stick-to-it-iveness.”

While it might not be a common term, it’s the perfect way of summing up the career of Skyler Stromsmoe.

The farm boy from just outside Etzikom saw himself as under-skilled, undersized and, at times, disrespected as he tried to forge a career in baseball.

His dogged determination and resilience turned into opportunities to play in U.S. college, nine years in Minor League Baseball, and a starring role with Baseball Canada at several major events.

Looking back on it a decade after hanging up his cleats, Stromsmoe says it’s fascinating to see the parallels between his life in baseball and life back on the family farm.

“It’s the everyday grind – there are things you don’t like to do, things that you have to do, and you have to wake up and do those things,” he told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

“You keep stacking days together and months and years, and then you look back and you’re like, ‘Man, that was a lot of hard work.”

While it was challenging at times, the former infielder can’t help but beam with pride on what he was able to accomplish and how he can now pass his lessons learned onto the next generation of baseball players.

FROM MOOSE TO MULERIDERS

Growing up on the farm, it can sometimes be tough to find enough time in the day to play the game you love.

You have animals and crops to take care of, farmyards to maintain, and there’s never a shortage of oddball jobs you can find if you look hard enough.

But when you love it, you find the time.

Such was the case with Stromsmoe, who followed his dad on the slo-pitch scene as a tyke before wanting to get his own glove and bat.

His parents drove him everywhere he needed to go, including Foremost and Bow Island before starring in Medicine Hat’s American Legion programs.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Skyler Stromsmoe here.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

That’s where Stromsmoe met Rob McDonnell.

A long-time player with the Moose Monarchs and Knights of Columbus Knights programs, McDonnell had turned his attention to coaching.

He was also well-connected with U.S. college programs as he was a member of the 1993 Mayville State University team that was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame after breaking the team record for wins in a season and coming within a win of making it to the NAIA World Series.

“He said, ‘Hey, do you know where you’re going (for college)?’ Stromsmoe recalled.

“I said, ‘Not yet,” and he told me he knew someone getting a head coaching role.”

The school was Longview Community College in Missouri, but another curveball was thrown at the rising star when McDonnell’s friend didn’t actually get the job.

Luckily, things still panned out.

“The new guy came in and said he knew nothing about me but that they would honour my scholarship,” continued Stromsmoe, who also spent a summer with the Medicine Hat Mavericks. “It was a little bit hairy, a little bit nerve-wracking, for sure.”

The move paid off as he earned a transfer to Southern Arkansas University, where he helped the Muleriders win the program’s first Gulf South Conference title in 2006.

Stromsmoe was an all-GSC First-Team selection in back-to-back seasons with the first coming as an outfielder and the second as a second baseman.

Over his career at SAU, he hit .331 with 30 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 76 runs batted in and he stole 103 bases. He was named a Muleriders Hall of Fame inductee in 2024.

GETTING HIS SHOT

The idea of becoming a professional player was something Stromsmoe had always dreamed about, but his path just to getting noticed seemed as insurmountable as his origin story.

After his college days came to an end, the Albertan started looking around for tryouts and workouts with different teams.

He came up empty-handed after one with the New York Mets, then his university coach told him that there was a scout who saw him play who wanted to take a second look.

His name? Todd “Tiny” Thomas.

“I didn’t have a field to work out on, so I had to talk to the high school coach at the time,” Stromsmoe said. “It was in the summer, so the grass was long, and here’s this scout throwing me batting practice and rolling me ground balls because the grass is too long to hit him from home plate.”

His then-girlfriend and now-wife, Rachel, was there as well to take video, just in case the opportunity didn’t pan out.

After the workout and a conversation about how fast his 60-yard dash was, Stromsmoe says Thomas told him he would be in touch.

“Four days later, he calls back and asked if I wanted to be a San Francisco Giant,” the switch-hitter recalled. “Of course, I said, ‘Yes.’”

THE SPARKPLUG

When he looks back on the entirety of his career, Stromsmoe says “it was more will than skill” as he knew he wasn’t going to be the most talented, but he just wanted it more.

It’s how the 5-foot-10, 175-pound utilityman managed to walk into San Francisco’s Arizona Complex League team in 2007 and stuck around the organization for nine seasons.

That first summer, he hit .290 with a pair of home runs, 11 RBIs and seven stolen bases in just 28 games.

Then Stromsmoe embarked on a jet-setting minor league career, including 101 games over three seasons in triple-A.

His final stats line reads 578 minor league games played, 1,918 plate appearances, a .250 batting average, 12 home runs, 123 RBIs and 60 stolen bases.

“It’s pretty neat looking back,” Stromsmoe said. “Some of the guys I got to play with – especially guys like Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner – working up through the minors before they were established big leaguers is pretty cool.”

Among the highlights: getting a bloop single off Randy Johnson while “The Big Unit” was on a rehab assignment.

An intimidating character, Stromsmoe says he remembers a few choice words Johnson had, more for himself, after allowing a hit – showing his drive as a competitor.

DONNING THE MAPLE LEAF

Stromsmoe’s dogged determination to play the game at the highest level possible stood out as a major reason for getting the call from Baseball Canada for several major events over his career.

The first time came in 2011 with the Pan Am Games and Baseball World Cup.

Rachel was with him for the first time and took video of her husband opening up the equipment bag for the first time with the jerseys and hats sporting the maple leaf.

“I was like a 10-year-old kid going through my bag looking at all this stuff,” Stromsmoe said. “It was so cool just to feel like, man, I finally made it.”

The icing on the cake was the team’s performance in the two events – a gold medal at the Pan Ams and bronze at the World Cup.

Stromsmoe got the call again four years later for the Pan Ams in Toronto, where Canada beat the U.S. 7-6 in extra innings on a wild play where David Huff tried to pick off Pete Orr at first base, but his throw went into right field, scoring Stromsmoe from second.

When the rightfielder’s throw to third went wide, Orr scored the winning run.

“It was so cool to be a part of the national team because there was no selfishness at all on that team,” Stromsmoe said. “When you get to put on your nation’s colours, there’s something about that. You’re not just playing for the 25 guys with you, you’re playing for your country.”

‘SKYLER’S CRYSTAL BALL’

Flipping through some of his old mementos and memorabilia, Stromsmoe recently found an old journal from when he was in the first grade.

He couldn’t help but smile looking at what was inside, which dated back to 1991.

“It had a ‘Skyler’s Crystal Ball’ and it asked what I was going to do when I grow up,” Stromsmoe said. “It said, ‘I’m going to get married, have a couple of kids, work on the farm and play baseball.’”

Now back on that same family farm outside Etzikom, he’s hoping to instill the values he had growing up with the next generation, including his two kids.

He says no two paths are exactly the same, adding that you really have to love the game to chase the dream he lived.

It’s all about fun and hard work in his eyes, and he believes that if you put in the work and do the right things, success will follow.

“Baseball gave me opportunities that I could have never even imagined,” Stromsmoe said. “Traveling the world, going down south where I met my wife – it was quite the ride and I’m thankful for all of it.”

Through the good times and the bad, he stuck with it and learned a lot of life lessons along the way.

June 9, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs defeated the Energy City Cactus Rats 12-8 on a brisk Tuesday night in front of 3,155 fans at Seaman Stadium.

It was the Dawgs’ second straight win and they improved to 7-3 on the season.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by Ricky Sanchez, who went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run, and three RBIs. Turner Zdunich (High River, Alta.) and Hank Griffin (Okotoks, Alta.) also had back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Ayden Crouse had a strong night at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the fifth.

Catcher Jayden Lusk added two hits and called a good game.

The pitching was led by Brody Papay, who allowed three runs in four innings in his Dawgs’ debut. His collegiate teammate Aaron Taka also debuted, throwing a scoreless fifth inning.

Reliever Max McRaray had another impressive appearance with a strikeout in a scoreless seventh, while closer Grady Keljo came in to close out the contest in the ninth.

The Dawgs will now welcome the Brooks Bombers to Seaman Stadium on Wednesday night.

June 9, 2026

Baseball Canada

OTTAWA – Baseball Canada is pleased to announce the names of 29 athletes who will represent Canada at the 2026 MLB Draft League Series June 12-22.

The MLB Draft League has become a premier destination for draft-eligible players each summer, offering athletes the chance to showcase their abilities while competing against top amateur and professional prospects.

The Canadian roster features a group with extensive Junior National Team experience, as all 29 athletes selected have previously worn the red and white as part of the program.

The roster includes RHP Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.), INF Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), OF Maxime Blain (Repentigny, Que.), RHP/OF Austin Blair (Victoria, BC), INF Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.), RHP Logan Cummins (Mississauga, Ont.), LHP Sam Davis (Beaumont, Alta.), LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC), OF Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.), RHP Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.), OF Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.), 1B Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.), C/OF Aiden Kilshaw (Saskatoon, Sask.), MIF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.), 1B/RHP Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.), INF Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.), LHP Josh Mills (Leduc, Alta.), RHP Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.), INF Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.), RHP Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.), RHP Noah Powell (Toronto, Ont.), LHP Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.), RHP Damarcus Rideout-Carter (Brampton, Ont.), OF Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.), RHP Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, Ont.), C Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.), RHP Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC), C Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC), and RHP/INF Will Zielinski (Victoria, BC).

Head Coach and Director of Men’s National Teams Greg Hamilton leads the coaching staff, which includes former National Team and professional players Mike Johnson, Pete Orr, and Chris Begg.

ROSTER
SCHEDULE

Fieldhouse Pirates alum and Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.) has been named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week.

June 9, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

To say Owen Gregg has been hot with the Florida Complex League (FCL) Blue Jays might be understatement.

In four games last week, the Oakville, Ont., native went 7-for-10 with a home run, two doubles and six runs scored.

For his efforts, he has been named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week.

After striking out in a pinch-hit appearance against the FCL Yankees on June 2, Gregg was almost impossible to retire for the rest of the week.

Replacing fellow Canadian Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, B.C.) at third base midway through Wednesday’s game against the FCL Yankees, Gregg collected a double and a run in two at bats to help his club to a 19-4 win.

He then started at third base the following day and contributed two hits and two runs in the FCL Blue Jays’ 8-5 victory over the FCL Phillies.

But he saved his best for Saturday when he started at the hot corner and went 4-for-5 and belted his first professional home run - a three-run shot in the sixth inning. He also scored three runs to lead the FCL Blue Jays to a 16-3 win.

In his first pro campaign, the Fieldhouse Pirates and Junior National Team grad is 17-for-37 (.459 batting average) in 15 games for the FCL Blue Jays. He has also scored 15 runs and has 11 RBIs.

2026 CBN Minor League Player of the Week winners

Opening Day to April 5 - Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Rangers

April 7 to April 12 - Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), Phillies

April 14 to April 19- Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Guardians

April 21 to April 26 - Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), Braves

April 28 to May 3 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

May 5 to May 10 - Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.), Royals

May 12 to May 17 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays

May 19 to May 24 - Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Diamondbacks

May 26 to May 31 - Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Giants

June 2 to June 7 - Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.), Blue Jays

Top Canadian Minor League Batters (June 2 to June 7)

Top Canadian Minor League Pitchers (June 2 to June 7)

June 5, 2026

Official Canisius Athletics News Release

Former Canisius pitcher Felix Morin signed a contract with the Québec Capitales of the Frontier League, league officials announced on Friday.

Spending four seasons with the Griffs, Morin tossed 256 2/3 innings, recording 204 strikeouts to go along with a 4.87 ERA. His 204 career strikeouts rank sixth in program history, while Morin's 256 2/3 innings pitched are the ninth-most in program history.

As a senior, the left-hander enjoyed his strongest season in a Canisius uniform when he posted career bests in ERA (2.77), innings pitched (87 2/3) and strikeouts (71) on his way to being named A All-MAAC First Team selection.

A native of Québec City, Qué., Morin joins his hometown team. The Capitales are one of the most successful franchises in independent baseball, capturing 11 championships.

Since joining the Frontier League in 2022, Québec has won the league championship in each of its first four seasons.

June 8, 2026

By Abby Fralic

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs delivered another explosive performance on Monday, breaking the game wide open with an eight-run seventh inning after a back-and-forth start to top the Brooks Bombers 25–9 in Brooks.

The Dawgs racked up 21 hits, including five home runs.

Nash Crowell (Yarmouth, N.S.) powered the Dawgs’ offence, going 4-for-5 with five runs, three home runs, nine RBIs and a walk.

Cal Gates added to the attack, finishing 5-for-6 with four runs, a home run, three RBIs, two stolen bases and a walk.

Rounding out the offensive standouts was Ayden Crouse, who went 4-for-7 with two runs, a home run and four RBIs.

On the mound, Gage Brabec led the way, throwing three innings to earn the win while recording two timely strikeouts early in the game.

Relievers Bracken Rice and Dalton Hoffart delivered key innings out of the bullpen, combining for five strikeouts while surrendering just one run over 3 1/3 innings to keep the Bombers in check.

The Dawgs will now look to carry their momentum into their next game on Tuesday, when they host the Energy City Cactus Rats at Seaman Stadium for the first time this year at 7:05 p.m.

June 7, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes avoided a series sweep with a 4-3 victory over the Sioux City Explorers at Blue Cross Park Sunday afternoon.

After the first three innings were scoreless, Winnipeg took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when right fielder Max Murphy reached on a fielding error with two outs, allowing centre fielder Noah Marcelo to come home.

The Goldeyes added two more in the fifth. Shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder tripled to centre field, driving in first baseman Roby Enríquez. Didder then scored on catcher Kevin García’s sacrifice fly to centre, making it 3-0.

In the sixth, Murphy blooped a single to right field that brought second baseman Keshawn Lynch in, giving Winnipeg a four-run cushion.

Sioux City first baseman Alberto Osuna led off the seventh inning with a home run to left, and shortstop Elliot Good later singled home designated hitter Zane Denton to cut the Goldeyes’ lead to 4-2.

In the top of the ninth, Good crossed the plate on centre fielder Austin Davis’ ground out to third base as the Explorers pulled to within one, with the tying run at second base and two outs. However, the next batter, third baseman Zac Vooletich, lined out to end the ballgame.

Mitchell Lambson went 6 2/3 innings for the Goldeyes, allowing two runs on seven hits, to earn the win. He struck out a pair and walked three. Quinn Waterhouse and Derrick Cherry appeared in relief.

Josh Landry pitched 5 1/3 innings for Sioux City, allowing four runs – three earned – on seven hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Winnipeg announced two roster moves Sunday. Infielder/outfielder Adam Hall (London, Ont.) was placed on the Injured List, retroactive to June 3. Hall was removed from the June 2 game vs. Sioux Falls after being injured.

Secondly, right-handed relief pitcher Dominic Hambley was acquired from the Kansas City Monarchs in exchange for a player to be named later. The Victoria, B.C., native appeared in six games with Kansas City this season, posting an 0-1 record with a 6.75 earned run average. The 23-year-old was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 18th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft out of Belmont High School in Victoria.

The Goldeyes continue their season-long, 10-game homestand with three games against the Cleburne Railroaders beginning Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Right-hander Arij Fransen is expected to start for Winnipeg, with Cleburne expected to go with lefty Luke Short.

June 7, 2026

Official Jays Care News Release

As announced on Sportsnet’s Blue Jays Central, Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, is proudly committing more than $2.6 million in infrastructure investments in 2026 to build and refurbish baseball diamonds across Canada through its granting program, Field of Dreams made possible by TD.

This is the largest infrastructure investment Jays Care has ever made through the Field of Dreams program, furthering Jays Care’s commitment to growing grassroots baseball across Canada and ensuring more kids have the opportunity to grow through the power of baseball.

Twenty-two organizations across seven provinces will receive funding to build, enhance, or refurbish local baseball diamonds in their community. These diamonds will help expand the game of baseball across Canada, while providing kids with a safe and inclusive space to build character, resilience, and find a sense of belonging in their community.

Since the program’s inception in 2000, Jays Care has invested more than $24 million in 262 Field of Dreams projects across the country. Communities are selected through a two-step application and grading process that begins in September of the previous year.

The following communities and organizations have been selected as Jays Care’s 2026 Field of Dreams grant recipients:

1. Calgary, Alberta – Fish Creek Little League, McKenzie Lake Diamond

2. Edmonton, Alberta – South Jasper Minor Baseball, Callingwood Diamonds

3. Strathmore, Alberta – Strathmore & District Agricultural Society, Strathmore Ag Diamonds

4. Summerland, British Columbia – Summerland Minor Baseball, Living Memorial Park

5. Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick – Vallée-des-Rivières, Ecole Sainte-Anne

6. Saint John, New Brunswick – Port City Pirates Baseball Association, St. Peters Baseball Field

7. Salisbury, New Brunswick – Salisbury Petitcodiac Minor Baseball Association, Petitcodiac Field

8. Pasadena, Newfoundland and Labrador – Pasadena Baseball, N. W. Bennett Sports Field

9. Glace Bay, Nova Scotia – Glace Bay Little League, Cameron Bowl Ballfield

10. Glace Bay, Nova Scotia – Glace Bay Learn to Succeed, Row Street Field

11. Waverly, Nova Scotia– Halifax Regional Municipality, McDonald Sports Park

12. Cambridge, Ontario – City of Cambridge, Kin 1 Softball Field

13. Elliot Lake, Ontario – City of Elliot Lake, Parsons Park

14. Guelph, Ontario – Guelph Minor Baseball, Joe Kaine Field

15. Mississauga, Ontario – City of Mississauga, Douglas Kennedy Ballfield

16. Port Hope, Ontario – Municipality of Port Hope, Welcome Park

17. St. Marys, Ontario – Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, King Field

18. Toronto, Ontario – Annette Baseball, Jack Wilson Field

19. Toronto, Ontario – East York Baseball Association, Stan Wadlow & Dieppe Park

20. Toronto, Ontario – Toronto High Park Little League, Ernie Keith Field

21. Toronto, Ontario – Yorkwoods Public School

22. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan – Moose Jaw Little League, Gamble Diamond

“The 22 communities selected share in our commitment of giving more Canadian kids the opportunity to grow through the power of baseball. These upgraded diamonds will give kids a safe place where they can build character, resilience, and a sense of belonging through the game. Thank you to everyone involved in the local communities with bringing these projects to life and we can’t wait to see the lasting impact these diamonds will have on kids across Canada.” – Peter King, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation

“When kids have a place to play, amazing things can happen. Through Field of Dreams, made possible by TD, we’re proud to support spaces where young people can feel welcome, build confidence, and make meaningful connections in their communities. It reflects our belief in showing up in ways that are More Human - helping create moments and places that bring people closer and strengthen communities across Canada.” - Michael Armstrong, Vice President, North American Brand and Sponsorship, TD

June 7, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs were defeated 9-6 on Sunday by the Fort McMurray Giants in the first afternoon game of the season in front of 4,639 fans at Seaman Stadium.

The loss was Dawgs’ second straight to the Giants and it dropped their season record to 5-3.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.), who went 1-for-4 with two walks, three RBIs, and three stolen bases. Lachlan Maude (Toronto, Ont.) was another big part of the production, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Dawgs’ pitching was led by a tremendous effort from their bullpen. Ashton Luera, Wyatt Sadleir (Calgary, Alta.), Brydon White (Surrey, B.C.) and Grady Keljo combined for six innings of two-run ball in relief. They also registered 11 strikeouts.

The Dawgs will now travel to Brooks to take on the Bombers on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Their next home matchup will be on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Energy City Cactus Rats.

June 6, 2026

By Abby Fralic

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs fought hard but lost 9-7 to the Fort McMurray Giants on Saturday in front of 5,412 fans at Seaman Stadium on Tight and Bright 80's Night.

At the plate, Turner Zdunich (High River, Alta.) once again performed well for the Dawgs, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) also turned in a strong offensive performance, with two hits, an RBI and a walk.

Relievers Brody Papay, Jordan Kievman, Max McCraray and Jack Thompson (Toronto, Ont.) combined for five strikeouts to help keep the Dawgs within striking distance.

The Dawgs will play the Giants again on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m.

June 5, 2026

By Seth Montgomery

Indiana State Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State outfielder Carter Beck has accepted an invitation to the 2026 MLB Draft Combine at Chase Field later this month.

Beck becomes the first player to receive an invitation since Sycamore pitchers Jared Spencer and Luke Hayden were invited to Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. in 2024 for the MLB Draft Combine.

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Carter Beck bio

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The Carnduff, Sask., native became just the second Indiana State player to receive the Missouri Valley Conference's Joe Carter Player of the Year award after putting together a historic campaign for the Sycamores. The junior finished the season among the Missouri Valley leaders in batting average (.348), hits (82), RBIs (59), runs scored (62), doubles (17), home runs (16), on-base percentage (.446), slugging percentage (.637), and stolen bases (12).

He also recorded a team-high 28 multi-hit games and 16 multi-RBI contests over the 2026 season and has reached base safely in 55 of the team's 57 games played. Beck continued his success in the Missouri Valley tournament connecting on a two-homer game against Southern Illinois.

Beck highlighted his season with an 11-game stretch where he recorded a .510 batting average with three doubles, a triple, five home runs, and 16 RBIs, while posting 11 consecutive multi-hit games from March 15-April 2. He added a trio of grand slams to his name going deep with the bases loaded against Miami (Ohio) (Feb. 20), Bradley (Mar. 20), and UIC (Apr. 3).

The 2026 MLB Draft Combine, scheduled to take place from June 22-27, will feature many of the top high school and college prospects in the country and includes athletic testing, medical evaluations and interviews with major league clubs. The event serves as a key step leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, which is scheduled for July 11-13 during MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia.

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in medical and performance assessments, educational programming and a pro-style showcase workout, along with strength and conditioning and PDP performance evaluations.

The full list of MLB Combine attendees will be announced at a later date.

June 7, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Lopez still leads MLB in hits

We are now 65 games into the 2026 season and Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.) still leads the majors in hits.

Lopez’s 84 hits are five more than San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez for the MLB lead.

Also, his .333 batting average is second behind only Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh whose .335 average tops the majors.

The 27-year-old Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal, has suited up for Canada in the last two World Baseball Classics.

Hicks sets career-high in RBIs

Marlins catcher Liam Hicks belted a solo home run against the Washington Nationals on Monday to record his 46th RBI of the season in just his 57th game. With that, he established a new career-high in RBIs. He had 45 RBIs in 119 contests for the Marlins in 2025.

Hicks knocked in another run yesterday and he is tied for third in the National League in RBIs with Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson, behind only Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (53) and Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (48).

Also, Hicks’ homer on Monday was his 12th of the campaign. That’s double as many homers as he hit in his first big league season.

The Marlins chose Hicks in the Rule 5 draft from the Detroit Tigers in December 2024. The Toronto Mets alum was originally selected in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers.

Like father, like son?

Paul Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) was used as a starter and a reliever for the first five seasons of his major league career before he was shifted permanently to the bullpen by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997. From there, he became one of the most reliable and effective relievers of his era.

His son, Cal, seems to be following a similar career trajectory.

During his first seven MLB seasons, the younger Quantrill started more games than his father, but he had two seasons (2020 and 2021) where he was shuttled between the rotation and the bullpen by the Cleveland Guardians.

This season, however, Cal has been outstanding as a full-time reliever with the Rangers. The 6-foot-3 right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 12 appearances. In his last seven outings, the Terriers and Junior National Team grad is 2-0 and has not allowed an earned run in 11 1/3 innings.

So maybe Cal’s future is as a reliever?

His dad holds the record for most major league pitching appearances by a Canadian with 841. Cal has made 199 appearances, so he has a long way to go to catch his dad.

Canadian ball hall adds Aumont’s WBC jersey

No pitcher has appeared in more World Baseball Classic games for Canada than Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.).

This March, he came out of retirement to toe the rubber in his seventh WBC game to set the Canadian record for most pitching appearances. Right-hander Scott Mathieson (Aldergrove, B.C.) held the previous record with six.

Aumont has donated the jersey he wore during this year’s WBC to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont.

In total, Aumont has pitched for Canada in four of the six WBCs (2009, 2013, 2023 and 2026).

Selected 11th overall in the 2007 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners, Aumont pitched in the M’s organization for two seasons before he was dealt to the Phillies as part of the package for left-hander Cliff Lee on December 16, 2009. After parts of three more seasons in the minors, he made his big league debut with the Phils in 2012. In total, he’d make 46 appearances for the Phillies between 2012 and 2015.

Peters red hot for White Sox

Outfielder Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) has been a revelation for the Chicago White Sox this season after they purchased him from the Tampa Bay Rays on December 18.

In his past 15 games, Peters, while also providing superb defence in centre field, is 18-for-44 (.409 batting average) and has seven doubles. During that span, his batting average has increased from .252 to .300.

The left-handed hitting Canuck made his big league debut with the Rays last year, going 0-for-12 into four games in August before he was sold to the Sox.

Taken in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, the Okotoks Dawgs grad has played parts of six pro seasons.

37 years ago, Blue Jays earn first win at SkyDome

It was 37 years ago today that the Blue Jays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 for their first win at SkyDome.

The Blue Jays had dropped their first two games at the state-of-the-art facility after moving there from Exhibition Stadium.

But they would not be denied in this Wednesday night contest when left-hander John Cerutti scattered 11 hits and tossed a complete game. Catcher Ernie Whitt led the Blue Jays’ offence with three hits and three RBIs. George Bell also collected three hits and two runs.

This contest also marked the first MLB game ever played both outdoors and indoors, as rain forced the roof to be closed in the fifth inning.

Macko allows first two MLB earned runs

Blue Jays left-hander Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) permitted his first two MLB earned runs when Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies homered off him in the seventh inning of the Jays’ 7-3 loss at Truist Park on Wednesday.

Macko had eight scoreless outings to begin his big league career.

But the Vauxhall Academy alum didn’t seem fazed by the end of his scoreless streak. He was back on the mound on Friday and held the Baltimore Orioles off the scoreboard for 1 1/3 innings.

He owns a 1.80 ERA in 10 major league games.

O’Neill chosen in MLB draft 13 years ago

Thirteen years ago today, the Seattle Mariners selected a muscular, soon-to-be 18-year-old outfielder named Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.) in the third round of the MLB draft.

Legendary Canadian scout Wayne Norton (Port Moody, B.C.) scouted and signed O’Neill, who had honed his skills with the Langley Blaze and Junior National Team.

O’Neill would spend parts of five seasons in the M’s organization, rising to the triple-A level, before he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for left-hander Marco Gonzales on July 21, 2017.

Guzman made MLB debut 35 years ago

It was 35 years ago today that Juan Guzman made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays.

The 24-year-old right-hander started and surrendered four runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings to the Orioles in the Blue Jays’ 6-4 loss at Memorial Stadium.

On a positive note, Guzman fanned the first two MLB batters he faced: Mike Devereaux and Tim Hulett, and struck out five batters overall.

Eight days later, Guzman lost his second MLB start before proceeding to win 10 straight decisions. He finished his rookie campaign with a 10-3 record and a 2.99 ERA in 23 starts.

Nats drafted Pivetta 13 years ago

On this day 13 years ago, the Washington Nationals selected right-hander Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) in the fourth round of the MLB draft.

The Victoria Eagles and Junior National Team grad was assigned to the Nats’ Gulf Coast League affiliate where he posted a 2.13 ERA in four games (three starts) before being promoted to Low-A Auburn.

Pivetta then went 13-8 with a 4.22 ERA as a starter with the Nats’ class-A Hagerstown Suns in 2014 prior to being dealt to the Phillies the following July for Jonathan Papelbon.

Remembering Ralph Buxton

Right-hander Ralph Buxton was born on this date in Weyburn, Sask. in 1914.

In 1949, Buxton played on a World Series-winning Yankees team with Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra. However with the way umpires check pitchers for substances today, Buxton, the man sometimes referred to as the “Pine Tar Baby,” would’ve been in trouble. But that’s all part of the story of this little-talked-about right-hander, who in 1938 became the first player born in Saskatchewan to compete in the major leagues.

He passed away on January 6, 1988 in San Leandro, Calif.

I wrote more about him here.

Pop elects to become free agent

Right-hander Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.) was designated for assignment by the Phillies on May 30.

The move was made after he was activated from the 15-day injured list. He had been sidelined since April 13 with a right-calf strain.

Yesterday, it was announced that Pop had cleared waivers and been outrighted to the Phillies’ triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. But Pop declined the assignment and has elected to become a free agent.

Pop signed with the Phillies in December and cracked their Opening Day roster. He had posted a 3.68 ERA in seven appearances in 7 1/3 innings before his injury.

The 29-year-old right-hander split the 2025 season between four major league organizations – the Blue Jays, Mariners, New York Mets and Chicago Cubs – making five big league appearances.

Chosen in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Toronto Mets alum is in his sixth MLB season.

Remembering Tom Buskey

Former Blue Jays reliever Tom Buskey passed away from a heart attack 28 years ago today when he was just 51.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays on May 13, 1978 and he spent his final three major league seasons with them.

In 1979, he topped Blue Jays relievers with seven saves and 40 games finished. In total, he posted a 3.86 ERA in 85 relief appearances for the Blue Jays after beginning his MLB career with the Yankees and Cleveland.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on June 5. You can read it here.

June 6, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

They may have preferred to settle their differences on the field, but the final four teams remaining in the Prairie Qualifiers for The Road to Okotoks got what they came for.

What started as 13 teams vying for three spots in the inaugural event in Okotoks later this summer turned into a battle of four.

Vauxhall Academy punched their ticket with a win over Baseball Sask, who was set to play the loser of a second semi-final between Sylvan Lake Gulls Prep and AHP Academy in the third-place game.

Then … the rain started.

And it didn’t let up as Baseball Canada officials determined they couldn’t complete the regional qualifier, putting into question what would happen with the three teams who all had great records coming out of the round-robin.

With a wildcard spot also up for grabs, it was decided that instead of relying on a coin-flip or lottery situation, the three teams all earned their spots in the mid-July dance.

Now the real work begins as teams get ready for what is expected to become a major annual event on Canada’s baseball radar.

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Listen to the Alberta Dugout Stories podcast on the Prairies Road to Okotoks qualifier here.

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THE ROAD FOR VAUXHALL ACADEMY

The first team out of the west to nab a spot in the national event is a rival of the hosts in Okotoks.

The Vauxhall Academy Jets took care of business early in the tournament with a 12-0 victory over Dawgs White to open up the Prairie Qualifier.

Hudson Nikkel led the offence with a pair of homers and three RBIs while Kaleb Bozek, Will Zielinski, Jaxon George and Matthew Getz also drove in two runs each.

They then outlasted Home Run Academy (Winnipeg) 9-6 and blasted the Calgary Bucks 14-3.

Then the Jets had to put on the afterburners with a trio of games on Saturday, starting with a tight 2-1 loss to Gulls Prep, before hammering the Webber Wildcats 11-1 and punching their ticket to the main event with a 9-5 win over Team Saskatchewan to ensure they would finish no lower than second overall.

Getz and Nikkel led Vauxhall with .500 batting averages over the course of the tournament, with Nikkel pacing the team in home runs (four). Sharing the lead in RBIs (nine) were Nikkel, Zielenski and Easton Kitura. Garrett Thiessen and Calum Andersen led the pitching staff with 10 strikeouts each.

THE ROAD FOR TEAM SASKATCHEWAN

Another team to set a very early tone in the Prairie Regionals was Team Saskatchewan.

A 10-run fourth inning allowed them the 18-3 mercy win over the Calgary Premier Blues to open up their round-robin action.

Rhett Anderson led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs while Jarrett Rude also drove in three. Six players scored two runs each in the contest.

The offence kept rolling in their second game of opening day as they downed Dawgs Academy Red 13-5 thanks to every player nabbing a hit and all but one scoring a run.

Team Saskatchewan kept the good times rolling on day two win a 10-6 win over ATHX Academy and a 6-1 victory over the Calgary Cubs to finish the round-robin 4-0.

The only blemish on their record came on semi-final Saturday when they fell to Vauxhall.

Anderson and Kash Berg led the offence with .467 batting averages while only one player, Trentin Kooy, went yard as the Saskatchewan offence was one of the most balanced attacks of the qualifiers. Dylan Pura and Keaton Lejan led the hurlers with seven strikeouts apiece.

THE ROAD FOR AHP ACADEMY

It didn’t come easy, but AHP Academy came out of the round-robin looking like a team ready to make a deep run with its pitching depth and balanced offence.

They started things off with a 7-4 win over the Webber Wildcats thanks to an outstanding performance from Sam Davis, who struck out 10 in six innings of work while Tyler Diprose picked up two hits and three RBIs.

Jayden Kane then played hero by hitting a walk-off single in a 4-3 victory over the Parkland Twins.

The Renegades then got an eight-strikeout performance out of Kaysen Young to shut down the Calgary Cubs 7-2 before finishing up the unbeaten run with a 13-11 victory over Dawgs Red.

They were set to take on Gulls Prep in the semis before the storm clouds rolled in.

Michael Szpak led all AHP hitters with a .545 batting average while Kale Harsch hit the team’s lone homer. Harsh, Kane and Jax Mitzel tied for the lead in RBI with four. On the hill, Davis’ lone performance netted him the team lead in punchouts.

THE ROAD FOR GULLS PREP

They had to hold on for dear life a couple of times, but Gulls Prep were ready to make some noise heading into the semis and a potential final.

The Sylvan Lake squad started strong with a 10-1 trouncing of the Calgary Bucks. Bo Anderson led the offence with a single and two doubles, driving in two.

They started the Friday off with a 6-4 win over Home Run Academy (Winnipeg) and then suffered a 15-5 loss to Dawgs White.

The Gulls rebounded nicely with a 2-1 nailbiter over Vauxhall, as the strong pitching duo of Cole Dickinson and Lucian Barker kept the Jets bats in check while Wyatt Schmidt delivered the offence with a two-run double.

The pitching again did the heavy lifting for the Gulls in a quarterfinal matchup with ATHX, as Braxton Bussing threw six scoreless innings with six strikeouts before Keaton Rusnak shut the door in a 3-0 victory.

They were set to play AHP had the rain not settled in.

Offensively, the Gulls were paced by Owen Coumont, who hit .467 over his five games. Anderson and Paxton Overwater hit homers with Overwater claiming the RBI crown with five. Bussing’s performance gave him the strikeout lead among pitchers.

THE ROAD TO BE TAKEN

The field has officially been set with 16 teams set to play for the Morneau Cup, including seven spots coming from Ontario and four from B.C. joining the four Prairie teams. The hosts from Dawgs Academy in Okotoks await them all.

The Ontario/East teams will include the HPP Tigers, Terriers Baseball, Frontier Baseball (Maritimes), Etobicoke Rangers, Ontario Kobras, Diamond Baseball Academy (Quebec) and the Ontario Blue Jays.

The B.C. teams that punched their tickets to Okotoks include the Abbotsford Cardinals, Langley Blaze, Victoria Eagles and UBC Thunder.

“These qualifiers delivered exactly what we had hoped for,” Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson said in a news release unveiling the 16-team bracket. “We saw a high level of competition across all three qualifiers and a strong commitment from programs across the country. We’re excited to welcome this group to Okotoks and continue building what we believe will become the premier amateur event in Canada.”

June 5, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs delivered another stellar offensive performance to beat the Brooks Bombers 10-1 on Friday night in front of 5,014 fans at Seaman Stadium.

The Dawgs improved their record to 5-1 with their second consecutive win over the Bombers.

For the second straight game, the Dawgs reached double digits in runs.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by another outstanding performance by Cal Gates who went 3-for-3 with two runs, a walk, and a stolen base. Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.) was another big part of the Dawgs’ attack, going 1-for-2 with a walk and four RBIs.

Hank Griffin (Okotoks, Alta.) also came through with a well-rounded effort, finishing 2-for-5 with two RBIs while playing a rock-solid second base.

On the mound, newcomer Tyson Willis came out firing, allowing just one run, while striking out seven, in five innings to earn the win.

The Dawgs’ relief corps was also strong. Wyatt Sadleir (Calgary, Alta.) struck out the side in a scoreless inning of relief while Dalton Hoffart limited the Bombers to just one hit and induced an incredible double play in a scoreless seventh.

The Dawgs will now play the Fort McMurray Giants at Seaman Stadium on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

June 4, 2026

Official NAIA News Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Bellevue University senior first baseman Carter Claerhout (Red Deer, Alberta) has been announced as the 2026 NAIA Player of the Year to headline three Bruins named to the NAIA's All-America Teams.

Claerhout was also selected as a First Team All-American while senior pitcher Brody Burnette (Kansas City, Mo.) and sophomore catcher Xavier Lerma (Muscatine, Iowa) earned Second Team and Third Team honours, respectively.

In being recognized as the NAIA's Player of the Year, Claerhout is the first Bruin student-athlete to be earn the honour in any sport. During his lone season at BU, Claerhout rewrote the Bruins' single season record books, establishing new marks for slugging percentage, OPS, home runs, total bases, and extra-base hits. He led the NAIA with a .491 batting average, .969 slugging percentage, 1.502 OPS, 29 home runs, 217 total bases, and 48 extra-base hits while ranking second in hits (110), fifth in RBIs (86), and seventh in both runs scored (7) and on-base percentage (.533). He added 18 doubles and was 12-for-15 on stolen base attempts. He posted a .986 fielding percentage at first and helped the Bruins complete 33 double plays.

Burnette saw an increased workload this year, turning into a light's out closer for the Bruins as his 15 saves led the country. He appeared in 23 games out of the bullpen, pitching to a 2-1 record and 2.51 ERA across 28 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 32 against just seven walks for 10.05 strikeouts per nine innings and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.43. He posted a 1.26 WHIP and limited opponents to a .264 batting average.

Lerma turned in a huge season as well for Bellevue in his first as a lineup regular. Among the NAIA national leaders, he ranked 12th with 19 home runs, 20th with 70 RBIs, and 32nd with a .738 slugging percentage. His .377 batting average was good for third on the team while his slugging percentage and 1.196 OPS were each good for second on the ball club, and his 27 extra-base hits ranked fourth on the team. Defensively, he posted a .995 fielding percentage and threw out four would-be base stealers while only allowing one passed ball.

Bellevue wrapped up the 2026 season with a 50-6 overall record, going 24-0 to win the Frontier Conference regular season championship. During the postseason, BU won the Frontier Conference Tournament title, qualified for their 28th NAIA National Tournament, and hosted an Opening Round Bracket for the sixth time.

June 4, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes earned a series split by routing the Sioux Falls Canaries 14-3 at Blue Cross Park Thursday evening.

Catcher Raphaël Pelletier (Repentigny, Que.) opened the scoring for Winnipeg in the second inning with a single to right that drove in second baseman Keshawn Lynch.

Sioux Falls quickly tied the game in the top of the third when third baseman Chris Kwitzer scored on designated hitter Anthony Hall’s double-play ball. The Canaries took a 2-1 lead moments later on a single to centre by left fielder Anthony Sharkas that drove in catcher Scott Combs.

The Goldeyes put four runs on the board in the fourth to move in front 5-2. First baseman T.J. Schofield-Sam (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a sacrifice fly to centre to bring in left fielder Roby Enríquez and tie the game. Centre fielder Noah Marcelo followed with a base hit to left that scored Lynch. Finally, third baseman Ramón Bramasco hit a sky-high pop-up to shallow right that Canaries second baseman Trevor Achenbach lost in the sun. Shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder and Marcelo came home on what was scored as a double.

The visitors got one back in the top of the fifth when centre fielder Joe Vos drove in right fielder Josh Rehwaldt with a bloop single to left, cutting Winnipeg’s lead to 5-3.

Pelletier notched his second run batted in of the evening in the fifth when he brought right fielder Max Murphy home with a sacrifice fly to left, making it 6-3 Goldeyes. Enríquez then scored on Schofield-Sam’s fielder’s choice to increase the lead to 7-3.

Winnipeg put up another four-spot in the bottom of the sixth. Enríquez drew a bases-loaded walk that forced in Bramasco before Didder hit a two-out, bases-clearing triple that drove in designated hitter Jiandido Tromp, Murphy, and Enríquez, stretching the lead to 11-3.

Schofield-Sam finished the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with a three-run blast to right-centre field with Lynch and Pelletier aboard, making it 14-3.

Luke Boyd started for the Goldeyes and went six innings. He allowed three runs on six hits, struck out four, and walked four. Ryo Kohigashi, newly signed Jack Seward (New Westminster, B.C.), and Derrick Cherry each worked an inning of hitless relief.

Christian Edwards was charged with seven runs – all earned – on seven hits over four innings for the Canaries. He struck out four and walked four.

Offensively for Winnipeg, Schofield-Sam drove in five runs, Enríquez had a pair of hits and scored three times, Marcelo and Bramasco had two hits apiece, and Lynch finished the evening with three hits, including two doubles, and scored three times.

Seward, a New Westminster, British Columbia native, was acquired earlier Thursday from the Welland Jackfish of the Canadian Baseball League in exchange for future considerations. The 24-year-old made his professional debut last season with the Québec Capitales of the Frontier League.

The Sioux City Explorers are the Goldeyes’ next opponent, with a weekend series beginning Friday at 7:00 p.m. Left-hander Kevin Vaupel will start for Winnipeg, while Sioux City will counter with right-hander Zach Willeman.

June 4, 2026

By Abby Fralic

Canadian Baseball Network

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs delivered a powerful offensive performance to beat the Brooks Bombers 17-2 on Thursday.

After rainy conditions in Brooks led to a venue change, many loyal Okotoks fans made it to Seaman Stadium to see the Dawgs record another win. The Dawgs collected 18 hits and played flawless defence in the victory.

The Dawgs’ offence was led by Turner Zdunich (High River, Alta.), who went 4-for-5 with three runs, an RBI, a stolen base and a walk. Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) was another major contributor, going 2-for-3 with two runs, three RBIs, two stolen bases and two walks.

Jeremy Kuiper also delivered an excellent all-around performance, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs, a home run and three RBIs, while also making a diving catch in the field.

On the mound, Brody Forno (Okotoks, Alta.) started and set the tone with a strong five-inning performance, allowing only two runs while striking out three. Jerome Pare (Montreal, Que.) and Grady Keljo closed out the game, combining for three scoreless innings while limiting the Bombers to one hit.

The Dawgs will play the Bombers again on Friday at Seaman Stadium at 7:05 p.m.

Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden, who won the Stanley Cup six times with the Montreal Canadiens, was a power-hitting shortstop his freshman year at Cornell.

June 4, 2026

By Tim Rappleye

The aging grade-school librarian was wearing a familiar “C” on his ball cap. I had to ask.

“Did you attend Cornell?”

“I did.”

“Are you familiar with Ken Dryden?”

“He was a classmate.”

My Spidey Senses spiked.

“Did you ever see him play at Lynah Rink?”

“No.” A buzzkill, but Kim the librarian continued. “I know that he played baseball as a freshman, and that he hit the longest home run in school history.”

Whoa! Ken Dryden as Roy Hobbs? The Hockey Hall-of-Fame goalie also in the pantheon of hardball sluggers? A bespectacled academic joining the ranks of the Bambino, Reggie Jackson and the Mick as sultans of swat? This needed further review. I rolled up my sleeves, ventured to the cliff’s edge, and dove down the rabbit hole.

Turns out it was another Ivy League slugger, Lou Gehrig of Columbia, who before joining the New York Yankees was the only man known to have hit the ball out of Cornell’s venerable Hoy Field. More heady company for Dryden, but this myth needed some hard evidence.

Enter Marshall Hain, devoted sports information director at Cornell, who provided a primary source — the end-of-season stat sheet from the 1966 Cornell frosh. Freshmen could not play varsity sports back in the day, so Dryden played both hockey and baseball his first year in Ithaca. Most of his diamond mates in ’66 went on to enjoy successful varsity careers.

Baseball stats are timeless: pitchers try to dominate batters and vice versa. Mano a Mano. Homers and strikeouts still go into the same statistical boxes, whether scribbled in by hand or typed into an Excel sheet. Dryden played in a mere 12 games in the spring of 1966, but his stats jump off the page: a .417 batting average, .511 on-base pct., OBS of 1.178. And penned innocuously into a little box, six rows the to the right of his name, were his two career home runs.

This essay was originally intended to capture the moment of Dryden’s lone Ruthian clout, but in fact there were two, each with its own story.

“He was the best athlete I ever knew,” said teammate Ken Soldewell. “He hit two home runs over 410 feet, one clearing the fence in dead centre and disappearing into the abyss.”

This account jibes with the librarian’s, a moonshot that evaporated into the ether. But there was another epic smash, this one two miles away.

Doug Roberts was a terrific hitter in his own right, an outfielder who batted .424 alongside Dryden, forming Cornell’s own Murderer’s Row in the middle of the Big Red batting order.

“I’ll never forget get the game at Ithaca College,” Roberts said. “Ken hit a line drive over the temporary centre field wire fence and struck a bulldozer which was situated there during the construction of the new campus. The ball ricocheted back into the playing field.”

There are no reports of sparks flying off the bulldozer a la Hobbs from the silver screen, but no one before or since has seen a homer rocket back onto the field off heavy machinery. There is no video of this smash, but the Homeric history lives on.

Most people interviewed for this story simply presumed the 6-foot-3 Dryden was a slugging corner infielder, a first baseman naturally, well-versed in defending with that big leather trapper of his. A goalie’s glove and a first basemen’s mitt are first cousins after all. To a scout’s eye, Dryden is the quintessential first baseman. The scouts are wrong.

Dryden was a shortstop at Cornell. Don’t rely on stereotypes, dust off the 60-year-old primary source. There in the second-to-last category of the stat sheet is the letter “A”, the digit that stands for assists. Dryden led the team with 39, his closest challenger had nine. Dryden spent half of each game in that 1966 season heaving the ball across the infield.

Getting a working mitt, however, was a bigger challenge for Dryden than throwing out runners. He showed up at his first practice nearly two weeks after his mates because of his hockey obligations. He arrived without a working glove, and that goaltending trapper of his was of no use. Dryden turned to team manager Jerry Kirzner without a moment to spare.

“I remember that he borrowed my glove that season,” Kirzner wrote via email. “It was a large glove which I had broken in previously in high school. It fit Ken’s large hands, too.

“He took a liking to it. I recall it being a ‘six-finger’ model with a deep pocket. The sixth finger served as the webbing in the glove, which, in turn, made it a pretty large one. Ken liked it and borrowed it.”

Dryden’s middle infield counterpart was second baseman Soldewel, who saw elite defence over his right shoulder every game.

“One day, Dryden went into the hole and backhanded a ground ball and threw a laser to get the guy he had no chance to get,” Soldewel said, still in awe 60 years after the fact.

Dryden’s defence impressed others in Cornell’s baseball hierarchy. Jim Purcell was Cornell’s captain in 1967, one of the Big Red’s premier pitchers of the decade. His junior year he recalled playing against Dryden.

“The only memory I have of him (Dryden) was toward the end of the 1966 season,” Purcell said. “We had the annual scrimmage with the freshman team — back then freshmen couldn’t play varsity ball. I recall this huge shortstop who moved so well and with very good hands. I wished he had been my shortstop!”

The premise that Dryden filled out his freshman year playing baseball as a hobby holds no water. The idea that he was a merely a tall target to throw to on defence is also patently false. Despite only a 13-game sample size (including the scrimmage), we can safely conclude that Dryden was a star in a sport that — in the 20th century at least — America claimed as its exclusive domain. Dryden was the only Canadian on Cornell’s freshman roster of 1966. None of his peers had such combined excellence on both offence and defence. A 6-foot-3 shortstop with both range and ferocious power conjures up images of Major League superstars like Cal Ripken and Alex Rodriguez. The pre-law academic turned heads dominating a sport few hockey experts even knew he played. The talented Mr. Ripley had nothing on Ken Dryden, Esquire.

A thorough search reveals that Dryden came about his baseball prowess naturally — it was his passion. According to journalist Jeff Morris, Dryden was an avid card collector.

“My friends and I loved sports, and we all collected cards,” Dryden told Morris. “I had more baseball cards and I was always a huge baseball fan. I have always loved the game for its aesthetic value.”

“I had a Virgil Trucks card,” Dryden told NHL.com “He had two no-hitters for the Detroit Tigers. His name was so interesting for a seven-year old. And there was Sibbi Sisti. I thought that was a fantastic name, too.”

Dryden mentioned to Morris that he had a Mickey Mantle card which, at the time, was worth “probably more than a thousand dollars.” Morris surmised that Mantle was too mainstream for Dryden to get excited about.

The foremost chronicler of Montreal Canadiens’ history is Dave Stubbs, a journalist who developed a close relationship with Dryden based on mutual respect, although the star goalie proved to be an elusive subject, preferring not to discuss his exploits on ice. On Dryden’s 70th birthday, it was Stubbs who received a present from the reticent Hall of Famer.

“In my email was a photo of Dryden’s two feet, a baseball diamond stretching out beyond them,” Stubbs said. “He celebrated his 70th birthday in a minor-league ballpark, wonderfully off the beaten path.”

Dryden’s relationship with baseball begs the question: What if? It was a question he pondered as an underclassman in Ithaca.

Teammate Jim Piersanti treasures his abbreviated diamond journey with the legend. Piersanti made a point of returning to campus in 2017 for the 50th anniversary of Cornell hockey’s 1967 national championship.

“I had no idea he would be there,” Piersanti said, but he decided to go anyway, in case his hero made an appearance.

“And there he was, facing the longest line of autograph seekers of any of the players,” Piersanti said. “I went and stood in line. I didn’t expect Ken to recognize me. It had been 50 years since our last contact.”

Piersanti waited patiently, and when he was second in line, the woman in front of him exploited her opportunity and got several autographs from the celebrity.

“She started digging into her pocketbook, pulling out every piece of paper she could find to get him to sign,” Piersanti said, who observed Dryden being exceedingly polite as he accommodated each request. Growing impatient, Piersanti took action.

“I got to the point where I said to the woman: Lady, do you realize that you are getting the autograph of the best shortstop Cornell ever had?”

Dryden immediately looked up from his chore. “Holy smokes! Jim!”

“He recognized me and I couldn’t believe it,” Piersanti said.

Dryden proceeded to reel off half a dozen names from their 1966 team, basking in the memories of his beloved ball club, despite being at a hockey reunion.

“It was fascinating that he would remember all those players,” Piersanti said. Dryden’s next comment left Piersanti speechless.

“He said that he had such a good time playing baseball, that it was really a 50-50 decision as to whether or not he was going to hockey or continue his baseball career.”

“It blew me away,” Piersanti said, who then recalled his exact response to Dryden back at the 2017 hockey reunion. “My God, you certainly made the right decision.”

The question remains: What if?

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June 4, 2026

Baseball Canada

OTTAWA, ONT. – The field is set.

Following regional qualifiers across British Columbia, the Prairies, and Ontario, 15 teams have earned their place at the inaugural The Road to Okotoks and The Morneau Cup presented by Rawlings, set for July 14–19 in Okotoks, Alberta.

From coast to coast, 29 teams began the quest to Okotoks, with each region showcasing the depth and strength of amateur baseball in Canada. In the end, seven teams advanced out of Ontario qualifiers, four from British Columbia, and four from the Prairies to complete the national qualifier process.

Due to inclement weather in Alberta, Baseball Canada was unable to complete the Prairie qualifier playoffs. As a result, the Vauxhall Academy Jets secured qualification with a semi-final victory. The remaining three spots have been awarded to the AHP Renegades, Team Saskatchewan, and the Sylvan Lake Gulls Prep, all of whom finished among the top four teams in the qualifier but were unable to compete in the semi-final and/or final round games.

“These qualifiers delivered exactly what we had hoped for,” said Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson. “We saw a high level of competition across all three qualifers and a strong commitment from programs across the country. We’re excited to welcome this group to Okotoks and continue building what we believe will become the premier amateur event in Canada.”

Qualified Teams

British Columbia (4):

• Langley Blaze (BC Qualifier Winner)

• Abbotsford Cardinals

• Victoria Eagles

• UBC Thunder

Prairies (4):

• Vauxhall Academy Jets

• AHP Renegades

• Team Saskatchewan

• Sylvan Lake Gulls Prep

Ontario (7):

• Terriers Baseball (Ontario Qualifier Champion)

• Mississauga Tigers HPP

• Etobicoke Rangers

• Atlantic Frontier

• Ontario Kobras

• DT Select (QC)

• Ontario Blue Jays

The 15 qualified teams will join host Okotoks Dawgs Black to complete a 16-team field competing for the inaugural Morneau Cup at Seaman Stadium.

With the field now set, attention turns to Okotoks, where the country’s top programs will come together to compete for a national title and The Morneau Cup.

Follow the Action

Fans can follow along with tournament coverage leading up to and throughout the event on the official tournament website and Instagram.

June 3, 2026

Official Toronto Blue Jays News Release

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired RHP Simeon Woods Richardson from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations.

Woods Richardson, 25, has made 12 appearances (10 starts) this season for the Twins, posting a 7.74 ERA in 47 2/3 innings.

The right-hander from Sugar Land, Texas, was initially selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft before being traded to the Blue Jays in 2019. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound righty was then dealt to the Twins at the 2021 trade deadline and has spent the entirety of his five-year major league career in Minnesota, appearing in 65 games (61 starts) with a 4.76 ERA, 258 strikeouts, and a 1.39 WHIP.

Additionally, LHP Joe Mantiply has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.

June 3, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs came up a bit short on Wednesday, falling 15–12 to the Lethbridge Bulls in front of 3,491 fans at Seaman Stadium.

It was the Dawgs’ first loss of the season.

This was a make-up game for the May 31 contest that was rained out.

Keeping their bats rolling after a 26-run performance on Saturday, the Dawgs racked up 17 hits in their defeat.

The Dawgs’ league-leading offence was led by Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.), who went 4-for-4 with two walks and an RBI. Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) was another major offensive contributor, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Jayden Lusk also went 2-for-4 with two walks in the loss.

On the mound, Gabe Brabec started for the Dawgs and allowed four hits and three runs in three innings. The Dawgs’ bullpen took over from there.

Among the standouts out of the pen were Max McCraray who pitched a shutdown eighth inning and youngster Nolan Jackson who supplied 2 2/3 innings of strong relief.

The Dawgs now look ahead to their next game on Thursday, where they will hit the road to face the Brooks Bombers for the first time this season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. The Dawgs will then return home Friday, June 5, to take on those same Bombers at 7:05 p.m.

June 4, 2026

By Trevor Fitzpatrick

Canadian Baseball Network

On a perfect evening in St. Catharines, Ont., the Niagara Ironbacks got their 2026 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) campaign off to a roaring start with a statement 12-5 win over the Niagara Falls Americans on Wednesday.

The game was as close as 6-5 in the seventh inning, but four runs by the Ironbacks in the bottom half of that frame proved to be more than enough insurance for the PGCBL’s only Canadian team.

🔥 OPENING DAY = SUCCESS! 🔥

The Niagara Ironbacks kick off Year 2 with an Opening Day victory and an unforgettable night at George Taylor Field! ⚾️

A huge thank you to all of the fans who came out, cheered loud, participated in our T-Shirt Toss presented by Impact Promotions,… pic.twitter.com/cSveRIgCC0

— IronbacksBaseball (@ironbacks) June 4, 2026

Leading the charge on offence for the crew was Great Lake Canadians alum Michael Gregus (Exeter, Ont.). The Davenport University first baseman had two triples and three RBIs.

“I was just trying to ambush all the strikes I was thrown, and the guys behind me did their job and knocked me in,” he explained.

Where did the burst of speed come from today though?

“It might’ve been because I was hungry,” replied Gregus.

Despite his fantastic effort, it was his teammate Kieran Cutler (Paradise, Nfld.) that took home player of the game honours.

It’s hard to argue with the gameday staff’s judgement, as the McCook Community College catcher crushed the squad’s first home run of the season over the left-centre field wall.

The Ironbacks’ catching depth should be a boon to them this season, as they had three catchers in their starting lineup to fill the DH and EH spots.

Cutler was stationed as the EH, fellow Canadian Futures Showcase alum Connor Gaitens (Tillsonburg, Ont.) was the DH, and actually behind the dish was former Canadian Premier Baseball League Prospect Games participant Josh Bullock (Toronto, Ont.).

“That’s the biggest change from last year, the depth, especially at catcher,” said team manager and baseball lifer Richard Griffin. “Last year we had the North Dakota market cornered. We had a good pipeline of Canadian guys coming from there. We did a good job of expanding this year.”

“We have guys from better conferences this year and some great returners as well,” added new assistant coach Tyson Gomm (Aurora, Ont.).

Some extra bragging rights go Griffin’s way this season as well, as he defeated Niagara Falls Americans coach Wil Cordero in their first coaching matchup of the year.

Cordero played 14 years in the big leagues, was an all-star in 1994 with the Montreal Expos, and has known Griffin since he was first scouted by the legendary Expos talent evaluator Gary Hughes.

The Ironbacks will hope to convert this great start into more wins as they look to improve upon what owner Mal Romanin called their “year zero” last season when they went 10-35.

“I like to think of this as our year one. Slowly but surely we’re going to build this into a nice program,” he said, addressing the players before the season, “We have a lot of talent. It’s important to me that we try to build on last season and show the league what’s coming from Canada.”

Even more reinforcements are coming soon off the injured list as well. Carter Shin (Burlington, Ont.), who was a PGCBL First Team shortstop in 2025 and who set the Gordon College record for hits in a season with 59 is only a couple weeks away from his wrist injury being healed.

When asked what brought him back to the Ironbacks for round two he said, “being around all these guys and meeting new teammates is nice, not having school to worry about so I can focus on baseball is nice, too.”

It’s a quick turnaround for the team, as it always is with their busy PGCBL schedule. They’ll be back for game two of their season on June 5 at 6:30 p.m.

University of Michigan right-hander Kurt Barr (Saint Joachim, Ont.), left, has been named to the College Sports Communicators 2026 Academic All-District Team. Photo: Michigan Photography

June 3, 2026

By Conor Stemme

University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan senior pitchers Kurt Barr and Max Debiec have been named to the College Sports Communicators 2026 Academic All-District team.

To receive All-District recognition, student-athletes must have completed at least one year of classes at their institution, have a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average and meet athletic requirements.

Barr (Saint Joachim, Ont.) who graduated with a degree in sport management, led Michigan in innings pitched with 79 2/3 and in strikeouts with 105. He compiled a 4.52 earned-run average across 16 appearances and earned All-Big Ten third team honours.

In 16 games -- making 15 starts -- he had a 5-6 record holding opponents to a .231 batting average. Barr is pitching for the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League.

June 3, 2026

Official Major League Baseball News Release

Closer Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres has been named the National League Reliever of the Month for May, and relief pitcher Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) of the Cleveland Guardians has been voted the American League Reliever of the Month for May.

The announcements were made earlier today on MLB Network.

Miller claimed his fourth career, his third consecutive and his third Reliever of the Month Award with the Padres after winning March/April 2026, September 2025 and March/April 2024 when he was a member of the Athletics. Miller, already one of eight Padres relievers to receive the honor, joined Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman (3x: May 2005, September 2006 & May 2007) as the only players in Padres’ history to claim the award three times with the Club. Miller joined Emmanuel Clase, Aroldis Chapman, Edwin Díaz, Josh Hader, Liam Hendriks, Hoffman, Greg Holland, Raisel Iglesias, Craig Kimbrel, and Joe Nathan as the only pitchers to receive the award four-or-more times.

Smith claimed his second award after previously winning with the Guardians in September of last season. Smith joined Clase (7x: August 2021, June 2022, August 2022, September/October, 2022, May 2024, July 2024 & September 2024) as the only relievers in Guardians history to receive the honor on multiple occasions.

Mason Miller, San Diego Padres (@mason.j.miller)

The 27-year-old pitched to a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/9 2/3 IP) while converting all seven of his save opportunities across nine appearances in which he allowed four hits with eight walks, 20 strikeouts, a 1.24 WHIP and a .118 opponents’ average.

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native’s 18.62 strikeouts per nine innings mark led all qualified relievers in the month of May while his 0.00 ERA was tied for first. His 47.6 strikeout percentage ranked second to only Smith; his saves were tied for sixth-most; and his strikeouts were tied for seventh-most. Additionally, his 17 saves this year lead the National League and are second-most behind only Smith’s Major League-leading 20 saves.

Along with his National League Reliever of the Month Award-winning September/October of last season, the 2024 All-Star became the first pitcher in Padres’ history to record multiple months with 20-or-more strikeouts and four-or-less hits allowed. Miller is the only pitcher to complete the feat without allowing an earned run, which he did in both months.

The third-round pick in the 2021 Draft (by OAK) joined Heath Bell (April/March 2009); Josh Hader (July 2023); Trevor Hoffman (7x); and Taylor Rogers (April/March 2022) as the only Padres pitchers to record seven-or-more saves without allowing an earned run in a single month. Miller has offered scoreless relief in 23 of his 24 outings this season, with the Padres boasting a record of 22-2 in games he takes the mound.

Per Elias, Miller is the only pitcher in Padres’ history to record 49 strikeouts in a span of 25.0 innings-or-less in a single season. Miller also holds the combined season franchise record with 54 strikeouts across 25.0 innings from August 2025 to April 2026.

Miller, who pitched for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, has not allowed an extra-base hit since his second appearance as a member of the Padres on August 5, 2025. His 44 consecutive games without allowing an extra-base hit is the longest active streak in the Majors, the longest by a Padres’ pitcher in franchise history. Additionally, it is tied for the third-longest streak since 2000, matching Brandon Morrow’s 44-game streak across 2017-18, behind only a pair of 45-game streaks by Wade Davis in 2013 and George Sherrill in 2006.

Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians

The 27-year-old pitched to a 1.32 ERA (2 ER/13 2/3 IP) while converting all 13 of his save opportunities across 13 appearances in which he allowed nine hits with a walk, 25 strikeouts, a 0.73 WHIP and a .184 opponents’ average.

The Abbotsford, B.C. native’s 13 saves, 50.0 strikeout percentage and 25.00 strikeout to walk ratio led all qualified relievers, with the next closest reliever tallying nine saves in the month.

The 16th-round pick in the 2017 Draft became the first player in Guardians’ history to record 13 consecutive saves in a calendar month, and joined Doug Jones, José Mesa and Bob Wickman as the only relievers in Guardians’ history to record a save in 13 consecutive appearances. Smith is one of 24 players in MLB history to record 13 saves in a calendar month, and the first since Kirby Yates did so in March/April 2019.

The University of Hawaii product joined Dick Radatz (August 1966) as the only pitchers in franchise history to record 25 strikeouts in a month in which they pitched 13 2/3-or-less innings.

Smith has recorded a save in 20 of his 27 appearances this season, joining Doug Jones (2x: 20 in 1988 & 21 in 1990); José Mesa (2x: 21 in 1995 & 20 in 1996); and Chris Perez (21 in 2012) as the only pitchers in Cleveland franchise history to record 20-or-more saves through their first 27 appearances of a season.

Smith became just the sixth reliever in MLB history with 20-or-more saves and 40-or-more strikeouts in his team’s first 60 games, marking the first time a relief pitcher has done so since Yates in 2019.

June 3, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

When Jim Abbott was drafted in the 36th round by the Toronto Blue Jays 41 years ago today, the then 17-year-old left-hander called it “the thrill of a lifetime.”

“It’s a great honour to be picked by a tremendous team like the Blue Jays,” Abbott told the Toronto Star. “I’ll have to give it a lot of thought.”

Born with one hand, the inspirational Abbott also had a baseball scholarship offer on the table from the University of Michigan.

On scout Don Welke’s recommendation, the Blue Jays chose Abbott in the June Amateur draft after the 6-foot-4, 180-pound southpaw’s dominant season at Central High School in Flint, Mich., in which he allowed just 16 hits and struck out 148 batters in 73 1/3 innings. Thanks largely to his 90-mph fastball, Abbott finished with a 10-3 record, a 0.75 ERA and threw four no-hitters.

And he was also a threat at the plate, batting .427 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs.

“Other people learn to do things with two hands,” Abbott told the Toronto Star in June 1985. “I just learned to do the same things with one hand. It’s nothing special.”

But it was special.

All you had to do was ask the increasing number of disabled children who were inspired by him and started going to his high school games and writing him letters.

“I think I can relate to them and they can relate to me a little differently than other people,” Abbott told the Chicago Tribune in June 1985. “It’s hard for them to understand, but you really don’t look at it like a handicap. You don’t think to yourself, ‘How can I do this with my hand?’ You think, ‘Why can’t I do this?’”

If there were any doubts about Abbott’s all-around athleticism, he was also the quarterback of his high school football team.

“In my 13 years of high school coaching, he’s the best all-around athlete in baseball I’ve ever seen,” Bob Holec, Abbott’s high school coach told the Toronto Star. “His greatest attribute is that where most people think of the disability, he makes you aware of his ability.

“He’s got a strong, outstanding arm and he’s the fiercest competitor I’ve ever coached in baseball . . . He’s changed baseball in this city. Because of him we’ve got 1,500 to 2,000 people to high school tournaments. He just handles it with total class.”

Welke, the Blue Jays scout, clearly liked what he saw in Abbott.

“He has a major league fastball – sometimes – and a major league heart,” Welke told the Chicago Tribune in June 1985.

But though flattered by the Blue Jays’ faith in him, Abbott told the Toronto Star he was leaning towards going to the University of Michigan, which he ultimately did.

When he arrived on campus in Ann Arbor, Mich., he once again had his doubters. They weren’t convinced he could get NCAA Division 1 hitters out, but he quickly proved them wrong.

In his first season with the Wolverines, he went 6-2 with a 4.11 ERA in 14 games (10 starts). He followed that up by going 11-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 15 starts in his sophomore campaign and won the Golden Spikes Award, handed out annually to the top amateur baseball player in the U.S.

In his last college campaign, he finished with a 9-3 record and a 3.32 ERA in 17 games (16 starts).

Following that season, he opted to forego his senior year and pursue a professional career.

In June 1988, the California Angels chose him in the first round (eighth overall) of the MLB draft.

From there, he proceeded to enjoy a 10-season big league career. He spent his first four campaigns with the Angels before throwing a no-hitter for the New York Yankees on September 4, 1993.

He finished his MLB career with short tenures with the Chicago White Sox in 1998 and Milwaukee Brewers in 1999.

Abbott never did pitch for the Blue Jays, but he did have stints with the triple-A Vancouver Canadians (1996) and Calgary Cannons (1998).

And it’s safe to say that 41 years after he was drafted by the Blue Jays, Abbott continues to be an inspiration to people in Toronto and all around the world.

June 2, 2026

The Canadian Baseball League has announced their award winners for the week spanning May 24 to May 31.

Pitcher of the Week

Welland Jackfish right-hander Ben Abram (Georgetown, Ont.) has been named CBL Pitcher of the Week.

Abram started and struck out eight batters in 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his start against the Guelph Royals on May 26. He permitted just five hits and one walk to improve his season record to 2-0.

He has not surrendered a run in 13 1/3 innings this season.

Player of the Week

Barrie Baycats outfielder Canice Ejoh (Brampton, Ont.) was named Player of the Week after he went 8-for-14 (.571 batting average) in three games. He homered in each of those contests and drove in seven runs.

He is now batting .357 with three homers and 10 RBIs in six games this season.

June 2, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Sioux Falls Canaries defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes 9-8 in a rain-shortened contest at Blue Cross Park Tuesday evening.

The game was called after a 30-minute rain delay as the Canaries were about to bat in the top of the seventh inning.

Winnipeg opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly to left field by first baseman Roby Enríquez that brought in centre fielder Noah Marcelo.

Sioux Falls went ahead 2-1 in the top of the second on a two-out, two-run home run to left off the bat of second baseman Trevor Achenbach and would extend their lead to 3-1 in the third when first baseman Mike Hart singled to right field to drive in left fielder Anthony Sharkas.

The Goldeyes tied the game in the bottom of the third on a two-run home run to left by Marcelo – his sixth of the season.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.) doubled, stole third base, and scored on a throwing error to give Winnipeg a 4-3 lead.

The Canaries erupted for five runs in the top of the fifth. First, Hart brought in right fielder Anthony Hall and Sharkas with a single to left field that made it 5-4 Sioux Falls. Then shortstop Michael Curialle hit a three-run home run to centre field to make it an 8-4 game.

Sioux Falls added another in the sixth on a base hit to right field by Sharkas that plated centre fielder Joe Vos.

The Goldeyes nearly tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as the rain increased in intensity. Left fielder Jiandido Tromp singled home third baseman Ramón Bramasco before designated hitter T.J. Schofield-Sam (Mississauga, Ont.) doubled off the wall in left field to bring in right fielder Max Murphy and second baseman Keshawn Lynch to make it 9-7. Catcher Raphaël Pelletier (Repentigny, Que.) then delivered a bloop single to shallow left that drove in Tromp that made the score 9-8 Canaries with the tying run at third base. However, Marcelo grounded out to shortstop to end the inning before the tarp was deployed.

Chase Gearing went 5 1/3 innings and gave up seven runs – five earned – on five hits. He struck out four and walked two.

For Winnipeg, Mitchell Lambson started and worked four innings, exiting in the fifth. He was charged with seven runs on six hits while striking out five and issuing four free passes. Ryo Kohigashi pitched the remaining two frames and surrendered two runs on three hits.

The four-game series continues Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. when right-hander Arij Fransen will take the mound for his second start of the season. Lefty Thomas Dorminy is Sioux Falls’ scheduled starter.

Atlantic Frontier Punches Its Ticket

By Ryan Sweeney

The newest program on the scene, Atlantic Frontier, punched its ticket in the inaugural year of the Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup,

Arriving a few days before the Ontario qualifier, sneaking in two practices, an intersquad game, and an exhibition game against the Kitchener 22U Panthers, Frontier had all the preparation it were going to get.

The week started out slow, with the group feeling each other out, learning how to play with one another, and some players moving to different positions to align with team needs. The pitching was good, the fielding was okay, but the bats and bench were quiet.

After the final pre-tournament exhibition game, the coaching staff sent a message:

“You belong here. It’s time to become a team, not individuals from separate provinces.”

“I’m glad we had that game where we came out flat against Kitchener, otherwise it would have happened in the first game of the tournament,” said assistant coach Mike Konigshofer of Nova Scotia. “I said to the boys in our post-game chat, I don’t want to live in a world where we look at 2-0 and 3-1 fastballs down the middle of the plate.”

Konigshofer added: “We need to play with a chip, with some swagger, and we need to do the things that make Atlantic teams successful.”

Besides comments from Konigshofer there were more direct messages from other members of the coaching staff about expectations and standards heading into the tournament, and what needed to be done by each individual to keep or earn playing time.

The result: message received.

In Game 1 of the tournament, the Frontier took on the Etobicoke Rangers. It was a low-scoring affair on both sides. PEI’s Chase DesRoches shut down the Rangers, and late in the game, New Brunswick’s Thomas Richardson came in and threw two innings to get the Frontier out of a jam unscathed.

After regulation, the score was tied 1-1. In extra innings, with runners starting on first and second base, the Frontier was able to put three runs on the board, taking a 4-1 lead. However, they weren’t able to hold off the Rangers, who put up a four-spot of their own in the bottom half to earn the walk-off win.

The post-game message was positive, setting the table for Game 2, where the Frontier would take on the DT Selects of Quebec. In a must-win situation, the Frontier turned to Truro, Nova Scotia’s Malky Murphy, and the senior did not disappoint, throwing a complete-game two-hitter with nine strikeouts and zero earned runs.

In another game that went down to the wire, the Selects put a runner on in the bottom of the seventh, but Nova Scotia’s Lewis Stonehouse gunned him down at second base to bring an end to the late surge, and Frontier came out with a 2-1 victory.

As results across the round robin began to take shape, the Frontier headed into Game 3 against the 2-1 Ontario Kobras knowing that a win would likely punch their ticket to Okotoks, while a loss would mean they would have to win their final game to earn a playoff spot and even have a chance to qualify.

Newfoundland’s Jack McCarthy was on the hill for Game 3 and battled against the Kobras for four innings. Down 3-0 (one earned) the Frontier battled back to tie the game 3-3, but in the top of the fifth inning, the Kobras landed a major blow with a three-run home run for a 6-3 lead.

With time running out in the bottom of the fifth, Nova Scotia’s Jake Trask pinch hit and with a 3-2 count, he sent a towering home run over the lights in left field to cut the Kobras’ lead to two and give some life to the Frontier bench.

After the previous Kobras home run, Newfoundland’s James Piercey came in and worked through the rest of the inning cleanly. He continued to shut down the Kobras, giving the boys from Atlantic Canada a chance to mount a comeback.

In the bottom of the sixth, after getting runners into position, Trask once again delivered with a two-run single to right field, tying the game at 6-6.

With a clean seventh inning on both sides, the Frontier once again headed to extras, this time with home-field advantage.

With runners starting on first and second, Piercey struck out the first batter, then the Kobras pulled off a double steal to put runners on second and third. After a walk loaded the bases, Piercey induced two weak fly balls to escape the inning without damage.

His final stat line was 3 2/3 innings with zero hits allowed, setting up the Frontier with a chance to win the game.

In the bottom half, PEI’s Rhys O’Brien stepped in as a pinch hitter and perfectly executed a bunt to move the runners up to second and third. The Kobras intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases, setting up a double-play opportunity with Nova Scotia’s Austin Brown stepping to the plate.

In a 2-2 count Brown had a seven-pitch at-bat, scorching a line drive to the base of the fence in right field, securing the walk-off win for the Frontier and officially punching their ticket to Okotoks.

A final round robin game, followed by a semi-final showdown against the Mississauga Tigers, brought a close to the Ontario qualifiers. The Frontier squad battled the Tigers early, reeling off nine hits against their starting pitcher before his departure partway through the fourth inning, but a three-run shot from Ziji Mina in the bottom half put the game out of reach.

Some of the Frontier team will remain in Ontario this week to compete in a Canadian Perfect Game event, while the rest of the squad heads home to prepare.

The entire group will reconvene in early July in Halifax for a training camp and games prior to their departure for Okotoks in mid-July.

June 2, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Former Baseball PEI and Baseball Canada president Ron Rice died on May 27 at the age of 82.

“Baseball Canada extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ron Rice . . . Ron served as president of Baseball Canada from 1996 to 2000 and made a lasting impact on the baseball community, particularly in his home province of Prince Edward Island,” said Baseball Canada in a statement on Monday.

Born on December 4, 1943, in Charlottetown, PEI, Rice was a lifelong Islander who when not around the diamond, was a highly respected teacher.

His official obituary indicates he had a deep passion for sports, particularly baseball.

“He served as president of Baseball Prince Edward Island helping grow the game of baseball on the Island,” reads a part of his official obituary. “He then served as president of Baseball Canada, a role that allowed him to travel the world and share his passion for the game. Among his many memorable experiences was representing Baseball Canada at the summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.”

Baseball PEI also paid tribute to Rice on Monday.

“Baseball PEI is saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Rice,” the organization said in a statement. “Ron had a deep love for the game of baseball and made a lasting impact on our sport, serving as president of Baseball PEI and Baseball Canada. We extend our sincere condolences to Ron’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Rice is survived by his wife, Katherine, his children Jamie, Gordon, and Jill, as well as eight grandchildren.

For funeral details, click here.

June 1, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – Down three runs after two innings, the Winnipeg Goldeyes came back to defeat the Sioux Falls Canaries 6-3 at Blue Cross Park Monday evening.

Sioux Falls took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning when designated hitter Jabari Henry lined a two-out single to centre field that brought in left fielder Anthony Sharkas.

The Canaries added two more in the top of the second. First, shortstop Michael Curialle came home on a base hit by third baseman Chris Kwitzer, then Sharkas hit a sacrifice fly to left that scored second baseman Trevor Achenbach to make it 3-0 Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls nearly made it 5-0 in the third but for a defensive gem by Goldeyes left fielder Adam Hall (London, Ont.) who brought what appeared to be a two-run home run by Achenbach back into the ballpark for the third out of the frame.

Winnipeg reduced the deficit to two in the bottom of the fifth on first baseman T.J. Schofield-Sam’s double down the right field line that drove in Hall to make it 3-1.

An inning later, the Goldeyes pulled to within one when centre fielder Noah Marcelo scored on right fielder Roby Enríquez’s ground out to shortstop.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Winnipeg tied the game at 3-3 on a sacrifice fly to centre by second baseman Keshawn Lynch that brought Hall in to score. Two batters later, Marcelo crushed a two-out, three-run home run to left field with shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder and catcher Kevin García aboard. It was Marcelo’s team-leading fifth round-tripper of the season and it gave the Goldeyes a 6-3 lead.

Landen Bourassa (Lethbridge, Alta.) started for Winnipeg and gave up three runs on six hits in five innings of work. He struck out two and walked a pair. Weston Lombard did not allow a hit in two innings of relief. Eli Saul (Vancouver, B.C.) and Derrick Cherry pitched a scoreless inning each.

Derek Craft went six innings for the Canaries, allowing two runs on five hits while walking a batter and fanning one. Will Levine surrendered four runs on two hits in the pivotal seventh inning.

The series continues Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with veteran lefty Mitchell Lambson scheduled to start for the Goldeyes. Right-hander Chase Gearing will take the mound for Sioux Falls.

June 1, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Whether he’s pitching in the Cleveland Guardians’ organization or in the San Francisco Giants’ system, it doesn’t seem to matter to Matt Wilkinson.

The Surrey, B.C., native, nicknamed Tugboat, continues to shine.

Last Wednesday, in his third start for the Giants’ double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels since being acquired from the Guardians on May 9, Wilkinson allowed just one hit in seven scoreless innings to earn the win against the Akron RubberDucks, his former club.

For his efforts, Wilkinson has been named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week (May 26 to May 31).

It’s the second time the Canuck southpaw has captured the honour this season. He also won it for the week of April 14 to April 19 while he was with the RubberDucks.

In his dominant start against his former team last week, he threw 49 of his 75 pitches for strikes. He walked one batter and struck out three.

With this performance, he improved to 3-2 in nine starts this season and lowered his ERA to 1.87. He has 49 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings and opponents are batting just .154 off him.

Selected in the 10th round of the 2023 MLB draft, the 23-year-old Okotoks Dawgs alum is in his fourth pro season.

2026 CBN Minor League Player of the Week winners

Opening Day to April 5 - Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Rangers

April 7 to April 12 - Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), Phillies

April 14 to April 19- Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Guardians

April 21 to April 26 - Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), Braves

April 28 to May 3 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

May 5 to May 10 - Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.), Royals

May 12 to May 17 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays

May 19 to May 24 - Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Diamondbacks

May 26 to May 31 - Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Giants

Top Canadian Minor League Batters (May 26 to May 31)

Top Canadian Minor League Pitchers (May 26 to May 31)

June 1, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Terriers and Langley Blaze emerged as champions of the Ontario and B.C. Road to Okotoks qualifiers on Sunday.

Both will now advance to Baseball Canada’s Road to Okotoks national championship tournament to be held in Okotoks, Alta., from July 14 to July 19.

The Terriers claimed the Ontario title with two victories on Sunday - a 7-5 win over the Etobicoke Rangers in the morning and a 6-3 triumph over the Mississauga Tigers HPP in the afternoon. They finished the tournament 5-1.

The Langley Blaze, meanwhile, defeated the Victoria Eagles 5-1 in the semi-finals before downing the Abbotsford Cardinals 9-0 in the finals to win the qualifier. The Blaze finished the tournament with a 5-2 record.

Other Ontario teams to qualify

Despite their losses on Sunday, the Etobicoke Rangers (3-2 record) and Mississauga Tigers HPP (5-1 record) have also qualified for the Road to Okotoks tournament in July.

They will be joined by the Terriers, Atlantic Frontier (2-3), Ontario Blue Jays (3-3), Ontario Kobras (3-2) and DT Select (3-2).

Sunday scores:

Mississauga Tigers HPP 9 Atlantic Frontier 3

Terriers 7 Etobicoke Rangers 5

Ontario Kobras 11 North Toronto 1

DT Selects 6 Ontario Blue Jays 5

Terriers 6 Mississauga Tigers 3

Ontario Blue Jays 10 North Toronto 0

Other B.C. teams to qualify

On top of the Langley Blaze, Abbotsford Cardinals (6-1), the Victoria Eagles (3-3) and UBC Thunder (2-4) also punched their tickets to Okotoks.

Sunday scores:

Semi-finals

Abbotsford Cardinals 2 UBC Thunder 0

Langley Blaze 5 Victoria Eagles 1

Finals

Langley Blaze 9 Abbotsford Cardinals 0

Prairies Sunday games cancelled due to rain

The qualifier games scheduled for Sunday in Alberta were cancelled due to rain.

“Due to rain, the remaining games in the Prairie Qualifiers are cancelled today,” Baseball Canada said in a statement early Sunday morning. “Baseball Canada will provide an update on remaining qualifying spots for The Road to Okotoks and The Morneau Cup in the coming days.”

May 31, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

It’s a tough choice.

Which season would you rather have if you were the SUNY Niagara Thunderwolves, who went 51-2 in 2025?

Or would you rather finish 55-6 as coach Matt Clingersmith did this season?

Never mind the losses, this year the Thunderwolves won their final game of the season 12-8 against Rowan College at TVA Credit Union Ballpark in Johnson City, Tenn. to win the 2026 NJCAA DIII World Series title. It was a rematch of SUNY Niagara’s second-round victory.

Shortstop and lead-off hitter Cam Gravelle (Smithville, Ont.) led the blue-and-gold to its first national championship in its 59-year history, going 2-for-5 with a double and four RBIs. DH Alexander Graham (Toronto, Ont.) singled and knocked in a run.

RHP Keegan Bazinet (Windsor, Ont.) started and picked up the win for the New York State JUCO version of Team Canada. Given a 10-2 lead, he pitched six innings allowing six runs on 11 hits and two walks, while fanning five.

Four runs in the fifth helped Niagara to beat the Dallas Eastfield Harvester Bees 6-5 in the semi-final. Again, Gravelle had two hits from the lead-off spot, including a double, while RF Luke Gigliotti (Toronto, Ont.) and DH Graham each added a single.

The Thunderwolves moved to 2-0 when they beat Rowan 9-7 as Gravelle had three hits, including a double, knocked in a run and stole a base. DH Graham had two hits and singled in a run.

Again in the opener, Gravelle, the former Ontario Royal, was the man in an 11-5 victory against the Northern Essex Knights as he went 3-for-5, while stealing two bases. It was Gravelle’s 24th multi-hit game of the season and his most hits in a postseason since he tallied four and drove in a career-high five runs in SUNY Niagara’s 8-0 Region III semifinal against Hudson Valley in Auburn.

RF Gigliotti had a pair of hits. Bazinet started the opener and picked up the first of two wins. He pitched seven innings, allowing five runs -- four earned on 11 hits and four walks, while fanning three.

Besides earning first team all-conference honours, the resident of C Bobby Killins hometown, Gravelle hit .452 with 24 doubles, five triples, three homers, 64 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Gravelle owned a 1.182 OPS in 61 games.

Bazinet, who also earned first team honours, finished with an unbeaten 13-0 record in 12 starts, with a 2.54 ERA in 78 1/3 innings and 14 career wins, tying Ryan Birchard for fourth-most in the modern era. His 118 strikeouts are the sixth-most. Bazinet struck out 89 while walking only 23.

Gigliotti batted .377 with eight doubles, two homers and 33 RBIs. He had a .940 OPS in 55 games. Graham batted .353 with five doubles, four homers and 33 RBIs. He had a 1.090 OPS in 29 games.

Nolan Bigras (Burlington, Ont.) was 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts. He struck out 13 in 12 innings.

Charlie Chubak (Petawawa, Ont.) was 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA in six games. He struck out five in 8 1/3 innings.

Austin Barton (Kitchener, Ont.) had a 3.60 ERA in five games. He struck out nine in five innings.

Jackson Sheehy (Guelph, Ont.) was 1-0 with a 16.88 ERA, striking out five in 2 2/3 innings.

C Carter McCormick (Oshawa, Ont.) was also on the roster.

May 30, 2026

By Abby Fralic

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs delivered a dominant performance against the Lethbridge Bulls in a 26-1 win in front of 4,487 fans at Seaman Stadium on Saturday.

It was the first 5 O’Clock Saturday of the year where the Dawgs sported their blue “Margaritaville” uniforms.

The Dawgs pounded out 19 hits and had another errorless game.

The Dawgs’ dominant offence was led by Cal Gates, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, one home run, four RBIs and two walks. Ricardo Sanchez also went 3-for-4 and had five runs, two RBIs and two walks.

Newcomers Jordan Kievman and Turner Zdunich (High River, Alta.) were also major offensive contributors, pumping out five hits and six RBIs between them.

On the mound, Ty Johnson led the charge, permitting only three hits in three innings.

The Dawgs’ bullpen then only allowed five hits in five innings to close out the game.

Clean pitching performances by Caden Fischer (St. Albert, Alta.), Bracken Rice and Tyson Willis kept the momentum on the Dawgs’ side as they rolled to their first ever mercy rule victory in WCBL history.

The Dawgs will play the Bulls again on Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

May 30, 2026

Baseball Canada

Here’s a rundown of the scores and standings from Day 3 of the Road to Okotoks qualifiers being held in Ontario, the Prairies and B.C., as well as the semi-finals and finals schedules for Sunday.

B.C.

Scoreboard

Standings

Semi-Finals and Finals Schedule

Prairies

Scoreboard

Standings

Semi-Finals and Finals Schedule

The Vauxhall Academy beat Team Saskatchewan 9-5 on Saturday night.

Ontario

Scoreboard

Semi-Finals and Finals Schedule

May 31, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Lopez still leads MLB in batting average, hits

We are close to 60 games into the 2026 season and Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.) still leads the majors in batting average and hits.

His .330 batting average puts him ahead of Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh whose .323 average ranks second.

Lopez’s 75 hits are also five more than his Marlins teammate Xavier Edwards for the MLB lead.

The 27-year-old Lopez, who has played for Canada in the last two World Baseball Classics, had a four-hit game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Caissie improving with Marlins

Lopez’s Marlins teammate Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) has been hitting well over the past couple of weeks.

After a lengthy slump, the Fieldhouse Pirates and Junior National team grad is batting .293 with a .561 slugging percentage in his last 15 games. He also has three home runs and 11 RBIs in that span.

Caissie belted a two-run home run in the eighth inning in the Marlins’ 9-7, 10-inning loss to the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday. It was his fifth home run of the season.

Four days earlier, Caissie had a double, a single and two RBIs in the Marlins’ 8-2 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Since May 13, he has boosted his batting average from .202 to .225.

Caissie is in his first season with the Marlins after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs as part of the package for right-hander Edward Cabrera on January 7.

Soroka notches seventh win

On Wednesday, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) permitted just two runs in six innings, while striking out three, to record his seventh win of the season in the D-Backs’ 3-2 victory over the Giants at Oracle Park.

Soroka is tied for third in the National League in wins.

He also leads the D-Backs in wins and strikeouts (60) and is tied for the team lead with 11 starts.

Smith extends saves streak

Cleveland Guardians reliever Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) has a save in each of his last 15 appearances.

On Friday, he struck out the side against the Boston Red Sox to secure a 4-3 win and his 20th save of the season. That made him the first MLB pitcher to reach 20 saves this season.

This is Smith’s first full season as the Guardians’ closer. He took over as the team’s closer in late July last year and finished 2025 with 16 saves.

19th anniversary of Halladay’s 100th win

It was 19 years ago today that Roy Halladay recorded his 100th win as a Blue Jay when he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre.

He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter in the Blue Jays’ 2-0 victory. Right-hander Jeremy Accardo recorded the save. Left-hander Mark Buehrle threw a complete game for the White Sox but was saddled with the loss.

With this performance, Halladay became the fifth Blue Jays pitcher to record 100 wins, joining Dave Stieb, Jim Clancy, Jimmy Key and Pat Hentgen.

Expos fired Alou 25 years ago

Twenty-five years ago today, the Montreal Expos fired Felipe Alou after parts of 10 seasons as the club’s manager. He was replaced by Jeff Torborg.

A fan favourite, Alou departed the Expos with 691 victories, by far the most by any manager in franchise history (Buck Rodgers is second with 520 wins).

But Alou wasn’t out of work long. After serving as the Detroit Tigers bench coach in 2002, he was hired to be the Giants’ dugout boss in 2003. He remained in that role for four seasons.

Macko makes first MLB start, also thriving out of Jays’ pen

Blue Jays left-hander Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) made his first MLB start on Friday. He held the Baltimore Orioles off the scoreboard for the first 1 2/3 innings as part of a bullpen day in the Blue Jays’ 6-5 win.

The Vauxhall Academy grad has yet to allow a run in his first seven big league appearances. He has five strikeouts and three holds in six innings.

With Brendon Little demoted to triple-A and Joe Mantiply undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, Macko has become a key left-hander out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen, alongside Mason Fluharty.

Macko was 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 13 relief appearances with 18 strikeouts in 19 innings for triple-A Buffalo prior to his call-up.

He was acquired from the Seattle Mariners, along with reliever Erik Swanson, for outfielder Teoscar Hernandez on November 16, 2022.

Five-year anniversary of national team no-hitter

Five years ago today, Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.), Brendan McGuigan and Ben Onyshko (Winnipeg, Man.) combined to throw a no-hitter for the Canadian national team against Colombia in their tournament opening 7-0 win at the Americas Olympic Qualifier.

Albers started and fanned seven batters in the first seven innings. McGuigan and Onyshko followed with hitless frames. They struck out two batters each.

Offensively, Jacob Robson (Windsor, Ont.) had three hits and three RBIs for Canada.

Sabrowski placed on 15-day injured list

The Guardians placed left-hander Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) on the 15-day injured list on Monday (retroactive to May 22) with left elbow inflammation.

The Guardians are being extra cautious with Sabrowski who has a history of arm woes. Prior to joining the Guardians, Sabrowski underwent Tommy John surgery twice (2018 and 2021).

The Canuck lefty has been outstanding out of the Guardians’ bullpen this season. He leads the majors with 17 holds and owns a 1.71 ERA and has struck out 39 batters in 21 innings.

The Edmonton Prospects Academy grad has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons with the Guardians.

He was originally selected in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres.

McAdoo becomes sixth Blue Jay to homer in first game

Blue Jays infielder Charles McAdoo belted a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Orioles on Friday to become the sixth Blue Jays player to homer in their first MLB game.

The others are:

Al Woods – April, 7, 1977

Pinch-hitting for right fielder Steve Bowling in the fifth inning of the Blue Jays’ first-ever game, Woods promptly clubbed a two-run home run off White Sox righty Francisco Barrios in his first at bat.

Steve Staggs – July 1, 1977

Starting at second base and batting second in his MLB debut, Staggs walloped a solo home run off Texas Rangers right-hander Doyle Alexander in the sixth inning. It was his third at bat of the game.

J.P. Arencibia – August 7, 2010

In one of the greatest debuts in Blue Jays’ history, Arencibia hit not one, but two homers in his first MLB game. The young catcher connected for a two-run round-tripper off Tampa Bay Rays right-hander James Shields in the second inning and then for a solo shot off Rays reliever Dale Thayer in the sixth. For good measure, he also had a double and a single in the contest.

Devon Travis – April 6, 2015

Batting ninth and playing second base, Travis hit a solo home run off New York Yankees reliever Chasen Shreve in the seventh inning. It was his third plate appearance.

Davis Schneider – August 4, 2023

Starting at second base and hitting seventh, Schneider belted a solo home run off Boston Red Sox lefty James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) in his first MLB at bat. He later singled in the top of the seventh for his second hit of the contest.

*Note: I wanted to add Junior Felix to this list. But though he did homer in his first MLB at bat on May 4, 1989, it came in his second MLB game. He had entered the game the previous day as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Sixteen years ago, Stern played final MLB game

On this date 16 years ago, outfielder Adam Stern (London, Ont.) played his final major league game for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Stern pinch-hit for Brewers pitcher Jeff Suppan in the ninth inning and hit a grounder to Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez who flipped the ball to second base to force Brewers catcher George Kottaras (Scarborough, Ont.) out. Stern reached first on a fielder’s choice and then moved up to second on a single by Rickie Weeks. But he was stranded at second when Carlos Gomez flied out to left field and Prince Fielder grounded out to first base.

The Marlins won the game 13-5.

Young activated by Mets

Outfielder/first baseman Jared Young (Prince George, B.C.) was activated by the New York Mets on Tuesday.

He had been sidelined since April 13 due to a meniscus tear in his left knee.

On Saturday, Young belted a solo home run for the Mets in their 6-1 win over the Marlins. He has gone 3-for-8 in four games since his return. In total this season, he is 10-for-29 (.345 batting average) in 14 games.

Signed by the Mets in December 2024, Young socked four homers in 22 games with the big league club last season.

Chosen in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Cubs, the Okanagan Athletics alum also played parts of two seasons with the Cubs in 2022 and 2023.

Tong strong out of Mets’ pen

Right-hander Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) has not allowed an earned run in 6 2/3 innings in two appearances as the long man out of the Mets’ bullpen since being recalled on May 22.

On Wednesday, in his second outing since his promotion, he allowed three hits and an unearned run in 3 2/3 innings in the Mets’ 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Prior to his promotion, the 22-year-old Tong had posted a 1-3 record and a 5.68 ERA in nine starts for the triple-A Syracuse Mets this season. He struck out 55 batters in 38 innings.

This is the 6-foot-1 right-hander’s second major league tenure with the Mets. He went 2-3 with a 7.71 ERA in five big league starts with them last season.

Ranked the Mets’ No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Tong dominated in the minors last season, combining to go 10-5 with a 1.43 ERA in 22 starts in double-A and triple-A. His 179 strikeouts were the most by any pitcher in the affiliated minor league ranks. He also topped all minor league hurlers in ERA and opponents’ batting average (.148).

Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB draft by the Mets, Tong is in his fifth pro season.

May 31st Birthdays

1943 – Jackie Brown, former Expos pitcher (died in 2017)

1962 – Joe Orsulak, former Expos outfielder

1973 – Marty Janzen, former Blue Jays pitcher

1977 – Phil Devey (St. Jerome, Que.), former Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect

1981 – Ray Olmedo, former Blue Jays infielder

May 30, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

The Doane Tigers went two and out at the 2026 Avista NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.

But no one can blame Carter Roth.

Roth (Stratford, Ont.) was 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in a 7-3 loss to 18th-ranked Mid-America Christian at the 69th annual championship.

And in a 10-8 loss to No. 1 ranked Taylor, the former Ontario National was 3-for-5 again with a double and an RBI.

Four Canucks were wearing Doane uniforms during the tournament, the majority of them fared better against Taylor:

-Jordan Bond (Victoria, BC) had two hits, including a two-run homer, and knocked in three runs.

-Johnny Vulcano (Cloverdale, BC) had a pair of hits.

-Ethan Merk (Regina, Sask.) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless, with three strikeouts, in Doane’s loss to Mid-America Christian.

On the season, at the plate Roth batted .455 with 22 doubles, three triples, 12 homers and 74 RBIs. He had a 1.113 OPS in 58 games.

Bond batted .297 with 13 doubles, a triple, six homers and 40 RBIs. He also carried a .871 OPS in 58 games.

Jimmy Vulcano (Cloverdale, BC) hit .328 with 11 doubles, a triple, two homers and 42 RBIs. He carried a .806 OPS in 51 games. Brother Adam Vulcano hit .267 with five doubles, a triple, three homers and 15 RBIs. He had an OPS of .876 in 47 games.

And on the mound, Merk was 4-3 with five saves and a 3.24 ERA. He fanned 38 in 41 2/3 innings in 19 games.

In addition to the four Doane Tigers, four others made it to the NAIA World Series.

_ Florida Southeastern, who knocked out the UBC Thunderbirds, started 2-0 beating the Johnson Royals 14-13 and Indiana Southeast 16-4. Next came a 17-7 loss to William Carey and an 8-5 loss to Tennessee Wesleyan.

RHP John McDonald pitched in seven games with a 2.44 ERA. McDonald (Mississauga, Ont.) was 1-0, striking out nine in seven innings.

_ Two Canucks were with the Mid-America Christian University Evangels, who beat Doane 7-3, then were edged 14-13 by Southeastern and eliminated in an 11-0 decision to Tennessee Wesleyan.

Ned Ceklic had a pinch-hit single in the second loss. On the season, Ceklic (Okotoks, Alta.) batted .261 with a double, two homers and five RBIs. He had a 1.051 OPS in 20 games. Jordan Hartley (Whitby, Ont.) had one at-bat.

_ RHP Ryan Dexter (Ottawa, Ont.) was with Johnson but did not pitch.

Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs secured their third NAIA national title in a record-breaking 21-3 blowout win over Johnson.

May 27, 2026

Official Bellevue University Athletics News Release

BELLEVUE, Neb. — The Bellevue University Athletic Department celebrated its top student-athletes, coaches, and support staff at the annual Athletics Awards Banquet, recognizing achievement in competition, in the classroom, in performance training, and in service to Bruin Athletics during the 2025-26 academic year.

The evening was highlighted by the presentation of the department's major annual awards, including Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Male and Female Academic Athlete of the Year, Male and Female Lifter of the Year, Student Athletic Trainer of the Year, and the Bruin Award.

Athlete of the Year Awards

Carter Claerhout, a graduate student first baseman, was named the BU Male Athlete of the Year after putting together one of the top offensive seasons in program history.

As of May 18, Claerhout (Red Deer, Alta.) ranked first nationally in batting average (.491), slugging percentage (.969), OPS (1.502), home runs (29), hits (110), total bases (217), and extra-base hits (48). He also ranked fifth nationally with 86 RBIs and sixth with 78 runs scored.

Claerhout's 29 home runs set a Bellevue single-season record, highlighting a 2026 season that placed him among the top offensive performers in program history. He also set BU single-season records for slugging percentage, OPS, total bases, and extra-base hits, while ranking second in batting average and RBIs, third in hits, fifth in runs scored, and sixth in on-base percentage.

Claerhout was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Year, first-team all-Frontier Conference, a Frontier Conference Gold Glove Team selection at first base, and a Frontier Conference All-Tournament Team honoree. He was also a two-time NAIA National Player of the Week and a five-time Frontier Conference Player of the Week during the season.

Eve Fountain, a graduate student outside hitter on the Bellevue University volleyball team, was selected as the BU Female Athlete of the Year after capping one of the most decorated careers in program history with another standout season in 2025.

Fountain earned first-team AVCA and NAIA All-American honors, was named the Frontier Conference Attacker of the Year, and received first-team all-Frontier Conference and first-team AVCA all-North Region recognition. She was also selected to the NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team after helping lead the Bruins to the national quarterfinals.

Fountain led Bellevue with 372 kills, 44 service aces, and 447.0 points while ranking second on the team with 370 digs. She averaged 3.18 kills and 3.16 digs per set, added 52 total blocks, and posted a team-best 14 double-doubles. She led the Frontier Conference in total kills, ranked second in service aces, and finished 15th in digs. Fountain recorded double-figure kills in 22 matches and double-figure digs in 19.

Fountain broke Bellevue's career kills record and finished with 1,917 kills. She also closed her career ranked sixth in program history with 161 service aces and sixth with 1,918 digs.

For her career, Fountain was a three-time first-team NAIA All-American, four-time first-team all-conference selection, four-time first-team AVCA all-region honoree, and five-time all-conference selection overall. She was also the 2025 Frontier Conference Attacker of the Year, the 2020 NSAA Freshman of the Year, the 2020 AVCA North Central Region Freshman of the Year, and the 2024-25 Omaha World-Herald all-Midlands Athlete of the Year.

Academically, Fountain earned first-team CSC Academic All-America honors in 2025 after receiving second-team recognition in 2024. She was also a three-time CSC Academic All-District selection, a four-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete, and a six-time conference scholar-athlete.

Academic Athlete of the Year Awards

Kenji Miller, a senior left-handed pitcher on the Bellevue University baseball team, was named the BU Male Academic Athlete of the Year. Miller earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Bellevue and is currently pursuing his master's degree in data science while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Miller earned first-team all-Frontier Conference, Frontier Conference All-Tournament Team, Frontier Conference Champion of Character, NAIA Scholar-Athlete, and academic all-Frontier Conference honors during the 2026 season.

On the mound, Miller went 10-1 with a 4.45 ERA, leading the Bruins with 85 innings pitched and 98 strikeouts. He made 15 appearances, including 14 starts, for a Bellevue team that was 50-6 overall and 24-0 in conference play as of May 19. Miller's season highlights included 11 strikeouts over eight innings in an 11-1 win over No. 25 Central Methodist and 10 strikeouts against Valley City State.

Audrey Sandfort, a senior defensive specialist on the Bellevue University volleyball team, was selected as the BU Female Academic Athlete of the Year. Sandfort carries a 4.0 GPA in business analytics and earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete and academic all-Frontier Conference honors.

Sandfort was also named Bellevue's representative as the Frontier Conference Champion of Character, in recognition of her commitment to character, leadership, and service.

On the court, Sandfort appeared in 85 sets while contributing in multiple roles as a libero, defensive specialist, and serving specialist. She recorded 152 digs, averaging 1.79 per set, while adding 10 service aces and 15 assists. Sandfort posted a season-high 19 digs against College of Idaho on Aug. 22 and added 17 digs in the Bruins' sweep of Indiana Wesleyan on Aug. 29. She reached double figures in digs five times during the season.

Lifter of the Year Awards

RJ Smith, a senior center on the Bellevue University men's basketball team, was named the BU Male Lifter of the Year after helping the Bruins to a runner-up finish in the Frontier Conference regular-season standings, an at-large berth to the NAIA National Tournament, and a run to the NAIA Round of 16.

Smith started all 32 games and averaged 12.0 points and a team-best 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 67.1 percent from the field. He led the Frontier Conference in rebounding and ranked second in field goal percentage.

Smith recorded six double-doubles during the season, including 19 points and 14 rebounds against Hastings, 19 points and 11 rebounds against Mission, 16 points and 13 rebounds against Waldorf, 14 points and 15 rebounds against Mayville State, 14 points and 14 rebounds at Montana Tech, and 21 points and 11 rebounds against Graceland in the NAIA National Tournament.

Aspen Meyer, a junior outside hitter on the Bellevue University volleyball team, was selected as the BU Female Lifter of the Year after returning to competition following a season-ending knee injury in 2024-25.

Meyer appeared in seven sets over four matches during the 2025 season, totaling six kills, two digs, and two block assists. Her return included a season-high three kills in Bellevue's five-set home win over then-No. 1 Providence on Nov. 1. She also finished with two kills in the Bruins' sweep of Bismarck State on Oct. 11 and added one kill in a road win at Montana Tech on Oct. 23.

Student Athletic Trainer of the Year

Abigail Murphy was named the Bellevue University Student Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Bruin Award

Rob Brown, the only head coach in Bellevue University men's golf history, received the Bruin Award in recognition of his 15-year tenure building the program from its launch into one of the NAIA's consistent national contenders.

Brown was hired in 2010 to start the Bruins' men's golf program and led Bellevue through its first varsity season in 2011-12. Under his direction, the program captured 12 conference championships, won 48 team tournament titles, and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament 12 times.

Bellevue became a fixture on the national stage during Brown's tenure, recording five top-10 finishes at the NAIA National Championships. The Bruins placed a program-best third nationally in 2022 and finished fifth in 2013. His 2024-25 squad added a seventh-place national finish, continuing a run of national success that spanned more than a decade.

Brown was named Conference Coach of the Year 12 times and earned two GCAA Regional Coach of the Year honors. He coached 15 NAIA All-Americans, 48 first-team all-conference selections, and 10 Conference Golfers of the Year. His impact also extended to the classroom, where 43 student-athletes earned conference scholar-athlete recognition during his tenure.

Before launching Bellevue men's golf, Brown had nearly 40 years of professional golf experience, including time teaching alongside Al Geiberger and serving as a head professional at Wakonda Club in Des Moines, Iowa, and The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis. An accomplished player, Brown is a former Iowa State Open champion, five-time Iowa PGA Senior Champion, and U.S. Senior Open qualifier.

Brown will retire following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

May 30, 2026

By Patrick Kennedy

Canadian Baseball Network

In today's baseball world of sky-high salaries and ludicrous nine-digit deals, it's hard to imagine a time when most big-league ballplayers held down off-season jobs.

Often they did so out of financial necessity, supplementing modest baseball salaries with a few months of workaday toil alongside everyday people in everyday jobs.

During the winter, Brooklyn Dodgers star Jackie Robinson worked in an appliance store. Pirates infielder Richie Hebner traded his glove for a shovel and dug graves at his family-owned cemetery, while Yankee catcher Yogi Berra sold hardware for Sears & Roebuck. Flame-throwing pitcher Nolan Ryan installed A/C units. Baltimore Orioles ace Jim Palmer sold suits (in the days before he stripped to his skivvies in underwear ads.)

Chicago Cubs icon Ferguson Jenkins was no different. Soon after the baseball season finished, Jenkins returned to his off-season sideline. It was honest, sweaty work that kept him fit, and like his summer job, it played out before large enthusiastic audiences in vast stadiums, small-town arenas, and in one unique instance on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

Fergie played hoops. And not just with any old basketball team but the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. He played for parts of three seasons (1967-69), roughly 120 games in total.

“It kept me in shape and the money was very good,” Jenkins points out on his Globetrotter days during a recent telephone interview. “In 1967 my Chicago Cubs salary was $12,000. That winter the Globes paid me $14,000 to play basketball for three months.”

Unlike other big leaguers who suited up with the Globies (Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, even ageless Satchel Paige in a three-piece suit come to mind), Jenkins was more than just a participant in skits and stunts. He played when the basketball tempo changed and the pace quickened. That the Cubs even allowed their linchpin to play basketball – or any sport outside of darts or Tiddlywinks – boggles the mind nowadays, especially considering that in 1969, his final season with the Globies, Jenkins was only halfway through a streak of six straight 20-win seasons during which he averaged a tad more than 300 innings per year. Little wonder why his Cubs manager, baseball lifer Leo Durocher, once called Jenkins “not only the best pitcher today, but one of the best ever.”

Jenkins showcased remarkable consistency, durability and pinpoint control over 19 major league seasons. He posted a career won-loss record of 284-226 (3.34 ERA) and retired in 1983 as the first of only four pitchers with at least 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks.

In his dazzling 1971 Cy Young Award-winning season (24-13, 2.77 ERA), he fanned 263 batters and issued just 37 walks, six of which were intentional. Fergie and the strike zone enjoyed a long-lasting relationship. That same year he also surrendered a league-high 29 home runs, a hazard for any control pitcher. In the days when pitchers batted, that summer he also belted a half-dozen dingers of his own and added 20 RBIs, What's more, he threw a complete game in 30 of his 39 starts. (By comparison, all major-league pitchers in 2025 managed a cumulative total of just 15 complete games.)

Traded from Chicago following a 14-16 season in 1973, Jenkins rebounded the next season with a 25-12 record for manager Billy Martin's last-place Texas Rangers, finishing runnerup to Jim 'Catfish' Hunter, ace of the World Champion Oakland A's, for Cy Young salutations. Jenkins was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, the first Canadian inductee.

Curiously, it's in Cooperstown on Memorial Day Weekend 2026 where the phone call from Kingston reaches the 83-year-old Chatham native and longtime Texas resident.

Fergie, fresh off a rain-shortened 14 holes of golf with fellow inductee Rollie Fingers and former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Al Bumbry, is asked about the vintage photograph that appears with this column, a promotional shot by longtime Whig-Standard photographer Cliff Knapp for a 1968 Globetrotters game at the Kingston Memorial Centre. In the photo, the young major leaguer, then 25, palms a basketball and demonstrates to Kingston sportsman Bob Elliott “how to throw a curve,” something Jenkins does during the team's 'pitching skit” that always ends with Globetrotter master showman Meadowlark Lemon clubbing a two-fisted home run.

Fergie doesn't recall the photo or the actual exhibition contest in Kingston, “a long time ago,” he chuckles. “We played a busy schedule, don't forget...so many towns and cities. But I also got to play in places like the (Detroit) Olympia, the (St. Louis) Checkerdome, and of course in Madison Square Garden, which is the Mecca of basketball.”

The mention of his sparkling 'rebound' season in 1974 triggers a story involving the late Billy Martin, who had carved a reputation as a nightclub brawler beginning in the mid-50s and was evidently still padding it.

“We were on NBC Game of the Week one Saturday,” Fergie recalls a time when the Game of the Week was the ONLY nationally televised game of the week. “It's mid-season, we're in last place, and Billy comes into the ballpark late with some woman trailing him. We're all wondering who she is because she's following him everywhere, even into his office.

“It turned out she was a network makeup artist. Apparently Billy had been in a scrap the night before...half an eyebrow gone, bruises on his face, on his neck. That was Billy.”

Jenkins, like Tom Glavine, current Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement, and a few other major leaguers, played high-level hockey in his teens. He remembers his mother's influence in his decision to ultimately pursue baseball. In particular, he recalls one poignant chat with her one night after the teenager came home from a juvenile all-star hockey game sporting fresh stitches. Delores Ferguson, though visually impaired, spotted a different kind of obstacle ahead in her son's puck-game future. “She said 'Son, this sport isn't for you,' then added: 'Besides, you and the puck are the only black things on the ice.'”

In his 1991 Hall of Fame induction speech, Ferguson thanked his dad, Ferguson Jenkins Sr., a splendid fleet-footed centre fielder with the three-time OBA champion Chatham Coloured All-Stars, and cited his mom's influence on his career.

"My mother knew before I did that the sport of baseball was what I should play," Jenkins said. “Although she was blind, and never saw me play, she always knew this was the game I wanted to do whole-heartedly."

Jenkins maintains a hectic schedule of memorabilia and card shows, golf tournaments, speaking engagements, and public appearances.

“It keeps him going,” notes his wife.

The pitcher who tossed a staggering 264 complete games is still going the distance.

“Gotta keep busy,” says Jenkins. “Like that rolling stone, I'm not gathering any moss.”

Patrick Kennedy is a retired Whig-Standard reporter. He can be reached at pjckennedy35@gmail.com

May 27, 2026

Saskatoon Berries Official News Release

The Saskatoon Berries have locked up a key piece of the pie as head coach Joe Carnahan has signed a three-year contract extension.

"Excited and thankful for the opportunity to continue coaching with the Berries summer collegiate team and academy," said Carnahan, who is entering his third season with the organization. "Sask Entertainment Group is a first-class organization ran professionally with forward-thinking. Steve Hildebrand has been great to work under, as well as working with the rest of the staff and coaching staff. Our goal is to keep raising the bar and continue to elevate the Berries brand."

Carnahan has been the coach of the team since its inaugural season, leading them to a 77-34 record over their first two seasons. He was named WCBL Coach of the Year after the team set the league's wins record with 46 through the 2025 season.

"We are thrilled to have Joe back for the next thre years," said Berries president Steve Hildebrand. "Joe has been instrumental to the team's early success while serving as a crucial part of our development program with the Berries Academy as well."

Carnahan is also a key ingredient of the Saskatoon Berries Academy as its head coach. Under him, the academy has been successful in its first couple of seasons. Graduating several local talents to the NJCAA and NCAA levels. Notably, the academy has graduated impact players to the Berries, with pitcher Merek Yeager and catcher Aiden Marien donning the purple uniform for the season.

May 28, 2026

Official Hamilton Cardinals News Release

HAMILTON, ONT. – The Hamilton Cardinals are excited to announce the signing of infielder Trevor Nicoll for the 2026 season.

Nicoll is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitting infielder from Coombs, B.C. He played his youth baseball with the Parksville Royals of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League.

Nicoll committed to Vancouver Island University in 2022, where he spent all four collegiate seasons with the Mariners, appearing in 100 games. Over his collegiate career, Nicoll posted a .316/.403/.401 slash line with a 48-to-60 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His best season came in 2025, when he slashed .410/.466/.562 and drove in 27 runs in 29 games.

He joins the Cardinals following a strong collegiate career and will reunite with his brother Brandon, who played for the Cardinals last season and earned a CBL All-Star selection.

May 29, 2026

Baseball Canada

Here’s a rundown of the scores and standings from Day 2 of the Road to Okotoks qualifiers being held in Ontario, the Prairies and B.C.

Ontario

Scoreboard

Standings

Prairies
Scoreboard

Standings

B.C.

Scoreboard

Standings

May 29, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Sylvan Lake Gulls 8-7 in front of a capacity crowd of 6,194 at Seaman Stadium on Friday night.

It was the Dawgs’ second straight victory over the Gulls to open the season.

Ricky Sanchez, Cal Gates, Leo Cote (Boucherville, Que.), and Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.) all reached to start the ninth, paving the way for Jeremy Kuiper to beat out a ground ball as Crowson came around to win it.

Four consecutive singles in the bottom of the eighth from Cote, Crowson, Nash Crowell (Yarmouth, N.S.), and Kuiper kickstarted the comeback as the Dawgs cut the lead to two, before winning it in the ninth.

Newcomer Jayden Lusk also had a nice night with two hits, and three RBIs.

On the mound, Dawgs Academy player, and University of Houston commit, AJ Rogers (Dartmouth, N.S.) got the start and gave up three runs in four innings.

A trio of Dawgs Academy pitchers also made their WCBL debuts out of the bullpen as Jack Bello (Vancouver, B.C.), Jack Thompson (Toronto, Ont.) and Brydon White (Surrey, B.C.) all had scoreless innings. White’s scoreless ninth also earned him the win.

There was a beautiful tribute to the late Don Seaman in the pregame festivities on Friday as the Dawgs continue to celebrate their 20th season in Okotoks. The action continues on Saturday night when the Dawgs welcome the Lethbridge Bulls to Seaman Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

May 28, 2026

By Mark Whicker

Canadian Baseball Network

By now you’ve heard about the first rules of engagement in baseball’s proposed Money War.

The collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the season, and the curtain goes up on the biggest off-field rivalry in the game: Owners vs. Owners.

The players are the scenery, although the Players Association is never easy to persuade. For its part, the hired help has proposed a $1.5 million minimum salary, free agency for five-year players who are 30 or over, and something called a Pre-Arbitration Performance Bonus Program that will enrich over-achieving kids who have played fewer than three years.

Although some of the ideas might be modified, their proposal will last about as long as your receipt from the cleaners. The real issue, as always, is the salary cap, which sends the players out of the room faster than a bunt sign.

The official MLB wish list includes a hard salary cap of $245.3 million, including benefits which are thought to average $23 million per club, and also a hard salary floor of $171.2 million. Revenues would be split 50/50. Local TV revenue will be pooled and shared equally, which is a first.

The dimensions of all this are not trivial. The Dodgers and Mets would have to trim payroll by about $150 million, and six other teams would need a haircut as well. But 12 franchises would have to add significantly to reach the floor. According to Fangraphs, the Marlins have a $74 million payroll. They will have to swell that figure by 97 percent to comply.

The Dodgers will cough up tens of millions, at least, by sharing all their local TV revenue. But since they’re estimated to spend $580 million on players, due to the luxury tax, they’ll reduce their outlay by almost half, even if they have to subject their back-to-back championship roster to heavy triage.

So it’s actually difficult to figure out who really likes the MLB proposal, except for commissioner Rob Manfred, whose idea to cut back game times has been an extraordinary success, just as a busted clock is right twice a day and only momentarily.

When something isn’t broken you don’t fix it, and when something is wildly successful you don’t take a blowtorch to it. Manfred likes to cite the NHL, the NBA and the NHL as leagues that thrive with a salary cap. But the NBA’s cap is pretty much like a “Speed Limit 55” on the Autobahn, since there’s a thicket of exceptions and several “aprons” that allow the profligate spenders to keep spending.

The NFL might be the most successful business venture in the USA, not just in sports, and shouldn’t be compared to anything else. Its player contracts aren’t fully guaranteed either. As for hockey, commissioner Gary Bettman pushed its hard cap because it was self-evident that some franchises were legitimately hurting. The NHL still lost an entire season and a playoff, and only regained its footing with extreme rules changes that made the game watchable.

Manfred says the lack of a cap hurts franchise values. His definition of “hurts” is that NBA and NFL teams have a higher uptick in sale price than baseball teams do. According to the annual Forbes Magazine survey, all 30 MLB teams are worth more than $1 billion, with the Yankees leading the way at $9.4 billion. Only ten years ago the Yankees topped that list at $3.7 billion. Revenues will approach $13 billion this year, industry-wide, and MLB says that figure has increased 247 percent since 2003. In that span, player salaries have increased 149 percent.

A salary cap, at least a hard one, provides cost certainty. Since rich pitchers have a way of suffering career-threatening injuries, baseball will have to create a Long Term Injured Reserve list, as hockey does, that doesn’t count against the cap

There will be a large argument over what constitutes baseball-related income. The Braves make a fortune off The District, the restaurants and shops that ring their ballpark in Cobb County. Sure, that has nothing to do with baseball, but The District wouldn’t be there if the Braves weren’t there.

There also is no provision about staff sizes, or at least it hasn’t been specified. The Oklahoma City Comets, who are the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate, have 10 coaches, including two hitting coaches and two “performance” coaches. Even the Marlins have 12 coaches, including three who deal with hitters. This might be a cause of correlation and not causations, but some of us remember when there was one hitting coach per team and maybe four .300 hitters in the lineup. If you want to go after expenses, put a magnifying glass on every club’s staff directory.

Most of all, MLB needs to turn away from the charade about equalizing the competition. At this writing, the high-rolling Cubs and the pennywise White Sox have virtually the same record. The Mets, with the No. 2 payroll, are two-and-a-half games behind Miami, with the No. 30 payroll. The Brewers had the No. 23 payroll last year and the No. 1 regular season record, and they have the third-best record in the National League. Tampa Bay leads the Yankees in the A.L. East, playing way above its ledger. The Giants have the No. 9 payroll and are 22-34. And the Tigers, who had the No. 14 payroll last year, came within a 15th-inning single of going to the A.L. Championship Series.

Even with the NHL’s salary cap, the Buffalo Sabres stretched their non-playoff streak to 15 years before they broke through. Pittsburgh and Chicago have won three Cups since the 2004-05 work stoppage, and Los Angeles and Florida have won two apiece. Wise personnel moves and injury luck determine champions, as they always have, but a salary cap puts a premium on what team-building really means. As mentioned before, the Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman would be the first in line to sign up for a hard cap. He built a year-to-year winner in Tampa Bay with a brutally fixed income.

People close to the situation are alarmingly fearful about the precarious 2027 season. It’s true that the MLB proposal is almost guaranteed to spread unanimous discord. But it’s also true that all parties, from dugout to boardroom alike, are more prosperous than they’ve ever been. Canceling a season, in a livelihood where seasons are perishable and finite, is only conceivable when the alarms are sounding. And, even though it’s never happened, there might come a time when a lockout drives them away from the ballpark once and for all, considering the truly outrageous concessions, ticket and parking prices.

Two minority opinions: There will be no work stoppage. And if there is a work stoppage, with all the potential for cleansing the palate and reminding people just what baseball used to mean, it won’t be the worst thing.

May 28, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

GARY, INDIANA – The Gary SouthShore RailCats won the rubber match of a three-game series at U.S. Steel Yard Thursday evening, defeating the Winnipeg Goldeyes 9-3.

For the second game in a row, the RailCats scored in their first at-bat, when second baseman Nick Podkul hit a sacrifice fly to left field that brought designated hitter Cooper Weiss in to make it 1-0.

The Goldeyes took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third as centre fielder Noah Marcelo belted a two-out double to right field scoring left fielder Keshawn Lynch. One batter later, third baseman Ramón Bramasco lined a base hit to left field that drove in Marcelo.

Gary SouthShore put six runs on the board in the bottom of the third inning to take a 7-2 lead. Right fielder Scout Knotts tied the contest with a single to right that plated Weiss. Next, first baseman Joe Suozzi hit a two-run double to right field that scored Podkul and Knotts to make it 4-2 RailCats. Olivier Basabe and Suozzi then came in on a throwing error after third baseman Camryn Williams’ fielder’s choice, extending the lead to 6-2. Finally, catcher Colin Summerhill doubled to centre field to bring Williams in for a 7-2 cushion.

In the home half of the sixth, Gary SouthShore centre fielder Korry Howell came in on a passed ball to make it 8-2, and Weiss scored when Podkul grounded into a double play.

Winnipeg reduced the deficit by one run in the top of the ninth inning on catcher Raphaël Pelletier’s single to right that drove in shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder. It was the Repentigny, Que., native’s first professional run batted in.

Peyton Long started and went seven innings for the RailCats. He allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out five. Joan Valdez pitched the final two frames, surrendering a run on three hits. He struck out three. Neither Gary SouthShore pitcher walked a batter.

Mitchell Lambson gave up seven runs – five earned on seven hits over five innings. He struck out two and walked four. Weston Lombard and Eli Saul (Vancouver, B.C.) worked the final three innings for the Goldeyes.

Following the game Winnipeg made the brief journey northwest to Rosemont, Ill., where they will open a three-game weekend series with the Chicago Dogs Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Goldeyes have not announced their starting pitcher. Chicago is expected to send right-hander Dwayne Marshall to the mound.

May 28, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

It was a sweet victory for the Okotoks Dawgs as they opened up the 2026 WCBL season with a 8–4 road win over the Sylvan Lake Gulls.

The name of the game on Thursday night for the Dawgs was playing clean and taking care of the baseball.

The Dawgs got out to an early lead, scoring a pair in the top of the first as Ricky Sanchez and Cal Gates came around to score on a pair of throwing errors by the Gulls. They never relinquished their lead after that.

Fan favourite Sanchez, in his final season with the Dawgs, was part of the trio of veterans that led the offensive charge along with Nash Crowell (Yarmouth, N.S.) and Leo Cote (Boucherville, Que.). All three drove in runs in the contest. Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) also added a pair of hits.

As mentioned, the defensive effort of the Dawgs stole the show, with Sanchez, Cote and Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.) all making stellar plays in the infield.

On the mound, Joe McBride got the start and went 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs before turning things over to the bullpen with a 7–2 lead.

The pen was able to lock down the win, getting out of a couple of tough jams. A base-running error by the Gulls in the bottom of the sixth helped keep things in check for the Dawgs. Dalton Hoffart and Grady Keljo had standout performances out of the pen, inducing 1-2-3 eighth and ninth innings in the victory.

The Okotoks Dawgs will now welcome Sylvan Lake for their home opener tonight at 7:05 p.m.

May 28, 2026

Here’s a rundown of the scores and standings from Day 1 of the Road to Okotoks qualifiers being held in Ontario, the Prairies and B.C.

Ontario

Scoreboard

Ontario Standings

Prairies

Scoreboard

Prairies

Standings

B.C.

Scoreboard

B.C. Standings

May 28, 2026

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network 

The field for the NCAA Baseball Tournament is set. 

How many Canadians are competing, you ask? There’s 36 players and two coaches across 19 teams. 

That’s up from 35 in 2025 but down from 51 in 2024. 

Let’s break down, by regional, which Canucks will play where. 

Morgantown Regional 

West Virginia Mountaineers (39-14) 

Infielder Tyrus Hall (Victoria, BC) and right-handed pitcher Ben Goodacre (Ancaster, Ont.) have the luxury of hosting after the Mountaineers neared 40 wins. 

Hall was an instrumental piece of head coach Steve Sabins offence, hitting .269 with five home runs, an .801 OPS and 16 stolen bases. 

Goodacre didn’t see action this season. 

West Virginia is joined by Wake Forest, Kentucky and Binghamton in Morgantown. 

Game 1: vs. Binghamton on Friday 

Kentucky Wildcats (31-21) 

The selection committee believed the Wildcats did enough to get in despite finishing 10 games over .500 and bowing out of the Southeastern Conference tournament after one game. 

Like West Virginia, Kentucky has two Canadians. 

Left-handed pitcher Jackson Soucie (Cambridge, Ont.) made 21 appearances out of the bullpen and posted a 3.24 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. 

Infielder Maxime Boies (Levis, Que.) didn’t see action this season. 

Game 1: vs. Wake Forest on Friday 

Hattiesburg Regional 

Jacksonville State Gamecocks (46-13) 

The Gamecocks swept their way through the Conference USA tournament to earn an automatic bid. 

Infielder and outfielder Greg LaChance (Whitby, Ont.), a transfer from Illinois, played in 35 games, starting 23. He hit .241 with a .649 OPS. 

Right-handed pitcher James Wilson (Toronto, Ont.) made six appearances, five of which were starts, with a 10.05 ERA over 14 1/3 innings. 

Jacksonville State goes up against host Southern Miss, Virginia and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

Game 1: vs. Virginia on Friday 

Arkansas Little Rock Trojans (36-26) 

Three Canadians helped the Trojans win the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. 

Infielder Blake Simpson (Toronto, Ont.) hit .327 with an .860 OPS in 36 games. 

Outfielder Austin Coyle (Kamloops, BC) played in 28 games and put up a .167 average and 1.000 fielding percentage. 

Outfielder David Stanley (Toronto, Ont.) also hit .167 but in just eight games. 

Game 1: vs. Southern Miss on Friday 

Gainesville Regional 

Florida Gators (39-19) 

Top 2027 Major League Baseball draft prospect Brendan Lawson (Toronto, Ont.) leads the Gators on their home field. 

Lawson started all 52 games with a .308 average, 16 home runs, a 1.196 OPS and 16 stolen bases. 

The Gators welcome Miami, Troy and Rider to The Swamp. 

Game 1: vs. Rider on Friday 

Troy (32-29) 

Troy cracks the field with an at-large bid. 

Right-hander Matteo Pare (LaSalle, Ont.) appeared in three games and posted a 27.00 ERA. 

Game 1: vs. Miami on Friday 

Chapel Hill Regional 

Virginia Commonwealth Rams (37-23) 

The Rams captured their fourth Atlantic 10 title since 2021. 

Infielder Nate Kirkpatrick (Surrey, BC) powered the offence with a .308 average, nine home runs and a .890 OPS in 60 games. 

Right-hander Nick Frers (North Vancouver, BC) made 16 appearances, five starts, with a 1-3 record and 6.27 ERA. He fanned 31 in 33 innings. 

Former Rams southpaw Campbell Ellis (Georgetown, Ont.) is the program’s director of pitching development. 

VCU will see host North Carolina, Tennessee and East Carolina in Chapel Hill. 

Game 1: vs. North Carolina on Friday 

College Station Regional 

Texas State Bobcats (36-24) 

Kyle Froehlich (Nipawin, Sask.) has appeared in 21 games, nine being starts. He’s 4-2 with a 4.73 ERA and 63 punch outs in 59 innings. 

The Bobcats, host Texas A&M, Southern California and Lamar make up the regional. 

Game 1: vs. Southern California on Friday 

Lincoln Regional 

Nebraska Cornhuskers (42-15) 

A 42-win season so far earned Nebraska the right to host, despite not winning the Big 10 Conference tournament. 

Southpaw Caleb Clarke (Orillia, Ont.) is 2-2 with a 6.86 ERA in 22 relief appearances. He’s struck out 23 in 19 2/3 innings. 

Ole Miss, Arizona State and South Dakota State round out the regional. 

Game 1: vs. South Dakota State on Friday 

Atlanta Regional 

Oklahoma Sooners (32-21) 

The Sooners head to Georgia as the No. 2 seed in the regional. 

Catcher Deiten Lachance (Sherbrooke, Que.) has had one of the best seasons of any Canadian in Division I baseball. Through 52 games, he’s hitting .335 with 12 home runs, 51 RBIs and a 1.029 OPS. His slugging percentage is .612. 

Host Georgia Tech, The Citadel and the University of Illinois Chicago are the other three teams in the regional. 

Game 1: The Citadel on Friday 

Lawrence Regional 

Kansas Jayhawks (42-16) 

Kansas has been one of the top teams in college baseball and is fresh off winning the Big 12 tournament. 

Outfielder and catcher Jordan Bach (Ladner, BC) has been a big part of it, hitting .295 with seven home runs, 43 RBIs and an .893 OPS. 

Kansas welcomes Arkansas, Missouri State and Northeastern. 

Game 1: vs. Northeastern on Friday 

Missouri State (34-19) 

Head coach Joey Hawkins (Whitby, Ont.) leads the Bears back to a regional. 

Infielder and outfielder Taeg Gollert (Toronto, Ont.) is hitting .254 with 16 home runs and 64 RBIs through 53 games. He’s fielded 1.000. 

Right-hander Owen Slater (Brooklin, Ont.) has made 15 appearances, 12 starts, and is 4-3 with a 6.95 ERA in 55 2/3 innings. 

Left-hander Sam Maclaughlin (Toronto, Ont.) has a 5.66 ERA in 10 appearances. 

Right-handed pitcher and infielder Adyn Schell (Toronto, Ont.) has made 15 appearances on the mound. Over 15 1/3 innings, he’s put together an 8.22 ERA with 14 strike outs. He’s also played in four games as a position player. 

Right-hander Michael Yusypchuk (Edmonton, Alta.) is 2-1 with a 7.30 ERA in seven appearances, five starts. 

Game 1: vs. Arkansas on Friday  

Tallahassee Regional 

St. John’s Red Storm (33-24) 

The Red Storm stormed away with the Big East tournament championship. 

Left-hander Carter Wall (Oakville, Ont.) has made 10 appearances this season with a 10.38 ERA. 

Catcher Declan Spooner (Vancouver, BC) is hitting .200 over five games. 

Host Florida State, Coastal Carolina and Northern Illinois complete the regional. 

Game 1: vs. Florida State 

Tuscaloosa Regional 

Oklahoma State Cowboys (37-20) 

The Cowboys have a pair of Canadian right-handers. 

Kai Fyke (Langley, BC) owns a 7.15 ERA in 39 innings. 

Matthew Brown (Carlisle, Ont.) hasn’t seen action. 

Host Alabama, USC Upstate and Alabama State take to the field in Tsucaloosa. 

Game 1: vs. USC Upstate on Friday 

USC Upstate (33-28) 

The Spartans have momentum heading into the regional after winning the Big South Conference. 

Infielder and outfielder Wylie Waters (Vancouver, BC) has played in 55 games and put up a .320 average, 12 home runs, 50 RBIs and a .906 OPS. 

Right-hander Reece Hemmerling (Beaumont, Alta.) carries 16 appearances, including four starts, into the tournament. He’s 1-3 with a 4.75 ERA in 36 innings. 

Game 1: vs. Oklahoma State on Friday 

Eugene Regional  

Washington State Cougars (30-26) 

The Cougars have received plenty of production out of their Canucks. 

Infielder Gavin Roy (Sudbury, Ont.) leads the team with a .372 average to go along with a .954 OPS and 100 total bases. 

Outfielder Max Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) is hitting .338 in 56 games. He also has a .992 OPS and is 18-for-21 in stolen base attempts. 

Catcher Alexandre Giguère (Levis, Que.) has a .261 average and .989 OPS in 29 games, while fellow catcher Cam Macleod (Vancouver, BC) owns a .198 average and .665 OPS over 35 games. 

Right-handed pitcher Scott Rienguette (Sudbury, Ont.) has thrown 29 innings across 19 appearances with a 5.28 ERA and 31 strikeouts. 

Washington State will go up against host Oregon, Oregon State and Yale. 

Game 1: vs. Oregon State on Friday 

Starkville Regional 

Mississippi State Bulldogs (40-17) 

Left-hander Dane Burns (Regina, Sask.) has 26 appearances, a 3.32 ERA, 31 strikeouts and one saves in 21.1 innings for the host Bulldogs. 

Cincinnati, Louisiana and Lipscomb make up the rest of the regional. 

Game 1: vs. Lipscomb on Friday 

Cincinnati Bearcats (37-20) 

Right-hander Logan Knight (London, Ont.) is a transfer from North Dakota State, where he pitched in a regional in 2025. 

This season, he’s 4-4 with a 4.99 ERA in 15 appearances, 13 being starts. 

Game 1: vs. Louisiana on Friday 

Athens Regional 

Long Island Sharks (30-20) 

The Sharks earned a berth by winning the Northeast Conference tournament. 

Right-hander Owen Luchies (Victoria, BC) has made 13 appearances and one start. He’s 1-0 with a 8.36 ERA. 

The Sharks will swim with host Georgia, Boston College and Liberty. 

Game 1: vs. Georgia on Friday 

Fieldhouse Pirates infielder Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) belted three home runs for the Junior National Team on their Dominican pro trip earlier this month. Photo: Baseball Canada

May 28, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

The Junior National Team was back in action this month, with the squad taking their talents to the Dominican Republic for their annual road trip against a new crop of professional players and teams.

Across nine days from May 12 to May 20, the Canucks played 11 games against DSL squads from the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays.

This trip is another way for Canadian prep players to play against fellow talented players that hail from Latin America but sit in a similar 16-19 age group, versus their extended spring training trip in Florida, where they face older, more polished talent.

Here are five players who stood out on the Dominican trip:

Robert Omidi – INF

It’s safe to say that nobody swung a hotter bat than Robert Omidi on this trip. The Fieldhouse Pirate and Mississauga, Ont., product led the way with three home runs and 1.317 OPS, collecting six hits through 20 at-bats (.300 batting average). He also topped the JNT squad in SLG with an .800 mark, thanks in part to his round trippers and additional double.

Omidi also added a team-high eight runs and walked seven times compared to three strikeouts. He suited up in eight games for the Canucks and produced a strong .517 OBP.

Omidi also had a .214 BABIP and was tied for the team lead with his four extra-base hits.

Heading into the summer, Omidi is ranked No. 7 on the 2026 Canadian Baseball Network Draft List.

Rogan Rivard – OF

The Vauxhall Jets scored an organizational win when Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) made his big league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this month, and the good times keep rolling for Les McTavish and his crew.

Outfielder Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) was one of the other top bats down in the Dominican, producing a .333/.583/.400 slash line with a .983 OPS, sitting just behind Omidi. Rivard went 5-for-15, while also chipping in with a double and an RBI. He walked three times compared to one strikeout and got hit six times at the plate.

Rivard was also tied for the team lead in steals (3) while committing zero errors in the outfield on 12 chances. Kansas State University has already locked up the 2027 grad, but if he continues this strong showing, big league clubs will come calling for the Alberta product.

Calum Andersen – RHP

Keeping in line with the Vauxhall Jets players, right-hander Calum Andersen has been causing a ruckus on the JNT stage.

The 6-foot-4 Calgary product was downright dominant in the Dominican, leading the Canadian hurlers in innings pitched (6 1/3) while starting two games. He threw 115 pitches and produced a 2.21 ERA with a 1.421 WHIP while striking out eight compared to four walks.

The right-hander allowed just five hits and two earned runs and finished with one of the top ERAs amongst the starting crew for the JNT squad. The walks hurt his FIP total (4.61), but he was effective on the mound, holding opposing bats to a .208 average while producing a 75% weak contact rate.

Ranked No. 4 on the CBN’s 2027 Draft List, Andersen has the size and frame to be a starter, and it’s why the University of Oklahoma locked him up this past winter.

Sam Davis – LHP

Hello, Sam Davis.

Making his debut with the Junior National Team this trip, the left-hander from AHP Academy and the pride of Beaumont, Alta. put on quite the show.

Working as a bulk reliever, Davis finished the trip with a 1.17 ERA in six innings. The southpaw allowed five hits with one earned run while walking four compared to nine strikeouts, tied for second best on the team.

Davis is one of the few uncommitted 2026 arms on the team, but there is a lot to like in his 6-foot-6 frame. He held opposing bats to a .217 average and produced a strong 1.59 FIP in his first foray against pro hitters.

Cole Dorland – RHP

Right-hander Cole Dorland is no stranger to the junior squad. The Langley, B.C., product put together a strong showing in what will likely be one of his final trips with the JNT before he heads off to the University of Alabama.

Making two starts, Dorland allowed just four hits and one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. He held opponents to a .174 average and finished the trip with a strong 3.66 FIP.

Striking out three batters, Dorland was efficient in his outings and finished second on the team with his 121 pitches.

May 26, 2026

Official Toronto Blue Jays News Release

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired RHP Connor Seabold from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for LHP Juanmi Vasquez.

Seabold, 30, has made 11 appearances for the Tigers this season, posting a 3.45 ERA across 15 2/3 innings.

The right-hander signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays this offseason, making six appearances during spring training as a non-roster invite. The Laguna Hills, Calif., native was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the third round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, making his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2021.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound righty has suited up for 51 career MLB games (19 starts) between the Red Sox, Rockies, Braves, Rays, and Tigers, combining to post a 7.28 ERA over 134 2/3 innings.

Vasquez, 22, has suited up for 12 games with High-A Vancouver in 2026, going 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA, issuing 16 walks while striking out 35 hitters over 23 innings. The New York, N.Y., native was signed by Toronto in the summer of 2022 and has spent the entirety of his five-year professional career in the Blue Jays’ system.

Across four levels and 68 career minor league contests (five starts), the 5-foot-11, 205-pound lefty has posted a 4.94 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP with a 26.6% strikeout rate, an 11.8% walk rate, and a 32.4% whiff rate.

Additionally, RHP José Berríos has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.

May 28, 2026

Baseball Canada

OTTAWA – The Road to Okotoks starts now.

Beginning May 28, 29 teams from across the country will battle in the inaugural The Road to Okotoks and The Morneau Cup presented by Rawlings, all with the same goal - earn a place on the national stage.

Over four days (May 28–31), teams will compete in regional qualifiers in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Only 14 teams will advance, punching their ticket to Okotoks, Alberta for a chance to compete for the Morneau Cup from July 14-19.

From coast to coast, some of the country’s top programs will play host to high-stakes competition. In British Columbia, the Langley Blaze and White Rock Tritons will welcome teams to two competitive qualifier sites. Across the Prairies, Vauxhall Academy, Prairie Baseball Academy, and the Lethbridge Bulls will host a deep and talented field. In Ontario, the Mississauga Tigers HPP, Ontario Nationals and Terriers Baseball will play hosts while looking to punch their own tickets to Okotoks.

Ontario will see 10 teams competing for seven spots, while 13 teams in the Prairies will battle for three, and six teams in British Columbia will compete for four positions.

Awaiting the qualifiers is the final destination: Okotoks, Alberta (July 14–19). There, the 14 advancing teams will join host Okotoks Dawgs Black and a wild card entry to complete a 16-team field competing for the inaugural Morneau Cup.

Participating Teams

Prairies (Alberta/Saskatchewan/Manitoba):

Calgary Bucks

HR Sports Academy (MB)

Okotoks Dawgs White

Sylvan Lake Gulls Prep

Vauxhall Academy

ATHX Academy Redhawks

Calgary Premier Blues

Okotoks Dawgs Red

Team Saskatchewan

AHP Renegades

Calgary Cubs

Parkland Twins

Webber Wildcats Prep

British Columbia:

Abbotsford Cardinals

Langley Blaze

Mid-Island Pirates

UBC Thunder

Victoria Eagles

White Rock Tritons

Ontario:

Ontario Nationals

DT Select (QC)

Etobicoke Rangers

Atlantic Frontier

Ontario Kobras

Ontario Terriers

Mississauga Tigers HPP

Ontario Blue Jays

North Toronto 17U Elite

Ontario Giants

Follow the Action

British Columbia
Prairies
Ontario

The journey begins May 28. The destination is Okotoks.

Other Canadian Baseball Network Road to Okotoks Articles:

Terriers

Abbotsford Cardinals

AHP Renegades Baseball Academy

Home Run Sports Training Centre (Winnipeg)

Terriers

Etobicoke Rangers

Mississauga North Tigers

North Toronto Athletics

Elliott: The best will compete on the Road to Okotoks and in the Morneau Cup — Canadian Baseball Network

Wilson: WCBL to showcase teams to young talent during Road to Okotoks — Canadian Baseball Network

Wilson: Morneau appreciates team-first focus of Road to Okotoks national championship — Canadian Baseball Network

Sweeney: Atlantic provinces prep for Road to Okotoks — Canadian Baseball Network

May 27, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

GARY, INDIANA – In a tightly contested pitching battle, the Winnipeg Goldeyes had their four-game winning streak snapped by the Gary SouthShore RailCats on Wednesday night, falling 2-1 at U.S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, as Korry Howell came in to score on an Elvis Peralta sacrifice fly.

Jiandido Tromp knotted things up 1-1 in the top of the second inning on an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Adam Hall (London, Ont.) from first base.

Gary SouthShore jumped back in front in the bottom of the fifth inning on a single from Howell that deflected off Goldeyes pitcher Landen Bourassa’s glove and into right field, scoring Olivier Basabe from third to make it 2-1.

Despite threatening in nearly every inning, Winnipeg was unable to plate a second run, as the 2-1 score held for the remainder of the contest.

Bourassa (Lethbridge, Alta.) had an outstanding night, but took the tough-luck loss for the Goldeyes. He allowed two runs (both unearned) on just five hits while striking out 10. He faced just four batters over the minimum and threw 71 strikes on 96 pitches and did not walk a batter.

Deyni Olivero was on the winning end of the pitchers' duel after throwing six innings of one-run ball, allowing just four hits and striking out one.

Jacob Coats picked up his first save of the season, coming on in the eighth inning, and did not surrender a hit.

The three-game series will conclude in Gary on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. when Goldeyes lefty Mitchell Lambson takes on right-hander Peyton Long.

May 26, 2026

Official Okotoks Dawgs News Release

Okotoks, Alta. – The Okotoks Dawgs are set to host Opening Weekend Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, marking the start of the club’s 20th season in Okotoks.

The milestone summer will feature key roster additions, returning fan favourites, impressive upgrades to Seaman Stadium, and to cap it off, the Road to Okotoks National Academy Championship.

This year marks 20 years since the construction of Seaman Stadium, made possible through the vision and generosity of the late Don and Doc Seaman. Over the past two decades, the stadium has become one of the premier destinations in summer collegiate baseball, earning recognition as Ballpark Digest’s Best Ballpark in Summer Collegiate Baseball in 2023.

In addition, the Stadium has become a true baseball complex with the addition of the Duvernay Fieldhouse, the Rose Pitching and Hitting Lab and Tourmaline Field, thanks to the generosity of Michael Rose, Dawgs management, and the Province of Alberta.

“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate 20 seasons of Dawgs baseball in Okotoks,” said Founding and Managing Director, John Ircandia. “The passion and support from our fans over the years has meant everything to our organization, and we’re grateful for it every single day. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the loyalty of our supporters and our generous donors. We are excited to celebrate this special season together all summer long.”

With championships in three of the past four seasons, the Dawgs are eager to reestablish their dominance atop the WCBL.

“Our program has grown tremendously over the years,” said Head Coach Lou Pote. “This year’s team brings a great mix of talent, depth, and competitiveness, and we’re excited for the opportunity to compete for a ninth WCBL championship.”

New roster additions include outfielders Ayden Crouse and Cal Gates (Indiana University), catchers Jayden Lusk (Vernon College) and Lachlan Maude (University of New Mexico), and pitcher Max McCraray (University of Houston).

Dawgs Academy graduates Will Labonté and Leo Cote will return for the summer collegiate season following successful years with the University of Portland. Hometown slugger Connor Crowson (Tennesse Tech), who fans will remember for his walk off, championship-clinching home run in the 2024 WCBL championship, also returns to a powerful Dawgs lineup.

Labonté, along with returning Dawgs shortstop Ricky Sanchez (Gonzaga), were both given second-team all-conference honours for their outstanding performance in the West Coast Conference this season.

Performances like these and several others make this anniversary season one with great promise for the Dawgs.

The Dawgs have also recently completed significant expansions and renovations to Seaman Stadium, including the addition of Section 112 and the Custom Mechanical Field Level Suite, along with phases one and two of the Duvernay Fieldhouse expansion. The upgrades include a state-of-the-art weight and training room as well as the Rose Pitching and Hitting Lab.

In addition to an exciting collegiate season, the Dawgs are hosting the Road to Okotoks: Baseball Canada’s ultimate showcase of talent, competition, and championship spirit. It brings together the 16 strongest Academy programs and travel teams from across Canada doing battle for the Morneau Cup at Seaman Stadium and Tourmaline Field from July 14 to July 19.

Fans will get their first look at the 2026 Dawgs at Seaman Stadium during Opening Weekend, May 29–31. The weekend begins with the Home Opener Friday, May 29 vs. the Sylvan Lake Gulls. The Dawgs are anticipating a full house to begin the season so fans are encouraged to get their tickets now. The game will include a special tribute to the late Don Seaman, honouring his significant lasting impact on the Dawgs organization and baseball in Alberta.

The Opening Weekend celebration continues with 5 O’Clock Somewhere Saturday, a night that sets the tone for the summer with food and drink promotions while the Dawgs play in their “Margaritaville” tropical blue uniforms.

The weekend concludes on Sunday afternoon with Diggity’s Birthday– Mascot Mania. The classic Sunday afternoon game features family-friendly fun, and fans will enjoy the antics of mascots from around Okotoks and the greater Calgary area.

May 26, 2026

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Many of the top players and programs from across the province will head to Kings Christian Collegiate this weekend to try and qualify for the Baseball Canada national championship tournament later this summer.

The Terriers home field will be one of the regional locations for the Road to Okotoks slated for Thursday, May 28 to Sunday, May 31. Meadowvale Park in Mississauga and Tip O’Neill Park in Woodstock will be the other sites of Ontario qualifying games.

The Prairie qualification tournament featuring 13 teams will be hosted in Lethbridge, with the BC qualifier of six teams set for White Rock and Langley.

“The Road to Okotoks is a bold new chapter for amateur baseball in Canada,” Jason Dickson, Baseball Canada’s chief executive officer, said in a release when the tournament was announced last September.

“We’re creating a platform that not only celebrates elite competition but also supports player development and exposure. Just as importantly, this event helps unify our baseball community from coast-to-coast by bringing the best together on a national stage. We’re thrilled to launch this with support from the Okotoks Dawgs, Justin Morneau and some of the most respected amateur programs in the country.”

The Terriers will play in Pool B and open their tournament on Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. versus North Toronto 17U Elite before taking on the Ontario Giants at 8:30 p.m.

The team will then travel to Meadowvale Park for a 7 p.m. game on Friday, May 28 versus the Mississauga Tigers. The round robin wraps up with a game against the Ontario Blue Jays on Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. at Kings Christian Collegiate.

Pool A includes the Ontario Nationals, Diamond Baseball Academy, Etobicoke Rangers, Atlantic Frontier and Ontario Kobras.

Seven teams will advance following the quarterfinal, semifinals and finals, along with four from BC, three from the Prairies, one wild card and the host Okotoks Dawgs.

The winner of the 16-team tournament will hoist the Morneau Cup.

“This event represents a major step forward in providing elite Canadian amateur players with meaningful, high-level competition,” Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada’s director of national teams and head coach of the junior national team, said in the release.

“The Road to Okotoks will deliver a true best-on-best environment with national bragging rights on the line — a setting that challenges our top athletes and prepares them for the next level. It’s an exciting initiative that will elevate amateur baseball in Canada.”

The Baseball Canada national championship is scheduled for July 14 to 19.

Other Canadian Baseball Network Road to Okotoks Articles:

Abbotsford Cardinals

AHP Renegades Baseball Academy

Home Run Sports Training Centre (Winnipeg)

Terriers

Etobicoke Rangers

Mississauga North Tigers

North Toronto Athletics

Elliott: The best will compete on the Road to Okotoks and in the Morneau Cup — Canadian Baseball Network

Wilson: WCBL to showcase teams to young talent during Road to Okotoks — Canadian Baseball Network

Wilson: Morneau appreciates team-first focus of Road to Okotoks national championship — Canadian Baseball Network

Sweeney: Atlantic provinces prep for Road to Okotoks — Canadian Baseball Network

May 26, 2026

By Rowan Bronee

Victoria HarbourCats

VICTORIA, B.C. – They say familiarity breeds contempt.

With the HarbourCats home opener looming one week from today, the old proverb certainly applies to the first homestand of the 2026 season. After seven consecutive contests between Victoria and Edmonton to end the 2025 season, the Riverhawks will perch in Victoria for a three-game series beginning June 2.

For the returning HarbourCats, last year’s playoff series against Edmonton will be fresh in their minds. Victoria forced game three after dropping the opener, but were defeated 8-7 after a valiant comeback effort. Todd Haney’s crew will be in search of sweet revenge in the opening homestand of the year.

Among the returnees is Austin Lindsey, a right-handed pitcher entering his second season as a HarbourCat. The Lufkin, Texas product went 8-3 over 13 starts for Hill College this season, striking out 48 batters and maintaining an ERA just under five. Lindsey earned a crucial save in game two of the playoffs last year, striking out two in the ninth inning to force game three. Marcus Janovsky returns for the Cats as well, who struck out five over three innings in game one of the Victoria-Edmonton series last year.

Tuesday, June 2 is the home opener, always one of the most exciting days of baseball season. Fresh off an away series in Portland, the Cats will return to Victoria for their first performance in front of a home crowd in the 2026 season.

Following the home opener, Wednesday, June 3’s game is Help Fill a Dream Night, in partnership with the Help Fill a Dream Foundation in support of families with children affected by serious health challenges. The series wraps up on June 4, with the first School Spirit Game, where local students can enjoy some HarbourCats baseball and bring the youthful energy to Royal Athletic Park.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on May 25. You can read it here.

May 27, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

There’s no place like home for the Prairie Baseball Academy (PBA) Dawgs.

The Lethbridge-based squad has become the regular host of the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) World Series over the last few years at Spitz Stadium.

When the new turf at the home of the Lethbridge Bulls was deemed not ready to be played on, officials moved championship weekend to PBA’s usual home: Lloyd Nolan Yard.

Along with home-field advantage thanks to winning the CCBC’s regular season pennant, the Dawgs capped off an unbeaten weekend with a 12-7 victory over the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks on a sunny Sunday afternoon to claim the league championship.

“I’m just proud of the way the kids played all year,” head coach Todd Hubka told Alberta Dugout Stories.

“Just everything. It was an exciting year with our pitching staff, our hitters and we played the game the right way. I thought we were the best team (this year) and we proved it.”

It was the 11th title in program history since 2002 and its first since 2017.

THE LONG ROAD BACK

Hubka admits it had become almost a given for a while that his Dawgs would be in the championship game.

After wins in 2004, 2006 and 2008, they went on an unprecedented run of seven consecutive CCBC titles from 2011 to 2017.

Okanagan College and the University of Fraser Valley captured the next two before the pandemic, then the Dawgs dry spell continued for the following five years.

They were always in contention and were among the spring circuit’s top teams during the regular season but were always missing one or two key elements that would put them over the top for another crown.

Coming into the 2026 season, Hubka felt like he had all the right pieces with a solid core of returning veterans in the lineup and a deep pitching staff full of young arms capable of handling big moments.

While the team took some lumps during a pre-season trip to the U.S., he says they learned a lot about themselves by facing some early adversity.

It served them well as they started the CCBC season off with nine wins in their first 11 games, then followed that up with a nine-game winning streak.

By no means were they in cruise control though, as they were in a dead heat with Okanagan College for first place right until the final weekend of the regular season, eventually finishing with a 25-11 record, winning the conference by two games.

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Listen to the Alberta Dugout Stories podcast about the Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs CCBC crown here.

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SETTING THE STAGE

For the first time in the CCBC’s history, not every team was making it to championship weekend.

With the addition of the new University Baseball Club out of the University of British Columbia, the league decided that only the top six teams would be making the trip.

PBA, holding the No. 1 seed, started the tournament off with a 7-3 win over Vancouver Island University, thanks to a three-hit performance from rightfielder Declan O’Kane and four other players posting two-hit games.

Their relentless offence and strong pitching was on full display in their second game of the tournament, an 18-0 romp against Edmonton Collegiate, who had been the only other unbeaten team in the tournament.

Jack Mortimer led the charge offensively, going 4-for-5 with four runs batted in and three runs scored, while Sean Bavis rendered the Hawks’ offence without wings, allowing just two hits while striking out five in the seven-inning complete game.

The win gave PBA a berth in the final, while the Hawks had to play Okanagan for the other spot.

BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR

The Hawks would get their chance at revenge when they won a wild 21-17 contest to give the Coyotes their second loss of the double-elimination tournament.

However, the Dawgs had other plans as they turned to Abbotsford, B.C. native Aiden Beck on the mound.

“I just tried to keep it like any other game when I was playing catch and getting ready,” said the right-hander, who said he found out about the start the day before while sitting in the bleachers with his family. “Coach (Josh) Burgmann was like, ‘Hey, just like any other game, right? Don’t make it any bigger than it needs to be.’”

Beck didn’t allow a run in his first inning of work despite a couple of base runners, as catcher Willis Takahashi picked them both off trying to steal. He also struck out Hawks slugger Caedyn Colford.

Then the offence provided their hurler with some buffer in their half of the first, as O’Kane took Riley Starko deep for a two-run homer.

The flood gates opened in the third inning as the Dawgs put up five runs, then another three in the fourth, and it looked like a repeat of the previous meeting with their northern counterparts.

The Hawks weren’t ready to pack it in though, scoring three runs in the fifth to put an end to Beck’s day.

They kept coming in the sixth, tagging Zak Wright with three more runs before Will Paterson took over to stop the bleeding and the score still 10-7 in favour of the hosts.

He went on to twirl three more innings of shutdown baseball while his offence put up some insurance with a run in the sixth inning and another in the eighth courtesy of another blast from O’Kane.

The celebration began when, with two outs in the top of the ninth, Daku flew out to centre fielder Nathan Webb.

🏆 For the first time since 2017, @PrairieBaseball are @CCBaseballConf champions with a 12-7 win over @ECHawksBaseball! ⚾️🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/InTzPPVUdE

— ABDugoutStories (@ABDugoutStories) May 24, 2026

“Unreal – it’s the best feeling in the world,” O’Kane said. “This is such a great group to deal with, so we couldn’t end it on a better note.”

A TIGHT-KNIT GROUP

After the trophy presentation and team photos were taken in front of the scoreboard at Lloyd Nolan Yard, the players couldn’t help but take a moment to soak in all that they had accomplished.

Many, including Paterson, were also quite hoarse as they were heard chanting and screaming throughout the contest.

“It just comes down to the mindset as we talk all the time about wanting to win,” said the Surrey, B.C. product. “We just brought it right from the get-go and for all nine innings.”

It’s a team chemistry that is unmatched in the eyes of shortstop and leadoff hitter Tetsu Nishida.

“I think we never got down throughout the entire playoffs,” said the Calgary native. “Even when they started to come back, we knew we still had the lead and that they were still the ones chasing us. We finished number one, so we just had to play like it and keep that mindset throughout.”

One-by-one, the players took photos with the championship trophy, then shuffled off towards their clubhouse to continue their celebration.

ANOTHER BANNER AWAITS

The banners won by the Dawgs over the years hang upstairs in the Dawgs’ facility at Lloyd Nolan.

Just before he walked inside, first baseman Nate Garth stopped to take a look at the field one more time, then smiled from ear-to-ear.

“I always look at those banners and it’s great to finally have one with my name on it,” said the Calgary native. “This group is just the greatest one to win it with.”

Before long, they will head their separate ways with some returning in the fall, some going onto four-year schools, and some starting their own careers.

Hubka says he’s already looking forward to next year’s team, which will have a lot of familiar faces thanks to a very young core, especially on the mound.

For now, he’s soaking in the moment of being a CCBC champion once again.

“I’ll cherish this one,” said the PBA Hall of Famer. “Who knows when the next one is, right? So cherish the ones that you win.”

May 26, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Left-hander Mitch Bratt continues to make a strong case to be the next Canadian to make their major league debut this season.

On Saturday, the Newmarket, Ont., native tossed five scoreless innings, while striking out five, to pick up the win in his start for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ triple-A Reno Aces against the Oklahoma City Comets. He allowed just three hits and didn’t walk a batter.

For his efforts, he has been named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week (May 19 to May 24).

Bratt threw 54 of his 83 pitchers for strikes and all three hits he allowed were singles.

The 22-year-old Junior National Team and Toronto Mets grad lowered his season ERA to 2.35 and his WHIP to 0.910 in nine starts. He has 37 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers, the Canuck lefty is in his first full season in the Diamondbacks’ organization after he was acquired as part of the package for right-hander Merrill Kelly on July 31, 2025.

2026 CBN Minor League Player of the Week winners

Opening Day to April 5 - Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Rangers

April 7 to April 12 - Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), Phillies

April 14 to April 19- Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Guardians

April 21 to April 26 - Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), Braves

April 28 to May 3 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

May 5 to May 10 - Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.), Royals

May 12 to May 17 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays

May 19 to May 24 - Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Diamondbacks

Top Canadian Minor League Batters (May 19 to May 24)

Top Canadian Minor League Pitchers (May 19 to May 24)

Kingston Ponies batboy Eddie Long in a 1950 team photo. Behind him are playing manager Barney Hearn, second from left, and fan fave Gideon (Apples) Applegate, right.

*Patrick Kennedy recently shared the sad news that Kingston sports legend Eddie Long has passed away at the age of 83. A former southpaw pitcher and first baseman in the local ranks, Long also served as the bat boy for the Kingston Ponies for a stretch. But he is most remembered as a standout defenceman for the Senior A Kingston Ponies. In 225 games with the Ponies, he scored 57 goals and accumulated 174 points.

Long had battled health issues in recent years but remained relentlessly upbeat. Kennedy says there will be no funeral service for Long, but as a tribute, we are re-running the article Kennedy wrote about Long in January 2024.*

January 26, 2024

By Patrick Kennedy

Kingston Whig-Standard

Eddie Long’s story is one that’s equal parts joy and jarring sadness, despair and dogged determination, hardship and happiness. And that’s just his childhood.

“Hey, I’m still here,” cackled the 80-year-old, laughing at having bucked the odds against him ever reaching octogenarian status.

Eddie Long’s name doesn’t leap to mind when the topic of great Kingston athletes is broached. Yet maybe it should. Not for sheer athletic ability — which he had — but for what he overcame as a wee lad. We’re talking about obstacles such as a restricting birth defect and the wrenching heartbreak of being an orphan. Factor in those grim truths, and it says here that Eddie’s among Kingston’s all-time best.

In his youth, during the latter half of the 1950s and early ‘60s, Eddie Long was a dandy southpaw pitcher and slick-fielding first baseman on several local all-star ball clubs, including a crackerjack junior club coached by Bob Elliott that more than held its own in a blue-chip Kingston men’s house league.

Yet it was in hockey where Eddie blossomed. He did so first on the blue line in the old Rotary Kiwanis loop, then with a formidable Junior B Frontenacs, and later as both a rear guard and a defence-minded “200-foot” forward with the Kingston Aces of the Ontario Hockey Association Senior A league.

Eddie Long holds a newspaper photo of the Kingston Jr. B Frontenacs forward raising his arms after his goal sealed a 5-3 victory over the Napanee Red Wings in 1963.

Long knew one speed on skates — full throttle. “Fast Eddie” could render the Energizer Bunny breathless. Despite that, prior to his sporting exploits, he had a childhood that was anything but typical or idyllic. Young Eddie had to clear some high hurdles.

He never knew his father, and when Eddie was still a wee gaffer, his mother abandoned him with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS).

“My mom visited a few times, we’d talk while she sat in the back seat of a taxi driven by her boyfriend,” he recalls candidly during an interview in the apartment he now shares with longtime partner Jan Patterson. “After two or three visits, I never saw my mom again.”

The CAS placed young Eddie with the Walker family of 24 Stephen St., a short pop fly from the new Megaffin Stadium that was built in 1946 for Kingston’s professional baseball team, the Ponies. His placement with the Walkers and the house’s proximity to the ball yard were Eddie’s first real breaks in life.

“It wasn’t always easy being in that house,” Long remembers. “The Walkers had nothing, really, but Mrs. Walker was a kind, caring person whose husband was a crippled-up old stone mason with bundled feet. I don’t know how many nights I soaked his feet in Epsom salts.”

Long himself knew the frustration of coping with a disability. He’d been born with a crooked neck that left his head tilted to one side and one shoulder sloped noticeably lower than the other. That caused him to walk with a somewhat laboured gait.

Around the age of five, Long started going to Megaffin Stadium with a neighbour who cleaned the grandstands after Ponies games. Soon young Eddie was working a broom and doing odd jobs at the ballpark. That led the Ponies players to befriend the industrious little lad who seemed to look at the world sideways. They bought him a little Ponies uniform. One player in particular, a kindhearted American named Bill Meara, intervened on young Eddie’s behalf with CAS to push for corrective surgery that would allow the lad to run and play like a normal kid.

“I was in a cast from my head to my waist for about three-quarters of a year, with only my ears and face uncovered,” Eddie recalls, pointing to where stabilizing rods held his head in place. “What made it even worse was that I had chicken pox and the measles while I was in the darn cast.”

The life-altering surgery was successful. Finally able to walk and run normally, Eddie started playing sports. But he still had a big problem: The Walker household was not flush with money for such extracurriculars. Eddie needed another break, which he soon received from local sportsman Wally Elmer, a Kingston sports Hall-of-Famer.

“Mr. Elmer approached me one day at the stadium and asked where I lived and if I wanted to come to his dry-cleaning store on Saturday to earn a little change,” Eddie recalls. “Of course, I said yes. It was money, and I didn’t have any.”

Businessman Elmer, an ardent supporter of local sport, told Mrs. Walker about the job offer, and thereafter Eddie spent most Saturdays working at Elmer’s Patton’s Cleaners, where he was joined by such aspiring young athletes as Donnie Bellringer and others.

“It was Mr. Elmer who got me into hockey,” Eddie says of the former pro player who won a Stanley Cup with the 1925 Victoria Cougars. “He bought me a new pair of skates and gave me Donnie Bellringer’s old equipment, which was much too big, not that I cared.”

He laughs uproariously, slapping together two powerful hands that wouldn’t look out of place on an ironworker.

Long developed quickly as a hockey player. He played in the old Rotary Kiwanis loop and toiled three seasons with the Kingston Jr. B Frontenacs, including the 1961-62 campaign when the club reached the provincial final. His coach was Maj. Danny McLeod, the man who later guided the Kingston Aces.

The Aces. The mere mention of the name twists Eddie’s weathered mug into another wide grin. He played eight seasons for Kingston’s top shinny squad, second most in team history behind Bob Collins (nine). Long, who earned his daily bread as an electrician, played 225 career games and tallied 174 points, including 57 goals, heady totals for a player who primarily played defence during his first half-dozen campaigns.

“Eddie was a great teammate and he’s been an even better friend,” lauds Aces nimble netminder Tom Mercer, 79.

Each man was the best man at the other’s wedding.

“He’s a happy, good-natured guy, which is unusual for someone who hasn’t been given a lot in life to be happy about.”

Jim Sprott, the Aces’ angular sniper, says Eddie was a special teammate.

“Has there ever been a better team player than Ed Long? I don’t think so,” the 79-year-old Sprott says. “In my books, he’s one of Kingston’s most unsung heroes. He never got the credit he deserved, and when he did get some praise, he deflected it on his teammates.

“How he’s endured after what he’s been through the last several years … he’s the ultimate survivor.”

Sprott alludes to the cancer that a few years ago flattened Long and left him facing a 10 count. Thanks to an unwavering will and chemotherapy, Eddie got up off the canvas to continue the fight.

Even today, with the cancer in remission, he still undergoes dialysis thrice weekly.

His most memorable time with the Aces was the team’s stirring 1967 playoff run that resulted in a league title. Eddie, Sprott and seasoned ex-pro Tom Carty were tossed together as a checking line, often pitted against the opposition’s top unit. During the post-season run, the trio flipped the script and instead filled the opponent’s net. The line combined for 42 points in 16 games. In a semifinal contest against the Toronto Grads, Long scored four goals, still a treasured memory more than 60 years later.

“We were a checking line, so come hell or high water you didn’t try to score,” he says. “But we did anyway.”

Eddie’s eyes twinkle merrily.

“Tommy and Jimmy were the playmakers, I was just a grunt who was in the right place at the right time.”

There he goes again, deflecting praise.

Sometimes good things do happen to good guys.

Patrick Kennedy is a retired Whig-Standard reporter whose favourite Kingston Aces player was No. 11, Eddie Long. He can be reached at pjckennedy35@gmail.com.

May 23, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – The Winnipeg Goldeyes won their first series of the season Saturday after defeating the Milwaukee Milkmen 5-3 at Blue Cross Park.

It was the Goldeyes’ third win in four games.

For the second straight contest, Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning after third baseman Michael Hallquist singled on the first pitch of the game and later scored on designated hitter Parker Lester’s base hit through the right side of the infield.

That score held until the home half of the fourth when Winnipeg crossed the plate three times. They went ahead when two runs came home on a throwing error after a sacrifice bunt by designated hitter T.J. Schofield-Sam (Mississauga, Ont.). Right fielder Max Murphy and second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.) both scored on the play. Later in the inning, left fielder Keshawn Lynch doubled to right to drive in Schofield-Sam to make it 3-1 Goldeyes.

Winnipeg added two more in the sixth. Centre fielder Noah Marcelo continued to swing a hot bat, driving a single to left that plated shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder and Lynch and extended the lead to 5-1.

The Milkmen got those two runs back quickly, however, as Hallquist hit a two-run home run to left field that also scored catcher Chase Waddell and reduced the deficit to 5-3.

That was as close as Milwaukee would come, as Derrick Cherry retired all six batters he faced to close the door.

James Bradwell (North Vancouver, B.C.) started for the Goldeyes and worked the first inning. It was his first appearance since leaving a game due to injury last August 13 vs. Cleburne. Quinn Waterhouse, Eli Saul (Vancouver, B.C.), Tasker Strobel, and Arij Fransen also appeared out of the bullpen for Winnipeg. Waterhouse pitched three innings, giving up just two hits and striking out three.

Milkmen starter Juan Díaz worked 5 2/3 innings and allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits. He struck out five and walked two.

Murphy and Lynch had three hits apiece for the Goldeyes.

Earlier Saturday, Winnipeg signed rookie right-handed relief pitcher Chas Wheatley. The Edmonton, Alta., native attended the University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa) where he compiled a 4-1 record with a 4.66 earned run average and one save in 52 games over four seasons.

The 24-year-old becomes the seventh Canadian on the Goldeyes roster, joining Landen Bourassa (Lethbridge, Alta.), Bradwell (North Vancouver, B.C.), Hall (London, Ontario), Raphaël Pelletier (Repentigny, Qué.), Saul (Vancouver, B.C.), and Schofield-Sam (Mississauga, Ont.).

The series concludes Sunday at 1:00 p.m. when Luke Boyd will take the mound for Winnipeg. He’ll match up against fellow right-hander Christian Young (Oakville, Ont.).

May 24, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Macko picks up first MLB win

On Thursday, Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) picked up his first major league win when he tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief against the New York Yankees in the Blue Jays’ 2-0 victory at Yankee Stadium.

Three days earlier, the Vauxhall Academy grad made his MLB debut when he hurled a scoreless inning in the Blue Jays’ 7-6 loss to the Bronx Bombers. Canadian baseball historian Tyler Partridge pointed out on X that when Macko made his debut he became the first Albertan to pitch in a regular season game for the Blue Jays.

In total, Macko has pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings and has two holds in four relief appearances to begin his big league career.

Lopez still leading MLB in batting average, hits

We are more than 50 games into the 2026 season and Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.) still leads the majors in batting average and hits.

His .338 batting average puts him well ahead of Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene, whose .324 average ranks second.

Lopez’s 69 hits are six more than San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez.

It’s still hard to believe the Marlins picked Lopez up off waivers from the Giants on April 4, 2024.

Let’s not forget that the Blue Jays also underestimated Lopez. They sold Lopez to the Giants on February 13, 2024.

Hicks has first two-homer game

Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) had the first two-home run game of his major league career on Saturday to lead the Marlins to a 4-1 win over the New York Mets at loanDepot Park.

Both homers were solo shots off right-hander Freddy Peralta in the third and fifth innings respectively.

Hicks, a Toronto Mets grad, now has 11 home runs this season.

The homers also increased Hicks’s RBI total to 44, which leaves him just one behind Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams for the MLB lead.

Smith’s saves streak continues

Cleveland Guardians reliever Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) has a save in each of his last 12 appearances.

He has 17 saves in total this season, which leads the majors.

This is Smith’s first full season as the Guardians’ closer. He took over as the team’s closer in late July last season and finished 2025 with 16 saves.

Brash earns win in return

On Wednesday, right-hander Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.) collected a win after being activated from the 15-day injured list by the Seattle Mariners earlier in the day.

He fanned two batters, while pitching a scoreless seventh inning, in the M’s 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. The win improved Brash’s record to 3-0 this season.

The 28-year-old righty then notched his fifth hold of the season when he held the Kansas City Royals off the scoreboard in the eighth inning of a Mariners’ 2-0 win on Friday.

Brash had been sidelined with right lat inflammation since May 1.

A Kingston Thunder grad, he is in his fourth big league campaign. He has yet to permit a run in 16 relief outings this season.

Tong recalled by Mets

Right-hander Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) was called up by the New York Mets on Friday and proceeded to throw three scoreless innings in relief in the Mets’ 2-1 loss to the Marlins on the same day.

Prior to his promotion, the 22-year-old Tong had posted a 1-3 record and a 5.68 ERA in nine starts for the triple-A Syracuse Mets this season. He struck out 55 batters in 38 innings.

This is the 6-foot-1 right-hander’s second major league tenure with the Mets. He went 2-3 with a 7.71 ERA in five big league starts with them last season.

Ranked the Mets’ No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Tong dominated in the minors last season, combining to go 10-5 with a 1.43 ERA in 22 starts in double-A and triple-A. His 179 strikeouts were the most by any pitcher in the affiliated minor league ranks. He also topped all minor league hurlers in ERA and opponents’ batting average (.148).

Chosen in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB draft by the Mets, Tong is in his fifth pro season.

Moseby made MLB debut 46 years ago

On this date in 1980, Lloyd Moseby made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays.

Batting seventh and DHing, he went 2-for-4 against the Yankees at Exhibition Stadium. His first hit was a double off Luis Tiant in the fourth inning.

The Yankees won the game 6-2.

Peters belts first two MLB homers

White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) clubbed his first two big league home runs this week.

Last Sunday, he socked a three-run homer in the eighth inning off Chicago Cubs reliever Phil Maton in the White Sox 9-8, 10-inning win.

He followed that up with a solo homer in the seventh inning off Mariners’ reliever Eduard Bazardo in the M’s 6-1 victory the next day.

An Okotoks Dawgs grad, Peters is batting .262 with 12 RBIs and four stolen bases in 48 games for the White Sox this season.

The left-handed hitting Canuck made his big league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025, getting into four games in August before he was sold to the White Sox on December 18.

Selected in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Peters has played parts of five pro seasons.

Happy Birthday to Rob Ducey!

Happy 61st Birthday to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Rob Ducey!

Born in Toronto but raised in Cambridge, Ont., the left-handed hitting outfielder was signed as an amateur free agent by the Blue Jays in 1984.

He rose through the organization’s ranks to make his big league debut on May 1, 1987. His first major league home run came on September 14, 1987 in a contest in which the Blue Jays clubbed a big league record 10 round-trippers to defeat the Orioles 18-3.

Ducey would suit up for parts of five more seasons with the Blue Jays prior to being dealt to the Angels in 1992. Tenures with the Texas Rangers, Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies would follow, as well as a two-year stretch in the Japanese Pacific League with the Nippon Ham Fighters in 1995 and 1996 that saw him belt 51 home runs.

He returned to the Blue Jays for five games in 2000 and saw his final big league action with the Montreal Expos in 2001. That made him the second Canadian (along with Denis Boucher (Montreal, Que.)) to start his major league career with the Blue Jays and end it with the Expos.

Soroka registers sixth win of season

Last Sunday, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) permitted just two runs in 5 2/3 innings, while striking out eight, to record his sixth win of the season in the D-Backs’ 8-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Soroka also had another strong start against the Rockies on Friday when he held them just one run on four hits in the D-Backs’ 3-2 loss.

The 28-year-old right-hander is tied for third in the National League in wins and he has already doubled his 2025 win total.

Soroka, who is in his seventh major league season, also leads Diamondbacks pitchers in wins and strikeouts (57).

Seventh anniversary of Naylor’s MLB debut

Seven years ago today, Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre with dozens of friends and family members in attendance.

Batting sixth and DHing, he went 0-for-4, but the Padres beat the Blue Jays 6-3.

Naylor would record his first three hits in his second game the following day.

Quantrill strong out of pen for Rangers

Right-hander Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) is quietly enjoying a solid season out of the Rangers’ bullpen. Since being called up on April 15, Quantrill is 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA in 19 1/3 innings in eight relief appearances.

Quantrill has been a starter for most of his big league career, but he did make 18 relief appearances for the Guardians in 2021.

Quantrill signed a minor league contract with the Rangers on February 1.

A San Diego Padres’ first-round pick in 2016, the Ontario Terriers and the Junior National Team alum is in his eighth major league season.

Happy 53rd Birthday to Bartolo Colon!

Happy 53rd Birthday to former Expos pitcher Bartolo Colon!

Colon went 10-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 17 starts for the Expos in 2002 after he was acquired from Cleveland on June 27 that year for a package of prospects that included Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee.

In all, Colon recorded 247 wins in parts of 21 big league seasons.

May 22, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – Second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.) celebrated his 27th birthday in style as the Winnipeg Goldeyes defeated the Milwaukee Milkmen 9-2 at Blue Cross Park Friday evening.

Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when third baseman Michael Hallquist stole third and came home on a throwing error.

Goldeyes centre fielder Noah Marcelo led off the bottom of the first with a home run to left field – his second in as many games, evening the score at 1-1.

Winnipeg went ahead by a run in the second when Hall scampered home on a wild pitch.

The Milkmen tied the contest at 2-2 in the top of the third inning on a line drive base hit to left by second baseman Andy Blake that drove in centre fielder Alec Olund.

From there on, it was all Goldeyes. In the bottom half of the third, Winnipeg crossed the plate four times. First, Hall lined a single to centre to bring home right fielder Max Murphy. Then shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder belted a three-run home run to left field that increased the lead to 6-2.

Hall hit a single to centre in the bottom of the fourth that knocked in first baseman T.J. Schofield-Sam (Mississauga, Ont.) to give the Goldeyes a 7-2 advantage.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Hall notched his fourth hit and third run batted in of the evening with a base hit to left that plated third baseman Ramón Bramasco. Later in the frame, designated hitter Jiandido Tromp drew a bases-loaded walk to round out the scoring at 9-2 Goldeyes.

Veteran left-hander Mitchell Lambson went six innings for Winnipeg, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out three. Ryo Kohigashi earned a nine-out save. He gave up three hits and struck out four.

Milwaukee starter Solomon Bates exited the game due to injury with one out in the bottom of the second inning and was relieved by Eric Chalus, who surrendered five runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

The series continues Saturday at 6:00 p.m. when the Milkmen will send southpaw Juan Díaz to the mound against a starter whom the Goldeyes have yet to announce.

May 23, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Neither Josh Anderson nor Mark Jankowski played in the 2009 gold medal Baseball Canada bantam championship in Vaughan.

That does not mean they were not involved.

“To show you how much of ‘team guys’ they were, they came racing in from the left field bullpen to tell me that they had Quebec’s signs,” said assistant coach Scott VandeValk.

Not that Ontario did a lot with the signs -- managing one single by Brad Bedford. But as head coach Bill Byckowski used to say “they decide games not on hits, but on runs scored.” Ontario scored a 4-2 win over Quebec thanks to walks, errors, stolen bases and who knows what else, overcoming a 2-1 deficit in the sixth.

Now Jankowski, of the Carolina Hurricanes, and Anderson, of the Montreal Canadiens, teammates in 2009, are facing off in the 2026 NHL Eastern Conference final. One will be playing for the Stanley Cup. Montreal beat Carolina 6-2 in the opener of the best-of-seven series. Two of the smaller players on the Georgetown team, they “growed up good … real good,” as Jed Clampett used to say.

Jankowski assisted on two Canes’ goals Sarturday night in a 3-2 in overtime victory. Anderson scored both goals for the Habs — making 11th straight goals which have either tied the score or put the Canadiens ahead.

That Sunday night, Jankowski, the regular centre fielder for the Georgetown Eagles and the eventual Ontario champs, was 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds. Now, he is a 6-foot-4, 200 pounder, having a growth spurt in grade 11 at Stanstead College.

Back then, Anderson was 5-foot-7 and 138 pounds. Now, he is a 6-foot-3, 226-pound bruiser. He clanked the post in Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres and twice showed bursts of speed to create breakaway chances. Not that we watch all the games, but we’ve read more than once by wiser hockey men than me how Anderson is a “Conn Smythe candidate.”

“Joshua-and I would always throw knuckleballs to each other,” said Jonathan Palumbo, Anderson’s best pal on the Eagles. “We’d throw them till the cows come home. He still has a pretty good one to date. We played in the Leslie Wells softball tourney in Milton a couple years ago.”

On the season, Anderson hit .313 with an .816 OPS, hitting five doubles and knocking in 17 runs. Jankowksi hit .219 with a .588 OPS, a double and 18 RBIs.

“We used to make fun of Janker for his 2-3-4 steps in the outfield,” said Palumbo. “Sometimes he would get turned around on a fly ball -- but you know what? He always ended up making the catch.”

Outfielder Nathan DeSouza was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, while pick-ups who went pro were Daniel Pinero, who reached triple-A with the Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees draft Dayton Dawe.

“I didn’t appreciate this at the time as a self-centred teenager,” said Bedford, “but I think it was incredible that both Josh and Mark played their roles on the team so well, despite them not being ‘the guy’ on the ball field when clearly they were ‘the guy’ on the ice.

“It says something about their character to execute a (smaller) role with a smile on their face. Maybe I’m wrong and Bill was hearing complaints from them, but I doubt it.”

“My mother-in-law was actually the Jankowski family dentist for years, right up until retirement, small world,” said Kyle Hann. “I honestly can’t remember much from those days or games. I know both were definitely late bloomers though.”

Hann was a member of the same Georgetown team that won the 2007 Baseball Canada peewee championship in Quebec City. Jankowski threw out a runner at the plate against British Columbia which allowed Ontario to avoid playing an extra tie-breaker game due to run differential. Hann went to the College World Series in Omaha with Mississippi State and then played at St. Johns River.

Rose Mary and Len Jankowski -- along with brother David, who skated four years at St. Lawrence University and one at Michigan Tech University, plus sisters, Natalie and Nicole -- were not at every game, but some. Michelle and Gary Anderson -- sometimes with their children Jessica, Jordan and Jake - were at a lot of games.

“It felt like between the two of them, their families took up an entire section of the bleachers, and while Janker’s family was quiet, I’m pretty sure I’d still recognize Michelle’s voice cheering,” said Bedford. “There were generations of support.”

Selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth round of the 2012 draft from the London Knights, Anderson has scored 160 goals in 688 games, while Jankowski, a first-round pick of the Calgary Flames, has scored 79 goals in 481 games. The Jankowski name is hockey royalty: grandpa Lou, who later worked for the NHL Scouting Bureau, played for 20 years, including 127 NHL games for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, and his great uncle is Hockey Hall of Famer Red Kelly. His father, Len, was an Ottawa 67s draft who attended Cornell.

Anderson scored 14 goals this season, while Jankowski scored 11.

Byckowski won the bantam eliminations with Brampton without losing a game. Then he won the 2007 peewees without losing. When he started out 3-0 in the bantams (playing as minor bantams) in Windsor, he may have mentioned once, or twice or 100 times “you know I have never lost a game in the eliminations.” To the other coaches -- used to going 2-2 and going home -- it became quite annoying.

So, a plan was hatched: the players would sign a ball and after a loss against the older age group, someone would present it to Byckowski after his first loss. But who?

Anderson was selected. No one could get angry with Josh.

Well, unless you were a Carolina Hurricane.

May 22, 2026

By Claire Smith

If you give it time, there will always be a moment in which the Phillies interim manager goes … well … full-on Don Mattingly. He becomes one of the most down-to-earth, self-deprecating All-Star baseball men most of us have seen in our lifetimes.

Stoic at times, but with twinkles in his eyes and a warm smile when speaking about anyone other than himself, Don Mattingly refuses, as always, to count himself in that class of unapproachable baseball royalty.

When this reporter, who met Mattingly when he walked into the Yankees clubhouse in 1982, called him before a recent game at Citizens Bank Park, he said, “Just getting back on track, getting some laundry done. … Back off the road and getting back at it.”

We both laughed. “That is so Don Mattingly,” I said. “‘Getting some laundry done.’”

Well, he said, laughing, “somebody’s got to do it!”

Somebody’s got to do it, indeed.

Coming off a 5-1 road trip that catapulted the Phillies past the .500 mark, Mattingly probably could have been the hottest special guest every sports talk show host and podcaster in the land is craving to have on. But if he has to start tooting his own horn, that is just not him.

It’s the players, he has said on repeat. It’s Rob Thomson’s game plan, still in place after the popular manager was dismissed after a 9-19 start.

“From the beginning, I wanted it to be about the players and didn’t need to hear about me,” said Mattingly, who has led the Phillies to a 16-6 record since taking over for Thomson on April 28.

Yet Mattingly, 65, knows from experience what will surely follow if he again manages a team back from the precipice and closer to a run at the playoffs.

He’s been here before

Look up the 2013 and 2014 Dodgers. Or the 2020 Marlins. Both of those L.A. teams were in deeper holes than the 2026 Phillies, but ended up easily winning division titles. The 2020 Marlins roster was devastated by a COVID-19 outbreak. Yet that team also made the playoffs, then ousted the Chicago Cubs before falling to the stacked Atlanta Braves.

What occurred in 2013, 2014, 2020 and in 22 games since the end of April certainly doesn’t surprise Derek Jeter, the Hall of Fame shortstop who as recent part owner of the Marlins extended Mattingly’s managerial contract at his first opportunity in 2019.

“I grew up in my younger years as a minor-leaguer going to spring training with the major league team, so I got to spend a lot of time with Donnie,” Jeter said by phone from Florida. “He was a hitting coach by then. And the thing that stood out with Donnie was that he is so calm. He has such an even keel that when you’re going through the grind of 162 games, you need someone that’s gonna be a constant.

“Donnie’s mindset, his demeanor, he just brings a calming influence to the players on the field.”

Jeter especially remembers those attributes contributing to the 2020 Marlins. Scores of COVID-19-ravaged Marlins were quarantined for days at a time as the franchise stood out as Patient X in the majors.

Mattingly spent the summer getting to know minor-leaguers with the next-man-up attitudes, measuring veterans’ leadership while fighting back against claims that his players became ill because they were out clubbing during a trip through Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.

It was a test, but one all involved passed as Miami made the playoffs and upset Chicago in the first round of the cloistered playoffs.

“Even when you’re going through circumstances that you have no control over, Donnie always stayed the same,” Jeter said. “And I think that rubs off on players. He was the perfect guy at the helm.”

No one can predict if the Phillies will author another chapter in Mattingly’s history of helping teams dig out of seemingly unscalable holes. All the Phils and their fans can hold on to is that he’s done it with teams that were in a lot worse circumstances.

The same everyman as always.

Through his nearly half-century in uniform, the baseball lifer still possesses the same quiet, almost shy demeanor, yet has a baseball know-how that is beyond question, as he was with the Toronto Blue Jays as a coach.

Mattingly has the same wry sense of humor, often appearing in the most sublime ways, such as the time he entered Yankees spring training camp with beads threaded throughout a mullet only John Kruk could love. Were they remnants of a Caribbean vacation, or perhaps subtle commentary on the Yankees’ strict hair policy? If Mattingly sparred with owner George Steinbrenner over any one thing it was the length of his locks.

Mattingly is still the same everyman from Indiana. He has always eschewed the spotlight, even in New York.

When asked how many paid commercials he made in New York, he said none, before remembering that he did do an “old Coke vs. New Coke” commercial with Phil Niekro, the knuckleballer and the Yankees’ resident father figure at that time.

That was about as close as Mattingly wanted to get to celebrity.

“I was never comfortable around that kind of thing,” he said.

A family man, he yearned for normalcy and the ability to walk down a street without being swarmed. He was the quiet storm, but a storm nonetheless.

Something to behold

Mattingly didn’t start quietly, numbers-wise. He won a batting title in his first full season with the Yankees, edging out teammate Dave Winfield on the final day of the 1984 season, .343 to .340.

The next year he was voted the American League’s Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers Association of America, thanks to a season for the ages (.324, 35 home runs, 145 RBIs). The Gold Glove he won as a first baseman in 1985 was the first of nine in a 14-year career.

In 1984, he was something to behold, a left-handed hitter built for the old Yankee Stadium and its short porch in right field. He had punch, he had power, and he could pile up multi-hit games with the best of them. And it just so happened that so could Winfield, the Yankees’ first $1 million per year man.

What is known now is that while battling for a batting title in an otherwise lost season, Winfield had a handicap: The secret, increasingly harsh war of attrition being waged against him by Steinbrenner. That the war was ugly can be seen in the result of the game’s investigation into Steinbrenner hiring a gambler to dig up dirt on Winfield . When Commissioner Fay Vincent suggested a three-year suspension, Steinbrenner instead opted for a lifetime ban.

That ban, later reduced to two years, came six years after the 1984 batting title chase. It all still seems fresh to Winfield. He did his best to check the fight at the clubhouse door, so much so that Mattingly was not truly aware of what his teammate was enduring.

“I was probably fitting into the lifestyle in New York,” said Mattingly.

“I wasn’t really paying that much attention to the papers. As a young player, first year in the big leagues, all you’re doing is playing. And for me, having fun. I was having a good year, proving to people I can hit and I can play and trying to establish myself. I had nothing to lose.

“It was probably more after the fact that I realized how much Dave went through compared to me.”

* * *

“I never talked about all the stuff I was going through,” Winfield, 74, said by phone from Southern California. “You know, lawsuits with the owner of the team. The way they’re messing with my game, my head.

“Everybody only knew a narrow slice of what was going on.”

Why he hid so much, Winfield said, was to keep the spillover off the field of play. He was the player rep for the players association, so he felt an obligation to shield his teammates, be they rookies or veterans, from as much turmoil as possible.

Perhaps no one benefited from that effort more than the kid at first base.

“Dave was awesome during all this,” Mattingly said. “He never treated me badly, never made me uncomfortable.”

“Donnie, he was coming to work just doing his thing,” said Winfield, who is ready to open up about his battles with Steinbrenner in a book he’s written, Touching All The Bases, due out in September. “People should know that there’s never been any ax to grind with Donnie, for sure. I’m happy for him, definitely.”

Biggest regret

One would think that missing the start of the Yankees’ dynasty under Joe Torre and Joe Girardi by a year when he retired in 1995 would be Mattingly’s biggest regret. Or maybe it would be the bad back, or the circus follies of the 1980s, or the wars of attrition between players and management in the Bronx and beyond.

“No, my biggest regret was that we just didn’t move to New Jersey and not go back to Indiana,” said Mattingly, the father of three sons — Taylor, Preston and Jordon — from his first marriage. “We would have kept the kids in school here all year. We would have been there all together, all season.”

Perhaps the hardest tug was Indiana and family calling him home.

“The older they got, the more they wanted Little League, things like that,” said Mattingly. “If we were in New Jersey, even though I may not have got to every game, they could have been playing Little League right here. We could have all been a family right there. Not them back in Indiana and me in New Jersey or New York. More and more, ‘home’ was the road for me.”

So, after that 14th season, Mattingly went home to his boys, who now number six in a blended family with wife Lori and her boys Andrew and Issac, plus 11-year-old Louie.

Mattingly returned to coach, then manage, first the Dodgers, then the Marlins. He even reached a World Series at last, as a bench coach with the 2025 Blue Jays. When the team whose GM is none other than Preston Mattingly approached him about serving in a similar role with the Phillies, Don Mattingly could not say no. Home schooling Louie at times during the season and October, along with daily FaceTime sessions convinced Mattingly that it was OK to go back at it. The game is more family friendly, making it easier to be a baseball lifer and a dad.

It’s a different kind of blend, with one son above in the front office, and another playing ball in Indiana. As always, Don Mattingly is as unique as his many challenges and contributions to the game.

As he said, somebody’s got to do it. Thus far, Donnie Baseball is doing just that, for the Phillies and himself.

Claire Smith is the founding executive director of the Claire Smith Center for Sports Media at Temple University. She is in the writers wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame and a Red Smith Award honoree.

*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on May 21, 2026. You can read it here.

May 22, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Saskatchewan Dugout Stories

The extra buzz around Carter Beck doesn’t seem to be affecting him at all.

The Carnduff native has rocketed up this summer’s Major League Baseball Draft rankings over his two seasons at Indiana State University.

Recognized as the No. 81 outfielder across NCAA Division I schools, according to D1Baseball, he’s also moved up to No. 8 on the Canadian Baseball Network’s list of draft-eligible Canadians.

Scouts who made their way to Sycamores games this spring were treated to an historic season from the junior outfielder, culminating in him being named the Joe Carter Baseball Player of the Year, which goes to the top player in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Despite the noise surrounding him, Beck has remained laser-focused on one thing: winning baseball games.

“The most important thing was just staying consistent no matter what happens,” he told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories.

“Just going out and giving the same effort every day, and finding ways to compete at the highest level possible.”

⚾️ Joe Carter Player of the Year ⚾️

🏆 Carter Beck @IndStBaseball #TheValleyRunsDeep pic.twitter.com/5rlJvBiXZx

— Missouri Valley Conference (@MVCsports) May 19, 2026

The award was among several accolades Beck has received so far this year as he looks forward to potentially hearing his name get called during the draft in July.

SETTING THE TONE

Ever since Beck has leapt onto the U.S. college scene, he’s made his goals known and then followed through with them.

Heading into his freshman season with the University of Mary in 2024, he wanted to be named the conference freshman of the year.

The Southeast Twins alum did exactly that when he hit .355 with 12 home runs, 53 runs batted in and 11 stolen bases in 48 games.

“There’s been a lot of times in my life where I’ve been the guy showing up who is a nobody and has to go up, show out and do the best I can to even get a look sometimes,” he said in an interview with SDS during that season.

That performance, along with a 2024 season to remember with the Saskatoon Berries where he was named the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Most Outstanding Canadian and Rookie of the Year, gave him the opportunity at Indiana State.

NEW SCHOOL, SAME RESULTS

Heading into his sophomore campaign at a new school, Beck again wanted to make sure everyone took notice of his game.

The 5-foot-11, 206-pound slugger hit an impressive .335 with 11 roundtrippers, 56 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 55 games – almost a mirror image of his previous season at UMary.

For his efforts, he was named MVC First Team All-Conference and MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team.

Beck then returned to the Berries, where he continued to put on a show by hitting .385 with nine homers, 43 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 43 games, was named a league all-star, and also hit a dramatic walk-off home run in the playoffs against the Moose Jaw Miller Express.

“The most important thing is being consistent,” the Baseball Sask product said in an interview with the Canadian Baseball Network in 2026.

“I vividly remember playing a home game and looking up at the scoreboard (last season) and seeing my batting average at .268. I thought ‘wow that needs to change,’ and from that day forward, I was able to get going again and hit pretty well the rest of the season.”

KEEP ON ROLLIN’

When you look at his season statistical reports over the last few years, consistency and bold predictions certainly became a theme for Beck.

Going into the spring, he set his sights on being named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and to be in consideration for All-American.

The 20-year-old then went to work and put together a season that looked like another carbon copy with a .348 batting average, 14 homers, 56 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 55 games, sitting among the conference leaders in those categories as well as hits, runs scored, doubles, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

He became just the third Sycamore in school history with back-to-back seasons of 10 homers and 10 stolen bases, joining Paul Frye (1985-1986) and Tyler Thompson (1997-1998).

And the big one: the Joe Carter Baseball Player of the Year selection.

“I knew that I had a chance to win it and that it was between me and one other guy,” Beck said. “I knew it was close so I was super-excited to hear that they honoured me with that award.”

He was also named one of five Sycamores to the MVC Baseball Scholar-Athlete Team, as the finance major picked up a GPA of 3.96.

BIG LEAGUE ASPIRATIONS

As much as the personal accolades have been nice, Beck says the job isn’t done yet.

The Sycamores are getting set to play in the conference tournament starting Thursday in Murray, Kentucky.

While he admits that having the extra attention was overwhelming at first, he’s settled into a rhythm and hopes to show what he can do when the stakes are higher for the team.

“I realized that nothing changes (with the scouts and draft buzz) and everything is still the same, it was easy to not worry about it,” Beck said. “It also helped when I remembered that all of this is cool right now, but the real goal is to get to the big leagues and this is another step along the way.”

As a result, he says he hasn’t thought too much about when he might get a call or what teams might be interested.

Beck does acknowledge that it would mean a lot for his hometown and home province to show kids that there is a path in baseball if they want to pursue it.

“I have a pretty unique path and showing kids that it is still possible to come from a small town and be a multi-sport athlete is something I really strive for,” he said. “The draft will be pretty cool, but hopefully in the next few years, something even cooler can happen and I can make my major league debut.”

The way Beck has been manifesting his goals and dreams into reality in recent years, it seems the baseball world is being put on notice of what’s to come.

May 22, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The New York Mets have recalled right-hander Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont).

The Mets announced the transaction just before 3 p.m. E.T. today.

Tong, 22, has posted a 1-3 record and a 5.68 ERA in nine starts for the triple-A Syracuse Mets this season, but he has struck out 55 batters in 38 innings.

This will be the 6-foot-1 right-hander’s second major league tenure with the Mets. He went 2-3 with a 7.71 ERA in five big league starts with them last season.

Ranked the Mets’ No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Tong dominated in the minors last season. Prior to his big league call-up in late August, Tong combined to go 10-5 with a 1.43 ERA in 22 starts in double-A and triple-A. His 179 strikeouts were the most by any pitcher in the affiliated minor league ranks last season. He also topped all minor league hurlers in ERA and opponents’ batting average (.148).

For his efforts, the Toronto Mets grad was named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Wayne Norton Award winner, as the top Canuck pitcher in the affiliated minor league ranks.

He was also named New York Mets’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Eastern League Pitcher of the Year and Baseball America’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Chosen in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB draft by the Mets, Tong is now in his fifth pro season.

To make room for Tong on their roster, the Mets have designated veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment.

May 22, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Outfielder Denzel Clarke will be sidelined until after the MLB All-Star break after he suffered a significant hamstring strain during his rehab assignment with the triple-A Las Vegas Aviators.

The A’s made the announcement on Thursday.

Clarke, who has been on the 10-day injured list since April 22 with a bone bruise on his right foot, will be reassessed after the All-Star break.

Prior to his injury woes, Clarke was 9-for-53 (.170 batting average) with six RBIs in 22 games in his second MLB season with the Athletics.

In March, the 25-year-old Toronto Mets grad was a key member of Canada’s WBC squad. He started in centre field in all five games and scored three runs, while also knocking in two.

Clarke made his MLB debut with the A’s in 2025. In 47 big league contests last season, he batted .230 with three home runs, eight doubles and two triples.

After his promotion last season, he made several highlight reel catches in centre field for the A’s, which made him the first player to win the MLB Electric Play of the Week award in three consecutive weeks and earned him the Capital One Premier Play of the year at the MLB Awards.

Selected by the A’s in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB draft, Clarke is in his sixth pro season.