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GOOD NEWS Dawgs fans! 2021 WCBL SEASON “A GO”!!!!

Despite the challenges associated with Covid-19, Canada’s premier summer collegiate league, the Western Canadian Baseball League, announced plans to operate this summer and offer collegiate players baseball in 2021. Prior to the pandemic, the WCBL had been in continuous operation for 80 years, an unheard of track record of success.

Given the closure of the border and health and government restrictions, the league’s franchises for the 2021 season only, anticipate going “All Canadian”. As much as that is regrettable, it is the unavoidable result of the ongoing pandemic; AND on the upside it will provide unique opportunities to the most outstanding Canadian college players whether playing at colleges in the US or in Canada.

The WCBL anticipates an extremely competitive league in 2021 with participating franchises currently including the Edmonton Prospects, the Lethbridge Bulls, the defending champion Okotoks Dawgs fielding 2 teams and the WCBL’s newest franchise, the Sylvan Lake Gulls. Other franchises may join in the next month.

It is anticipated that fan attendance this summer may be limited although the Dawgs and WCBL continue to be in regular discussions with the health and government authorities in that regard. 

STAY TUNED for further details regarding season tickets, game day tickets and a new 2021 WCBL Schedule. 

See link below to the official WCBL Press Release.
http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/news/western-canadian-baseball-leagues-2021-season-to-proceed/

Go Alberta! Go WCBL! Go Dawgs!

Sincerely,

John Ircandia
Managing Director
Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club

GOOD NEWS Dawgs fans! 2021 WCBL SEASON “A GO”!!!!

Despite the challenges associated with Covid-19, Canada’s premier summer collegiate league, the Western Canadian Baseball League, announced plans to operate this summer and offer collegiate players baseball in 2021. Prior to the pandemic, the WCBL had been in continuous operation for 80 years, an unheard of track record of success.

Given the closure of the border and health and government restrictions, the league’s franchises for the 2021 season only, anticipate going “All Canadian”. As much as that is regrettable, it is the unavoidable result of the ongoing pandemic; AND on the upside it will provide unique opportunities to the most outstanding Canadian college players whether playing at colleges in the US or in Canada.

The WCBL anticipates an extremely competitive league in 2021 with participating franchises currently including the Edmonton Prospects, the Lethbridge Bulls, the defending champion Okotoks Dawgs fielding 2 teams and the WCBL’s newest franchise, the Sylvan Lake Gulls. Other franchises may join in the next month.

It is anticipated that fan attendance this summer may be limited although the Dawgs and WCBL continue to be in regular discussions with the health and government authorities in that regard. 

STAY TUNED for further details regarding season tickets, game day tickets and a new 2021 WCBL Schedule. 

See link below to the official WCBL Press Release.
http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/news/western-canadian-baseball-leagues-2021-season-to-proceed/

Go Alberta! Go WCBL! Go Dawgs!

Sincerely,

John Ircandia
Managing Director
Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club

The Okotoks Dawgs Academy is pleased to announce that Kirklon White is back for his third year of coaching in the program and has been hired as the Dawgs 16U Head Coach.

White played three years in the Dawgs Academy before graduating and moving on to the next level where he played two years at Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta. After his first year of college ball, White returned to the Dawgs Academy as an assistant coach for the Dawgs 15U Red team, and again the following summer as the Dawgs 16U assistant coach.

Dawgs General Manager, Tyler Hollick, had this to say about the hiring of Kirklon White:

“We are thrilled that the Academy has hired one of our own in Kirklon. When alumni want to give back to the program, it’s a sign of the strength and the impact the Dawgs had on that individual. Now that Kirklon has finished his playing career, he wants to help young and aspiring athletes to earn the opportunity he earned after his three years in the Academy. Kirklon always played the game the right way and is the epitome of a Dawg. We couldn’t be more excited to have him leading our 16U program.”

Welcome back, Kirklon!

The Okotoks Dawgs Academy are pleased to announce their player selections for the 18U program for the 2021 season.

Congratulations to the following players on being selected to the Okotoks Dawgs Academy 18U program:

Alejandro Cazorla

Andrew Franson

Andrew Yusypchuk

Ben Hoshizaki

Ben Swennumson

Bennett Freiter

Boston Warkentin

Brandon Leblanc

Brenden Gaboury

Brody Forno

Calder Eagleton

Carson Hindmarsh

Carter Spinks

Cody Hendriks

Colin Yeomans

Connor Crowson

Connor Makarus

Connor Wong

Conor Pote

Davis Fenske

Davis Jack

Dawson Bacon

Dryden Howse

Eric Machej

Gabe Simon

Hank Griffin

Hunter Jobs

Jack Lines

Jackson Sherren

Jacob Wrubleski

Jeremie Leblanc

Jet Uszacki

Joey Karpiak

Jose Nunez

Kaden Zarowny

Kobe Laevens

Landon Knight

Leo Griffin

Logan Rumberg

Mac Galvin

Marco Fajardo

Martin Ding

Matt Baker

Matt Grabmann

Matt Wilkinson

Max Hartman

Mitch Sambirsky

Nash Crowell

Nick Hagen

Nicolas Fortin

Noah Abel

Noah Scrimegour

Olivier Vallee

Riley Doig

Rowan Robinson

Russell Mattson

Ryder Hancock

Sebastien Cazorla

Seth Thompson

Simon Lusignan

Skylar Roenicke

Tag Weder

Trey Mackwood

Trey Nott

Ty Doucette

Ty Johnson

Tyrelle Chadwick

Tyson Kemp

Tyson King

For the athletes that did not make the final cut, we appreciate your efforts over the last 5 months and you will undoubtedly be prepared for wherever you play baseball this spring. The Dawgs Staff wishes you nothing but the best moving forward!

GO DAWGS!

Well, you can thank Dawgs Field Maintenance Manager, Chris Friesen for that!

Chris joined the Dawgs after our first year in Okotoks thanks to the recommendation of Alberta’s “Guru of Grass”, Kenny O. Dedicated and hardworking, Chris was determined to learn his craft and paid close attention to the lessons of his mentors, first, Kenny O., then Dawgs Hall of Famer and Alberta baseball legend, Blair Kubicek, followed by the perfectionist mound and infield work of Don McLeod, affectionately known by the players he coached as “Dr. Death”. 

Fans entering Seaman Stadium are astounded by the quality of the playing field. Unquestionably, it is first rate in every respect and for that, Dawgs and Dawgs fans alike owe a debt of gratitude to Chris Friesen. What follows is a short Q & Abetween Managing Director, John Ircandia and the Dawgs “Field Master”, Chris Friesen.

John: Chris, I have been to several Major League stadiums, including Wrigley Field in Chicago which has a similar northern climate to ours, and I can honestly say that Seaman Stadium takes a back seat to none. What is the secret of your success in offering Dawgs players and fans a true Big League playing field?

Chris: I am absolutely honored to hear something like “Field Master”, I’m not sure I’m worthy of this title. I think you will find that guys like Kenny, Don, Kubie and John are the true field masters. I think my success is the result of hard work and dedication to the job using the skills I’ve learned from all of the mentors I have had in the past 20 years of turf grass management. I have a great team that works with me, kids that started in the academy and are now going to university and come back in the summer to work on the field. Guys like Brett, Dayne, and Kirklon make my job easier because of their phenomenal attitude and work ethic. Whether we are on the field for 4 hours or 16 hours, they are there to share the workload so we are able to provide the best playing surface.

John: I remember the day we brought you on board thanks to your mentor Kenny O. How has working with someone with Ken’s experience and expertise in terms of grass and field management helped prepare you?

Chris: I can honestly say Ken has been the biggest influence on my life since I met him over 20 years ago. Because Ken has been one of, if not the top grass grower in Western Canada, his passion for grass growing and love of sports has rubbed off on me. He has always told me that when I look at Seaman Stadium, I am looking at myself in the mirror, so it’d better be good. I have nothing but love for him, and I would not be where I am without him. 

John: You had other mentors as you took over field maintenance at Seaman Stadium. First, I recall you consulting with Kubie (Blair Kubicek), who of course is not only an Alberta coaching legend, but a true master of ballpark design and playing surfaces; not to mention a Dawgs and Seaman Stadium “Hall of Famer”. What did you learn from Kubie?

Chris: I am incredibly lucky that Kubie was a part of the design and construction of Seaman Stadium. He put everything in the field that is needed to achieve the highest standard such as the quick coupler behind the mound and the tear drop shape of home plate. There are many such design aspects of the field that he thought of that only a master grounds keeper knows. I try and learn everything I can from him when he comes to town. Not everyone understands why we need some of the special products for the field. But, if Kubie says we need them, then we’d better get it done. It is so nice to have someone with his kind of knowledge and experience to back me up on some of the specialized products we use on the field.

 John: Once you had mastered grass management and had perfected that gorgeous outfield grass at the Stadium, you turned your attention to the more challenging assignment of maintaining the “perfect infield”. Now you had the shale/clay cut out and the clay mound to make pristine, no easy task. But you had a mentor in that regard as well, starting with Kubie of course, then Don McLeod. How was working with “Dr. Death” and what were the key lessons?

Chris: Don and I have had a very interesting relationship. At first, it was kind of like, ‘I’d better keep my grass off of his shale’. For a while, as I watched Don on the field it kind of looked like he was just going in circles all day. But what I learned was that he was so focused on getting every square inch of ground flat and level. He was an absolute master at work and his attention to detail was incredible. When a hall of fame director is on the grounds crew, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. Everyone has to listen to you and help you achieve the goal of a major league field. I am honored to call him a friend and I am grateful he was there to teach me his attention to detail.

John: As someone with “some” influence on what goes on at Seaman Stadium, I have always been curious about the various designs you build into that phenomenal outfield grass? Where do you get your ideas and do you ever worry that your boss might not agree with some of your more adventurous designs….lol?

 Chris: I get most of my ideas from major league fields. I remember the first time I met John, Ken asked him what he would like the field to look like. John said ‘I want it to look like Yankee Stadium’. So, I found a picture of Yankee Stadium and I did that pattern for awhile. My goal now is to try to have a pattern that highlights the field from every angle, so you get a different look of the field depending on where you are in the stands, where the sun is in the sky and what it looks like under the lights. Yes, I am always nervous the boss won’t like the pattern, however, I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity and kind of job that allows me to make decisions like that, such as the field pattern. It is such a thrill to have that many people look at your work every night. But in the end, if the boss doesn’t like the pattern, you change it.

John: Chris, you do a fantastic job. Our coaches, players and fans owe you a debt of gratitude for embracing our vision. Please keep up the good work. The Dawgs were built on a selfless passion for the game and the program and you certainly are a key part of our extraordinary team. Any final words for Dawgs fans or players?

 Chris: To the players I would say, there is no better place in the world to play. We have some of the most professional youth coaches in Canada who are some of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. If I was a player, I would not want to put the care and growth of my game in the hands of anyone other than the academy coaches at the Okotoks Dawgs.  To the fans, I would say that there is no greater honor than getting the field ready you every night. You’re the greatest fans in all of baseball!

Prep Baseball Report Alberta is an independent scouting service that ranks and provides scouting reports on individual athletes across North America. Hundreds of college coaches and professional scouts alike subscribe to the service as a means to stay updated on players and their progress, as well as a recruiting tool for uncommitted high school athletes aspiring to take their talents to the next level.

PBR has recently updated their 2022 rankings, and the Dawgs are leading the charge with 12 of their athletes in the top 20 and 7 in the top 10 of the province.

Congratulations to the following Dawgs for earning their spot in the rankings and representing the Dawgs program:

#1 Conor Pote- RHP committed to Oregon State University

#2 Max Hartman- Outfielder committed to Washington State University

#3 Boston Warkentin- RHP committed to University of Washington

#4 Matt Grabmann- RHP committed to University of Oregon

#6 Cody Hendriks- Middle infielder committed to Cal State University- Bakersfield

#9 Logan Rumberg- RHP committed to George Mason University

#10 Nicolas Fortin- Catcher committed to University of Louisiana- Monroe

#11 Jose Nunez- RHP uncommitted

#12 Hank Griffin- Middle infielder uncommitted

#14 Jackson Sherren- Outfielder uncommitted

#17 Brandon LeBlanc- Outfielder uncommitted

#18 Nick Hagen- Catcher uncommitted

#22 Ben Hoshizaki- Outfielder uncommitted

#27 Tag Weder- Outfielder uncommitted

#35 Martin Ding- RHP uncommitted

GO DAWGS!

The Okotoks Dawgs Founder and Managing Director, John Ircandia, was recently named the 14th most influential Canadian in baseball as per Bob Elliott and the Canadian Baseball Network.

Check out the link to a great article from the Calgary Herald below!

https://calgarysun.com/sports/baseball/dawgs-john-ircandia-no-14-on-most-influential-canadians-baseball-list

The Okotoks Dawgs very own Jim Henderson continues his journey in the professional baseball ranks, this time as a coach in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. 

Check the link below for the full article from the Calgary Herald. 

https://calgarysun.com/sports/baseball/mlb/calgarys-henderson-rising-with-brewers-in-coaching-life

The Dawgs would like to thank everyone that came to tryout for the program this year. If you were not selected to the Dawgs program, we wish you nothing but the best of luck in the upcoming 2021 season and hope to see you at future Dawgs camps and tryouts!

The following players have been selected to the Dawgs 13U program:

Avery Johnson

Evan Matthews

Ray Han

Taye Thierman

Alex Machej

Cody Schuck

Owen Swennumson

Tyson Dyck

Colton Ullyett

William Lapohn

Giacobbe De Castro

Grady Suba

Hank Johnsen

Dallas Tanaka

Malik Robbins

Mason Fenton

The following players have been selected to the Dawgs 15U program:

Jack Mitchell

Bodie Bazillion

Ty Gertner

Leo Cote

Nicholas Dewey

Cas Herold

Casey Laevens

Matt Deibert

Tanner Troolines

Kayden Myslicki

Marek Schlenker

Jordan Hurst

Demetrio Garcia

Connor Suba

Chase Logan

Thomas Snyder

Dane Heppner

Ashton Crowe

Andrew Pellegrino

Fraser McMillan

Pryor Woollett

Preston Tocheniuk

Brady Carroll

Ty Baisly-Dickson

Kingston Besuijen

Turner Zdunich

Carlos Tiamo

Kaden Gomez-Gordon

Kaden Johnson

Austin Collins

Sean Milford

Tee Hagel

Hayden Galvin

Congratulations to all the above players who have been selected to be a part of the Okotoks Dawgs Academy! GO DAWGS!

The Okotoks Dawgs Founder and Managing Director, John Ircandia, recently interviewed our Ray Chadwick, father of Dawgs Academy player Tyrelle Chadwick and former MLB player.

Q: Thank you for agreeing to participate in this interview. A lot of Dawgs fans and supporters are aware of your son as an outstanding Dawgs Academy player, but not as many know about your own baseball background. Can you give us a few details regarding your baseball resume.

A: 13 years of professional baseball- Angels, White Sox, Red Sox, Royals, Mexican League, Italian League(2 years and 1 year as a player coach) 

Q: You signed your first professional contract with the California Angels after being selected in the 16th round of the MLB Draft. If you had to pick a highlight or two from your experiences from your playing days, what would they be?

A: Being named 1985 Angels Minor League Player of the Year and 1986 I made my Major League Debut.

Q: In your second baseball career you have been extremely influential in coaching young players and passing on your knowledge of the game. In fact you are the Head Coach of the Thompson Rivers University in the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference. With your own extensive knowledge of the game and being around it as long as you have been, what made you decide for your son Tyrelle to join the Dawgs Academy?

A: I’ve always had the attitude that if you want to be good at something you should surround yourself with good people. I want Tyrelle to be not only an outstanding baseball player, but be a great man as well. Okotoks Dawgs have an abundance of good people. Tyrelle is surrounded by awesome baseball minds and well respected people.

Q: You and your family have been residing in Kamloops, BC for quite some time now. With the baseball knowledge you have, what made you decide it would be in Tyrelle’s best interest to leave home and attend the Dawgs Academy?

A: Tyrelle and I have known the Okotoks Dawgs organization for over 16 years. We would travel to Alberta or meet a team here in B.C. as a peewee and a bantam so that he could compete and play as a member of the Dawgs academy. Once he was midget age there was no question of where he would play his high school age baseball.  In order to grow, improve and graduate to the next level, Okotoks is where we thought would give him the best coaching, guidance and opportunity to do so.

Q: Now that Tyrelle has been in the Dawgs program, what benefits and growths have you seen in him as a ball player and as a young man?

A: Tyrelle has grown and matured as a young man both on and off the field. He has shown great improvement both on the mound and at the plate. He has been a sponge in soaking up baseball knowledge from the Dawgs coaching staff.