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The Okotoks Dawgs are pleased to announce the 2021 Opening Weekend at Seaman Stadium!

On Saturday, June 19th, the Dawgs Black will be taking on the Edmonton Prospects at 7:05pm. The Dawgs Red will be taking on the Lethbridge Bulls on Sunday, June 20th, at 2:05pm.

Details on ticket sales will follow shortly. Season ticket holders will have priority booking for all Dawgs home games.

GO DAWGS!

May 27, 2021  

OKOTOKS, AB- Dawgs & WCBL Set to Return to Action June 18th 

With the recent announcement from Alberta’s Premier Jason Kenney, the Okotoks Dawgs are excited to  announce their return to play in the 2021 season of the Western Canadian Baseball League, Canada’s premier  summer collegiate league, commencing on Friday, June 18th. With the province’s 3-Stage Plan for reopening,  the Dawgs could welcome full capacity crowds at Seaman Stadium as soon as early July. 

Earlier this year, the WCBL announced plans to offer players and fans a modified WCBL season with participating  teams including the Lethbridge Bulls, Sylvan Lake Gulls, Edmonton Prospects and Okotoks Dawgs; with the  Dawgs fielding two teams, Dawgs Black and Dawgs Red. Due to border closures and quarantine requirements, all  players in the 2021 season will be Canadian.  

The home opener for the Dawgs Black squad will be 7:05 PM on Saturday, June 19th at Seaman Stadium against  the rival Edmonton Prospects. The Dawgs Red will host the Lethbridge Bulls at 2:05 PM on Sunday, June 20th also  at Seaman Stadium. 

The Dawgs with a youth academy widely considered the premier high school aged program in Canada and  ranked 3rd in North America by US scouting service, Perfect Game, will base their 2 clubs on its premier Academy  teams supplemented by standout Dawgs graduates returning from US colleges. The Dawgs rosters will include current Academy players with scholarship commitments from such prestigious US college programs as the  University of Tennessee, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Washington State University, University  of Washington and Stetson University in Florida. 

The top returning players include LHP Graham Brunner (Illinois State University), LHP Matt Wilkinson (Central  Arizona), RHPs Ethan Francis and Ryan Olchoway (Northwestern State University, Louisiana), RHP Brendan  Logan, LHP Branden Woods and infielder Aidan Rose (UBC), OF Tucker Zdunich (Colby CC, Kansas), OF/LHP Noah  Geekie (Emporia State, Kansas) and local product Kye Seitz (Bellevue, WA).  

Dawgs fans will also see some familiar faces on the coaching staff this summer. Coaching guru, David Robb (Mesa, AZ) and Pitching Coach Joe Sergent (Florida Marlins org.) will be back in the dugout along with Academy  Coaches and former professional and WCBL standouts, Tyler Hollick (Chandler Gilbert, AZ, SF Giants org.) and  Jeff Duda (Lewis Clark State, ID, Quebec City, CANAM). Val Helldobler (Tiffin, OH) and former WCBL All-star, Bretton  Gouthro (Mt. Olive, NC), round out the coaching staff. While the Dawgs will miss Head Coach, Mitch Schmidt  (Bellevue, NB), returning in 2022, Dawgs are awaiting word regarding a border exemption allowing the return of  Coach Andy Peterson (Oregon State, Seattle Mariners org.). 

“Given the circumstances of the pandemic, we anticipated a unique 2021 season. But we are particularly excited  and think fans will really enjoy the opportunity to see not only our returning Dawgs grads but the outstanding  Academy players we are developing right here in Okotoks. We will be young but there will be a lot of talent on  display and I am confident both Dawgs teams will be highly competitive”, said Academy Head Coach, Jeff Duda.  

With opening day just 3 weeks away, a revised 2021 WCBL schedule and information on ticket sales for the 2021  WCBL season will be released in the next few days. Stay tuned to the Dawgs website and social media platforms  or contact the Dawgs Offices at 403.262.3294 for further information.  

Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club

PLEASE NOTE: The latest information about the Dawgs is available at:  

Website: www.dawgsbaseball.ca & www.dawgsacademy.ca 

Facebook: Okotoks Dawgs Baseball & Dawgs Baseball Academy  Instagram: @okotoksdawgs & @okotoksdawgsacademy  

Twitter: @Okotoks_Dawgs & @DawgsAcademy  

PHONE: 403.262.3294 

PLEASE NOTE: The latest information about the WCBL is available at:  

Website: http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/ 

Contact: Kevin Kvame, WCBL President; PH: 403.320.2025 (101); Cell: 403. 315.4064

You can read the WCBL’s press release at the following link:

http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/news/western-canadian-baseball-league-ramping-up-plans-for-all-canadian-season/

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