Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast Alberta Dugout Stories

It’s been a fun-filled few weeks around the WCBL ball diamonds with records being set and great performances galore. We check in with a trio of veterans for their perspectives and journeys in baseball. Hear from Brooks Bombers infielder Zander Bretza, Swift Current 57s pitcher Kenny Jinks and Okotoks Dawgs southpaw Graham Brunner on this week’s episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

4:13 - Zander Bretza

19:18 - Kenny Jinks

36:47 - Graham Brunner

We get through a ton of news (including a few long-awaited shout-outs to Albertans playing independent pro ball) and then get to the big story of the week: that insane 31-26 wind-driven game between the Lethbridge Bulls and Brooks Bombers. We check in on both sides of the field with Bulls veteran Josh Kabayama and Bombers catcher Will Bomersbach. Our final guest is another check in with a coach around the WCBL, with this one being Fort McMurray Giants skipper Joe Ellison.

6:17 - Josh Kabayama

27:50 - Will Bomersbach

49:08 - Joe Ellison

We have a fantastic show lined up for you with great guests and tons of news to get to. We recap the week with the headlines then catch up with Edmonton Prospects head coach Jordan Blundell about the team’s return and what he expects this summer, then we’re joined by a trio of prospects who hope to make an impact in the WCBL. Innisfail product and Sylvan Lake Gulls catcher Nathan Flewelling has had a whirlwind few months, while Dawgs Academy products Benito Bonilla and Eric Machej checked in with our Ian Wilson during the Okotoks Dawgs media day prior to the season.

7:40 - Jordan Blundell

26:42 - Nathan Flewelling

38:10 - Benito Bonilla

43:10 - Eric Machej

The 2024 Western Canadian Baseball League season is finally here. 12 teams will be vying for the right to hoist the Harry Hallis Trophy in the middle of August, 7 in Alberta and 5 in Saskatchewan. There are plenty of storylines to get to heading into the season, including the potential of a three-peat for the Okotoks Dawgs, the entrance of the brand new Saskatoon Berries, the return of the Edmonton Prospects, the international flavour of some of the rosters and the youth movement where plenty of local talent will be looking to leave their mark on the league. We have five conversations to kick off the 2024 summer season!

0:55 - ADS co-founder and chief writer Ian Wilson

14:53 - WCBL president Kevin Kvame on new baseballs

23:46 - Saskatoon Berries head coach Joe Carnahan

35:09 - Okotoks Dawgs utilityman Logan Grant

45:31 - Medicine Hat Mavericks veteran Brody Gardner

What a weekend it was in Lethbridge for the Canadian College Baseball Conference World Series. While the weather left something to be desired, the action on the field had a little bit of everything, especially in the final between the University of Fraser Valley Cascades and the Okanagan College Coyotes. In the end, the Cascades pulled out the 10-9 extra innings victory. We chat with head coach and former player Riley Jepson as well as CCBC Pitcher of the Year Josh Berenbaum and Albertans Max Prevost and Eli McKeen, who both played pivotal parts in a ninth inning comeback in the final.

8:43 - Riley Jepson

17:40 - Josh Berenbaum

29:21 - Max Prevost

41:02 - Eli McKeen

The US college season is wrapping up and the summer baseball season is about to begin, so we have a lot to get to both in the news and with our guests. This week, we chat with Edmonton Collegiate Hawks hurler Halen Knoll about this weekend’s CCBC championships and the season so far. Then we head back south to hear the inspiring story of Spruce Grove’s Gavin Fraser, who has been named Second-Team All-Conference and a Gold Glove recipient with Cerro Coso College. And we wrap things up with Dawgs Academy alum Jimmy Dionne, who had a freshman season to remember with Howard College.

7:04 - Halen Knoll

19:37 - Gavin Fraser

39:16 - Jimmy Dionne