Okotoks Dawgs’ summer of success ignites fun at Seaman Stadium

amonpetragliaJune 30, 2022

From left, Okotoks Dawgs players Brody Forno, Connor Crowson, Rylan Penner, Alejandro Cazorla. Photo by Azin Ghaffari / /Post media

Why don’t you celebrate the outdoor fireworks with outdoor fireworks?

So far, given the success of the 2022 Western Canada Baseball League season, Okotoks Dawgs can do very little.

Therefore, the fierce celebration of Canada Day following the Friday night match at Seaman Stadium does more than just wish the country a happy birthday. It’s a really spectacular first month and a salute to some Dawgs balls, thanks to the people who supported the summer boys.

“In a nutshell … notable,” said John Ilcandia, managing director of Dogs. “From both a fan and team record and performance perspective.”

Currently, Dawgs is the overall first with a 21-6 record in the WCBL.

This helped fans take people to the Okotoks stadium, which averages 4,200 people per game, despite most of the bad weather in June. Father’s Day featured the best of the season, 5,237.

And expect such a number for Canada Day’s case against rival Edmonton Prospect at Seaman Stadium (7:05 pm).

“Post-COVID fans clearly want to return to positive, healthy, outdoor and family-friendly entertainment, which basically defines Dawgs Baseball,” said one million at the end. Ircandia is proud to welcome a second fan to the facility, said Ircandia. Friday night. “This was a great trip to community support in the Okotoks and Calgary areas.”

Having a successful team that attracts those eyes helps.

And, well … that’s what Dogs head coach Mitch Schmidt has in Spades again this year.

“Look at the records we have. That’s pretty special,” Schmidt said, returning to the club in the first year since the 2019 Championship campaign. “Honestly, you can put in two or three different lineups and compete with members of this team from top to bottom every night. You can pull your name out of your hat and say,’Get out, boy.’ I can do it. Then they will be competing. And when you look at it, half of these guys are graduates of the Dogs Academy.

“There is no such thing anywhere else in North America.”

For Schmidt, there are many names that will represent Doug in 2022.

There are his leaders (all return success stories) such as High River pitcher Graham Brunner (5-0, 0.35 ERA — the best in both leagues) and outfielders Noah Geekie (.337 batting average) and Tucker Zdunich (.284 average).

Then they sprinkled some young talents who helped speed up the club. Coaches are “very special players” with shortstop Ricardo Sanchez (.273), first baseman McCoy Pierce (371 average, 3 home runs) and outfielder Alejandro Casorla (.352 average, 3 HR) (from Okotox). Bill as.

Schmidt added: “Not only are they good players. They are good boys.”

And they are surrounded by other “great human beings who are really good players”. Includes infielder Aidan Rose, outfielder Cesar Valero, pitchers Ryan McFarland and Seth Thompson (all Calgarian), Okotoks weapons Matt Wilkinson, Quinn Tocheniuk, and Brody Forno.

In addition, infielder Brendan Luther boasts the second best batting average (.441) in the WCBL.

“We had to honestly break some hearts,” said Schmidt on the roster. “We had academy kids who wanted to play here and we couldn’t afford it. He’s also an academy guy who’s playing in the same position and has played here in the past2, Three guys are already here. When they have seniority, we can’t tell them to skip the road. It’s a difficult call.

“So they say,’OK, I’ll go somewhere for two years, and when the roster location opens, I’ll be back.'”

They usually do so and help organize this current-looking campaign.

It’s not every year that Dawgs can meet the idea of ”championship or bust”, but it’s always a goal.

“On the first day of 2019, knowing what we had, I said,” This is a deal. Our goal is to be 56-0, “Schmidt said. “Obviously. We didn’t do that. We won the championship in 2019. And when we saw the guys coming back this year, it was: It was us. It’s not about beating your chest or having an ego. That’s what Dawgs expects. Dawgs is here to win. “

But in reality, regardless of the outcome, they are the winners …

From players to fans of the stands, that’s a good reason to launch fireworks.

“This is an incredible place. I told many people involved in baseball that,” Schmidt added, praising Ircandia, a pioneer at the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club. “When I first brought his wife here in 2018, she said,’Sacred cow-it’s so cool.’ Okotoks fans, they have a complete understanding of the game — they are good fans. And that’s not just because they’re rooting for Doug. It means they know what good baseball is. One of the most amazing things I’ve dealt with is that there are 4,200 people on the stand, the opponent’s team plays incredibly, and my fans stand up and tilt like a hat. It’s time. Players respect the game, then you play, and they are even more violent.

“So it’s really special here. Many people don’t know they’re missing something cool here.”

Extra base

Gate opens Canada Day at 4pm, with live music, face painting for “kids” of all ages, mascot photos “ops”, and spectacular post-match fireworks all on the agenda … Friday Contest Is a rematch of the Thursday match between host Dawgs. View at Seaman Stadium (7:05 pm)… Saturday fun features the pre-game Jimmy Buffett Margarita tribute band ahead of the Dawgs-Lethbridge Bulls game (7:05 pm)… Follow-up Homestand July 6th-8 sets against Weyburn Beavers on Wednesday and Thursday and Brooks Bandits on Friday.All games are at 7:05 pm

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

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