A Classic Final Series Returns to Close the 2026 Season

The current trend in the North Central Alberta Baseball League when describing the quality of play could be summed up with the word unpredictable.  Since the disruptions to the regular season witnessed in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, the League has witnessed  a fundamental change in the commitment level of players to the game in general.  Not only was the League forced to drop its package of sanctioned tournaments, sustained for over twenty-five years, due to a lack of interest in playing the game on successive week-ends, but player attitudes and commitment levels towards practice and spring training also contributed to the decline in quality of play.  The League gradually lost its commitment to developmental baseball as a basic level of competitive baseball replaced it.  This trend produced a brand of baseball which was often interspersed with inconsistent performances on the field which led to a greater number of error filled and high scoring games.  But insofar as the N.C.A.B.L. has been successful in keeping baseball alive over its 59 year history, this most recent challenge will undoubtedly be met head on and a new and revitalized League will emerge.  A return to the superlative performances once a standard in N.C.A.B.L. post-season play was witnessed by larger than average crowds during the 2026 LCFS.  Both the Twins and Red Lions brought their best onto the diamonds to close the season.  Fans witnessed low scoring competitive baseball with few errors committed, outstanding solo pitching performances, some amazing defensive execution by both clubs creating critical turning points in both games of the Series, and a show of offensive production which tested each club’s resolve to limit the runs scored to only a handful.  This series was a not to be missed classic in which both clubs excelled.  From the come from behind late inning exchanges which produced a two extra inning 3-2 victory for the home town Red Lions to the equally tense 4-3 Red Lion victory in the seventh and final inning of game two of this best of three championship.  There were many heroes in this series and more than a handful of players on both sides deserving of accolades and an MVP nod, however only one can emerge the winner.  In this year of ascending expectations, Derek Lofstrand of the Red Lions will proudly represent the quality of performance exhibited by many during a hard fought and “classic” LCFS.

2026 Award Nominations and Recipients

Bob Kootenay Memorial Award: Manager of the Year
Jordan Brand, Westlock Red Lions

A veteran player and fierce competitor, Jordan took over the Red Lions three seasons ago, following his brother Chris as manager, which was no easy task. He rebranded the club and rebuilt it into a younger, speedier version of the storied franchise while keeping its strong defensive core, experienced pitching, and aggressive hitting. After an 18-2 record last season, the Red Lions went 17-3 this year, proving that success was deserved. Jordan received 50 ballot points in the vote for the award.

Servus Cup: Best Regular Season Record
Westlock Red Lions, 2026 Pennant Champions

The Servus Cup goes to the club with the best regular season record and is presented in the league’s 59th consecutive year of operation. It is an identical replica of the inaugural Molson Cup, which was awarded for the league’s first 50 years. The Red Lions finished 17-3, easily outpacing their opponents. They have played in the NCABL since its inception in 1968 and have consistently produced an exciting brand of baseball throughout their decades-long tenure.

Dan Gerlach Memorial Award: Most Promising Junior Player
Koehan Currie, Legal Primeaus

First introduced in 1978, this award honours the league’s most promising junior player, and Koehan was the unanimous choice with the maximum number of ballot points. His manager describes him as a respectful, all-around team player who brings life and positive energy to the dugout. Koehan started with the Legal Minor Baseball Association as a U-18 player, where he became a sure-handed outfielder patrolling both centre and left field. After joining the Primeaus, he developed his offensive skills, leading the league with a .481 batting average and .571 OBP over 63 plate appearances, plus 18 stolen bases. He is grateful for his opportunities with Legal and eager for his next chance at post-season baseball.

Most Valuable Player of the Year
Derek Lofstrand, Westlock Red Lions

Each club nominates two players for this award, and all clubs then vote in rank order for their five top players. Derek won with 20 ballot points. Manager Jordan Brand described him as the ultimate athlete, one who doesn’t relish the limelight and simply plays the game he loves at a high level. A quiet, unassuming player with a calm demeanour under pressure, Derek hit .469 with a .509 OBP over 55 plate appearances. He led the league with 23 RBIs, struck out just once all season, and hit for power with a few home runs. His patience at the plate and his confidence in the field have earned the respect and appreciation of his teammates.

Most Valuable Player of the 2026 League Championship Final Series
Derek Lofstrand, Westlock Red Lions

Derek continued to cement his reputation as a clutch player throughout the post-season, both defensively and offensively. He hit .375 in the final series and made a number of dazzling defensive plays at shortstop. Although many players on both sides had strong post-season performances, Derek stood out for his ability to deliver a clutch hit when it counted most or a critical out to end an inning. He joins a short list of excellent players who have won both the regular season MVP and the post-season MVP.

Ken Schultz Memorial Award: Distinguished Service to Baseball
Jordan Riopel

Presented on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Citadel Park in Legal during the League Championship Semi-Final Series, this is the league’s most prestigious award. It was first presented in 1993 at the request of the Schultz family, and its recipients are known as the “pillars of the NCABL.” Jordan grew up in Morinville, where his grandfather Vic Ring managed the Morinville Merchants in the 1970s. After his family moved to St. Albert, he played minor ball with the Cardinal organization at the triple A level as an elite outfielder with a major league arm. His U-18 team competed for several Canadian National Championships and in the largest international tournament ever held at the minor league level in Alberta. In his twenties, he moved to Camrose, where baseball and softball had long since died out, and founded the Camrose Axemen. The Axemen spent about ten seasons in the NCABL and won pennants in 2012 and 2013. In the 2014 post-season series against the Red Lions, Jordan hit .444 while patrolling right field.

When his playing career ended in his thirties, Jordan turned to volunteer work, establishing baseball and softball associations in Camrose and reintroducing representative baseball and softball to the area. While coaching his daughter’s club, he qualified his Camrose Crossfire team for nationals in two of the past three seasons. He remains active in coaching, and he and his wife Melissa have dedicated many volunteer hours to raising corporate support for baseball and softball infrastructure in Camrose. Winston Tuttle made the official nomination, and Tim Schultz assisted Commissioner Riopel with the presentation.

Long Service Award: 15-Year Umpire Recognition
Winston Tuttle

A core NCABL umpire, Winston was honoured by Commissioner Paul Riopel for 15 years of dedicated service to the league. The award recognizes five, ten, and fifteen years of service to umpiring within the NCABL. The league has run an independently administered umpire development program since 1973, recruiting and largely training its own umpires. Winston also delivered the nomination for this year’s Ken Schultz Memorial Award.

The North Central Alberta Baseball League Senior AA has been running since 1968.

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