2014 Season
Sizzling Summer Temperatures Heat Up Pennant Race
There hasn’t been a day of regular season play that passes lately in the NCABL without noticeable movement in the standings. As the hot summer sun brings on the best on the field, clubs are fiercely competing and jostling for favourable positions from which to launch a final assault on a post season berth. Now firmly atop the pennant ladder, the Mets solidified their position last Monday by pounding their way to a 9-4 victory over the hometown Red Lions at Keller Field behind the strong pitching of Mike Cote. That victory left the Red Lions in a three way tie with the Blackhawks and Axemen, all at 6-3. The Blackhawks changed that again on Tuesday night with a solid outing (11-1) against the Cardinals, avenging their loss of a week ago. Crouched behind these leaders and ready to pounce are the Sherwood Park Athleitcs and surprising Barrhead Orioles. Other clubs lower in the standings are not without their own arsenals of talent. Consider the surging Cardinals as a possible threat on any given night. Or the Edmonton Athletics who on Monday night dropped a game to Sherwood Park in three extra innings. One thing is apparent, high heat has brought on high intensity on the fields across the League. And the baseball has been fun to watch’ Just ask the 250 odd fans who attended last Monday night’s game at Keller Field
League Releases Comprehensive Package of Statistics
Ryan Gregg quickly emerged as a force to be reconed with as the Blackhawk infielder posted a mighty .700 batting average on the League’s first release of its top twenty batters. Gregg has demonstrated a steady progression in his game over the past several seasons and is now hitting for power and driving in valuable runs in critical game situations. The Camrose Axemen, meanwhile, placed the most batters (4) among the top twenty hitters followed by the Mets, who lead in the pennant race, with three. Of the pitchers who have logged seven or more innings thus far, Cory Martz of the Axemen, leads the way in the win column with one to go along with his 0.00 ERA. Kyle Lawrence of the Blackhawks has an equally impressive ERA also at 0.00 to go along with his two saves and 16 strikeouts so far on the young season. Complete team by team statistics are now available by scrolling down “Statistics” to the club of your choice.
Phillies Sign Former NCABL Alumni
Lars Davis, 28, an NCABL alumni formerly with the Barrhead Yankees organization has recently signed with the Phillies organization after being released by the Diamondbacks. Davis collected a total of 333 plate appearances for triple A Colorado Springs while registering batting averages of .255, .313, and .356 respectively. Lars was named the 2002 Most Promising Junior Player in the NCABL while still under 18 years of age.
Paladins Lose Valuable Player to Injury
The Sturgeon Paladins lost a valuable member of their club during the second game of their DH last week. It was reported that Justin Turner (BA .286) broke his leg late in the second game following a hard slide into third base. The hard nosed utility player will be missed according to Manager James Turnbull. Turner is not expected back for any part of the 2014 regular season. The league wishes him a speedy recovery.
Three of Four Sanctioned Tournaments Completed Without a Hitch
The Rainmaker Invitational Tournament was the most ambitious tournament effort of the young season thus far. With eleven scheduled games, all completed over three days, the second year St. Albert Cardinals were not only able to record their first victories of the season but also lay claim to hosting a fine tournament on their beautifully manicured field. The Harvey J. Doherty Tournament which holds the current title of longest running sanctioned tournament in the NCABL did not fare as well this season with only three clubs registering to do battle. Although a single day of baseball was salvaged, the tournament hopes to return to its traditionally stronger base of clubs next season. More recently, the quiet community of Waskatenau, Alberta, continues to host what has become a very popular annual tournament. The Starchuk-Semeniuk Memorial Tournament held its traditional six-team and nine game week-end tournament in the confines of Pine Creek Park to the delight of locals who look forward to this annual sporting event. The tournament champions in date order were the Edmonton Athletics, Cold Lake Cardinals and Edmonton Blackhawks respectively. One sanctioned tournament remains to be played. The Blue Willow Invitational will be played on July 18 thru 20th and hosted by the Blackhawks.
All-Star Balloting Just Around the Corner
Management from across the League will soon be pouring over their notes and the statistics provided by League Office to vote for the top ten players in the NCABL for 2014. A third instalment of official statistics will be posted in just a few days to provide a most effective means of making the very best decisions possible on the website ballot. The NCABL honours its voted All-Stars in a special way prior to the selection process taking over to effectively top up each club to a maximum of fifteen players. This year’s All-Star Game is being hosted by the Axemen in Camrose, Alberta, on Tuesday, July 22. Game time is 7:45 PM.
Final Sanctioned Tournament
The Blue Willow Invitational Tournament will officially close the season on sanctioned tournaments in the NCABL for 2014. Now down to four pack of tournaments, the Blue Willow represents a unique opportunity to play on a professional surface at Telus Field in Edmonton. In its second year at this venue, the Blackhawks have attracted an impressive field of touring clubs which include the hosts of the 2013 Western Canada Senior AA Championships, the Provost Combine Pilots, the Heisler Cardinals, the Oyen Eagles, and the Rocky Red Dogs. Club teams from the NCABL entered into this tournament include the League leading Edmonton Blackhawks, the Shwerwood Park Athletics, the Stony Plain Mets, and the Sturgeon Paladins. For the complete draw, go to tournaments and scroll down to Blue Willow Invitational.
Camrose Hosts first Ever NCABL All-Star Game
Next Tuesday, July 22nd, the North Central Alberta Baseball League will be putting its best talent on display during the annual All-Star Game. This year’s game is being hosted by the Axemen at Harry Andreassen Park in Camrose. Admission is only $3 and children under 10 years of age are admitted free of charge. On Sunday, League Commissioner Paul Riopel released the complete rosters for both the Artslinger and Beverly Optimist All-Star Clubs representing all eleven franchises currently playing in the NCABL. The game will be a seven inning contest played under the lights. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:45 PM. To view the complete club rosters, go to League and scroll down to All-Star Club 2014.
NCABL Releases Names of Voted All-Stars
The NCABL All-Star Game will be hosted by the Camrose Axemen at Harry Andreassen Park in Camrose on Tuesday, July 22nd. The first pitch will be thrown at 7:45 PM. The annual game will feature ten players voted as the very best at their positions this season. To that number will be added top selections from all clubs across the League to a roster maximum of fifteen players on each All-Star squad. The hosts will be placing two players on the prestigious “voted list” as well as the Edmonton Blackhawks who currently lead the pennant race. Pitcher Cory Martz and outfielder Jordan Riopel from the Axemen will be joined by catcher Sam Ewanishan and second baseman Ryan Gregg from the Blackhawks. The second year St. Albert Cardinals also had two players “voted” to positions. Matt Biollo will be playing first base while Hayden Chies will be patrolling the outfield. Joining Chies in the outfield will be Nathan Brown from the Red Lions. Third base will be occupied by Allan Lyster of the Mets while first time All-Star Alex McGregor will represent the Paladins at shortstop. Andrew Grafton of the Indians took the utility position as the tenth player voted to the 2014 NCABL All-Star Club. For complete results please find League and scroll down to 2014 All-Star Club.
NCABL Partners with Pow Wow Days
We all know that the fish derby is synonymous with Pow Wow Days in Lac la Biche, Alberta. But would anyone have guessed that baseball in Lac la Biche dates back 100 years to Alberta’s very early years of settlement? Duane Young and Omar McGrabi, although not quite senior enough to have witnessed the early years, have nevertheless been involved in the promotion of the game in that region for many years. This year marks a very special milestone in baseball’s history in that community, the 100th year of organized baseball. With that in mind, both Duane and Omar have set a goal for themselves in 2014. Each has promised, for this year at least, a return to Lac la Biche of good quality and competitive baseball as was seen some twenty years ago when visiting clubs from California and Washington State along with Saskatchewan clubs loaded with good quality US born players were constant fixtures during Pow Wow Days. To ensure the return of the game to its former glory in Lac La Biche, the Pow Wow Days Association has approached the NCABL to assist them in coordinating a six-team premier division who would compete for a healthy purse during the three day event which will run from August 2nd thru August 4th. The NCABL will be entering four of the six clubs in this tournament, while outside participation will either come from the Sunburst League or other Senior AA Leagues in the province. All inquiries from either inside or outside the League can be directed to Commissioner Riopel of the NCABL who is currently promoting this event.
Heated races produce new alignments for 2014 All-Star Game
The NCABL wishes to welcome a new All-Star Game Sponsor, the Artslinger Company, creators of graphic design, photography, and websites in the Edmonton area. The Artslinger All-Stars will be the home club in this year’s tilt which will be drawing players from the Blackhawks, Axemen, Sherwood Park Athletics, Indians, Edmonton Athletics and Paladins. Randy Gregg of the Edmonton Blackhawks will be the Manager of the home club. Returning as an All-Star game sponsor for another two seasons, the League wishes to recognize and thank the Beverly Optimist Club from Edmonton. The Beverly Optimist All-Stars will be the visiting club and will be drawing players from the Red Lions, Mets, Orioles, Cardinals, and Warriors. The Manager of the visiting club will be Adam Sawatzky of the Westlock Red Lions who also garnered the second highest ballot count among pitchers in the League. The NCABL has adopted an in-house format for its annual All-Star game which pits players from all clubs with uneven ranking numbers agaist those players from clubs with even ranking numbers as of July 10th. The annual All-Star Game is always fun for the whole family. Minor baseball players in attendance can chase down foul balls for a 50 cent return, while all fans in attendance will be eligible for several draws throughout the game. Earl Thompson, the recently appointed director of audio-visual programming will be on public address. Take in the action at Harry Andreassen Park and join us in the media tent after the game for refreshments.
Blue Willow Angels Sweep Home Tournament
When the Oyen Eagles failed to show for the 3rd annual Blue Willow Invitational Tournament at Telus Field, Manager Randy Gregg was faced with having to make a quick decision so as to leave the draw intact. His decision to insert the newly formed Blue Willow Angels, an elite touring team with the NCABL, proved to be an insightful one as the club swept their opponents in three straight games to capture the tournament victory. The Blackhawk players, many of whom also played on the Angel’s squad, also proved to the entire field that they were a team to contend with as they blasted the Provost Combine Pilots 13-0 in their opening game and demolished the Heisler Cardinals in much the same fashion (12-0) in the semi-final before bowing to the Angels (5-4) in the tournament final. Complete tournament results can be found under “Tournaments” by scrolling down to “Blue Willow Invitational”.
League Governors Stay the Course
Baseball rules seldom change and if they do the changes are subtle in a purposeful attempt not to tamper with the greatest of summer sporting traditions. There is certainly something to be said about playing a game that is securely entrenched not only in the folklore of a nation, in its parlance, but also in the psyche of those men who breathe the game. The Governors of the NCABL largely belong to this group and share the same philosophy, which is why the League has been nurtured and led in a thoughtful, rational, and decidedly cautious manner over the past 47 years. The Fall-Bi-Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors reflected this approach when dealing with all business items. For a glimpse at the highlights from the Fall Bi-Annual Policy Meeting go to Contacts on the main page and scroll down to “Commissioner’s Corner”.
Official Scoring Clinics Have Produced for the NCABL
Everyone knows that a well trained scorer in baseball circles is as precious a commodity when it comes to the production of accurate statistics as are the chances of recording a victory behind the effective pitching of your ace and strong relief work from the bullpen. The NCABL has been in the business of training official scorers for many years and the resulting effort of a more highly trained staff of official scorers has impacted the quality of statistical production over the course of time. For this improvement to continue, refresher courses are encouraged. According to Ryan Petryshyn, the Official Statistician for the League, official scorers should plan on attending a clinic at least every other year. Attending such a clinic is made easy in the NCABL with all costs of the single day event being covered by the League. The League includes lunch, snacks, and all materials free of charge to all scorers who work for the NCABL. Any local baseball association may send any number of participants to the annual scoring clinic for the nominal fee of $30 per participant. According to Commissioner Riopel, this is but one way that the NCABL contributes to the overall development of baseball in north central Alberta. Participants must pre-register with League Office by April 16th. Simply phone the Office (780-458-6800) or E-mail “Commissioner @ncabl.ab.ca” leaving your full name, telephone number, and your E-mail address. Confirmations with detailed instructions will be issued on the very next day via E-mail. The clinic is being held on Saturday, April 18th, at the Bessie Nichols School from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
At Wally Footz Field in Edmonton, Alberta
Presentation of the NCABL Education Grant: Sponsored by Servus Credit Union
Presented to a qualified player within the League who is registered in a post-secondary institution as a full time student for the 2014-15 academic year.
Recipient: Chance Wheatley of the Camrose Axemen
Chance Wheatley is another example of the type of character player that the Camrose Axemen have recently recruited in an effort to build a franchise with a future. Chance, who began his minor league playing career in Heisler, Alberta, and who pursued his representative baseball in Spruce Grove and in St. Albert with the Whitesox and Cardinals respectively, has already established himself within the NCABL as a future player to watch. In his rookie season with the Axemen, Chance registered a 0.300 batting average on 75 plate appearances while logging valuable innings at shortstop where he demonstrated good range while committing seven errors on the season. Chance will be attending Lethbridge College in 2014-15 where he hopes to obtain a general business degree followed by a possible career in baseball administration. The North Central Alberta Baseball League with the cooperation of Servus Credit Union is proud to present Chance with the 2014 NCABL Education Grant. Commissioner Riopel and the entire Board of Governors wish Chance all the success required in reaching his goals.
Presentation of the Ken Schultz Memorial Award:
Presented to an individual who has distinguished himself/herself over an extended period of time within a franchised area of the NCABL as a builder, administrator, promoter, or umpire in the game of baseball. This is the highest individual honor bestowed by the North Central Alberta Baseball League. The award, annually supported by the Schultz family, commemorates the life and contributions of a member of the Schultz family who showed exemplary courage in battling a life-ending condition while demonstrating his love of the game of baseball by serving as one of the NCABL’s elite core of umpires for many years.
Recipient: Gord Montgomery of Spruce Grove, Alberta
Gord Montgomery is the 2014 recipient of the prestigious Ken Schultz Memorial Award. Nominated in the category of promoter, Mr. Montgomery has been a fixture of minor baseball in the Parkland area for over thirty years. A product of southern Saskatchewan where he played competitive baseball in his youth, Gord moved to the Parkland area where he began his coaching career at the Midget level before helping to coach the Westlock Legionnaires in 1988, then an NCABL franchise at the Bison level. The Legionnaires went on to win a Provincial and Western Canada Championship in that year. But it was in his role as a career reporter that Gord will be fondly remembered and where his footprint on baseball will be most evident. Gord’s passion for the game of baseball and special interest in the North Central Alberta Baseball League saw him produce insightful and intelligent articles while covering the sports scene for the Spruce Grove Examiner and Stony Plain Reporter. Gord took a special interest in covering the Parkland Whitesox when they were members of the NCABL and the Stony Plain Mets receive the same professional coverage today. Gord has always promoted the growth of baseball by and through his numerous articles showcasing local baseball talent. Gord’s love of the game has kept baseball front and centre during the summer season in the local media. For his dedication to the game over decades of excellent reporting, the NCABL wishes to present the Ken Schultz Memorial Award to Gordon Montgomery of Spruce Grove, Alberta. Here to present the award is Mr. Tim Schultz, sponsor of the award.
League Championship Final Series (LCFS) Set For Footz Field
With the two top seeds in regular season play emerging victoriously from the LCSFS last week in Westlock, the stage is set for the battle between the Axemen and the pennant and defending League Champion Blackhawks to begin. This Saturday, at Footz Field, these two clubs will square off in a best of three final series for the Championship crown. Neither club has met the other in a post season series, however the Blackhawks swept the regular season series with the Axemen by decisive margins. Nonetheless this should be an interesting series with many variables at play. The Blackhawks boast one of the best one-two pitching duos in the NCABL, while Camrose has an experienced but less dominant staff. Both clubs have depth at this position and can call upon strong support from their bullpens. The Blackhawks have gone with a more fixed line-up than have the Axemen who have rotated more players into the starting line-up throughout the post-season. Led by red hot Ryan Gregg, the Blackhawks can put up numbers despite the fact that the Mets were quite successful in limiting most of the Blackhawk offensive leaders to lower than normal averages. The Axemen, on the other hand, have a strong hitting line-up with a combination of power and speed which will test the Blackhawk pitching staff. As for the defensive units on both squads, they match up quite evenly up the middle. With Hoet in an infield position, the Blackhawks may have a slight edge; but with Hoet on the mound, the Axemen are sure handed enough to hold their own in the infield. Depending on who is selected to play the outfield for the Axemen, the edge could again play in the Blackhawk’s favour; that said Manager Toles could decide to go with a proven and experienced outfield which can match any the Blackhawks can produce. For more coverage on the upcoming LCFS, tune in to Earl Thompson’s piece on “Circling the Bases” found by scrolling down from “League”.
Blackhawks (17-3) versus Axemen (15-5) on Saturday and Sunday
Blackhawks versus Axemen. The League Championship Series, a best of three affair, begins on Saturday at Footz Field with games at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm respectively. The Series will continue on Sunday, if necessary, with a game at 2:00 pm. The second of a two-part award ceremony will unfold just prior to game two of the Series on Saturday. All games are scheduled for seven innings. Admission on Saturday is only $5 with children 10 years and under admitted free of charge. Sunday’s admission charge will be $3. All are welcome to take in some of the best amateur baseball in Edmonton and area during the League Championship Series.
Sherwood Park's Hopes for Post-Season Dashed by Mother Nature
Despite a strong late season charge by the Sherwood Park Athletics, the Mets were able to secure the fourth and final post-season berth in the upcoming LCSFS to be held in Westlock on August 16th and 17th. The Mets, who led in the pennant race for over half of the regular season, saw their hopes evaporating in the second half as they fell from first to fourth and almost into fifth. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Athletics edged the Mets in their yard by a score of 1-0 in a classic and well pitched contest. This victory gave Sherwood Park another life. But the path to success would not be an easy one as they were slated to play the pennant champion Edmonton Blackhawks in the final week of the regular season. A victory against the Blackhawks and the Athletics would topple the Mets. Again, the Athletics took on the challenge with renewed vigour. Down 3-0 to the Blackhawks after five complete innings of play, the Athletics managed to rally against the effective pitching of Matt Kukovica. Sherwood Park scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning. The rally, unfortunately, would be short lived as mother nature unleashed her fury providing ample lightning and enough rain to halt the game. After a rain delay, conditions were unrelenting and the darkened field provided more gloom than could be described as the game was called reverting to a 3-0 score. The young Athletics had scored two, placed a runner on first and with only one out in the sixth felt a glimmer of hope that was just as quickly extinguished by an unfortunate intervention by mother nature. The Athletics’ season was over. They needed a victory on this night, nothing less. But despite the defeat, Sherwood Park demonstrated that they were more than willing to do battle and to stay the course to the very end. With that resolve, they will return even stronger next season.
Blackhawks Prevail Over the Camrose Axemen
The Blackhawks provided the Axemen with a daunting task during the 2014 League Championship Final Series. First of all, the Axemen were faced with having to score runs against the stingiest defence in the NCABL; secondly, they had to score these runs while facing a solid pitching duo in the persons of Regan Hoet and Matt Kukovica. Although the Axemen had their chances to do some damage in the series, especially in the second game, a lack of timely hitting left them without the runs they so desperately needed to make a difference and possibly force a third and deciding game in the series. The Blackhawks took game one by a score of 5-1 on 5 hits while committing only one error and leaving 5 runners stranded in the process; the Axemen struck for four hits, stranding 7 runners on base while also committing only one error. The well played game was scoreless going into the sixth inning when the Blackhawks exploded scoring all five runs on a combination of hits by Lawrence, Stork, and Jennings with the assistance of an unfortunate Axemen error and timely RBI’s from Gregg, Reschny, and Jennings with three. Hoet was the winning pitcher going the distance while amassing 10 strikeouts and allowing only 4 hits from the 29 batters he faced. Cory Martz, who pitched 5 2/3 innings before being replaced by Corey Epp, took the loss having allowed only 4 hits along with five walks on the day. The Axemen threatened early in game two of the Series while Kukovica struggled to find his groove on the mound for the Blackhawks. The Axemen stranded six over the first two innings of play while scoring only one run on two hits in the early going. That lack of production would prove costly for the Axemen as the Blackhawk bats came alive in the fourth and fifth innings with a pair of 2RBI home runs by Stork and Gregg. Kukovica took the win with seven innings of work having compiled 3 strikeouts, 3 walks, and 6 hits allowed. Paul Ofrim, in a losing cause, pitched five innings while striking out 6 batters, allowing 7 hits, and walking but 1 batter. Muzechka, in his two innings of relief, allowed no runs on no hits while striking out two batters. Both games were well played and fast paced and featured some fine defensive plays from both clubs. The Blackhawks emerged as League Champions for the second consecutive season after having captured the Servus Cup as pennant champions in the regular season. For live comments from both Managers following the Series, find League and scroll down to “Circling the Bases” , a weekly feature during the regular and post-season, hosted by Earl Thompson.
Regan Hoet Repeats as Post-Season MVP
Regan Hoet is the ultimate competitor; skilled, effective, and poised. Whether playing in his natural position of shortstop or standing on the mound delivering an array of craftily thrown projectiles stitched firmly together and bound in leather, Hoet will never cease to be the consummate player. Statistics alone cannot describe his value to the Blackhawks. That his calm demeanour and focused play have earned him a berth into the World Championship of Baseball is not surprising. That he has literally stood on his head in leading the Blackhawks to their 2014 pennant and 2014 championship is undeniable. Results speak for themselves, but in Hoet the Blackhawks get much more than a blue chip performer; they get all of the intangibles of great example and leadership. But to ponder the facts is to be in awe of Hoet’s achievements. In 14 innings of post-season work on the mound, Hoet faced 56 batters allowing only 9 hits and a single run. He struck out 16 and walked only five on his way to recording two wins on two complete game performances. His ERA was 0.50. Hoet’s defensive skills are poetry in motion. With a bat in his hands, he generated two hits on six at bats in the post-season scoring two runs in the process. That translates into a 0.333 batting average albeit on a limited number of plate appearances. Members of the selection committee did not have to ponder over their decision. Hoet was unquestionably the most deserving player in the NCABL post-season.
Thompson Named Director of Audio-Visual Programming
The incubation period is over. Today, the NCABL announced that the first audio program ever produced for distribution on it’s official website will be launched on Monday. “Circling the Bases” with host Earl Thompson will be airing a new segment every Monday. The short weekly program can be viewed on the Official Website under the heading of League by scrolling down to the program’s title, “Circling the Bases”. Topics will vary from week to week and include interviews with League administration, Managers, guests, and even players and will also cover special events across the League. Thompson will be moderating the program which will feature a new segment weekly during the regular and post-season. All previous segments will be archived for easy reference. Earl welcomes any and all tips and suggestions for upcoming segments on his program. To contact him, simply find contacts on the main page and scroll down to “officials“. |
Award Ceremony Held on August 16, 2014 At Keller Field in Westlock, Alberta Presentation of the Servus Cup: Recipient: Edmonton Blackhawks The Blackhawks enjoyed their most prolific season yet in the NCABL . Under Manager Randy Gregg and Coach Duncan Knoll the club amassed seventeen regular season victories against only three losses. In doing so, they allowed only 62 runs against which represented the least in the entire eleven club circuit while scoring 146 runs against their opposition. Only the Mets and Axemen surpassed the Blackhawks in runs scored over the entire regular season. To their record, the Blackhawks recorded one tournament victory, capturing the Starchuk-Semeniuk Memorial Tournament in Waskatenau earlier in the season. Commissioner Paul Riopel presented the coveted Servus Cup to the Edmonton Blackhawks. The Blackhawks have won a total of two pennants since joining the NCABL, the previous one having been in 2008. Presentation of the Bob Kootenay Memorial Award: Presented to the Manager of the Year: Recipient: Randy Gregg of the Edmonton Blackhawks Randy Gregg is certainly not a stranger to this award having won it on three previous occasions, the first time in 2008 and more recently in each of the past two NCABL seasons. Recognized for his dedication to the growth and development of character individuals, Randy has utilized sport and baseball in particular as the medium from which to teach and mold his young charges. For Randy, the game of baseball offers him and his coaching staff led by Duncan Knoll, an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young men by imparting not only the skills of the game acquired through dedicated effort and self-discipline, but also by teaching them some of life’s more subtle lessons such as the importance of working together and supporting one another in achieving a common goal. This season, Randy introduced a new concept within the NCABL, that of a touring team comprised of players from around the League under the sponsorship of Blue Willow Restaurants. This is yet another example of Randy’s dedication to the game. By exposing players within the NCABL to greater challenges both on and off the field, Randy is presenting them with opportunities for growth and development. For his dynamism, boundless energy, and commitment to his Managerial duties, NCABL Commissioner Paul Riopel presented the Bob Kootenay Memorial Award to Randy Gregg, the 2014 recipient of the Manager of the Year Award. Presentation of the Dan Gerlach Memorial Award: Presented to the Most Promising Junior Player of the Year in the NCABL: Recipient: Joe Pasychnyk of the Camrose Axemen The NCABL annually recognizes a young player who is under 21 years of age and who has distinguished himself by his steady on-field performances during the regular season. Joe Pasychnyk has provided the Axemen with plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future direction of his club. Pasychnyk’s regular season batting average of .300 combined with his ability to power the baseball as evidenced by his 12 regular season RBI’s, have not gone unnoticed by opposing Managers throughout the League. But his value to the Axemen is not limited to his batting. Pasychnyk, in his rookie season in the NCABL, logged 46 innings pitched for the Axemen leading all pitchers on this staff in this category by a wide margin. He faced a total of 220 batters while striking out 27 on his way to registering a 3.65 ERA. Joe’s down to earth personality and unassuming nature have endeared him to his fellow team members who joined Commissioner Paul Riopel in congratulating Joe on having won the Most Promising Junior Player of the Year Award. Presentation of the Most Valuable Player of the Year Award: Presented to the player who has distinguished himself throughout the regular season by his exceptional offensive and defensive abilities resulting in the highest level of performance. Recipient: Ryan Gregg of the Edmonton Blackhawks Ryan Gregg’s performance in 2014 has been nothing short of spectacular. Focused, consistent, and a formidable opponent for any pitcher to have to face, Ryan proceeded to record a 0.552 batting average during the regular season. His 58 at bats resulted in 32 hits and 25 RBI’s including 12 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run. Ryan’s steady glove in the infield only helped to solidify the fact that he did indeed exceed the performance standards of a quality athlete. Ryan Gregg enjoyed a stellar season in 2014, one in which he amply demonstrated why he is so deserving of the Most Valuable Player of the Year Award in the NCABL. Commissioner Riopel was the first to congratulate Ryan on a most exceptional regular season by presenting him with the Most Valuable Player of the Year Award. Presentation of the Most Valuable Player in the Championship Series: Recipient: Regan Hoet of the Edmonton Blackhawks Regan Hoet is the ultimate competitor; skilled, effective, and poised. Whether playing in his natural position of shortstop or standing on the mound delivering an array of craftily thrown projectiles stitched firmly together and bound in leather, Hoet will never cease to be the consummate player. Statistics alone cannot describe his value to the Blackhawks. That his calm demeanour and focused play have earned him a berth into the World Championship of Baseball is not surprising. That he has literally stood on his head in leading the Blackhawks to their 2014 pennant and 2014 championship is undeniable. Results speak for themselves, but in Hoet the Blackhawks get much more than a blue chip performer; they get all of the intangibles of great example and leadership. But to ponder the facts is to be in awe of Hoet’s achievements. In 14 innings of post-season work on the mound, Hoet faced 56 batters allowing only 9 hits and a single run. He struck out 16 and walked only five on his way to recording two wins on two complete game performances. His ERA was 0.50. Hoet’s defensive skills are poetry in motion. With a bat in his hands, he generated two hits on six at bats in the post-season scoring two runs in the process. That translates into a 0.333 batting average albeit on a limited number of plate appearances. Members of the selection committee did not have to ponder over their decision. Hoet was unquestionably the most deserving player in the NCABL post-season. |
| North Central Alberta Baseball League: 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tabulated results for all voted awards | |||
| Manager of the Year: | Ballot Points: | ||
| Randy Gregg | Edmonton Blackhawks | 59 | |
| Adam Sawatzky | Westlock Red Lions | 54 | |
| Troy Litvinchuk | Stony Plain mets | 50 | |
| Most Promising Junior Player of the Year: | |||
| Joseph Pasychnyk | Camrose Axemen | 51 | |
| Chance wheatley | Camrose Axemen | 45 | |
| Braeden Burns | Sherwood Park Athletics | 25 | |
| Most Valuable Player of the Year: | |||
| Ryan Gregg | Edmonton Blackhawks | 64 | |
| Regan Hoet | Edmonton Blackhawks | 55 | |
| Adam Sawatzky | Westlock Red Lions | 47 | |
| Chance Wheatley | Camrose Axemen | 36 | |
| Nic Audet | Edmonton Athletics | 34 | |
| Kevin Dryburgh | Sturgeon Paladins | 34 | |
| Colin Hoppe | Sherwood Park Athletics | 33 | |
| Mike Cote | Stony Plain Mets | 31 | |
| Levi Dick | St. Albert Cardinals | 18 | |
| Jory Lutzmann | Edmonton Warriors | 16 |
Warriors End Fourteen Year NCABL Affiliation
The Warriors were the first Edmonton based franchise to join the North Central Alberta Baseball League in the Spring of 2001. Their entry into the NCABL was at the forefront of an aggressive campaign by the League to establish a foothold in the Edmonton baseball market. Prior to 2001, only the Sunburst League counted clubs within the city limits. Within a few short years, the NCABL was the only baseball presence in the capital city. The mantra of “an amateur League with a professional attitude” caught fire in the emerging Edmonton baseball market resulting in the demise of the last remaining Sunburst clubs and the emergence of four city based NCABL franchises which included the Edmonton Athletics, Edmonton Blackhawks, and most recently the Edmonton Indians. The Cubs have very recently added the only entry from Edmonton in the Sunburst League. As of 2015, however, the Warriors will no longer belong to the NCABL, a League they called home for fourteen consecutive seasons. In the earlier years, the Warriors often battled their way into the post season, but the franchise will leave without having won a pennant nor a championship. They will leave weakened and in disarray despite strong individual performances by a few of their players this past season. Nevertheless, they will be remembered as having been an icebreaker for NCABL expansion as well as having been a fun-loving group of athletes from the “north side of town” who always brought their own brand of baseball to the diamond.
Warriors End Fourteen Year NCABL Affiliation
The Warriors were the first Edmonton based franchise to join the North Central Alberta Baseball League in the Spring of 2001. Their entry into the NCABL was at the forefront of an aggressive campaign by the League to establish a foothold in the Edmonton baseball market. Prior to 2001, only the Sunburst League counted clubs within the city limits. Within a few short years, the NCABL was the only baseball presence in the capital city. The mantra of “an amateur League with a professional attitude” caught fire in the emerging Edmonton baseball market resulting in the demise of the last remaining Sunburst clubs and the emergence of four city based NCABL franchises which included the Edmonton Athletics, Edmonton Blackhawks, and most recently the Edmonton Indians. The Cubs have very recently added the only entry from Edmonton in the Sunburst League. As of 2015, however, the Warriors will no longer belong to the NCABL, a League they called home for fourteen consecutive seasons. In the earlier years, the Warriors often battled their way into the post season, but the franchise will leave without having won a pennant nor a championship. They will leave weakened and in disarray despite strong individual performances by a few of their players this past season. Nevertheless, they will be remembered as having been an icebreaker for NCABL expansion as well as having been a fun-loving group of athletes from the “north side of town” who always brought their own brand of baseball to the diamond.
Ken Schultz Memorial Award Presented during LCFS
Ken Schultz was passionate about the game of baseball, and this despite serious health issues which eventually took his life and cut short a promising amateur umpiring career in his thirties. Determined to continue umpiring despite these challenges, Ken exhibited tremendous inner strength and courage whenever he walked onto the field. He endured the pain and seldom complained about the unfairness of his situation. He was always alighted whenever the topic of baseball would come up in a conversation and even more captivated when with a group of his umpiring buddies discussing rotations or complex rule interpretations. Ken Schultz probably epitomized the true warrior in both spirit and quiet suffering. He loved the game of baseball and he loved the North Central Alberta Baseball League which gave him opportunities to be involved with the sport he loved far longer than would have been the case had he not belonged to a family compact which treasured his very presence and protected his right to be there. His passing brought sorrow to all of us who knew him, but at the same time we were left with memories to cherish and an award to remember Ken by. He would want those memories to reflect the best of times and the best of times were always those surrounding the game of summer. That great game will be taking a rest in the NCABL after this week-end’s series, but not before another worthy individual is honoured by having his name affixed onto a trophy that bears the name of one of this League’s most loyal heroes. Following the Championship Series, go to “Contacts” on the main page and scroll down to “Commissioner’s Corner” for a full wrap-up of all award recipients and the stories accompanying each.
Gord Montgomery Receives Ken Schultz Memorial Award
Gord Montgomery, a local sportswriter with the Spruce Grove Examiner and Stony Plain Reporter, is the 2014 recipient of the Ken Schultz Memorial Award. The North Central Alberta’s most prestigious annual award is reserved for individual’s whose long time service to the game of baseball in a franchised area of the League has brought recognition to the sport of baseball. As a career sportswriter and former player and coach, Mr. Montgomery, with the support and encouragement of his wife, has always sought to present the game of baseball in an informative and enlightened manner bringing to life a game filled with nostalgic memories and the folklore of a young nation. For more about this and other 2014 awards, find “Contacts” and scroll down to “Commissioner’s Corner”.