The 57th edition of the NCABL post season will be taking place this coming Saturday and Sunday at Keller Field in Westlock, Alberta. Despite the excitement and anticipation that this event is known to produce at this time of year, one piece of the NCABL’s heart will be missing as we mourn the loss of a long time friend and pillar of the League and community of Westlock. Chuck Keller has passed and we are deeply saddened by his loss. Chuck Keller worked tirelessly and proudly for the community of Westlock and for the game that he loved. Keller helped to build the game by exemplifying good sportsmanship as an elite player and by contributing his time and talents in many areas within the sport of baseball. His volunteer spirit was unmatched as he quietly went about caring for the facilities that were built for the citizens and sports enthusiasts of his community. His coaching expertise and leadership style were to be admired. A 1996 recipient of the Ken Schultz Memorial Award, Chuck Keller will always be remembered for his unselfish and unassuming service to community and the sport of baseball. It is ever more fitting that the park that bears his name will be hosting a championship in which his beloved Red Lions will be competing.
The same top four seeds as last season have qualified for the two post season series’, but the match ups have changed. The pennant champion Twins will be opening Series A (best of three) against the pesky Orioles who will be without the services of an injured Chase Visser. Visser will probably be sidelined for two months before returning to active competition.
Saturday, August 10:
(A) 10:00 Orioles vs. Twins
(B) 13:00 Red Lions vs. Cardinals
(A) 16:00 Twins vs. Orioles
The Red Lions will be opening their best of three series (LCSFS: B) on Saturday against the defending League Champion St. Albert Cardinals. These two teams have a long history of doing battle on the diamond and this season was no exception. After the Red Lions had eked out two extra inning victories by scores of 10-9 and 9-8 in the first half of the season, the Cardinals pounded the Red Lions for a decisive 15-0 victory. The Red Lions answered the bell in their fourth encounter by returning the favour with an equally decisive 13-0 rout of the Cardinals. Series B will be concluded on Sunday with the game times subject to change depending on the results from Series A.
Sunday, August 11:
(B) 10:00 Cardinals vs. Red Lions
(A) 13:00 Orioles vs. Twins
Should LCSFS: A have been completed on Saturday, the 10:00 game featuring the Cardinals and Red Lions would be pushed back
(B) 16:00 Red Lions vs. Cardinals