Category: 2024

Brand Rises to the Challenge

Normally positioned in the infield and not as frequently on the mound, Jordan Brand knew that he would be called upon to produce and to be a key to any Red Lion victory in the post season.  The third place Red Lions were tasked with having to defeat the reigning League Champion Cardinals in the LCSFS followed by a wildly unlikely upset of the Pennant Champion Twins in the LCFS. Rarely does such a daunting task result in the slaying of two formidable foes.  But with the Championship in their sights, the Red Lions accomplished just that.

The first Series B semi-final game saw former League MVP McLean-Poll of the Cardinals face the young rising star Corson Hanlan from the Red Lions.  Although McLean-Poll threw well allowing only two earned runs en route to a 5-0 shut out loss, the Cardinals could not come up with any timely hits when they needed them.  Instead, the Cardinals were unable to produce any runs on their five hits.  McLean-Poll amassed 9 strike outs to Hanlan’s 5 in game one, but Hanlan prevailed by mixing his pitches well and limiting Cardinal scoring opportunities.  In the meantime, Jordan Brand was resting and on the bench. He was not called upon to pick up his infield glove and jog to his usual position at second base or shortstop. The Red Lions had just blanked the Cardinals by a score of 5 – 0 to lead the Series one game to none.

Brand waited for his chance to deliver a solid pitching performance in game two of the LCSFS.  Brand threw seven complete innings allowing only three runs on five hits while walking two batters and striking out four.  The duo of Dryburgh (losing pitcher) and Ayden Cote allowed a hungry Red Lion squad a combined total of seven runs on ten hits as the defending champions were dropped in their tracks.  With a sweep over the Cardinals, the Red Lions began to prepare themselves to meet the Pennant Champions.

The best of three LCFS began in Spruce Grove at Henry Singer Park where the Red Lions wasted no time  in opening up an early 6 – 0 lead behind the effective pitching of Corson Hanlan.  The usually reliable Mac Hillman did not recover from that early surge by the Red Lions and was later replaced by reliever Joe Pasychnyk.  The Twins, who had competed for a second year in a row in the Western Canada Senior AA Baseball Championship in British Columbia a week earlier, appeared to be tired and committed a few critical errors which helped to propel the Red Lions to a 13 – 6 victory.

Game two of the LCFS  shifted to Keller Field where a large crowd awaited the two rivals in what will most certainly go down in NCABL history as a classic post season contest.  Enter Jordan Brand, the veteran manager and experienced utility player, with the baseball in hand on the hill with a chance to eliminate the League’s most dominant club in regular season play.  Brand proved to be as crafty as one can be without possessing a blazing fastball nor a vast arsenal of pitches.  Brand simply kept the Twins off balance all afternoon limiting them to five hits and frustrating their every effort.  Brand picked his corners  and mixed his pitches controlling and limiting Twins hitters without striking out a single batter.  Jake Moger of the Twins pitched well enough to win allowing only one run on seven hits while walking three batters and striking out three more.  This game was played on a bed of pins and needles with both sides gaining then losing momentum.  One play, however, could be classified as being one for the ages.  In the fifth inning and the Twins at bat and the bases loaded with only one out, a fly ball was hit into right field.  With the Red Lions leading 1 -0, runners on 2nd and 3rd saw an opportunity to advance and tagged up ready for the sprint home and possibly also to third.  A probable tie game was imminent. The turning point of the game was about to happen sending the majority of the crowd into a frenzy.  The centre fielder for the Red Lions came charging into right field, called off the right fielder who was well positioned to make the catch, caught the fly ball and with a twist of his body launched a perfect strike to the catcher who executed a swipe tag to retire the runner from third.  A double play 8 to 2 (Chies to Lamb) to end the inning and the threat.  When was the last time anyone saw  a play like that one even in the majors?  The score stood at 1 – 0 in a game which clocked in at 1:31.  The Red Lions had accomplished the improbable when they celebrated their 19th championship and their first since the League’s 50th anniversary in 2017.  Standing on the hill at that moment was the player of the hour and the League’s choice for the Most Valuable Player of the Championship Series.

N.C.A.B.L. Releases Recipient of Ken Schultz Memorial Award

On a sunny and warm Saturday in late August, the family of Kevin Hardman gathered on the infield of Keller Field in Westlock to accept the Ken Schultz Memorial Award presented posthumously for the first time since its inception in 1993.  Phyllis Schultz, whose family sponsors this annual award, was present for the official recognition ceremony which highlights an individual’s long term contributions to the game of baseball in the North Central Alberta region served by the League.  As mentioned by Commissioner Riopel during his address, Kevin will be remembered for his pure love of and excitement for the game rather than for a list of notable achievements.  Kevin encapsulated what the game of baseball has gifted us with through the sheer pleasure of having played the game, of having experienced its rich history and statistical depth, of the many memories forged, and finally of the opportunities it has provided for our own personal growth and development.  Mr. Riopel continued by saying that Kevin lived to respect the game of baseball by honouring its age old traditions and by playing it with every ounce of God given ability that he had been given.  It could be said that he very much had followed in Ken Schultz’s footsteps and was now united with Ken having earned his moniker as a “pillar of the NCABL”.

 Phyllis Schmidt presents the Ken Schultz Memorial Award to members of the Hardman family.  Kevin Hardman was awarded the Schultz Award posthumously.

First of Two Award Ceremonies Held During LCSFS

Commissioner Riopel assisted by alumni Ryan Rau, a former winner of the Ken Schultz Memorial Award, present the Servus Cup to the Parkland Twins, the 2024 Pennant Champions in the NCABL.  Receiving the trophy are Joe Pasychnyk and Mike Cassidy.
Kevin Poeter of the Parkland Twins was chosen as the Manager of the Year in the NCABL.
The Most Valuable Player of the Year Award was earned by Hayden Chies of the Westlock Red Lions.  Earlier in the season, Hayden was also selected as the most valuable player in the annual All-Star Game also played at Keller Field.
Chase Visser is congratulated by Commissioner Riopel for having been voted as the most promising junior aged player in the NCABL for 2024.  In addition to receiving a commemorative plaque, Visser’s name will be engraved onto the Dan Gerlach Memorial Trophy housed in the Hall of Fame.

North Central Alberta LCSFS Only Days Away

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

All-Star Game Sees Largest Come From Behind Victory


The Beverly Optimist All-Stars, with players from the Cardinals, Orioles, and Reds built a commanding lead in the 2024 All-Star Game played at Keller Field in Westlock, Alberta last July 21st before their defence collapsed.  The Optimist All-Stars came out firing on all cylinders in the first half of the contest collecting 10 runs on 9 hits in the early innings.  The Power Sports and Marine All-Stars, with players from the Twins, Red Lions, and Primeau’s, had been very quiet until their half of the fourth inning managing only one hit off of the effective pitching of starter Kayden Rentz.  By the time the dust had settled ending the fourth inning, the Power Sports All-Stars had counted 7 runs on 4 hits while taking advantage of 4 Optimist All-Star errors. The Power and Marine All-Stars added another run in the fifth to come within 2 runs of the Optimist All-Stars. In the bottom of the seventh, Greg Brady managed to score after being walked to close the gap to a single run differential. Nathan Brown then singled to score Poeter for the tying run.  Hayden Chies followed Brown with his second hit of the day driving in Nate Day and securing a come from behind victory for the Power and Marine All-Stars.

The home club prevailed by scoring 10 unanswered runs in the second half of the game to edge the Beverly Optimist All-Stars 11-10.

RHELOB
Power Sports and Marine All-Stars11934
Beverly Optimist All-Stars101268

Player mentions:

At the pitching position, mentions go out to Eric Pankiw (2IP, 7BF,1H, 0R, 1K, WP) of the Power Sports and Marine All-Stars and to Kaden Rentz (2IP, 8BF, 1H, 0R, 1K, 1HB) of the Beverly Optimist All-Stars.

Positional players deserving of mentions include Nathan Brown of the Power Sports & Marine All-Stars:  4AB, 2H, 1R, 2RBI, including a game tying RBI in 7th. And Zach Pollard of the Beverly Optimist All-Stars:  3AB, 2H, 1R, 3RBI, including one double and 1K.

Most Valuable Player of the Game Award:

Hayden Chies:  5AB, 2H, 1R, 3RBI, including one double and the game winning RBI.

Back Row: Kevin Dryburgh, Robert Sullivan, Johnny Klein, Zack Snow, Kayden Rentz, Tanner Stawnichy, Mike Chatzis, Lane Hardman, Randy Stawnichy

Front Row: Connor Zaharichuk, Peter Shepert, Chase Visser, Zach Pollard, Jeff Morris
Back Row: Duane Hudec, Nate Day, Zaine Foth-Thomas, Joe Pasychnyk, Greg Brady, Clark Spencer, Sean Beaudoin, Hayden Chies, Mac Hillman, Eric Pankiw, Kevin Poeter

Front Row: Hayden Rake, Nathan Brown, Jordan Brand, Ryan Poeter, Vaughn Rempel, Jackson Berube

2024 Season Set To Kick Off

We will be launching our 57th consecutive season of operation on May 8th with six franchises in our fold. The Legal Primeaus will be returning to Citadel Park to once again compete in the same League they once joined over fifty years ago. The NCABL will be offering its players and fans a sixty game package plus an exciting post season.

We welcome Jim Crawford, Winston Tuttle, Kevin Adam, Marty Stubbs, and newcomer Travis Parker to our core in 2024 along with the return of a solid group of casuals comprised of Dan McKennitt, Mike Duncan, Jason Gabert, Larry Wedgewood, and newcomers Braden Horn (who will also be in the mentorship program) and George Vander Velde.