Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast

Episode #379: Sean Bavis, Devery Van De Keere + Much More

Week one of the Canadian College Baseball Conference season is in the books so we head there for a pair of guests this week. Hear from Prairie Baseball Academy pitcher Sean Bavis (Banff/Canmore) about his journey in the game and his first career CCBC start and we catch up with Devery Van De Keere (Barrhead) as he's taken the reigns at the new University Baseball Club based at UBC. Then, for something a little different, Joe shares a few thoughts following his latest editorial on bringing back "Baseball Day in Canada."
4:57 - Sean Bavis
15:53 - Devery Van De Keere
37:05 - Resurrecting "Baseball Day in Canada"

Episode #378: WCBL's Rural Roots Baseball Classic Heads to Carnduff

After the tremendous success of the inaugural Rural Roots Baseball Classic in Oyen last summer, the Western Canadian Baseball League is making it an annual tradition. The circuit announced on Monday that Carnduff, Saskatchewan will play host to the event on May 29th with the Weyburn Beavers at home to the Saskatoon Berries. The league held a news conference to make the announcement and to allow reporters to speak to all the parties, so we have a few of the highlights with league president Kevin Kvame, John Prette of the Weyburn Beavers, Steve Hildebrand of the Saskatoon Berries, and Carnduff Recreation Director Jodie Wall. We also have a one-on-one conversation with community baseball coach, teacher and local event organizer Blair Beck about the importance of the day and how Carnduff plans to put on a show.
READ MORE: Laying Down Roots in Carnduff

Episode #377: CCBC Season Preview Extravaganza

It's finally here! The Canadian College Baseball Conference season gets going this weekend with a full slate of games. As always, we have you covered with our annual CCBC Season Preview Extravaganza. Hear from The Battery Media's Logan Wedgewood as he breaks down his predictions for the season, then we get to know Tetsu Nishida (Calgary) of Prairie Baseball Academy and Jace Daku (Martensville) of the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks, and we wrap things up with friend of the show and University of Calgary Dinos hurler Ethan Webster (White Rock).
4:51 - Logan Wedgewood
29:44 - Tetsu Nishida
38:59 - Jace Daku
51:26 - Ethan Webster

Episode #376: History for Canada at the World Baseball Classic

For the first time in World Baseball Classic history, Canada advanced to the quarterfinal and nearly upset the United States to move even further. In fact, had Japan beaten Venezuela, Canada would have earned a berth in the 2028 Olympics. Is this a sign of things to come from our country in baseball? Joe McFarland and Ian Wilson share a few of their thoughts on a special edition of the show.
Read more: "Oh Canada, Indeed"

Episode #375: Logan Rumberg, Lucas Laukkanen & Les McTavish

What a wild week it's been in the baseball world, highlighted by Canada getting into the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic for the first time ever. We look at all the news and notes from around the baseball world before three great conversations. Dawgs Academy alum Logan Rumberg talks about throwing six innings of a combined no-hitter at George Mason University, Webber Academy grad Lucas Laukkanen gives us the inside scoop on the #3 nationally ranked Cloud County Community College, and Les McTavish joins us to talk about 20 years of Vauxhall Academy baseball.
5:16 - Logan Rumberg
23:46 - Lucas Laukkanen
36:14 - Les McTavish

Episode #374: Tyler Malaka, Rob Allan & Brandon Strocki

We take a bit of a detour this week as we have an entire guest list filled with umpires. Hear from Tyler Malaka as he gets ready to head to the Little League World Series, Rob Allan on some of the work going on behind-the-scenes in the WCBL, and Brandon Strocki looks ahead to how busy the 2026 season is going to be. We also get into each of their individual journeys in the game and more!
6:16 - Tyler Malaka
27:44 - Rob Allan
49:07 - Brandon Strocki

Episode #373: Jacob Gillis, Nathan Yunick & Seamus Lehman

What a crazy week it’s been with plenty of action in MLB Spring Training with ties to our provinces, as well as several player of the week nods in college baseball and new commitments state-side. We have the full rundown in the news, then visit with a trio of newcomers to the show plying their trades south of the border. Hear from Dawgs Academy alum Jacob Gillis (Fergus, Ontario) as he’s off to a great start at Ball State University, then we visit with Martin Academy product Nathan Yunick (Estevan, Saskatchewan) as he’s into his sophomore season at Trinidad State College. And we wrap things up with AHP Academy grad Seamus Lehman (Edmonton, Alberta) as he’s into his first full season as a redshirt sophomore at Fort Scott College.
5:24 – Jacob Gillis
14:06 – Nathan Yunick
26:12 – Seamus Lehman

Episode #372: Landen Bourassa & Eric Rataczak

A pair of Australian Baseball League award winners and Sydney Blue Sox teammates join us on the show this week. Lethbridge Bulls alum Landen Bourassa picked up the top pitcher honours while former Brooks Bombers all-star Eric Rataczak was named the Helms Award recipient as the circuit's most valuable player.
4:30 - Landen Bourassa
26:30 - Eric Rataczak

Episode #371: Turner Zdunich, Hudson Hoy & Kleysen Gabruck

We put the wrap on what's been a busy couple of weeks on the show with a special episode to unofficially kick off the 2026 college baseball season. We welcome three brand new voices to the program who had massive 2025 campaigns. Turner Zdunich (High River/Dawgs Academy) is into his sophomore season at Colby Community College while Hudson Hoy (Spruce Grove/Parkland Twins) is doing the same at Northeastern Junior College. The veteran is Kleysen Gabruch (Martensville/Going Yard Academy), as he gets ready for his first season at Campbellsville University after two successful years at Williston State University.
5:22 - Turner Zdunich
15:16 - Hudson Hoy
28:28 - Kleysen Gabruck

Episode #370: Greg Hamilton, Jordan Procyshen, Adam Macko & Matt Wilkinson

We now know who will represent Canada at the World Baseball Classic. All rosters were unveiled during a special broadcast last Thursday night. Led by manager Ernie Whitt, 21 of the 30 players are either current or former MLB players, with a quartet of pitchers having roots here in Alberta: Michael Soroka, Rob Zastryzny, Adam Macko and Matt Wilkinson. We catch up with Baseball Canada architect Greg Hamilton to talk about the process of building the roster, bullpen catcher and Dawgs alum Jordan Procyshen on going to his second WBC, and the two youngsters - Macko and Wilkinson - talk about their excitement to represent Canada on the international stage.
1:58 - Greg Hamilton
16:47 - Jordan Procyshen
26:33 - Adam Macko
39:39 - Matt Wilkinson

Episode #369: The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Class of 2026

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled its Class of 2026 and it’s an excellent group to be celebrated on June 20th in St. Mary’s, Ontario. Jim Baba, Stubby Clapp, Kate Psota, Paul Runge, Bill Stoneman and Devon White make up this year’s class. 

Episode #368: Tyler Hollick, Riley Wolbeck & Nathan Flewelling

With a busy couple of weeks coming up, we're getting this episode out a couple of days early. Hear from Tyler Hollick of the Okotoks Dawgs as they have plenty of construction, roadtrips and "The Road to Okotoks" coming up this season. Then we hear from Baseball Alberta's 15U 'AAA' Player of the Year, Riley Wolbeck, about his journey with Black Gold 47s and much more. And we wrap things up this week with Innisfail native/Red Deer Minor Baseball alum/Sylvan Lake Gulls alum Nathan Flewelling following his first year of pro baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
4:02 - Tyler Hollick
24:49 - Riley Wolbeck
34:20 - Nathan Flewelling