Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast

Episode 283: Zander Bretza, Kenny Jinks & Graham Brunner

It's been a fun-filled few weeks around the WCBL ball diamonds with records being set and great performances galore. We check in with a trio of veterans for their perspectives and journeys in baseball. Hear from Brooks Bombers infielder Zander Bretza, Swift Current 57s pitcher Kenny Jinks and Okotoks Dawgs southpaw Graham Brunner on this week's episode of Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.
4:13 - Zander Bretza
19:18 - Kenny Jinks
36:47 - Graham Brunner

Episode 282: Josh Kabayama, Will Bomersbach & Joe Ellison

We get through a ton of news (including a few long-awaited shout-outs to Albertans playing independent pro ball) and then get to the big story of the week: that insane 31-26 wind-driven game between the Lethbridge Bulls and Brooks Bombers. We check in on both sides of the field with Bulls veteran Josh Kabayama and Bombers catcher Will Bomersbach. Our final guest is another check in with a coach around the WCBL, with this one being Fort McMurray Giants skipper Joe Ellison.
6:17 - Josh Kabayama
27:50 - Will Bomersbach
49:08 - Joe Ellison

Episode 281: Jordan Blundell, Nathan Flewelling, Benito Bonilla & Eric Machej

We have a fantastic show lined up for you with great guests and tons of news to get to. We recap the week with the headlines then catch up with Edmonton Prospects head coach Jordan Blundell about the team's return and what he expects this summer, then we're joined by a trio of prospects who hope to make an impact in the WCBL. Innisfail product and Sylvan Lake Gulls catcher Nathan Flewelling has had a whirlwind few months, while Dawgs Academy products Benito Bonilla and Eric Machej checked in with our Ian Wilson during the Okotoks Dawgs media day prior to the season.
7:40 - Jordan Blundell
26:42 - Nathan Flewelling
38:10 - Benito Bonilla
43:10 - Eric Machej

Episode 280: The WCBL Season Preview Extravaganza

The 2024 Western Canadian Baseball League season is finally here. 12 teams will be vying for the right to hoist the Harry Hallis Trophy in the middle of August, 7 in Alberta and 5 in Saskatchewan. There are plenty of storylines to get to heading into the season, including the potential of a three-peat for the Okotoks Dawgs, the entrance of the brand new Saskatoon Berries, the return of the Edmonton Prospects, the international flavour of some of the rosters and the youth movement where plenty of local talent will be looking to leave their mark on the league. We have five conversations to kick off the 2024 summer season!
0:55 - ADS co-founder and chief writer Ian Wilson
14:53 - WCBL president Kevin Kvame on new baseballs
23:46 - Saskatoon Berries head coach Joe Carnahan
35:09 - Okotoks Dawgs utilityman Logan Grant
45:31 - Medicine Hat Mavericks veteran Brody Gardner

Episode 279: Cascades Claim CCBC Championship

What a weekend it was in Lethbridge for the Canadian College Baseball Conference World Series. While the weather left something to be desired, the action on the field had a little bit of everything, especially in the final between the University of Fraser Valley Cascades and the Okanagan College Coyotes. In the end, the Cascades pulled out the 10-9 extra innings victory. We chat with head coach and former player Riley Jepson as well as CCBC Pitcher of the Year Josh Berenbaum and Albertans Max Prevost and Eli McKeen, who both played pivotal parts in a ninth inning comeback in the final.
8:43 - Riley Jepson
17:40 - Josh Berenbaum
29:21 - Max Prevost
41:02 - Eli McKeen

Episode 278: Halen Knoll, Gavin Fraser & Jimmy Dionne

The US college season is wrapping up and the summer baseball season is about to begin, so we have a lot to get to both in the news and with our guests. This week, we chat with Edmonton Collegiate Hawks hurler Halen Knoll about this weekend's CCBC championships and the season so far. Then we head back south to hear the inspiring story of Spruce Grove's Gavin Fraser, who has been named Second-Team All-Conference and a Gold Glove recipient with Cerro Coso College. And we wrap things up with Dawgs Academy alum Jimmy Dionne, who had a freshman season to remember with Howard College.
7:04 - Halen Knoll
19:37 - Gavin Fraser
39:16 - Jimmy Dionne

Episode 277: Jaden Babiuk, Morgan Halliday & Michael Yusypchuk

It's been a little like drinking out of a fire hydrant lately with the amount of news to talk about each week. We do our best to get through it before we sit down with Valley City State University shortstop Jaden Babiuk (St. Albert) to chat about being named Second-Team All-Conference and heading to the Medicine Hat Mavericks this summer, Prairie Baseball Academy infielder Morgan Halliday (Edmonton) for our weekly CCBC check-in, and Dawgs Academy hurler Michael Yusypchuk (St. Albert) to recap the Best of the West tournament win, his frequent travels with the Baseball Canada Junior National Team, and suiting up with his brother for the Edmonton Riverhawks this summer.
4:30 - Jaden Babiuk
24:24 - Morgan Halliday
40:06 - Michael Yusypchuk

Episode 276: Coaches Corner with Joe Sergent & Chris James

We have a full lineup of news to get to, but the big story of the week has obviously been the performances of Dawgs Academy and Okotoks Dawgs alum Matt Wilkinson. The highlight was a no-hit, six-inning gem for Cleveland's Single-A affiliate, the Lynchburg Hillcats, on April 25 and after five starts, he sports an ERA of 0.35 and 46 strikeouts in just 25+ innings. For a little insight into his arsenal and mindset, we sit down with Dawgs pitching coach Joe Sergent. Then we head to Baseball Alberta where long-time coach Chris James has been busy getting the wheels in motion for the upcoming season on the girls' and women's front. After a year which featured a gold and two bronze medals in national championships, we take a look at the talent across the province and the work being done at the grassroots and more.
7:20 - Joe Sergent
25:25 - Chris James

Episode 275: Aiden Szautner, Jacob Wrubleski & Brady Turner

The University of Calgary Dinos are facing some stiff competition in their quest to repeat as CCBC champions. We sit down with veteran Aiden Szautner to get inside the clubhouse after the first weeks of the season. We also chat with Dawgs Academy alum Jacob Wrubleski about his stellar freshman season at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. And we also hear from Brady Turner of Prep Baseball Report Alberta about the level of talent we have graduating from high school this year and beyond.
5:26 - Aiden Szautner
17:24 - Jacob Wrubleski
33:30 - Brady Turner

Episode 274: Owen Lucas & Piper Wiklund

From the outstanding performance of Matt Wilkinson to a Canadian Baseball Network College Player of the Week nod for Logan Grant, there was no shortage of storylines we followed this week. So we go through a lengthy news rundown before getting to two guests from the Canadian College Baseball Conference. We start off with Prairie Baseball Academy infielder and CCBC Player of the Week Owen Lucas to talk about his baseball journey, then we're joined by TRU Wolfpack infielder and 2023 Baseball Alberta Millie Warwick/Betty Carveth Dunn Bursary winner Piper Wiklund.
5:39 - Owen Lucas
22:21 - Piper Wiklund

Episode 273: Rejean Bourget, Kyle Yip & Eric Hartman

The warm weather is back which is making it feel like baseball season now. We get through a ton of pro and college news headlines, then chat with Edmonton Collegiate Hawks veteran Rejean Bourget (Bonnyville/St. Francis Xavier), UBC Thunderbirds freshman Kyle Yip (Calgary/Vauxhall Academy) and Baseball Canada Junior National Team invitee Eric Hartman (St. Albert/Dawgs Academy) about their seasons so far.
4:49 - Rejean Bourget
20:48 - Kyle Yip
36:15 - Eric Hartman

Episode 272: Ryan Dousett, Cole Huebner & Tim Piasentin

Baseball season is in full swing with MLB and the minor leagues getting underway. We get caught up on the CCBC as well and chat with Calgary's Ryan Dousett, who is with Okanagan College, then sit down with AHP Academy alum and Indian Hills Community College standout Cole Huebner and Dawgs Academy prospect Tim Piasentin, who is one of many players with Alberta ties named to the Baseball Canada Junior National Team's Extended Spring Training Roster.
3:54 - Ryan Dousett
18:03 - Cole Huebner
33:20 - Tim Piasentin