The return of the Western Canadian Baseball League to Saskatoon has provided baseball fans with an opportunity to see a strong contingent of Saskatchewan players return to their old stomping grounds.
Particularly in the outfield, where the expansion Saskatoon Berries have a trio of local players in the grass including Carnduff’s Carter Beck, Dundurn’s Oakland Flodell and Saskatoon’s Nolan Sparks.
Another player who gets a regular spot in the outfield is hometown kid Cory Wouters, who is coming off a fantastic freshman season at McCook Community College.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound utilityman hit .416 with nine home runs and 44 RBI in 52 games, while also making 11 pitching appearances where he had a 3-7 record with an 8.71 earned-run average and 69 strikeouts in just over 41 innings of work. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Midlands Baseball First Team roster as well as the Region IX Freshman of the Year and Region IX All-Second Team.
Wouters has continued to be a two-way star in his debut with the Berries, hitting .324 with two homers and 13 RBI in 19 games while going 1-1 with a 3.85 ERA in eight relief appearances.
The right-hitting, left-throwing hometown star chatted with Ian Wilson for our latest installment of 7th Inning Stretch.
1. Tell us a little bit about the inaugural season so far and what you’ve seen heading into the midway point of the season.
It’s been really awesome. It’s been really cool just being with a new team and getting to be home has been great.
2. Being a Saskatoon guy, what was your baseball outlet growing up and who were you watching?
There wasn’t a whole bunch of live ball when I was around. The Yellow Jackets were here when I was younger, but I didn’t watch a whole bunch of their games. Just playing and watching the Midget-AAA baseball, that was my baseball that I got to watch.
3. You have an outfield that’s an all-Saskatchewan outfield. What’s that like having all those local guys roaming the pastures?
It’s cool. Getting to play with guys who I played with growing up and playing against growing up. It’s just cool getting to play with them again as we’re getting a little older.
4. I know the season started off a little rocky but things have started to pick up for you now. How would you assess the team overall to this point?
I’m really excited about the next couple of weeks. We’re starting to come together as a group, for sure. The first couple of weeks, just being a new team, everyone was nervous or just getting a feel for everybody. I think it’s coming together, everyone’s more comfortable and I’m excited for it.
5. Let’s have some fun here: what’s your favourite baseball movie?
That one’s tough. Probably “The Sandlot.” It’s a classic.
6. What’s your favourite ballpark food?
It’s probably a classic burger. I don’t really like sauce so just burger and cheese, no ketchup, no mustard. I’m a low-maintenance guy.
7. When you’re out signing autographs and chatting with kids, what are you telling them as your advice or words of wisdom as they look to get to where you’re at one day?
Just work hard, enjoy baseball. It’s a kid’s game and it’s fun. Just have fun while you’re doing it.
The Berries are about to embark on a season-high nine-game roadtrip with stops in Fort McMurray, Swift Current, Weyburn, Edmonton and Sylvan Lake.
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