By IAN WILSON & JOE McFARLAND
It takes heart to play this game and that’s why we love it.
If there’s one place we enjoy spending time, it’s the ball diamond. Turns out, we’re not alone either. In our travels, we interview people about the game and their passion for it.
Guests on Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast have made it clear that baseball has captured their hearts. They have been drawn to it for numerous reasons and they get tongue-tied when we ask them this question:
“What does the game of baseball mean to you?”
The answers range from speechless to profound replies. Many include the words “love” and “passion” and “everything.”
We’ve shared some of these baseball valentines in the past, but please indulge us again as we reveal some tender whispers from those who love the sport as much, if not more, than we do.
Here is a look at how some of our podcast guests answered the above question:
“Baseball’s been very, very good to me. I’ve got to see a lot of the world for free and play the game that I love and it’s provided a nice living for my family and I.”
– Stubby Clapp, first base coach with St. Louis Cardinals
“I am who I am because of baseball. Everything that I’ve kind of learned is from baseball … baseball has shaped me to who I am, 100 percent. Throw away the stuff on my resume or where you played or what you did, just the sport itself, just the nature of the sport, of how you’ll never figure it out, you keep chasing that. It’s such a unique, cool sport.”
– Jim Kotkas, Vauxhall Academy of Baseball coach
“It’s everything … it’s been my life since I was five, playing with my parents in the backyard … it’s literally been everything and I’m really, really happy I found it.” – Cohen Achen, 14th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles
“It’s huge. It’s a big part of who I am. If anyone were to ask me who I am or whatever, I would say I’m an athlete and a multi-sport athlete and I think it’s taught me so many things, it’s connected me to so many people and it’s given me such a good work ethic and it’s really just shaped how I view my life and where I want to go and how I work towards those things.”
– Kaitlyn Ross, member of Canadian women’s national baseball team
“It’s opened up so many opportunities to me in life. I’ve met so many amazing people, I’ve created so many amazing relationships and I’ve been to some cool places. If I had to sum it up in a few words, it would just be the opportunity. Baseball to me is opportunity … it’s a very special game to me and I’m glad it’s what I was chosen to do.”
– Erik Sabrowski, relief pitcher with Cleveland Guardians
“The game of baseball has changed not just my life, but our family’s life … you still need that work ethic and that’s something that baseball really installed in me … I was fortunate and privileged and everything to spend a lot of time at the major-league level but the bottom line is there are only like 700 major league jobs out there. I held one down for 14 years. That tells you something about the capacity that I had as a player.”
– Terry Puhl, former outfielder with the Houston Astros
“The game of baseball has meant so much, it’s shaped so much of my life and my kids’ life. I just love baseball, period.”
– Chris James, Baseball Alberta coach
“Baseball means a lot to me. It’s a place where I can just be myself and be present in the situation I’m in. It’s a really special way, I think, to express myself and just find enjoyment in the little things.” – Julianna Scott, catcher on Canadian women’s national team
“It’s a game of failure, right, so playing through the tough parts of the game … and succeeding in your way.”
– Piper Wiklund, Thompson Rivers University infielder
“It means a lot. I don’t know what I’d do without sports. The relationships and the whole athletic part, I love it all.” – Carter Beck, outfielder with Saskatoon Berries
“It’s pretty important for me. I like it as a bit of an avenue to express myself in ways that you don’t always get to … you express yourself in the most instinctual way possible.” – Marcus Graham, Swift Current 57’s catcher
“It means a lot. It’s super fun just for me to come out here and do something I really love and I know that baseball’s going to provide me with lots of opportunity after I’m done playing, too.” – Takao Cookson, Moose Jaw Miller Express pitcher
“The game of baseball has meant a lot to me for my entire life. I think it reflects a lot of life itself and it’s a game of failure, you’re going to get knocked down, you’re going to get beat up, you’re going to lose but it’s also a beautiful game with all those ups and downs. You get to relish the ups and the downs suck sometimes, but those high moments, those special moments where it’s the bottom of the ninth and you’re up to the plate and you’ve got a chance to tie or win the game, I think those really are special moments that you can’t get anywhere else. It’s just an amazing and indescribable feeling.” – Cardel Dick, Lethbridge Bulls catcher
“Baseball is basically my life. Everything revolves around it … baseball just means so much to me right now. I’m absolutely loving it and it’s been a hell of a ride so far.” – Brett Getz, Vauxhall Academy grad
“It means a lot … it’s a good release from the stresses of everything else and I can just go and have fun, and it’s just been a lot of fun to play this year. It’s been really, really cool to just be in the moment of baseball. It means a tonne.”
– Max Hartman, Okotoks Dawgs
“It’s my life. I love it more than anything. I just can’t wait to play every game, it’s my pride and joy. It’s my passion.” – Owen Pote, former Sylvan Lake Gulls and current Okotoks Dawgs pitcher
“It means everything to me. I just think it’s the one thing that I love doing the most.” – Nathan Flewelling, Tampa Bay Rays third-round draft pick
“It means everything. I’ve got some lifelong friends because of this game and lifelong memories that I’ll never forget … it’s the best game in the world.” – Jaxon Zanolli, Sylvan Lake Gulls pitcher
“It means a lot. It’s been a part of my life from three years old and now I’m 24. After it’s done, I’m going to have to have my hand in some type of baseball because I’m going to feel lost. It’s got me through college, it’s got me through high school, it’s made me the person I am today.” – Jackson Syring, Regina Red Sox slugger
“It means a lot to me. Right now, it feels like it’s almost my life and I spend everyday going to the field and trying to get better every single day. It keeps you disciplined and I absolutely love it.” – Gavin Fraser, Edmonton Prospects infielder
“For me, it means my whole life. I grew up playing it … and, it brought me pretty far.” – Zander Bretza, Brooks Bombers two-way player
Tales of Baseball 