Growing up in Swift Current, Kyrell Adair dreamed of one day suiting up for the hometown 57’s.
The 6-foot-1, 166-pound utilityman got his chance on July 31, getting the call from the bullpen in the third inning of a game against the Medicine Hat Mavericks.
With the Mitchell Field faithful cheering him on, he allowed just one hit over the next two-plus innings in what was an 11-7 loss.
Little did he know, Adair was about to embark on a busy end to his summer, including a run with Baseball Sask at the Baseball Canada Cup in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Most recently, the Berries Academy right-hander announced his commitment to Trinidad State College, which is no stranger to having Saskatchewan athletes on the roster, including Swift Current’s Brody Alexandre and Estevan’s Nathan Yunick.
As he gets ready to graduate high school and pack his bags for college, we caught up with Adair for another installment of 1 Thru 9.
1. What was it about Trinidad State College that made you wanna go there?
I always knew I wanted to play college baseball and I knew the Trinidad coaches from being an AP with the 57’s, and they were great and competitive. The school had the classes I wanted and I know a couple guys from Saskatchewan going down as well. A bonus also is they got a new turf field and it’s pretty warm down in Colorado.
2. You had a pretty stellar 2024 including repping Baseball Sask again. What does it mean to you to put on the green-and-yellow?
Putting on the green-and-yellow feels like the province is counting on you and your team to compete and win. It’s a great feeling when you get the call that you’re representing the province you live in.
3. What were the goosebumps like the first time you ever repped Sask?
The first time I repped Saskatchewan I felt a bit nervous but used those feelings to help compete with the rest of the teams. The feelings of starting a game and feeling like you are untouchable is the best feeling in a tournament against other provinces.
4. You also got to play with the hometown WCBL team last summer. What did it mean to you to rep the Swift Current 57’s?
It meant a lot. I grew up watching them and dreamed about playing with them. Repping the colors orange-and-green while many of my friends and family watch was a dream come true. Not many kids get a chance to do that and the opportunity was amazing!
5. Looking back on the young career, what’s your favourite memory or moment on the field?
My favorite memory when I was younger is in 15U in the Ray Carter Cup when I started against Manitoba and felt like everything was on. We ended up placing third in the tournament.
6. Conversely, what’s the biggest challenge or hurdle you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome was my strained UCL and arm pain for over a year. I’ve seen many physiotherapists and doctors and, at the end of it, we just had to find the right ones that’s actually cared to help.
7. What’s your go-to walk-up tune?
“Follow God” by Kanye West.
8. What’s the one piece of advice or words of wisdom you’d like to impart on young athletes looking to get to where you’re at now?
Setbacks and failures are a part of the process and by accepting it, it will encourage you to get better. Having passion for the game and having fun is also very important.
9. What does the game of baseball mean to you?
The game of baseball is very important to me. It’s a way to have fun and take your mind off everything that’s off the field. It brings family together and I have made so many friends throughout my journey. Showing up to a game and knowing you have the start is a great feeling when you know you are untouchable. I have a lot of memories with baseball that will stick with me for life. I make goals inside of baseball and these will set me up with life lessons.
Tales of Baseball 