It’s become an unexpected tradition at the Vanneste residence in Warman.
The family welcomed the entire Medicine Hat Mavericks team for a home-cooked meal during a team trip to nearby Saskatoon to face the expansion Berries in 2024 and continued it again in early 2025.
Their son, Tyler, is now a three-year veteran of the Mavs, helping the team get to the Western Canadian Baseball League championship in 2023 and the East Division final in 2024.
He would love to take them to the next level this summer after an excellent spring at Cal State University – San Bernardino.
The infielder hit .342 with five home runs, 45 runs batted in and six stolen bases in 48 games for the Coyotes, where he was named Academic All-District for his scholarly work in kinesiology as well as his play on the field.
Vanneste has returned home and was at the forefront of an outstanding start to the season for the Mavs, who collected wins in their first five games by a combined score of 65-36.
We chatted with the 5-foot-10, 175-pound utilityman during Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast, leading to our latest edition of 7th Inning Stretch.
1. Do you already have that team trip planned for Warman again?
A couple of weeks ago, I was actually talking to my parents about it and they’re like we’ll have to see because I think my brother has graduation that week too. So it might be a busy week at the house, that’s for sure.
2. Looking back on last year’s trip home, how cool was it to show everyone the ropes, where you grew up and do some team bonding as well?
I think it was good to show them and it was fun. Obviously, it was kind of earlier in the season, so it helped bring a lot of the guys together, which was something we wanted and needed. Everyone got to see where I grew up and with lots being from all over North America, it was a little different. So that aspect was pretty cool for them.
3. Did you parents roll out some “Baby Tyler” photos while you were there?
I think some guys were trying to get at them. But I don’t think they managed to find where they were at. They were too busy reloading food so they forgot to get them out.
4. Take us back to the first time you stepped foot in Cairns again after being away for so long and seeing what it’s turned into?
It was pretty cool. I hadn’t played there in four or five years. It was good to be back there to see how baseball is growing there. Playing in front of my family and friends, which I hadn’t done in a long time, was pretty special, for sure.
5. Let’s talk about the here and now. How stoked are you to be back with the Mavericks?
I’m pumped. Nothing beats playing in Medicine Hat in the summer and that’s why I’m coming back for my last year and last ride. I want to get after it and, in talking with some of the boys, we’re ready to have some fun this year.
6. What’s made it so special for you in Medicine Hat?
I think it’s just an A+ organization. Greg runs a great program and treats us so well. It’s so hard not to go back there every year. Everything about it has been a blast.
7. What would it mean to you to bring home a WCBL championship in 2025?
I mean, that’s the ultimate goal. This is my last year, so I want to have a lot of fun and go out with a bang, for sure. I know the City of Medicine Hat wants a championship. To get one for Greg and that city would be the icing on the cake.
Tales of Baseball 
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