Looking back on 2026, Greg Brons beams like a proud papa.
As Baseball Sask hosted its annual general meeting and awards in Regina, the Baseball Sask High Performance Director can’t help but smile as he thinks about all the accomplishments of the past year.
From top-notch individual efforts to outstanding team performances, Brons says it was another great year for baseball in the province.
The “Blue Jays Bump” – created by the run to the World Series in 2025 – followed by Baseball Canada’s first-ever appearance in the knockout round of the World Baseball Classic set the stage for a big year at the grassroots level and he says it didn’t disappoint.
It also sets the stage for an even bigger 2027.
“We want to continue being in the hunt for a medal in all of the high-performance tournaments,” Brons told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. “It’s always our goal to medal, but we are beyond the stage of just being competitive – we have expectations to come back with a medal in all of our programs.”
Those great team performances also for some fantastic personal achievements, which were celebrated during this year’s awards banquet.
BECK THE BRAVE
While he didn’t receive an award, 2026 can’t be talked about without mentioning Carter Beck and the impact he is having on the game in Saskatchewan.
The Carnduff native took home a trophy case full of awards during his spring season at Indiana State University, paving the way to being selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves.
He was the first Canadian off the board and the highest-ever selection from Saskatchewan, which Brons says was monumental for the province and for the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).
“Joe Carnahan and Chance Wheatley had a big hand in his development,” said the Baseball Sask architect. “I remember texting Joe and saying, ‘Do you think Beck would have been a first-rounder if the Berries didn’t exist?’ Of course, he didn’t reply.”
Beck impressed during his first stint in professional baseball, hitting .283 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, 13 runs batted in and 11 stolen bases in just 29 games split between Single-A Augusta and High-A Rome.
KILLIN’ IT
Speaking of the Berries, no one could have imagined the impact a teenager would have on the team’s run to its first Western Canadian Baseball League championship.
Such was the case for Swift Current native Aiden Kilshaw, who hit .333 with two home runs and 10 RBI in seven postseason games, garnering a few votes for most valuable player.
It capped off an outstanding year for Kilshaw, who also suited up for Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team and played very well for Baseball Sask at The Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup, hitting a combined .378 with six doubles, a triple, four RBI, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases in 10 games.
For all he accomplished, the 18-year-old was named Baseball Sask’s Male Player of the Year.
“Aiden has turned himself into a great player and his aggressive approach will continue to serve him well,” Brons said. “I’m really excited about his future.”
Kilshaw says it’s a “huge privilege and honour” to be recognized with the award, something he’s not taking for granted as he looks ahead to 2027.
Meantime, Estevan’s Tayson Tangjerd was named Baseball Sask’s Minor Male Player of the Year, who was also named the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s 15U AAA Pitcher of the Year earlier in the summer.
TRIPLE THREAT
On the women’s side of the game, Criseyde Borthwick came away with this year’s Baseball Sask Female Player of the Year.
The utility player suited up in the 16U, 19U and Women’s Open Nationals this summer for Baseball Sask.
At the plate, Borthwick hit a home run and drove in 12 runs, scored 14 of her own and stole three bases during the three tournaments.
She also struck out 16 batters in 13.2 innings of work split between three games.
The female teams also put in strong performances, highlighted by a bronze medal at the 19U Nationals in Saskatoon.
“I look at the job Tyson Black is doing with that program and I’m really happy with their continued development,” Brons said. “Having Tyson around gives Baseball Sask the assurance that the program will be competitive for a long time.”
Dundurn’s Josie Fines was named the Minor Female Player of the Year.
SOMETHING SPECIAL
By all accounts, the 19U Women’s Nationals in Saskatoon was a smashing success.
Not only did Baseball Sask earn a medal, but the hosting committee was lauded for making it a top-notch event.
It was put on by the Saskatoon Royals, who have continued to raise the bar for girls’ baseball in the province, producing some outstanding talent over the past few years.
To recognize those efforts, the Joe McDonald Special Award of Merit was presented to Royals president Jaelyn Willness.
“This award represents much more than an individual achievement,” she said. “It reflects the growth of girls’ baseball in Saskatoon and the dedication of the many people who have helped build the program over the years.”
She says seeing more girls have the opportunity to play, develop and stay involved in baseball is what makes all the time and effort worth it.
When it comes to the national event, which will be held in Saskatoon again in 2027, Willness says it comes down to the people who want to see growth and success of girls’ baseball as much as their committee does.
“There was months of planning and work behind the scenes, and our goal was to give the athletes, coaches and families a great experience while showcasing what Saskatoon and the baseball community have to offer,” she says. “We had great people and businesses step up and give their time and support, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Willness adds they are excited to host again in 2027 and look forward to creating more opportunities for girls and women in baseball, making sure the work that’s been done over the years continues to move forward.
CELEBRATING THE BEST
Here’s the full list of 2026 Baseball Sask Award winners:
Lou Slotsve Junior Official of the Year – Koen Rhinehart (Maidstone)
Rocky Nickel Umpire of the Year – Blake Thille (Saskatoon)
Builder of the Year – Trent Dorrance (Alameda)
Joe McDonald Special Award of Merit – Jaelyn Willness (Saskatoon)
Coach of the Year – Dakota Smith (Saskatoon)
Grassroots Coach of the Year – Chad Nixey (Saskatoon)
Minor Team of the Year – 13U AAA Swift Current Riverside Electric 57’s
Senior Team of the Year – Moose Jaw Padres
Minor Female Player of the Year – Josie Fines (Dundurn)
Minor Player of the Year – Tayson Tangjerd (Estevan)
Female Player of the Year – Criseyde Borthwick (Prince Albert)
Male Player of the Year – Aiden Kilshaw (Swift Current)
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