WCBL 2024 Season Preview

The questions start now.

Will the Okotoks Dawgs claim the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) championship and three-peat for the second time in franchise history?

How will the expansion Saskatoon Berries look on the field after an off-season of marketing and promotional success?

So many questions … and the answers lie ahead.

Saskatoon Berries 2024 Season Preview

It’s been a hectic year for the Saskatoon Berries.

Since their arrival in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) was publicly revealed in March of 2023, Saskatoon has selected a team name, picked club colours, crafted a logo, cultivated a social media following, ordered merchandise, undertaken ballpark renos, sold tickets, added sponsors and generally announced their presence to Saskatchewan’s largest city.

That’s just a hint of the off-the-field activities …

There’s Something About UMary

Baseball is in Carter Beck’s blood.

From shagging foul balls for freezie money at his father’s senior ball games in Carnduff to suiting up for his province, he has enjoyed success at every level.

That includes an excellent start to his collegiate career with the University of Mary Marauders.

Making the List

Bob Elliott has released his full list of the most influential Canadians in baseball, and the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) makes a number of appearances on the esteemed roll call.

The Hall-of-Fame journalist produced a list of 140 top names in the sport, with Alex Anthopoulos, general manager of the Atlanta Braves, at first overall; followed by Phillies’ skipper Rob Thomson in second; and Josh Naylor – slugger with the Cleveland Guardians – in the third spot.

Here’s a look at where WCBL personalities landed on the Canadian Baseball Network list …

Field of Seams

They’re having a ball in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

Good thing, too, because baseballs are a vital piece of equipment for the WCBL. You literally cannot play the game without them.

The league, with a dozen teams in Alberta and Saskatchewan, welcomes a new official baseball supplier this year.

Sparks Flies in Saskatoon

Nolan Sparks was just 12 years old when his hometown team, the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets, folded following the 2014 Western Major Baseball League season.

Now 21, Sparks is hoping to help rebuild the summer collegiate scene in his hometown as the first signee of the expansion Saskatoon Berries.