Sylvan Lake Gulls ready to play ball
Sylvan Lake’s new baseball team is gearing up for its inaugural season in the Western Canadian Baseball League.
On Thursday, players for the Sylvan Lake Gulls had their first ever practice at their new stadium. General Manager and President of Baseball Operations Aqil Samuel said it’s been a difficult journey to get to this point.
“We launched our logo and our brand the day the pandemic started,” Samuel said.
“The ups and downs have just been unbelievable.”
The team faced stadium construction delays and there was an underlying fear that their inaugural season may be cancelled due to pandemic. But it wasn’t, and the team plays its first game of the season against the Edmonton Prospects on Friday.
“It’s been a rush. It truly has,” he said.
“The year and a half has just flown and we can’t believe that we’re almost ready for baseball.”
The Gulls will be playing in a modified Canadian player only season. Originally, the team had 34 players signed, which included some American players, but now has 24 Canadian players on the roster.
“Obviously had to adjust a little bit based on the all-Canadian roster this summer, but I think it’s going to be a fun summer,” said Coach Jason Chatwood.
“It’s going to be very competitive.”
For Friday’s game, the stadium will be filled to a third of its current capacity as part of Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan. Construction is still underway at the stadium.
“Once we get into 2022 and 2023, we’re going to build this out to 3,000 fans,” said Samuel.
“This year is really going to be a test to see if we can get to that point, but we’re committed and we’re going to keep going after it.”
Tickets sold out for Friday’s game in minutes. Samuel said it’s a good sign of what the future holds for the organization.
“We’re going to be here for years and years into the future,” he said.
“We want to be a part of this community for a long time.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.