The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) All-Star Game & Home Run Derby took place at majestic Seaman Stadium in Okotoks over the weekend.
The festivities included a back-and-forth thriller of a game that resulted in a 9-8 walk-off win in extra innings for the West All-Stars, a ball-bashing dinger derby, post-game fireworks and a guest appearance from former Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason hero Matt Stairs.
It was all on display for a record-breaking crowd of more than 6,000 fans.
Ian Wilson, co-founder of Alberta Dugout Stories and the WCBL Media Coordinator, was in attendance and snapped some pictures during the day. Here’s a look at what he spotted through his camera lens:
Fans received this rally towel with the 2022 WCBL All-Star Game logo on it when they arrived at Seaman Stadium.West All-Stars Alejandro Cazorla (left) and Ricardo Sanchez (right) – both of the Okotoks Dawgs – chat at batting practice.Miller Express slugger Nate Mensik (right) shakes hand with an East All-Star teammate at BP.West All-Star players and coaches pick the brain of former MLB postseason hero Matt Stairs (right).Home Run Derby participants (from left to right): Nate Mensik, Nolan Machibroda, Braden DeSonia, Nate Bach, Kaden Zarowny, Matt Wolff, Jordan Phillips and McCoy Pearce.Rob DeSonia (left) hugs his son Braden DeSonia (right) after Rob pitched to Braden in the Home Run Derby.Players and coaches enjoy the best seat in the house for the derby, which saw Weyburn Beaver first baseman Nolan Machibroda launch nine homers in the first round.West All-Stars watch Nate Mensik of the Miller Express compete in the long ball contest.West All-Stars get a close look at the action during the derby.Derby champ Nolan Machibroda does media interviews after the big win for the East All-Stars.Hall of Fame journalist Bob Elliott (left) chats with host Joe McFarland (right) during the pre-game broadcast.East All-Star coaches and players stand along the third base line after being introduced to the fans at Seaman Stadium.Prospect Jordan Phillips, who slugged his way to the derby final, tips his cap to the crowd during West All-Star introductions.Almost game time! The Canadian anthem gets fans ready for first pitch.Wataru Murakami, of the Edmonton Prospects, was the starting pitcher for the West All-Stars.Preston Tenney of the Regina Red Sox drew the starting pitcher assignment for the East All-Stars.Mascots Diggity and Gully get the fans dancing.Coach Andy Peterson (left) walks back to the dugout with outfielder Micah McDowell (right).More than 6,000 fans packed into Seaman Stadium for the All-Star Game festivities.And they’re off! Gully, Homer, T-Bone and Diggity leg it out in a mascot race that was one by the hometown favourite.It was perfect weather for the game, which included picturesque sunny skies throughout the evening.Outfielder Drew Mackie of the Brooks Bombers was clutch for the West All-Stars. He drove in the tying runs in the ninth inning and then gunned down a runner at home plate in the first half of the 10th inning.Noah Geekie was a two-way threat for the West. He played first base before pitching a clean 10th inning to secure the 9-8 victory.Sylvan Lake infielder Ethan He pauses during his at bat in the 10th inning. It was the last at bat of the game, as He delivered a walk-off hit for the West.Players scrambled to get up close videos of the walk-off winning moment.West All-Star players spilled out of the dugout to celebrate the walk-off win.Ethan He received WCBL All-Star Game MVP honours from former MLBer Matt Stairs after the game.Post-game awards, including a gold and silver bat for the derby finalists and a Rawlings glove for the MVP.Perfect night capped off with fireworks for those in attendance.
