Holiday Message from WCBL President Kevin Kvame

December 24, 2020 10:00 am | by WCBL | Posted In Feature News, News

On behalf of the Western Canadian Baseball League, I would like to extend Season’s Greetings to all of our players, coaches, staff, volunteers, officials, sponsors, and, of course, our hundreds of thousands of fans who support us by attending or viewing online the excitement of WCBL action. We remain very optimistic about the 2021 season and hope to see everyone back supporting the “home” team this coming summer. We really missed you in 2020 and are working hard to have game action return to the stadiums and parks around Alberta and Saskatchewan in 2021.

When I look back over the past year, I, like many others, will remember 2020 as a year we will never forget. This health crisis caused the WCBL to pause for a time, which resulted in us exploring every option until we felt there was no avenue to return to play for 2020. That was an extremely sad decision, but a necessary one. I want to congratulate all of our teams for their professionalism displayed during these unprecedented situations. Our governors represent the passion our league has for the sport, and each and every day, they use that passion to try to push the league to new heights. This was especially true during this lost year. Hard work has and is occurring to make the Western Canadian Baseball League even better in the years to come.

The WCBL was on the back burner in 2020 but we were so privileged to witness the care and compassion many showed during this year unlike any other. When we are able to safely return, we hope to bring our many communities together by celebrating the front-line workers and essential service workers. We will bring these people out to the ballparks to recognize their loyalty and dedication that kept our nation functioning during the uncertain times we faced.

On that positive note, I am excited that we have released the 2021 schedule for the year. We also have in place, if necessary, contingencies to adjust it if needed. Our teams and coaches are all working hard to put talented college baseball players on the field this coming season. We are active with plans for the 2021 All Star Game in Okotoks in July. We are especially excited to see our newest franchise, the Sylvan Lake Gulls, take flight this coming year when they play in their inaugural season as well as christen their new ballpark in Sylvan Lake.

All of our baseball teams are key social and positive family-oriented pillars of the community. They will continue to work with community businesses, community leaders, and the families throughout each team’s footprint to ensure the traditions and atmosphere that bring so many fond memories to people’s minds continue to happen across the Prairie provinces when it is safe to do so. We hope you will be excited to return to the ballparks as well when that important social gathering component of our lives returns!

I would like to conclude by wishing everyone near and far with ties to the Western Canadian Baseball League a very Merry Christmas as well as a happy holiday season.  May 2021 be filled with good health, much prosperity, peace, and of course BASEBALL!

Best Wishes,

Kevin L. Kvame, President
Western Canadian Baseball League