After the longest rain delay ever… Play Ball!

Tales from the Doug-out: June 14th, 2021

Finally, finally the sky opened up and the sun shone through. We have been on a very long rain delay for a year and a half. Last summer we didn’t have anything that resembled an actual minor baseball game. The rules were such that you couldn’t slide in the bag or tag a player’s trying to steal. And the umpire had to do his job from behind the pitcher mound. Just ask Jim Church how well that went!

Nothing was better than getting out and seeing some actual ball games on this past weekend. After the Alberta government stage two opened on this past Thursday.  Baseball Alberta was right on the ball with the summer schedule ready to rock and roll. Provincial round robins this year will be running until the middle of August. The Bonnyville U 15 AA Braves opened up their provincial season in St. Paul on Saturday afternoon playing two provincial round robin games and winning both of them.

The first game against Sherwood Park Athletics the Braves manager sent the big unit Carter Goreniuk to the mound to start the game. Carter pitched a terrific four innings, allowing only one run, on two hits while striking out four. Foster Pickowicz came in in the fifth inning on relief to close out the game. Foster took a little time to locate the strike zone but was humming along once he found it striking out a pair with his patented curve ball.  The Braves who would win the game by the ten run mercy rule after five innings, 17 to 3 the final score  The Braves speedy lead -off batter,   the ‘ Mighty Casey’ Warawa went 3 for 4 at the plate with 2 RBI’s and he crossed the dish four  times himself.

The second game against the Kitscoty Royals, Josh Bordeau was up on the hill and pitched five superb innings not allowing a run. With his great control he  allowed only one hit , one walk, while striking out 11 batters . Reliever Logan McMillan coming out of the bullpen came in to close the game pitching two solid innings, striking out four, while allowing only one hit and one walk . The Braves shutting down the Royals offense winning 8 to 0 in seven innings. Kaelem Straughan went 1 for 2 at the plate and drove in two runs.

Overall it was a fantastic start to the season for the Braves. They will be right back at it this coming Thursday night, at home, when the host St. Paul Game time is 6.45 pm . Come on down to the ball park and catch a few rays.