The Innisfail Merchants are back at home after representing Alberta in in the Western Canadian Baseball Association Jr. AAA championships held over the weekend in Winnipeg.
“We have been fairly competitive over the last three years,” said Desmond Boutellier. “In 2011, we earned a silver medal, losing to the Altona Bisons and in 2012 we lost…and brought home silver.”
Boutellier added that in 2013, the team lost out in round-robin play, missing out on the medal games but hoped to change that this year and bring home the gold.
“For 2014, we were the only team to be in the tournament for the fourth straight year and have experience which will help,” said Boutellier. “We also have two fourth year players, Corbyn Shields and Taze Steeves which adds depth to our roster.”
After a final tune-up practice on Wednesday, the team left for Winnipeg after Brian Sutter stopped by to give a pep talk to the players.
“Any time you get someone of Brian's calibre out to talk to the young guys, it is a good thing,” added Boutellier. “Our team is not just about turning our 18- and 19-year-olds into better baseball players, but into better people in the process. Brian brings that message. He has injected himself into the community and truly is part of Innisfail already.”
Their schedule at the Winnipeg-based tournament was tough with Regina dropping out.
“As soon as the arrived in Winnipeg on the 7th, our first game was against the St. Boniface Legionnaires at 8 p.m., which we won 8-7 in extra innings,” said Boutellier. “On Friday, we played the Pembina Valley Orioles and lost 4-2, and beat the Weyburn Athletics 13-1. We were beat by the Elmwood Giants 5-4 to round out the weekend.”
After the round robin was complete, the gold medal match was played between the top two teams.
“Last year we were tied for second place but due to a mathematical formula, were placed third. This year, we were one run away from the medals but with the tying run on second base, we sent a Popfly out and that was it. Consequently (we) could not play for the gold,” said Boutellier. “Last year during our loss, we let the other team run the score and learned the hard way. That was part of the reason we did not medal. This year, we know we knew we had to keep the games as close as possible and run the score if we are able to.”
The Merchants coach is pleased with the support the team garnered in Innisfail.
“Our trip to Winnipeg was an expensive one but we had great support from Jackson Pharmasave, Palliser Chev, the Innisfail Eagles and the Sutter Fund,” added Boutellier. “When we re-formed, we wanted to honour the businesses that supported the team and players. This is one reason why we have been successful.”
Boutellier added that the Pembina Valley Orioles won the tournament and the “competition was very tough.”
