'Play ball!': Western Canadian Baseball League releases 2021 schedule

For the first time in far too long, an umpire in Okotoks will shout 'Play ball'!
The Western Canadian Baseball League released its schedule Monday, and the countdown is now on to June 19.
That's when the Dawgs' Black squad (there is also a Red team in 2021) takes on the Edmonton Prospects at 7:05 p.m.
In addition to Edmonton and the two Okotoks teams, the 2021 season will also feature the Lethbridge Bulls (whose home opener takes place June 18 against the same Okotoks Dawgs Black), and an expansion team, the Sylvan Lake Gulls, each of whom will feature an all-Canadian lineup.
“We are so excited to be taking this next step in bringing baseball back to our fans,” WCBL president Kevin Kvame said. “Our governors have been working around the clock to get the schedule put together.”
The regular season will run through mid-August, followed by semifinals Aug. 16-18 and finals which will take place Aug. 20-22.
There will be social distancing measures in effect for the opening games, with the league hopeful that attendance will be allowed to increase as the season progresses.
“While we’re starting the season with a limited number of fans, as per the guidance of health officials, we’re hopeful to increase capacity as the season progresses,” Kvame added. “We’ll be exercising diligence throughout the summer to adhere to all provincial guidelines as they change and are adopted.”
More details will be announced by each team as opening day approaches.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Medical investigator rules Baldwin set shooting an accident
The fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin last year was an accident, according to a determination made by New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator following the completion of an autopsy and a review of law enforcement reports. The medical investigator's report was made public Monday by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office along with numerous reports from the FBI on the revolver and ammunition that were collected following the shooting.

Canadians favour metric system despite often using imperial measurements: poll
While many Canadians don’t support moving away from the metric system of measurement, many continue to use imperial measurements in their daily lives, according to a recent online poll.
'We've been abandoned': Man dies in B.C. town waiting for health care near ambulance station
For the second time in less than a month, a resident of Ashcroft, B.C., died while waiting for health care after having a heart attack mere metres from a local ambulance station.
Economists predict a 'mild recession,' but what would that look like in Canada?
With inflation on the rise and central banks poised to increase rates, CTVNews.ca speaks with experts on whether Canada will experience a recession, and if so, what it would look like.
Minister asks Canadians not to fake travel plans to skip passport application lines
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada Karina Gould is discouraging people from making fake travel plans just to skip the line of those waiting for passports.
'I have to fight for myself': Quadriplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down. Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Bryce Dallas Howard says she was paid less than Chris Pratt for 'Jurassic World' films
Actress Bryce Dallas Howard said she was paid 'so much less' than her co-star Chris Pratt for their work in the 'Jurassic World' films.
'This is our land': Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, pipeline opponents rally in Vancouver
Opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline currently under construction in Northern B.C took to the streets of Vancouver Monday, briefly blocking north-bound traffic on the Cambie Street Bridge.
'Nightmare without end': Action needed to address rights abuses against Afghan women and girls, advocate says
The international community needs to step up to hold the Taliban accountable for human rights abuses in Afghanistan, a year after the militant Islamist group took control of the country and limited the rights of women and girls, according to Heather Barr, associate director of the Women's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch.