The Bulls are back in town as training camp kicks off
After nearly two years, the Bulls are back.
The Lethbridge Bulls kicked off their training camp Friday in preparation for a shortened 2021 campaign.
The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) may be back, but it’s far from business as usual.
The league will feature an all-Alberta schedule after many teams, including all the squads from Saskatchewan, opted out of the 2021 season.
We’ll also be seeing double the Dawgs as Okotoks will put out two teams this season, thanks to its large academy system.
As if all of that wasn’t already enough, the WCBL will finally be living up to the C in its name – the league will feature only Canadian talent this season.
Issues with crossing the border has made it impossible for any Americans to play in 2021.
While this might not be ideal for first year head coach Chance Wheatley, he says there’s still plenty of talent on the roster.
"Expect still a very high quality of baseball," he told CTV News. "Sometimes the Canadians simply get overlooked because they’re Canadian."
Wheatley also mentioned that you should expect to see a lot of local talent suiting up for the Bulls this season.
"We’re really lucky here in Lethbridge, we’ve got a very deep talent pool. It’s great for the Canadian kids, it’s really good for the kids here and especially in Lethbridge."
One of those local products is Ty Penner.
Penner grew up in Lethbridge and should be a big part of the Bulls plans for this season.
While this isn’t his first season with the Bulls, the first and third baseman notes that it’s going to feel a lot different from his first.
"It’ll definitely be different," he said.
"I played here my first year with the American guys so it’ll be different not having those guys, but we’ve got a lot of good Canadian talent."
While the season may look different, most people are just ready to play ball no matter the circumstances.
Bulls president and GM Kevin Kvame is certainly one of those people.
"It's been a long time coming, I think our total is 680 days that's going to be between Bulls games which seemed impossible to ever fathom but that was the reality of the situation," he said.
Not only will baseball be back at Spitz Stadium, but fans will be making their return also.
The Bulls so far are allowing for 30 per cent capacity, but that could very well increase with the provincial opening plan going into effect this summer.
The team won’t have much time to get prepared for the start of the season either as they play host to the Okotoks Dawgs Black on June 18 at Spitz Stadium.
For more information on the upcoming season, you can visit the Lethbridge Bulls website.
(With files from Quinn Keenan)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.