The season for the Lac La Biche Dodgers baseball and softball teams wrapped up on Tuesday, June 25 with an appreciation barbeque for players, coaches, families and fans that took place at the gazebo next to the Bold Centre ball diamonds from 5-8 p.m.
A large group enjoyed barbequed hot dogs, hamburgers, salad, as well as a cake that was decorated in white and blue icing to symbolize the colours worn by the Dodgers. The season wrap-up also included friendly games that took place at the ball diamonds between young players and parents.
Candace Walgren, the president of the Lac La Biche Minor Ball Association, stated that this year’s baseball and softball season was a huge success.
“All teams did very well this season … we’re very proud of all our players,” she told Lakeland This Week. “Our teams are right on par with the rest of the teams in the Lakeland.”
According to Walgren, there were about 155 kids playing ball on Dodgers teams this year from the U9 to U18 levels. She added that the numbers have been increasing slightly over the past few years.
A new addition to the local minor ball scene for the 2024 season is the under-15 double-A baseball team. And while the season is now officially over for most baseball and softball players, double-A baseball will continue through the summer. Also playing a little later into the summer are the U13 Dodgers, who are heading to provincials in July.
“The association also plans to send a few teams to do “Fall ball,” which will wrap up at the end of September,” Walgren said.
Looking ahead to next year’s season, Walgren says the Lac La Biche Minor Ball Association plans to bring more of the sport to the region, with hopefully another year with full rosters in each division.
As for the year-end barbeque, Walgren says it was a homerun.
“It’s a nice way to get together off the field and enjoy a BBQ together,” she said.