Different experiences helped shape Bulls’ Abbott as a player

By Lethbridge Herald on June 18, 2025.

Herald photo by justin Seward Levi Abbott has had valuable experiences in his baseball career.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Local pitcher Levi Abbott is finishing out his baseball career this summer with his hometown Lethbridge Bulls after gaining valuable experiences through his playing career previously with Vauxhall Academy and at university in the States.

Abbott went up through the all the age levels in Lethbridge before going to play in the Vauxhall Academy from Grade 10-12 and it was after that during COVID that he committed to playing for Canisius University in Buffalo, where he finished up this season after five years.

“Vauxhall’s special,” said Abbott.

“Three years of being in a dorm taught you a lot more about how to be an independent kid than baseball. The development there was substantially better than a lot of other places.”

Abbott said college is extremely different than high school.

“It’s another spot where you have to learn to fend for yourself and grow up a little bit and learning the sport was secondary, that was the best part of the day, so yeah it’s been a crazy journey,” said Abbott.

Abbott thought playing at Canisius brought competitiveness.

“It’s a great spot, it’s very competitive,” said Abbott.

“A lot of people look at Power Fours (top college conferences in the States) and they are extremely talented baseball players … So, I thought that was cool. Every year (in) our out-of- conference games, we gotta play some cool schools but we weren’t there just to play cool schools, we wanted to beat those schools.

Abbott experienced coaching turnover in university and it was noticeable with how much the head coach had to do this past season.

“Our head coach had to take on a massive role this year in development,” said Abbott.

“So, a lot of the development this year was individualized, like a lot of guys had to hold each other accountable (and) hold themselves accountable just because our coach couldn’t be in three places at once.”

Canisius allowed for Abbott to see another part of the world.

“Very interesting place,” said Abbott, when referring to Buffalo, New York.

“It’s gotta place in my heart now.”

The opportunity to pitch against Arizona in a regional was a highlight for Abbott.

“I’ve played in different places, but I like the way Lethbridge treats their players,” said Abbott, on his decision to come back this summer to play in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

“It’s my last year playing summer ball, so I thought it’d be a good spot to just hang out at my house and be able to see some friends and play baseball for the Bulls too. We have a legit squad this year, so it’s been fun so far.”

This summer will be Abbott’s second playing season with the Bulls after playing the 2019 season with them and he signed again last season with the club but didn’t play due to injury.

He played in the West Coast League with Victoria in 2022 and 2023.

“I’m trying to just throw as much as I can and just soak it all in,” said Abbott, on this summer’s focus.

“Like pitching, it takes a toll on your arm and my arm hurts. So, I think after this summer I’ll probably be done and maybe give it a break and see if I want to come back to the game later.”