Bulls open season tonight

By Dale Woodard on June 18, 2021.

Even in a year of pandemic, the last season has been a period of growth for Levi Abbott.

That’s because the right-handed pitcher for the Lethbridge Bulls managed to make it south of border where baseball could be played, taking the mound for the Buffalo-based Canisius College, playing alongside current Bulls teammate Carlin Dick.

“It went really well,” said Abbott. “We finished as the fourth seed and we beat the number one seed in the first game of the tournament and unfortunately lost two straight, so we got eliminated. But we had a really good squad. It was a lot of fun.”

What’s better, the Abbott — who played for the Bulls in his Grade 11 year — got to kick it up a level in the calibre of batters he was facing in Buffalo.

“I’ve only been facing high school hitters my whole life,” he said. “Pitching Grade 11 for the Bulls was eye opening. So getting a full season of pitching to college hitters definitely prepares you for what you’re going to face in the WCBL.”

Now, the local pitcher brings his game back to his side of the border as the Bulls open their Western Canadian Baseball League season tonight against the Okotoks Dawgs Black — one of two Dawgs teams this year that also includes the Dawgs Red — at 7:05 p.m. at Spitz Stadium, finally getting back on the field after the entire 2020 WCBL season was wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s so exciting,” said Abbott,” who didn’t get much of a chance to practise with his new teammates over the past week due to undergoing quarantine after returning from the States.

“I’ve talked about this with my parents and friends, playing for a team where people are paying to see you is a whole different vibe. You have that extra standard you have to meet. Also, pitching in front of friends and family that I’ve know for a long time is an honour and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Abbott comes to the Bulls as only one of four returnees that also includes Ty Wevers, Torrin Vaselenak and Kyle Poapst, who will get the start against the Dawgs tonight.

“I only played here in Grade 11,” said Abbott, “So I can’t believe I’m vet in my freshman year of college. I always like to be the go-to guy in big-time situations. I’m hoping I get those opportunities and represent my home town. It’ll be fun.”

Perhaps it won’t be necessary to throw name tags on this 2021 version of the Bulls, but there are nonetheless a lot of new faces on this year’s all-Canadian team, a roster move necessitated by the border issues caused by COVID.

As the team warmed up for one more practice Thursday morning at Spitz Stadium, Bulls head coach Chance Wheatley noted the building team chemistry over the past week after two exhibition games last weekend against the Vauxhall Academy Jets.

“Especially in the last couple of days its been improving a lot,” said Wheatley.

“Coming in here with four returning players it’s a lot of fresh faces. So a lot of guys don’t know each other. The last few days its come together well. The guys are starting to interact with everyone a lot better.”

With the abundance of new guys, Wheatley said he’ll lean on his returning foursome to help lead this summer.

“So far I’ve been really happy with the returning guys,” he said. “They’ve really stepped up in a leadership role and done a lot of the talking for me. It’s really good when the players lead themselves and it’s not coming from the coaches all the time. I think the returning guys have done a really good job.”

Among the new players on the roster is Victoria’s Ardan Berg, a right handed pitcher who played for the UBC Thunderbirds.

“I’m really excited to be here and have the chance to throw some innings,” said Berg. “We have a lot of good guys and a lot of new faces who haven’t played here before.

“There is a challenge with it because a lot of guys don’t know each other. But a lot of us have played together in high school and for me, there are quite a few UBC guys. So I think the team has bonded well in the first week and we’re starting to get a good team atmosphere.”

Unlike Abbott, Berg and his UBC teammates were shut down by the pandemic.

The right-hander said they were able to play some inter-squad games in the first half of the season before restrictions shut that down, limiting them to live at-bats and indoor workouts.

“Pitchers were able to throw to hitters, so it was a little bit like a game atmosphere, but it wasn’t on the field or anything like a true game scenario.”

Still Berg said he’ll be ready when called upon.

“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I got a bullpen in yesterday and my arm felt great. I’m really excited to get up on the mound in a game scenario.”

In the meantime, Poapst gets the start tonight and Wheatley said the Prairie Baseball Academy grad has earned the opening night rights.

“He’s made some big strides over the last couple of years here and he has earned being the starting, opening day guy,” said Wheatley. “I’m expecting Kyle to go out there, compete his (butt) off and hopefully throw strikes.”

After tonight’s game, the Bulls head to Okotoks to take on the Dawgs Red Sunday at 2:05 p.m. and return to Spitz Stadium Wednesday to face the Dawgs Black.

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