Pitching, new players going to be key for Bulls in new season

By Lethbridge Herald on May 27, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Bulls pitcher Brett Getz throws in the bullpen at Spitz Stadium on Tuesday during practice sessions ahead of the season opener on Friday.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Bulls open up a new Western Canadian Baseball League season on Friday with a  sense of confidence that they can build off a successful last season and are planning to  build around their strong pitching.

Lethbridge is coming off a season where they set the record for the most  wins in a single season  for the tea with 36 and took powerhouse  Okotoks to a third and deciding game in their first-round playoff series last summer, which is a something they feel they can build on.

“The expectation is to come in knowing that we had a great season last year, a lot of the returning guys know what it takes and I think they’re gonna push the younger guys to  get passed Okotoks or Sylvan Lake,” said Ryan MacDonald, Bulls head coach.

“So we’re right there and I think the pitching staff this year that  we have is going to push us over it.”

MacDonald believes the Bulls strength will come from the pitching staff with the help of the rosters being expanded to 32 players.

 “Being able to carry more arms and more top-level guys, I think that the pitching staff is gonna  be our push over this year,” said MacDonald.

Jack Kalisky spoke about why he thought the pitching was going to be stronger .

“I just know we got a lot more guys and a lotta  guys who are good, and who  can ramp it up there and throw hard and throw strikes ,” said Kalisky.

The Bulls will have a roster with very few returning players and MacDonald thinks the new players can work their way into a roster spot

“Those guys are gonna try to prove something too right and try to earn a roster spot and to  be in the line-up every day,” said MacDonald.

“I like the competition level where guys are trying to pencil themselves in every day. So I think it’s gonna be a breath of fresh air having some new guys in here.”

Catcher Drew Bufford is in first summer with the Bulls.

“Seems like we got some dudes with some pop (and) a lot of contact players,” said Bufford, on how he thinks the Bulls will find success.

Bufford sees the Bulls being good defensively as well.

Bufford is excited to get to talk to  other players in the league that he knows and have a friendly competition.

Kalisky thinks he could take on a leadership role.

“I’m not the loudest or (most) talkative player but I’m gonna try to,” said Kalisky.

The Bulls begin a five -game road trip in Brooks on Friday to start the season.

“It’s just nice to get on the road and get their feet wet and see some other programs around the league and then shake off the cob webs through the first couple,” said MacDonald.