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{{Short description|Collegiate summer baseball league in Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox sports league
{{Infobox sports league
| title = Western Canadian Baseball League
| logo= WMBLlogo.jpg
| caption= Western Major Baseball League logo
| logo = Western Canadian Baseball League logo.png
| caption =
| sport=[[Baseball]]
| sport = [[Baseball]]
| founded=1931
| founded = 1931
| teams=11
| teams = 12
| country={{CAN}}
| country = Canada
| champion=[[Regina Red Sox]] (2011 and 2012)
| headquarters = [[Lethbridge]], Alberta
| most_champs =[[Swift Current Indians (baseball)|Swift Current Indians]]
| champion = [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
| folded=
| most_champs = [[Okotoks Dawgs]] (8 titles)
| website= [http://www.wmbl.ca www.wmbl.ca]
| folded =
| website = {{official URL}}
}}
}}


The '''Western Major Baseball League''' or '''WMBL''' is a [[List of collegiate summer baseball leagues|collegiate summer baseball league]]. The league can trace its roots back to [[1931 in sports|1931]]. The current league evolved from several predecessors including the ''The Southern Baseball League, the Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League'' and ''Saskatchewan Major Baseball League''. The Southern Baseball League existed from 1931-1974. The Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League existed from 1959-1974. The two leagues merged in 1975 to create the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League.<ref>Shury, David W. [http://www.ourroots.ca/page.aspx?id=3598958&amp;qryID=66c05219-01ad-42d6-b2ab-28d10664c541 "Wheat Province Diamonds"]. Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, 1997.</ref> The name was changed to the Western Major Baseball League in 2000 to reflect more teams playing in Alberta, and in the future, British Columbia.
The '''Western Canadian Baseball League''' ('''WCBL''') is a [[collegiate summer baseball]] league. The league is home to teams based in the Canadian Prairie provinces of [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Alberta]], and has roots dating back to 1931 in Saskatchewan's Southern Baseball League. In 1975, the province's southern and northern leagues merged, creating the foundation for the WCBL. Today, the league boasts seven teams in Alberta and five in Saskatchewan.


==History==
The WMBL is a wood bat league along the lines of such American collegiate circuits as the [[Cape Cod League]], the [[New England Collegiate Baseball League]], the [[Coastal Plain League]], the [[Northwoods League]], the [[Horizon Air Summer Series]], the Pacific International League and the [[West Coast League]].
[[File:WMBLlogo.jpg|thumb|Logo of the Western Major Baseball League.]]
The league can trace its roots back to 1931, via its predecessors, the Southern Baseball League (1931 to 1974) and the Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League (1959 to 1974). The Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (SMBL) was formed in 1975 through a merger of the Southern and Northern leagues. Three teams from each former league entered the new loop—the Eston Ramblers, Saskatoon Royals, and Unity Cardinals from the north, and the Moose Jaw Devons, Regina Red Sox, and Swift Current Indians from the south.<ref>{{cite web |title=Western Canada Baseball 1975 |url=http://www.attheplate.com/wcbl/1975_1.html |website=attheplate.com |access-date=February 23, 2012}}</ref><ref name="ourroots1997">{{cite book |last1=Hack |first1=Paul |last2=Shury |first2=David William |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kPLHPAAACAAJ |title=Wheat Province Diamonds: a Story of Saskatchewan Baseball |author3=Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame |date=1997 |publisher=Saskatchewan Baseball Association |location=Regina |isbn=9780968196502}}</ref>


The league was renamed the Western Major Baseball League in 2000 to reflect teams based in Alberta, along with the possibility of future expansion to [[British Columbia]]. In June 2018, it was announced that the league would be renamed the Western Canadian Baseball League.<ref>{{cite web |title=New for 2019: WCBL |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2018/07/25/new-for-2019-wcbl/ |website=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |access-date=July 26, 2018 |date=July 25, 2018}}</ref>
==Member teams==


The 2020 season was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Canada|COVID-19 pandemic]]. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and logistics, the 2021 season was played with only five Alberta-based teams and Canadian players only.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Regina Red Sox scrub 2021 season due to COVID-19 |url=https://www.ckom.com/2021/03/25/red-sox-scrub-2021-season-due-to-covid-19/ |date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=2022-05-30 |work=[[CKOM]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Saskatchewan teams opt out of 2021 Western Canadian Baseball League season |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/baseball/saskatchewan-teams-opt-out-of-2021-western-canadian-baseball-league-season |date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=2022-05-30 |newspaper=[[Regina Leader-Post]] |language=en-CA}}</ref>
2012 WMBL Membership consisted of 11 teams, in three division play. The top three teams in both the East and West divisions qualified for the post-season, along with the top two teams from the Central Division.


==Teams==
{|class="wikitable"
{{As of|2024}}, WCBL membership consists of 12 teams in two divisions. The West Division is made up of six Albertan teams, while the East Division is made up of all five teams from Saskatchewan, plus the easternmost Albertan team from Medicine Hat. The top four teams in each division qualify for the post-season.
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
{{OSM Location map
| '''Team''' || '''Centre''' || '''2012 Record''' || '''Finish'''
| float=right
|- align="center" bgcolor="#cccccc"
| nolabels = 1
| '''East Division''' || || ||
| coord = {{coord|53.570629|-110.001129}}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| zoom = 5
| [[Melville Millionaires (baseball)|Melville Millionaires]] || [[Melville, Saskatchewan]] || 24-22 || 2nd
| width = 475
|- align="center"
| height = 450
| [[Regina Red Sox]] || [[Regina, Saskatchewan]] || 34-12 || 1st
| caption =
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| mark1 = Green pog.svg
| [[Weyburn Beavers]] || [[Weyburn]], [[Saskatchewan]] || 19-25 || 3rd
| label1 = Berries
|- align="center"
| mark-coord1 = {{coord|52.111381|-106.696413}}
| [[Yorkton Cardinals]] || [[Yorkton]], [[Saskatchewan]] || 14-32 || 4th
| label-pos1 = right
|- align="center" bgcolor="#cccccc"
| label-color1 = black
| '''Central Division''' || || ||
| mark2 = Green pog.svg
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| label2 = Red Sox
| [[Moose Jaw Miller Express]] || [[Moose Jaw]], [[Saskatchewan]] || 21-25 || 2nd
| mark-coord2 = {{coord|50.487786|-104.596526}}
|- align="center"
| label-pos2 = top
| [[Saskatoon Yellow Jackets]] || [[Saskatoon]], [[Saskatchewan]] || 20-26 || 3rd
| label-color2 = black
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| mark3 = Green pog.svg
| [[Swift Current Indians (baseball)|Swift Current Indians]] || [[Swift Current]], [[Saskatchewan]] || 28-18 || 1st
| label3 = Miller Express
|- align="center" bgcolor="#cccccc"
| mark-coord3 = {{coord|50.397373|-105.527216}}
| '''West Division''' || || ||
| label-pos3 = bottom
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| label-color3 = black
| [[Edmonton Prospects]] || [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] || 6-38 || 4th
| mark4 = Green pog.svg
|- align="center"
| label4 = 57's
| [[Lethbridge Bulls]] || [[Lethbridge]], [[Alberta]] || 27-18 || 2nd
| mark-coord4 = {{coord|50.290127|-107.772810}}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| label-pos4 = bottom
| [[Medicine Hat Mavericks]] || [[Medicine Hat]], [[Alberta]] || 31-15 || 1st
| label-color4 = black
|- align="center"
| mark5 = Green pog.svg
| [[Okotoks Dawgs]] || [[Okotoks, Alberta]] || 26-19 || 3rd
| label5 = Beavers
| mark-coord5 = {{coord|49.667660|-103.861806}}
| label-pos5 = right
| label-color5 = black
| mark6 = Green pog.svg
| label6 = Mavericks
| mark-coord6 = {{coord|50.045092|-110.666174}}
| label-pos6 = bottom
| label-color6 = black
| mark7 = Blue pog.svg
| label7 = Giants
| mark-coord7 = {{coord|56.735865|-111.387090}}
| label-pos7 = bottom
| label-color7 = black
| mark8 = Blue pog.svg
| label8 = Bombers
| mark-coord8 = {{coord|50.560357|-111.861783}}
| label-pos8 = right
| label-color8 = black
| mark9 = Blue pog.svg
| label9 = Prospects
| mark-coord9 = {{coord|53.557222|-113.305750}}
| label-pos9 = top
| label-color9 = black
| mark10 = Blue pog.svg
| label10 = Bulls
| mark-coord10 = {{coord|49.690262|-112.805031}}
| label-pos10 = bottom
| label-color10 = black
| mark11 = Blue pog.svg
| label11 = Dawgs
| mark-coord11 = {{coord|50.718786|-113.947405}}
| label-pos11 = left
| label-color11 = black
| mark12 = Blue pog.svg
| label12 = Gulls
| mark-coord12 = {{coord|52.286173|-114.128215}}
| label-pos12 = right
| label-color12 = black
}}


=== Current teams ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Division
!Team
!City
!Stadium
!Founded
!Seating<br />capacity
!2024 record
!Finish
|-
! rowspan="6" | West
| '''[[Brooks Bombers]]'''
| [[Brooks, Alberta]]
| [[Elks Stadium (Brooks)|Elks Stadium]]
|2015
| style="text-align:center;" | 681
| style="text-align:center;" | 20–36
| style="text-align:center;" | 4th
|-
| '''[[Edmonton Prospects]]'''
| [[Sherwood Park|Sherwood Park, Alberta]]
| Centennial Field
|2005
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" | 12-44
| style="text-align:center;" | 6th
|-
| '''[[Fort McMurray Giants]]'''
| [[Fort McMurray|Fort McMurray, Alberta]]
| [[Shell Place|Legacy Dodge Field]]
|2016
| style="text-align:center;" | 1,725
| style="text-align:center;" | 20–36
| style="text-align:center;" | 5th
|-
| '''[[Lethbridge Bulls]]'''
| [[Lethbridge|Lethbridge, Alberta]]
| [[Spitz Stadium]]
|1999
| style="text-align:center;" | 3,000
| style="text-align:center;" | 36-20
| style="text-align:center;" | 3rd
|-
| '''[[Okotoks Dawgs]]'''
| [[Okotoks|Okotoks, Alberta]]
| [[Seaman Stadium]]
|2003
| style="text-align:center;" | 2,500
| style="text-align:center;" | 42-14
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
|-
| '''[[Sylvan Lake Gulls]]'''
| [[Sylvan Lake, Alberta]]
| [[Pogadl Park]]
|2021
| style="text-align:center;" | 1,384
| style="text-align:center;" | 44-12
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
|-
! rowspan="6" "border:5px ridge red;" | East
| '''[[Medicine Hat Mavericks]]'''
| [[Medicine Hat|Medicine Hat, Alberta]]
| [[Athletic Park (Medicine Hat)|Athletic Park]]
|2003
| style="text-align:center;" | 2,200
| style="text-align:center;" | 33-23
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
|-
| '''[[Moose Jaw Miller Express]]'''
| [[Moose Jaw|Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan]]
| Ross Wells Ball Park
|2002
| style="text-align:center;" | 750
| style="text-align:center;" | 26-30
| style="text-align:center;" | 4th
|-
| '''[[Regina Red Sox]]'''
| [[Regina, Saskatchewan]]
| Currie Field
|1946
| style="text-align:center;" | 2,000
| style="text-align:center;" | 38-18
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
|-
| '''[[Saskatoon Berries (baseball)|Saskatoon Berries]]'''
| [[Saskatoon |Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]]
| [[Cairns Field]]
|2023
| style="text-align:center;" | 2,200
| style="text-align:center;" | 31–25
| style="text-align:center;" | 3rd
|-
| '''[[Swift Current 57's]]'''
| [[Swift Current|Swift Current, Saskatchewan]]
| Mitchell Field
|1959
| style="text-align:center;" | 550
| style="text-align:center;" | 16-40
| style="text-align:center;" | 6th
|-
| '''[[Weyburn Beavers]]'''
| [[Weyburn|Weyburn, Saskatchewan]]
| [[Pogadl Park]]
|—
| style="text-align:center;" | 600
| style="text-align:center;" | 17-39
| style="text-align:center;" | 5th
|}
|}


==Former Teams==
=== Former teams ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Team
!City
!Final year
|-
|Eston Ramblers
|[[Eston, Saskatchewan]]
|1993
|-
|Hazlet Elks
|[[Hazlet, Saskatchewan]]
|1993
|-
|Kindersley Royals
|[[Kindersley]], Saskatchewan
|
|-
|Melville Millionaires
|[[Melville, Saskatchewan]]
|2021
|-
|Moose Jaw Devons
|[[Moose Jaw]], Saskatchewan
|
|-
|Oyen Pronghorns
|[[Oyen]], Alberta
|
|-
|Red Deer Generals
|[[Red Deer, Alberta]]
|2005
|-
|Saskatoon Liners
|Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
|1984
|-
|Saskatoon Nationals
|Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
|
|-
|Saskatoon Yellow Jackets
|[[Saskatoon]], Saskatchewan
|2014
|-
|Sherwood Park Dukes
|[[Sherwood Park]], Alberta
|2008
|-
|Unity Cardinals
|[[Unity, Saskatchewan]]
|
|-
|Yorkton Cardinals
|[[Yorkton]], Saskatchewan
|2021
|}


=== Expansion ===
Former teams include the Sherwood Park Dukes (2008), St. Albert Prospects (2007), Red Deer Generals (2005), Moose Jaw Devons, Oyen Pronghorns, Kindersley Royals, Eston Ramblers (1993), Saskatoon Liners, Saskatoon Nationals, [[Hazlet, Saskatchewan#Baseball|Hazlet Elks (1993)]], and Unity Cardinals.
[[Cranbrook, British Columbia]], was granted an expansion team, the Eds, in 2011 conditional on building a new stadium.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Eds' Proposed New Home |url=https://ballparkbiz.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/the-eds-proposed-new-home/ |website=Ballpark Business (ballparkbiz.com) |publisher=Alan D. Poff |access-date=July 30, 2018 |date=February 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Reichard |first1=Kevin |title=New ballpark pitched for Cranbrook |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/201102093540/college-baseball/news/new-ballpark-pitched-for-cranbrook |website=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |access-date=July 30, 2018 |date=February 9, 2011}}</ref> However, the plans failed to come to fruition.


In May 2020, the Edmonton Prospects confirmed that the team would be leaving Edmonton for [[Spruce Grove]] by 2022,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moddejonge |first1=Gerry |title=Edmonton Prospects heading west to Spruce Grove after losing lease on ball park |url=https://edmontonsun.com/sports/baseball/edmonton-prospects-heading-west-to-spruce-grove-after-losing-lease-on-ballpark |access-date=August 23, 2020 |work=[[Edmonton Sun]] |date=May 23, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> but due to construction delays at [[Myshak Metro Ballpark]], those plans have been pushed back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/2022-is-just-not-possible-edmonton-prospects-new-ball-field-delayed-1.5659920|title='2022 is just not possible': Edmonton Prospects' new ball field delayed|date=November 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=No 2023 season for Edmonton Prospects {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9262354/no-2023-season-edmonton-prospects/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Global News |language=en-CA}}</ref>
==Expansion==


The two most recent additions to the league are in Sylvan Lake and Saskatoon. Plans for a 2021 launch of the Sylvan Lake team were announced November 1, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 November 2019 |title=Sylvan Lake WCBL Team to Launch in 2021 |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/11/01/sylvan-lake-wcbl-team-to-launch-in-2021/ |access-date=16 March 2020 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications}}</ref> Branding as the Sylvan Lake Gulls was announced in March 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spedden |first1=Zach |date=16 March 2020 |title=New for 2021: Sylvan Lake Gulls |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2020/03/16/new-for-2021-sylvan-lake-gulls/ |access-date=16 March 2020 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications}}</ref> Saskatoon was awarded the most recent expansion team, in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Western Canada Baseball League is back: New franchise lands in Saskatoon for 2024 |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/sports/baseball/the-western-canada-baseball-league-is-back-new-franchise-lands-in-saskatoon-for-2024 |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=thestarphoenix |language=en-CA}}</ref> In July 2023, the team unveiled that it would be called the [[Saskatoon Berries (baseball)|Saskatoon Berries]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=2023-07-14 |title=They have a name and a coach; now, the Saskatoon Berries wait for the 2024 baseball season |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/sports/they-have-a-name-and-a-coach-now-the-saskatoon-berries-wait-for-the-2024-baseball-season |access-date=2023-07-18}}</ref>
[[Cranbrook, British Columbia]] was granted an expansion team and will begin play in 2013 provided that the city builds a new stadium.

==Saskatchewan Major Baseball League==

The Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (SMBL) was formed in 1975 as a combination of The Southern Baseball League and North Saskatchewan Baseball League. Three teams from each former league entered the new loop - Eston Ramblers, Saskatoon Royals and Unity Cardinals from the north and Moose Jaw Devons, Regina Red Sox and Swift Current Indians from the south.<ref>Western Canada Baseball "http://www.attheplate.com/wcbl/1975_1.html" Retrieved on 23 February 2012.</ref>


==Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy==
==Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy==
[[File:Harry Hallis Memorial.JPG|thumb|Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy.]]

Saskatchewan Territorial(1895-1905) and Provincial(1906–present) champions have been decided by an annual tournament.<ref>Shury, David W. [http://www.ourroots.ca/page.aspx?id=3598958&amp;qryID=66c05219-01ad-42d6-b2ab-28d10664c541 "Wheat Province Diamonds"]. Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, 1997, pg 372-373.</ref> In 1967 the first major division was added to the tournament,<ref>Western Canada Baseball "http://www.attheplate.com/wcbl/1967_50i.html" Retrieved on 5 March 2012.</ref> and the award was named in memory of Harry Hallis. From 1967 until 1974 the name of this provincial champion was added to the trophy. In 1975 when the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League was formed, this trophy continued to be awarded to the SMBL champions, and now the WMBL champions.
Saskatchewan Territorial (1895–1905) and Provincial (1906–present) champions have been decided by an annual tournament.<ref name="ourroots1997" /> In 1967 the first major division was added to the tournament,<ref>{{cite web |title=1967 Southern League Game Reports |url=http://www.attheplate.com/wcbl/1967_50i.html |website=attheplate.com |access-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref> and the award was named in memory of Harry Hallis. From 1967 until 1974 the name of this provincial champion was added to the trophy. In 1975, when the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League was formed, this trophy continued to be awarded to the SMBL champions, and now the WCBL champions.


==League champions==
==League champions==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
'''Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) Champions: (Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy)'''
* 2024: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
* 2023: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
* 2022: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
* 2021: [[Lethbridge Bulls]]{{efn|Shortened season. Some teams did not compete.}}
* 2020: Season cancelled due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
* 2019: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]


[[File:Harry Hallis Memorial.JPG|thumb|Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy]]
'''Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) Champions: (Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy)'''
'''Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) Champions: (Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy)'''
*2012: [[Regina Red Sox]]
* 2018: [[Medicine Hat Mavericks]]
*2011: [[Regina Red Sox]]
* 2017: [[Swift Current 57's]]
*2010: [[Swift Current Indians (baseball)|Swift Current Indians]]
* 2016: [[Swift Current 57's|Swift Current Indians]]
*2009: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
* 2015: [[Lethbridge Bulls]]
*2008: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
* 2014: [[Medicine Hat Mavericks]]
* 2013: [[Melville Millionaires (baseball)|Melville Millionaires]]
*2007: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
* 2012: [[Regina Red Sox]]
*2006: [[Swift Current Indians (baseball)|Swift Current Indians]]
* 2011: [[Regina Red Sox]]
*2005: [[Swift Current Indians (baseball)|Swift Current Indians]]
* 2010: [[Swift Current 57's|Swift Current Indians]]
*2004: [[Calgary Dawgs]]
*2003: [[Medicine Hat Mavericks]]
* 2009: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
* 2008: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
*2002: [[Melville Millionaires (baseball)|Melville Millionaires]]/[[Moose Jaw Miller Express]] (shared)
* 2007: [[Okotoks Dawgs]]
*2001: [[Swift Current Indians (baseball)|Swift Current Indians]]
* 2006: [[Swift Current 57's|Swift Current Indians]]
* 2005: [[Swift Current 57's|Swift Current Indians]]
* 2004: [[Okotoks Dawgs|Calgary Dawgs]]
* 2003: [[Medicine Hat Mavericks]]
* 2002: [[Moose Jaw Miller Express]]
* 2001: [[Swift Current 57's|Swift Current Indians]]


[[File:Saskatchewan Major Baseball League Logo.jpg|thumb|SMBL Logo]]
'''Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (SMBL) Champions:'''

'''Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (SMBL) Champions: (Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy)'''
*2000: Swift Current Indians
* 2000: Swift Current Indians
*1999: Moose Jaw Miller Express
* 1999: Moose Jaw Miller Express
*1998: Swift Current Indians
* 1998: Swift Current Indians
*1997: Swift Current Indians
* 1997: Swift Current Indians
*1996: Swift Current Indians
* 1996: Swift Current Indians
*1995: Oyen Pronghorns
* 1995: Oyen Pronghorns
*1994: Swift Current Indians
* 1994: Swift Current Indians
*1993: Eston Ramblers
* 1993: Eston Ramblers
*1992: Swift Current Indians
* 1992: Swift Current Indians
*1991: Kindersley Royals
* 1991: Kindersley Royals
*1990: Kindersley Royals
* 1990: Kindersley Royals
*1989: [[Hazlet, Saskatchewan|Hazlet Elks]]
* 1989: [[Hazlet, Saskatchewan|Hazlet Elks]]
*1988: [[Hazlet, Saskatchewan|Hazlet Elks]]
* 1988: [[Hazlet, Saskatchewan|Hazlet Elks]]
*1987: [[Hazlet, Saskatchewan|Hazlet Elks]]
* 1987: [[Hazlet, Saskatchewan|Hazlet Elks]]
*1986: Eston Ramblers
* 1986: Eston Ramblers
*1985: Kindersley Royals
* 1985: Kindersley Royals
*1984: Kindersley Royals
* 1984: Kindersley Royals
*1983: Eston Ramblers
* 1983: Eston Ramblers
*1982: Eston Ramblers
* 1982: Eston Ramblers
*1981: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
* 1981: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
*1980: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
* 1980: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
*1979: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
* 1979: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
*1978: Eston Ramblers
* 1978: Eston Ramblers
*1977: Regina Red Sox
* 1977: Regina Red Sox
*1976: Regina Red Sox
* 1976: Regina Red Sox
*1975: Eston Ramblers
* 1975: Eston Ramblers


'''Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League Champions:'''
'''Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League Champions:'''

*1974: Saskatoon Royals
*1973: Saskatoon Commodores
* 1974: Saskatoon Royals
* 1973: Saskatoon Commodores
*1972: North Battleford Beavers
*1971: North Battleford Beavers
* 1972: North Battleford Beavers
* 1971: North Battleford Beavers
*1970: Unity Cardinals
* 1970: Unity Cardinals
*1969: North Battleford Beavers
*1968: North Battleford Beavers
* 1969: North Battleford Beavers
* 1968: North Battleford Beavers
*1967: Unity Cardinals
*1966: Unity Cardinals
* 1967: Unity Cardinals
* 1966: Unity Cardinals
*1965: North Battleford Beavers
*1964: North Battleford Beavers
* 1965: North Battleford Beavers
*1963: North Battleford Beavers
* 1964: North Battleford Beavers
*1962: North Battleford Beavers
* 1963: North Battleford Beavers
* 1962: North Battleford Beavers
*1961: Neilburg Monarchs
* 1961: Neilburg Monarchs
*1960: Kindersley Klippers
* 1960: Kindersley Klippers
*1959: Spruce Home<ref>Shury, David W. [http://www.ourroots.ca/page.aspx?id=3598958&amp;qryID=66c05219-01ad-42d6-b2ab-28d10664c541 "Wheat Province Diamonds"]. Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, 1997.</ref>
* 1959: Spruce Home<ref name="ourroots1997"/>


'''The Southern Baseball League (SBL) Champions: (J.T.M. Anderson Trophy)'''
'''The Southern Baseball League (SBL) Champions: (J.T.M. Anderson Trophy)'''

*1974: Moose Jaw Devons
*1973: Moose Jaw Devons
* 1974: Moose Jaw Devons
* 1973: Moose Jaw Devons
*1972: Swift Current Indians
* 1972: Swift Current Indians
*1971: Moose Jaw Regals
*1970: Moose Jaw Regals
* 1971: Moose Jaw Regals
* 1970: Moose Jaw Regals
*1969: Regina Red Sox
* 1969: Regina Red Sox
*1968: Moose Jaw Regals
* 1968: Moose Jaw Regals
*1967: Yorkton Cardinals
* 1967: Yorkton Cardinals
*1966: Moose Jaw Regals
* 1966: Moose Jaw Regals
*1965: Swift Current Indians
* 1965: Swift Current Indians
*1964: Regina Red Sox
* 1964: Regina Red Sox
*1963: Swift Current Indians
* 1963: Swift Current Indians
*1962: Moose Jaw Steelers
*1961: Moose Jaw Steelers
* 1962: Moose Jaw Steelers
* 1961: Moose Jaw Steelers
*1960: Regina Red Sox
* 1960: Regina Red Sox
*1959: Swift Current Indians
* 1959: Swift Current Indians
*1958: Southey Red Sox
*1957: Southey Red Sox
* 1958: Southey Red Sox
* 1957: Southey Red Sox
*1956: Estevan Maple Leafs
* 1956: Estevan Maple Leafs
*1955: Regina Red Sox
* 1955: Regina Red Sox
*1954: Moose Jaw Lakers
* 1954: Moose Jaw Lakers
*1953: Regina Red Sox
*1952: Regina Royal Caps
* 1953: Regina Red Sox
* 1952: Regina Royal Caps
*1951: Weyburn Beavers
* 1951: Weyburn Beavers
*1950: Estevan Maple Leafs
* 1950: Estevan Maple Leafs
*1949: Moose Jaw Canucks
* 1949: Moose Jaw Canucks
*1948: Weyburn Beavers
*1947: Weyburn Beavers
* 1948: Weyburn Beavers
* 1947: Weyburn Beavers
*1946: Regina Clippers
* 1946: Regina Clippers
*1945: Weyburn Beavers
* 1945: Weyburn Beavers
*1944: Regina Royal Caps
* 1944: Regina Royal Caps
*1943: (No Champion-World War II)
* 1943: (No champion—World War II)
*1942: Regina Red Sox
* 1942: Regina Red Sox
*1941: Weyburn Beavers
*1940: Weyburn Beavers
* 1941: Weyburn Beavers
* 1940: Weyburn Beavers
*1939: (No champion-World War II)
* 1939: (No champion—World War II)
*1938: Broadview Buffalos
* 1938: Broadview Buffalos
*1937: Weyburn Beavers
* 1937: Weyburn Beavers
*1936: Regina Nationals
*1935: Regina Nationals
* 1936: Regina Nationals
*1934: Regina Nationals
* 1935: Regina Nationals
*1933: Regina Nationals
* 1934: Regina Nationals
*1932: Regina Nationals
* 1933: Regina Nationals
* 1932: Regina Nationals
*1931: Moose Jaw Canucks<ref>Shury, David W. [http://www.ourroots.ca/page.aspx?id=3598958&amp;qryID=66c05219-01ad-42d6-b2ab-28d10664c541 "Wheat Province Diamonds"]. Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, 1997.</ref>
* 1931: Moose Jaw Canucks<ref name="ourroots1997"/>
{{div col end}}

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Championships (WCBL/WMBL)
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cccc;"
! scope=col | Team !! scope=col | Wins !! scope=col | Seasons
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Okotoks Dawgs]] || 8 || 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Swift Current 57's]] || 6 || 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2016, 2017
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Medicine Hat Mavericks]] || 3 || 2003, 2014, 2018
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Lethbridge Bulls]] || 2 || 2015, 2021
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Regina Red Sox]] || 2 || 2011, 2012
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Moose Jaw Miller Express]] || 1 || 2002
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Melville Millionaires (baseball)|Melville Millionaires]] || 1 || 2013
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 184: Line 433:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.wmbl.ca/ WMBL official website]
* {{Official website}}


{{College Summer Baseball}}
{{College Summer Baseball}}
Line 191: Line 440:
[[Category:Sport in Western Canada]]
[[Category:Sport in Western Canada]]
[[Category:Baseball leagues in Canada]]
[[Category:Baseball leagues in Canada]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1931]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Alberta]]
[[Category:Sport in Lethbridge]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in Alberta]]

Latest revision as of 23:16, 10 December 2024

Western Canadian Baseball League
SportBaseball
Founded1931
No. of teams12
CountryCanada
HeadquartersLethbridge, Alberta
Most recent
champion(s)		Okotoks Dawgs
Most titlesOkotoks Dawgs (8 titles)
Official websitewesterncanadianbaseballleague.ca Edit this at Wikidata

The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) is a collegiate summer baseball league. The league is home to teams based in the Canadian Prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and has roots dating back to 1931 in Saskatchewan's Southern Baseball League. In 1975, the province's southern and northern leagues merged, creating the foundation for the WCBL. Today, the league boasts seven teams in Alberta and five in Saskatchewan.

History

[edit]
Logo of the Western Major Baseball League.

The league can trace its roots back to 1931, via its predecessors, the Southern Baseball League (1931 to 1974) and the Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League (1959 to 1974). The Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (SMBL) was formed in 1975 through a merger of the Southern and Northern leagues. Three teams from each former league entered the new loop—the Eston Ramblers, Saskatoon Royals, and Unity Cardinals from the north, and the Moose Jaw Devons, Regina Red Sox, and Swift Current Indians from the south.[1][2]

The league was renamed the Western Major Baseball League in 2000 to reflect teams based in Alberta, along with the possibility of future expansion to British Columbia. In June 2018, it was announced that the league would be renamed the Western Canadian Baseball League.[3]

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and logistics, the 2021 season was played with only five Alberta-based teams and Canadian players only.[4][5]

Teams

[edit]

As of 2024, WCBL membership consists of 12 teams in two divisions. The West Division is made up of six Albertan teams, while the East Division is made up of all five teams from Saskatchewan, plus the easternmost Albertan team from Medicine Hat. The top four teams in each division qualify for the post-season.

Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
200km
125miles
Gulls
Dawgs
Bulls
Prospects
Bombers
Giants
Mavericks
Beavers
57's
Miller Express
Red Sox
.
Berries

Current teams

[edit]
Division Team City Stadium Founded Seating
capacity 		2024 record Finish
West Brooks Bombers Brooks, Alberta Elks Stadium 2015 681 20–36 4th
Edmonton Prospects Sherwood Park, Alberta Centennial Field 2005 12-44 6th
Fort McMurray Giants Fort McMurray, Alberta Legacy Dodge Field 2016 1,725 20–36 5th
Lethbridge Bulls Lethbridge, Alberta Spitz Stadium 1999 3,000 36-20 3rd
Okotoks Dawgs Okotoks, Alberta Seaman Stadium 2003 2,500 42-14 2nd
Sylvan Lake Gulls Sylvan Lake, Alberta Pogadl Park 2021 1,384 44-12 1st
East Medicine Hat Mavericks Medicine Hat, Alberta Athletic Park 2003 2,200 33-23 2nd
Moose Jaw Miller Express Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Ross Wells Ball Park 2002 750 26-30 4th
Regina Red Sox Regina, Saskatchewan Currie Field 1946 2,000 38-18 1st
Saskatoon Berries Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Cairns Field 2023 2,200 31–25 3rd
Swift Current 57's Swift Current, Saskatchewan Mitchell Field 1959 550 16-40 6th
Weyburn Beavers Weyburn, Saskatchewan Pogadl Park — 600 17-39 5th

Former teams

[edit]
Team City Final year
Eston Ramblers Eston, Saskatchewan 1993
Hazlet Elks Hazlet, Saskatchewan 1993
Kindersley Royals Kindersley, Saskatchewan
Melville Millionaires Melville, Saskatchewan 2021
Moose Jaw Devons Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Oyen Pronghorns Oyen, Alberta
Red Deer Generals Red Deer, Alberta 2005
Saskatoon Liners Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 1984
Saskatoon Nationals Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Yellow Jackets Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 2014
Sherwood Park Dukes Sherwood Park, Alberta 2008
Unity Cardinals Unity, Saskatchewan
Yorkton Cardinals Yorkton, Saskatchewan 2021

Expansion

[edit]

Cranbrook, British Columbia, was granted an expansion team, the Eds, in 2011 conditional on building a new stadium.[6][7] However, the plans failed to come to fruition.

In May 2020, the Edmonton Prospects confirmed that the team would be leaving Edmonton for Spruce Grove by 2022,[8] but due to construction delays at Myshak Metro Ballpark, those plans have been pushed back.[9][10]

The two most recent additions to the league are in Sylvan Lake and Saskatoon. Plans for a 2021 launch of the Sylvan Lake team were announced November 1, 2019.[11] Branding as the Sylvan Lake Gulls was announced in March 2020.[12] Saskatoon was awarded the most recent expansion team, in 2023.[13] In July 2023, the team unveiled that it would be called the Saskatoon Berries.[14]

Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy

[edit]
Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy.

Saskatchewan Territorial (1895–1905) and Provincial (1906–present) champions have been decided by an annual tournament.[2] In 1967 the first major division was added to the tournament,[15] and the award was named in memory of Harry Hallis. From 1967 until 1974 the name of this provincial champion was added to the trophy. In 1975, when the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League was formed, this trophy continued to be awarded to the SMBL champions, and now the WCBL champions.

League champions

[edit]

Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) Champions: (Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy)

Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) Champions: (Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy)

Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (SMBL) Champions:

  • 2000: Swift Current Indians
  • 1999: Moose Jaw Miller Express
  • 1998: Swift Current Indians
  • 1997: Swift Current Indians
  • 1996: Swift Current Indians
  • 1995: Oyen Pronghorns
  • 1994: Swift Current Indians
  • 1993: Eston Ramblers
  • 1992: Swift Current Indians
  • 1991: Kindersley Royals
  • 1990: Kindersley Royals
  • 1989: Hazlet Elks
  • 1988: Hazlet Elks
  • 1987: Hazlet Elks
  • 1986: Eston Ramblers
  • 1985: Kindersley Royals
  • 1984: Kindersley Royals
  • 1983: Eston Ramblers
  • 1982: Eston Ramblers
  • 1981: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
  • 1980: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
  • 1979: Saskatoon Patrick-Liners
  • 1978: Eston Ramblers
  • 1977: Regina Red Sox
  • 1976: Regina Red Sox
  • 1975: Eston Ramblers

Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League Champions:

  • 1974: Saskatoon Royals
  • 1973: Saskatoon Commodores
  • 1972: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1971: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1970: Unity Cardinals
  • 1969: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1968: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1967: Unity Cardinals
  • 1966: Unity Cardinals
  • 1965: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1964: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1963: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1962: North Battleford Beavers
  • 1961: Neilburg Monarchs
  • 1960: Kindersley Klippers
  • 1959: Spruce Home[2]

The Southern Baseball League (SBL) Champions: (J.T.M. Anderson Trophy)

  • 1974: Moose Jaw Devons
  • 1973: Moose Jaw Devons
  • 1972: Swift Current Indians
  • 1971: Moose Jaw Regals
  • 1970: Moose Jaw Regals
  • 1969: Regina Red Sox
  • 1968: Moose Jaw Regals
  • 1967: Yorkton Cardinals
  • 1966: Moose Jaw Regals
  • 1965: Swift Current Indians
  • 1964: Regina Red Sox
  • 1963: Swift Current Indians
  • 1962: Moose Jaw Steelers
  • 1961: Moose Jaw Steelers
  • 1960: Regina Red Sox
  • 1959: Swift Current Indians
  • 1958: Southey Red Sox
  • 1957: Southey Red Sox
  • 1956: Estevan Maple Leafs
  • 1955: Regina Red Sox
  • 1954: Moose Jaw Lakers
  • 1953: Regina Red Sox
  • 1952: Regina Royal Caps
  • 1951: Weyburn Beavers
  • 1950: Estevan Maple Leafs
  • 1949: Moose Jaw Canucks
  • 1948: Weyburn Beavers
  • 1947: Weyburn Beavers
  • 1946: Regina Clippers
  • 1945: Weyburn Beavers
  • 1944: Regina Royal Caps
  • 1943: (No champion—World War II)
  • 1942: Regina Red Sox
  • 1941: Weyburn Beavers
  • 1940: Weyburn Beavers
  • 1939: (No champion—World War II)
  • 1938: Broadview Buffalos
  • 1937: Weyburn Beavers
  • 1936: Regina Nationals
  • 1935: Regina Nationals
  • 1934: Regina Nationals
  • 1933: Regina Nationals
  • 1932: Regina Nationals
  • 1931: Moose Jaw Canucks[2]
Championships (WCBL/WMBL)
Team Wins Seasons
Okotoks Dawgs 8 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
Swift Current 57's 6 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2016, 2017
Medicine Hat Mavericks 3 2003, 2014, 2018
Lethbridge Bulls 2 2015, 2021
Regina Red Sox 2 2011, 2012
Moose Jaw Miller Express 1 2002
Melville Millionaires 1 2013

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Shortened season. Some teams did not compete.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Western Canada Baseball 1975". attheplate.com. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d Hack, Paul; Shury, David William; Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (1997). Wheat Province Diamonds: a Story of Saskatchewan Baseball. Regina: Saskatchewan Baseball Association. ISBN 9780968196502.
  3. ^ "New for 2019: WCBL". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "Regina Red Sox scrub 2021 season due to COVID-19". CKOM. March 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  5. ^ "Saskatchewan teams opt out of 2021 Western Canadian Baseball League season". Regina Leader-Post. March 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Eds' Proposed New Home". Ballpark Business (ballparkbiz.com). Alan D. Poff. February 10, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  7. ^ Reichard, Kevin (February 9, 2011). "New ballpark pitched for Cranbrook". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  8. ^ Moddejonge, Gerry (May 23, 2020). "Edmonton Prospects heading west to Spruce Grove after losing lease on ball park". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  9. ^ "'2022 is just not possible': Edmonton Prospects' new ball field delayed". November 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "No 2023 season for Edmonton Prospects | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  11. ^ "Sylvan Lake WCBL Team to Launch in 2021". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. November 1, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  12. ^ Spedden, Zach (March 16, 2020). "New for 2021: Sylvan Lake Gulls". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  13. ^ "The Western Canada Baseball League is back: New franchise lands in Saskatoon for 2024". thestarphoenix. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (July 14, 2023). "They have a name and a coach; now, the Saskatoon Berries wait for the 2024 baseball season". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "1967 Southern League Game Reports". attheplate.com. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
[edit]
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