Spitz Canadians Baseball Club: Up to the Date News....

Medicine Hat is next on the docket for the Spitz Canadians. Their fall event is scheduled for Oct 1 and 2. The Canadians play Saturday at 11:00 and 6:45; both at Medicine Hat's premier field, Athletic Park. Sunday's games are 11:45 and 2:30 at Kin Coulee and McCoy High School. Opponents are Calgary Red Birds, Edmonton St. FX, Red Deer Braves and Calgary Cannons. The team will leave for the Hat after practice Friday night from Spitz Stadium.

Congratulations to 3rd year player Justin Sturm of the Canadians who was selected to Team Alberta's 16U Prospects team. The 16U prospect tournament was held in Lethbridge last weekend and showcased some of the province's best 16 year old talent. Sturm and Team Alberta are in Swift Current, Saskatchewan this weekend to play against Manitoba and Saskatchewan in a prospect series. Good luck Justin!

The Spitz Canadians departed Monday afternoon for Denver, Colorado to partake in the 2011 Triple Crown World Series. The tournament features teams from Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Washington, Montana and New Mexico.

The Spitz Canadians finished 4th place in the 2011 Annual Wood Bat Tournament in Belgrade, Montana this past weekend. After going 2-1 in round robin play the team was looking for gold as they stomped the Livingston squad in Sunday's first bracket pool game. They lost however in the semis to the eventual tournament champion Missoula Frontiers. The consolation final was a lopsided affair with the Canadians losing to Gallatin Valley, a team that Lethbridge had beaten the previous day.

Even though the Canadians posted only 1 win in 4 games during the Golden Glove Tournament in Yakima, WA they shouldn't be too disappointed. The club was in each of the 3 losses until about the 4th inning when fatigue seemed to set in. Considering the poor weather has forced the team to practice indoors they played fairly well compared to their southern competition who have enjoyed a more seasonable Spring to prepare for this event. The Canadians' coaches anticipate a great season for 2011. 

Drew Herauf has experience representing Canada.  For two years, the Lethbridge native roamed the outfields around North America playing for the Spitz Canadians.  He enjoyed his time with the club and loves the game of baseball.  Ironically, it was actually watching a Blue Jays game on TV in the summer that led to his latest opportunity, one he calls “a once in a lifetime experience which was really cool!”.  He saw the ad for the chance to be a RBC Torch Relay carrier for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  He applied and the entire family was ecstatic when they received notification he would participate when the torch came through Lethbridge on January 17. 

Drew was a mainstay in the Spitz Canadians outfield.  “Drew brought a strong work ethic to the field each day and was a asset to the club both years he was selected to the club,” commented Canadians Field Manager Kevin Kvame.  Drew felt like he matured over the two years and understands the importance of having clean fun on the road to ensure the team is respected at all times.  The Spitz Canadians played events in Alberta, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Nevada, and California during Drew’s years with the team.  “The players come to understand that when they are the only Canadian team in a tournament, they become by default Team Canada to the other teams,” Kvame said about the team’s reasoning for the importance they place on their reputation each and every day they are together as a team.

Meanwhile, maybe Herauf knows just a bit what Alexandre Bilodeau felt like claiming Canada’s first gold medal ever on home soil.  “We were all so excited for him.  We partied long and hard in Edmonton after that event,” Herauf said with a smile about the exciting Olympic event.  He said his most memorable moment was winning the USSSA Monster Tournament in Riverside, California in an exciting 2-1 final. As the winter continues, Drew says he looks forward to every new day as that means baseball season is getting closer.  He will be trying out in the American Legion program again in 2010 with a chance to be on the Lethbridge Spitz Elks or return to the Lethbridge Spitz Miners.  “I probably wouldn’t have been into sports and the Torch Relay without my experiences in baseball,” Herauf said in reflection about what it has been like to play competitive baseball. The new crop of Spitz Canadians players are starting their journey toward competing at events where they will represent themselves, their families, Lethbridge, Alberta, and also Canada. 

Drew was asked if he had any advice for the upcoming baseball prospects:  “Give it your all!  You will regret it if you don’t.  Most people do not make a career from being a baseball player, but I hope to get my education from being a baseball player.  I will give it all to reach that goal.&Quality advice from a Spitz Canadians player who knows the importance of enjoying life experiences, from baseball in Southern California to the VANOC Torch Relay!  

Any Questions or concerns call Kevin Kvame @ (403)320-2025 or (403)315-4064.

This one comes from the Captain of the New York Yankees - Derek Jeter

"God, I hope I wear this jersey forever."

That is an awesome example of passion and loyalty to the game and his team!

One of the greatest catchers in baseball history was renowed for his interesting quotes:

"Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical."

 Yogi Berra at least had it half right! 

Watch for more quotes from the great game of baseball in the coming weeks!

SPRING TRAINING IS HERE! The program is partnering with PBA, the Lethbridge Bulls, and Little Leagueto develop a broader based program in 2011. The Spitz Canadians will operate in a similar fashion to 2010. Players who are 14 or 15 on April 30, 2011 are eligible to tryout. February 8 IS THE FIRST SESSION. Call 403-320-2025 for more info.

                        2011           
 LETHBRIDGE & DISTRICT INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL FOUNDATION                
Spring Training
In Partnership with Prairie Baseball Academy, 
The Lethbridge Bulls, & Little League Alberta District #1 
 
3 Options  -  Full Schedule  -  $225    All Sessions shown below 
Half Schedule  -  $140    Half # PBA CAMP -  Half Others 
Tryout Only  -  $45    Any 4 Non # PBA CAMP Sessions 
3 Age Groups for Travel Ball : These are being considered depending on numbers with   age as of April 30, 2011: 
      9 – 11 (or 12)Year Olds  -  Junior Bulls      
12 – 13 Year Olds   -  Junior Canadians     
(13) 14 – 15 Year Olds  -  Spitz Canadians 
Spring Training Dates – All Sessions at Lloyd Nolan Indoor unless otherwise noted: 
February 8 -  7pm to 9pm    March 6  -  4pm to 6 pm    March 29# 
February 10 -  7pm to 9pm    March 8 #        March 31# 
February 12 -  4pm to 6pm    March 10 #        April 2*    4pm to 6 pm 
February 15 -  7pm to 9pm    March 13 -  4pm to 6 pm    April3*    4pm to 6 pm  
February 17 -   7pm to 9pm    March 15 #        April 4*    4pm-5:30 pm 
February 20 -  4pm to 6pm    March 17 #        April 5*    5pm to 6:30 pm 
February 22 -  7pm to 9pm    March 20 -   4 pm to 6 pm    April 5 #    
February 24 -  7pm to 9pm    March 22 #        April 6*    4pm to 5:30 pm 
February 27 -  4pm to 6 pm    March 24 #           April 7*    5pm to 6:30 pm 
March 1 #        March 26*  4pm to 6 pm    April 7 #    
March 3 #        March 27*  4pm to 6 pm 
COLOR LEGEND:  #  PBA CAMP  9-12 Year olds 6:30pm-8:00pm    13-15Year Olds  8:00pm-9:30pm 
*  Outdoor Practices (Weather Permitting- Meet at Lloyd Nolan Yard) 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON BASEBALL IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA  GO TO:   
PRAIRIE BASEBALL ACADEMY:      www.prairiebaseball.com   
LETH. & DISTRICT INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL:  www.spitzcanadians.com    
LITTLE LEAGUE DISTRICT #1:       www.southernalbertalittleleague.com 
  LETHBRIDGE BULLS BASEBALL CLUB     www.bullsbaseball.com   
 
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL SPITZ STADIUM OFFICES AT 403-320-2025 (KEVIN, 
DUSTIN, AARON, or BRANDON) or CALL RICK AT 403-330-3777.