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WCBL approves Sylvan Lake expansion franchise

Oct 31, 2019 | 9:41 AM

The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) has formally approved an expansion franchise for Sylvan Lake.

Approval came during the league’s AGM held this week in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

The new franchise is expected to begin play in the 2021 season at a new 2,200-seat stadium planned for Pogadl Park in Sylvan Lake.

RELATED: New stadium, junior baseball team planned for Sylvan Lake

“We have some exciting plans in place that we will be looking to execute on to get ready for the first pitch in the summer of 2021,” says Aqil Samuel, General Manager and President of Baseball Operations, Hard 4 Sports & Entertainment, the group behind the successful bid to bring the WCBL to Sylvan Lake. “We look forward to working with all stakeholders and building a WCBL franchise that will make the Town of Sylvan Lake and our neighbours in Central Alberta proud of for many years to come!”

“We are thrilled to have such a quality and dedicated group come forward and put a proposal before the league that really was an easy decision,” shared Kevin Kvame, WCBL President. “They have a major population base surrounding them that will appreciate the level of baseball coming to their area as well as a large business base that can invest and partner with the new team in town.”

Sylvan Lake mayor Sean McIntyre says he, too, is excited to welcome the WCBL to town.

“For many Sylvan Lakers, participating in, and enjoying outdoor recreation is a way of life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity a WCBL franchise brings to our community – in that this is another opportunity for residents come together, celebrate, and engage,“ he said. “We’re particularly excited, as the leagues presence contributes to the provision of enhanced amenities for our residents.”

The Western Canadian Baseball League bills itself as Canada’s pre-eminent summer collegiate baseball league. The WCBL plays a 56 game schedule each season lasting from late May to mid-August.

(With file from WCBL and Town of Sylvan Lake)