(rdnewsNOW/Kael Clark)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

opening day is may 26

Sylvan Lake Gulls look to be extremely competitive in 2023

May 25, 2023 | 3:10 PM

It’s almost go time for the Sylvan Lake Gulls’ 2023 Western Canadian Baseball League season.

The Gulls will pull up their socks and grab their mitts this Friday, May 26, when they open up their third campaign with a three-game set versus the Fort McMurray Giants.

It was the Gulls who knocked the Giants out of the WCBL playoffs a year ago, and they’ll hope to ride that momentum to improve upon what was an impressive 38-18 record in 2022.

Speaking at a Gulls media day event this week, Head Coach Jason Chatwood said there’s a buzz in the air, not just for his squad, but the league as a whole.

“We’ve had a lot of excitement build up after last year, and with eight months of waiting and building this roster. We know what to expect with the community now, and with fans from surrounding communities too,” said Chatwood.

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“The new guys have arrived here, they’ve finally gotten to see what it’s all about, and everyone can’t wait until opening night. Everyone is excited for the baseball to start.”

Chatwood believes the team will be extremely competitive, with a number of returning players, and despite the league improving overall.

“We’re deep, and the whole organization is constantly trying to improve,” he said. “Last year, in the playoffs, we showed we could compete with Okotoks [the Dawgs] in a three-game series; maybe if a couple plays go differently our way, things would’ve been different, but they were the better team, and obviously are an outstanding team that went on to win the championship.”

Okotoks finished 43-13 in the 2022 regular season, the only team ahead of the Gulls in the Western Division.

After the Gulls play three at home against the Giants, May 26 (7:05 p.m.), 27 (7:05 p.m.) and 28 (2:05 p.m.), they host Okotoks May 30 (7:05 p.m.), before a visit to Okotoks June 2, then back at home against the Dawgs June 3 (7:05 p.m.), and again head to Okotoks for a fourth on June 4.

“I don’t see any easy nights across the league,” Chatwood added. “As a coaching staff, we make sure we’re keeping guys fresh, and not taking anybody lightly. Anybody can beat anybody in this league.”

Gulls tickets are available through the team’s official website. A full schedule can be found here.