Western Canadian Baseball League

Western Canadian Baseball League
Western Major Baseball League logo
Sport Baseball
Founded 1931
No. of teams 12
Country  Canada
Headquarters Lethbridge, Alberta
Most recent
champion(s)		 Medicine Hat Mavericks[1]
Most titles Swift Current 57's (6 titles)[2]
Official website www.wmbl.ca

The Western Major Baseball League or WMBL is a collegiate summer baseball league. The league can trace its roots back to 1931. The current league evolved from several predecessors including The Southern Baseball League, the Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League and Saskatchewan Major Baseball League. The Southern Baseball League existed from 1931 to 1974. The Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League existed from 1959 to 1974. The two leagues merged in 1975 to create the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League.[3] 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 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.

The league has announced a name change to become the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) for 2019 and beyond.[4]

Member teams

As of 2018, WMBL Membership consists of 12 teams in two divisions. The top four teams in each division qualify for the post-season.

TeamCityStadium2017 RecordFinish
East Division
Melville MillionairesMelville, SaskatchewanPirie Field16–325th
Moose Jaw Miller ExpressMoose Jaw, SaskatchewanRoss Wells Park23–254th
Regina Red SoxRegina, SaskatchewanCurrie Field29–193rd
Swift Current 57'sSwift Current, SaskatchewanMitchell Field33–151st
Weyburn BeaversWeyburn, SaskatchewanTom Laing Park30-182nd
Yorkton CardinalsYorkton, SaskatchewanJubilee Park10–386th
West Division
Brooks BombersBrooks, AlbertaElks Stadium14–346th
Edmonton ProspectsEdmonton, AlbertaRE/MAX Field24–244th
Fort McMurray GiantsFort McMurray, AlbertaShell Place20–285th
Lethbridge BullsLethbridge, AlbertaSpitz Stadium27–212nd
Medicine Hat MavericksMedicine Hat, AlbertaAthletic Park27–213rd
Okotoks DawgsOkotoks, AlbertaSeaman Stadium35–131st

Former teams

Former teams include the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets (2014), 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 Elks (1993), and Unity Cardinals.

Expansion

Cranbrook, British Columbia was granted a conditional expansion team in 2011 and was to begin play after building a new stadium.[5][6] As of 2018, these plans appear to have stalled.

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.[7]

Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy

Saskatchewan Territorial (1895–1905) and Provincial (1906–present) champions have been decided by an annual tournament.[3] In 1967 the first major division was added to the tournament,[8] 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.

League champions

Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy

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

SMBL Logo

Saskatchewan Major Baseball League (SMBL) Champions: (Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy)

Northern Saskatchewan Baseball League Champions:

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

References

  1. ↑ Bach, Mitch (August 16, 2018). "Best in the West: Mavericks win third league championship in franchise history". Redcliff, Alberta: CHAT News. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  2. ↑ Heidenreich, Phil (August 17, 2017). "Edmonton Prospects lose 4-0 to Swift Current in WMBL championship game". Global Edmonton. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 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.
  4. ↑ "New for 2019: WCBL". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  5. ↑ "The Eds' Proposed New Home". Ballpark Business (ballparkbiz.com). Alan D. Poff. February 10, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  6. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (February 9, 2011). "New ballpark pitched for Cranbrook". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Western Canada Baseball 1975". attheplate.com. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  8. ↑ "1967 Southern League Game Reports". attheplate.com. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
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