Skip to content

Bonnyville Braves host provincials

Mosquito baseball players from across the province descended on Bonnyville this weekend. The Bonnyville Braves Red Mosquito AA team hosted the 2018 Baseball Alberta Provincial Championships at Kushnir Ball Park from Aug. 3 to 5.
32.sports.mosquitoprovincialsw
First basemen Kaysen Young tries to get the out during the Bonnyville Braves’ Friday night game during provincials.

Mosquito baseball players from across the province descended on Bonnyville this weekend.


The Bonnyville Braves Red Mosquito AA team hosted the 2018 Baseball Alberta Provincial Championships at Kushnir Ball Park from Aug. 3 to 5.


The opening ceremonies kicked off the weekend Friday evening. Each team hit the diamonds for their first games throughout the day.


Players from as far as Grande Prairie were in town to compete in the tournament. Each group was formed to ensure every team would have a shot at playing a good ball game.


“Baseball Alberta does a great job working really hard until the last minute to make sure you’re playing teams that you’re going to be competitive against,” explained Braves head coach Ken McMillan.


Having the home field advantage was a factor for the Bonnyville team when they placed their bid for provincials, and having the facilities available ensured the weekend would be a success.


“It’s really exciting for the boys to play in their home town,” McMillan noted. “A lot more family can come and watch, and their friends. I think it’s an advantage that they can sleep in their own beds, and some of us camped at the diamonds.”


Braves catcher Logan McMillan was pleased to be hosting provincials. He agreed that being able to stay home was a lot better than travelling.


“It’s great being in our own beds,” he said.


The Braves had a strong season leading up to provincials. On Friday night, they won their first game 12-11 against the Olds Spitfires with a walk-off.


Bonnyville’s right-fielder Shaun Vallee hit the winning run for the Braves in the final inning. For him, it was a highlight of the tournament.


“It felt great,” he recalled. “It hit the sweet spot on the bat, and I felt pretty pumped.”


The team travelled to a number of games throughout the season, including Callingwood Park in Edmonton and Bassett Field in Elk Point.


Out of the seven tournament weekends over the summer (including provincials), the Braves had home field advantage for three of them.


“Our schedule was really good this year. We didn’t have to travel farther than Edmonton,” McMillan said.


After having a rough start to July, McMillan said the team ended up in first in the tier three division.


“When they re-tiered everybody in the end of July we ended up ranked number one,” he recalls. “We had some highs and lows, but I think we’re peaking at the right time.”


The Braves finished provincials with one win, versus the Olds Spitfires, and two losses.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks