MACKLIN — In a fourth provincial baseball event hosted in Macklin this season, the Macklin Lakers senior baseball team will play host to the senior men’s AA, Tier 3 provincial championships.
Eight teams will compete.
Team manager, Derrick Lantz, said this is the third time the Lakers have hosted senior men’s provincials since their inaugural season in 2014.
Host teams credit the incredible commitment of community volunteers, especially in years where the diamonds are playing host to several provincial events. Macklin also hosts the World Bunnock Championships August long weekend of each year.
“Every year is different when it comes to finding volunteers, but we have a great community and fan base, everyone who loves the game seems to step up and help out when needed.” Lantz says.
Hosting at home provides the advantage of a larger fan base and increased support throughout the tournament. Lantz said hosting at home also provides the advantage of players getting to sleep in their own beds as opposed to driving somewhere and staying in a hotel.
“The senior team does their best to help out Macklin Minor Ball each year but with many of the players working in different industries it does not always work out as planned. We share the costs of diamond maintenance and upgrades each season. The senior men’s baseball club is a small non-profit organization that tries hard to fundraise each year just to help out with yearly costs to be able to field a team and compete in the NSRBL and Baseball Sask provincials. With diamond use/maintenance, umpires, baseballs, equipment, and registration it gets costly each season,” adds Lantz.
“Our community support is huge.”
The 2022 Macklin Lakers roster includes: Chandler Klein, Hunter Steinhubel, Adam Gerling, Curtis Fleck, Tyler Baier, Tanner Fleck, Ethan Scheck, Dawson Krieger, Cody Weinkauf, Raegan Feser, Jared Hillis, Ian Hillis, Ashton Feser, Cody Gartner, Tye Scherger, Tyler Tryhuba, Cort Shapka and Mickenzie Sondergaard (provincial pickup). The team is managed by Derrick Lantz, assisted by Alvin Weinkauf.
The provincial event will include Pearl Creek Padres, Morse Royals, Gull Lake Greyhounds, Saskatoon Rockies, Meadow Lake White Sox, Birch Hills Brewers, and the North East Red Sox. The Lakers will play their opening game at 6 p.m. Aug. 5.
“The Macklin Lakers will be going for their fourth provincial title in a row this year. In 2018, they defeated the Regina Red Dogs, Senior AA Tier 5. In 2019, the Lakers defeated the Wilkie Brewers, Senior AA Tier 3, 2020 COVID-19 forced cancellation or provincials. In 2021, Macklin defeated the Unity Junior Cardinals, Senior AA Tier 3 for the title,” Lantz says.
“The Macklin Lakers, since 2014, have a senior provincial record of 18 wins nine loses. The possibility of winning four provincial titles in a row would be pretty special, especially on our home field in front of all our family, friends and fans. We would not be able to play the game we all love if it were not for the support of our great community.”
