Fort McMurray athletes must earn spots on Team Alberta for the 2024 Baseball Canada Championships. As host city, Fort McMurray is guaranteed a local team for the 2025 and 2026 18U competitions.
Article content
Baseball Canada is hosting championships in Fort McMurray during the next three summers. The organization has already hosted four national championships in the city, with the most recent competitions happening last summer.
Advertisement 2
Article content
The 2024 Baseball Canada Cup is scheduled for Aug. 7-11. The 2025 Baseball Canada 18U Championship is on Aug. 14-17. The 2026 Baseball Canada 18U Championship is on Aug. 13-16. The events will be partnerships with the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo (RRC) and Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Association (FMMBA).
Article content
“With a proven track record of hosting quality events and the city’s appetite for top notch baseball, we know it will be a success,” said Jason Dickson, CEO of Baseball Canada, in a statement.
“Over the past several years, we have had the opportunity to welcome hundreds of athletes, coaches, support staff, officials and visitors to the region to enjoy Baseball Canada events,” said FMMBA president Mike Mayuk. “We are excited to continue this for the next three years.”
Fort McMurray hosted the 13U national western championship and 18U national championship this past summer. Games were held at Shell Place, Ross Hennigar Park and J. Howard Pew Park. Fort McMurray athletes will have to earn spots on Team Alberta for the 2024 Baseball Canada Championships. As host city, Fort McMurray is guaranteed a local team for the 2025 and 2026 18U competitions.
Advertisement 3
Article content
-
Ayden Cote of Team Fort McMurray yells during a game against Team Quebec at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Shell Place on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
People cheer for Team Fort McMurray as they face Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
The Fort McMurray Oil Giants’ 18U team pose for a photo after 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Team Fort McMurray celebrate their victory over Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Sydney Barry of Team Fort McMurray competes against Nova Scotia at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Shell Place on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Ethan Pittman of Team Fort McMurray competes against Nova Scotia at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Shell Place on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Ethian Mayuk of Team Fort McMurray competes against Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Coach Tyler Hodder of Team Fort McMurray congratulates Quinn Szpak at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Jayden Conway of Team Fort McMurray hugs his mother, Kim, after his final game with the Fort McMurray Oil Giants at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Jayden Conway of Team Fort McMurray hugs his coach, Joey Iannetti, after his final game with the Fort McMurray Oil Giants at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Hudson Staudinger of Team Fort McMurray competes against Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Nathan Flewelling of Team Fort McMurray competes against Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Jayden Conway of Team Fort McMurray competes against Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Braden Iannetti of Team Fort McMurray competes against Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Team Fort McMurray shakes hands with Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Lucas Mahoney of Team Fort McMurray competes against Team Alberta at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Ross Hennigar Park on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
-
Jayden Conway of Team Fort McMurray makes sure he’s safe during a game against Nova Scotia at the 2023 18U National Baseball Championships at Shell Place on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
All 17 Photos for Gallery
Function Not Available
Full Screen is not supported on this browser version.
You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen.
Encouraging local sports tourism has been named a priority for the municipality and Fort McMurray’s athletic community. The past year has also included the Arctic Winter Games and council is pursuing the Alberta Summer Games for 2026.
Last summer’s 18U and 13U tournaments included more than 10,000 spectators. Another 17,000 people watched the 18U games online from across Canada. The 13U games were not live streamed. There were 10 teams for the 18U tournament and eight teams for the 13U championship.
Joey Iannetti, head coach of Fort McMurray’s 18U team last summer, said the region’s athletic facilities are attractive options for organizers of sports tournaments.
“As far as our facilities in Fort McMurray go, we play throughout all of Alberta and Fort McMurray has some of the best facilities not only in Alberta, but I’m sure in Canada,” said Iannetti in an interview after the tournament. “The fact our kids have these facilities in Fort McMurray and can host these events brings great opportunities to youth athletes in Fort McMurray and Alberta.”
Get the news and events of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo in your inbox every Friday morning by signing up for our newsletter.
Article content
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.