With baseball season only a couple of months away, player announcements and more have been released by the Sylvan Lake Gulls.
While the start of a new season is an exciting time for the community members of Sylvan Lake and fans of the Central Alberta team, with rising tensions between Canada and the U.S., fans may have some concerns.
This season, American players and coaches will be welcomed back to the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL), WCBL media coordinator Ian Wilson said.
"American players and coaches are an integral part of the WCBL and will be welcomed once again this summer."
"It's important that our fans realize that trade relations between Canada and the United States are fluid and can change very quickly. It is impossible to know what relations will look like on Opening Day in the WCBL, which takes place on May 28th," he added.
At Gulls Stadium, both the Canadian and American National Anthems will also continue to be played, President and COO of the Sylvan Lake Gulls Aqil Samuel said.
"Since day one, the Gulls have always played both the Canadian and American National Anthems. We see it as a way to celebrate our American players, coaches, and fans. The Gulls will continue to play both anthems in the 2025 season and beyond."
Politics have rarely ever been a part of this game, he added.
"Baseball is a pastime that doesn't need to be part of anything political, a place to actually get away and enjoy yourself no matter who you are or who you vote for."
The WCBL is a proud supporter of Canadian baseball players, and plays a key role in the communities it operates in throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta, Wilson said.
"The WCBL will continue to support Canada by offering a place to showcase Canadian baseball talent, while also giving our amazing fans a place to gather, socialize, and watch great baseball in Canada's premier summer collegiate league."
"In addition, thousands of Canadians pack our ballparks and stadiums on Canada Day every year to express their love for their country and enjoy the great sport of baseball. Canada Day at a WCBL ballpark is a Canadian tradition, and it is typically a date when we experience our highest attendance levels."
Currently, the Sylvan Lake Gulls have announced some of the returning players including Simon Baker, and Brock Tijerina as well as the returning coaching staff including Coach Jason Chatwood, Wyatt Mcknight, and Matt Hape.
Fans can look out for more announcements on the Sylvan Lake Gulls Facebook page and website, sylvanlakegulls.com.
The Gulls will be returning to the field for their home opener on May 29.
"We look forward to having Americans and Canadians take the field together as teammates in the WCBL this summer, where any differences can be settled between pitchers and batters under sunny skies as teams compete for a WCBL championship," Wilson said.
