News — Vauxhall Academy of Baseball

Early 2012 gets the Jets excited!

Posted: February 2, 2012 at 3:45 am

Vauxhall, AB -

The 2012 Jets were excited to be taking batting practice, fungos and working out on February 1st! The Jets are busy getting ready for the start of the 2012 campaign. To assist the Jets in their preparation they will take part of a simulated intra-squad game vs PBA Varsity Team in Lethbridge at Lloyd Nolan Yard at 2 pm on Friday February 3rd.

The PBA squad is getting ready to play some of the top NJCAA Division 1 teams in Las Vegas, NV later this month. The Jets have the luxury of facing some of the top pitchers in Canada from the Prairie Baseball Academy.

Filed Under: Featured, Highlight, News

Tanner Craswell and Mitch MacLean Memorial Fund!

Posted: December 20, 2011 at 3:54 pm

Vauxhall, AB -

The Lethbridge Bulls, the Prairie Baseball Academy, and the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball have come together to establish the “Tanner Craswell and Mitch MacLean Memorial Fund.” The fund has been established for anyone wishing to donate. All donations will go to help the families of Tanner and Mitch. Any remaining proceeds will go towards a legacy scholarship fund for Tanner’s and Mitch’s former teammates and future players of the 3 organizations the players have been members of. A representative from each organization along with the families will organize the disbursement of all funds donated. The entire Southern Alberta Baseball Community thanks you for your support.

There are 3 ways the public can donate:

1. The fund will be established at the Bank of Nova Scotia, and anyone that wishes donate can go to any Scotiabank branch in Canada to donate.

Account Name: Tanner Craswell and Mitch McLean Memorial Fund

Account Number: 00059 0157317

2. By email money transfer to tcmmmemorialfund@gmail.com

3. Or by cheque, the 3 organizations will also be accepting cheques made payable to the Tanner Craswell and Mitch McLean Memorial Fund and can be mailed to:

The Lethbridge Bulls

2425 North Parkside Dr.

Lethbridge, AB Canada

T1J 4W3

Prairie Baseball Academy

545 6^th Avenue North

Lethbridge, AB Canada

T1H 6N8

The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball

Box 618

Vauxhall, AB Canada

T0K 2K0

Filed Under: Featured, Highlight, News, Press Release

Tragedy strikes the Vauxhall Academy

Posted: December 16, 2011 at 9:36 pm

Vauxhall, AB -

The Vauxhall Academy would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Tanner Craswell (Jets alumni 2007-2008) of Charlottetown, PEI. The Jets family is grieving the loss our former alumni. Tanner just turned 22 years old and will be sadly and deeply missed by many.

Tanner was a stand out shortstop for the Jets (2007-2008) leading the team in many categories. Tanner, an infielder, participated in the Fall Instructional League and Extended Spring Training with the Junior National Team in 2007 and also represented PEI at the Baseball Canada Cup (2004, 2005, 2006).

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Craswell family, his former teammates, coaches, classmates, billets and so many he touched.

Filed Under: Featured, Highlight, News, Press Release

Merry Christmas from the Jets

Posted: December 15, 2011 at 7:47 pm

The Vauxhall Academy Jets players, coaches, staff, support staff and Board of Directors would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Safe and Happy New Year!

2012 will again be a great year for the Jets and we look forward to seeing everyone around Jets Stadium in the Spring!

Filed Under: Featured, Highlight, News

Jets enjoy some culture to get into the holiday spirit!

Posted: December 6, 2011 at 4:16 am

Calgary, AB -

The majority of the Jets roster enjoyed a Live Calgary Theatre production – “A Christmas Carol!” The Jets have made an early December trip to Calgary for a play for 6 consecutive years. Yukio and Barbara introduced the idea of attending a live event 6 years ago and and it has been a very enjoyable experience for all the players, family, friends, boosters and alumni and of course – the Kitagawa’s.

This year’s team was a bit short handed at the play as 6 players are also playing basketball and ended up winning the Stirling weekend tournament.

Stay tuned for additional updates! Merry Christmas!

Filed Under: Featured, Highlight, News

Jets Saturday Game Change

Posted: April 29, 2011 at 9:57 pm

Due to rain the past few days in Vauxhall and more in the forecast for overnight, the Jets doubleheader tomorrow has turned into a single 9-inning game beginning at 3pm against the Edmonton Cardinals. It will mark the Jets home opener for the 2011 Spring Season.

Filed Under: Highlight, News

The 2010 Jets enjoy a little culture!

Posted: December 14, 2010 at 4:19 pm

Calgary, AB -

The VAB Jets spent a great day with 2 of their biggest supporters – Barbara and Yukio Kitagawa at the Calgary Theatre. The team as well as many family, friends, supporters and staff attended the live theatre production of the Christmas Carol performed at Theatre Calgary.

This is an annual event that the Kitagawa’s have supported for the Jets dating back to 2006. The players are treated to a first class event with a private VIP room, lunch, drinks and a gift all supported by Barbara and Yukio. It is great to get the players and their families in the Christmas spirit while attending a live theatre production. Each year the players also partake in a “best dressed” award and the 2010 winner was Mark Baigent from Halifax, NS (Barbara made the selection as she really liked the Maroon tie) - he won a pair of Rawlings Pro Balance batting gloves (which he latter sold to Brendan Hendriks) and a Academy toque.

A special thanks to Carl Ringdahl and Donna Brown for their support and assistance with the event.

Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2011!

GO JETS

Filed Under: Featured, Highlight, News

4th Annual Awards/Scholarship Dinner!

Posted: February 2, 2010 at 9:35 am

Vauxhall, AB -

Please mark March 6^th on your calendar. The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball is excited to share with you news about our 4th Annual Academy Scholarship Awards and Fundraiser Banquet. Our event showcases our student-athletes and features good food and fun. Cocktails and appetizers will be served at 5:00 PM and the program will begin at 5:45 PM. Tickets are $45.00/plate or $300.00/table of 8 and can be purchased by emailing Shannon Mossey at shannon.mossey@horizon.ab.ca.

Our featured speaker will be Canadian – Denis Boucher, former Major League Baseball pitcher and current Team Canada coach. Read below for a complete bio on Mr. Boucher. A silent and live auction including unique items (golf packages, Fairmont condo weekend, signed jerseys, signed prints, signed baseballs/bats, concert tickets to name a few. Raffles and door prizes will also be included to give all guests a chance to bid and win. 8 Scholarships and 4 additional awards will be presented, the most significant of these will be the prestigious $2000 Reno Lizzi Scholarship and commemorative ring.

Denis Boucher from Montreal, Quebec was signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in August of 1987. He was a minor league All-Star in 1988 and 1990 before making his major league Debut in April of 1991. Denis was a starting pitcher in the big leagues for 4 seasons…. the Toronto Blue Jays (1991), Cleveland Indians (1991-92), and Montreal Expos (1993-94). Denis is one of only three Canadians to have played for both the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos, the others being Matt Stairs and Rob Ducey. Over his career, Denis pitched professionally for 10 seasons and he took the mound for an astounding 20 different professional teams over his career. He also served as an ambassador for the Montreal Expos between 1998 and 2005 and special assistant to the coaching staff.

Denis has now focused his attention to his family and coaching. Denis currently serves as a Coach with Team Canada which has included the pitching coach for the last 2 World Baseball Classics, pitching coach for Team Canada at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and Professional Scout with the Washington Nationals. Denis also serves as the President of Minor Baseball in his area and coaches minor hockey throughout the winter. He spends most of his time with his wife Isabelle Fornier and 4 children.

Banquet Ticket

Filed Under: Events, Fundraising, News, Press Release

New Photos in Gallery – VAB vs Edmonton and Saskatchewan!

Posted: October 5, 2009 at 4:16 pm

Make sure to head on over to the photo gallery and check out the latest photos from our recent games again Edmonton and Saskatchewan Selects.

Filed Under: News

Top 100 Influential Canadians in Baseball!

Posted: January 24, 2009 at 10:10 pm

Vauxhall, AB - Bob Elliott, Toronto Sun, and the Canadian Baseball Network announced their annual list of the top 100 Most Influential Canadians in Baseball for the year 2008. The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball was represented in the top 50 with Les McTavish (Head Coach and Director of Baseball Operations) listed 50th. McTavish was the highest high school coach listed in Canada. Congratulations to Coach McTavish and the rest of the professionals, players, coaches, scouts and managers that made the top 100. Coach McTavish had this to say about the accomplishment, “It is an honour to be part of such a list and it is a testament to our entire Academy – players, staff, support staff, billets, parents and especially assistant coach Jim Kotkas.” To read the full article: http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/node/1934

Filed Under: News, Press Release