Another Jet has committed to play college baseball in the US.

OF/INF – Matt Benn – Teulon, MB –has accepted a scholarship and signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NJCAA Division 1 Colby Community College (Colby, Kansas).  The Trojans play in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.

More information about the Colby CC Trojans: http://www.colbycc.edu/athletics/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=34&Itemid=59

Matt will be the 6^th Vauxhall Jet in the past 5 ½ years to wear the Trojan jersey. Congratulations Matt!

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Other Jets to sign this season

C - Konner Lutz – Medicine Hat, AB -  has accepted an athletic/academic scholarship and signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NCAA Division 1 powerhouse Stetson University Hatters.  The Hatters play in the Atlantic Sun Conference and are the defending conference champions.  Stetson was ranked as high as #15 in the country last season and played in the NCAA Tournament in 2010.   Lutz is the second of 2 Jets to sign early this season.  For more information on the Hatters: http://www.gohatters.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=14600&SPID=6736&SPSID=69238

LHP - Zach Mayo – Mather, MB -  has accepted a scholarship and signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NCAA Division 1 North Dakota State University Bisons.  The Bisons play in the Summit Conference with the likes of South Dakota State, Oral Roberts and South Utah to name a few.  Mayo is the first of 2 Jets to sign early this season.  For more information on the Bisons: http://www.gobison.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=2400&SPID=706&SPSID=12103

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

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.

The VAB is very proud to announce the first collegiate signing of the year.  Lutz is the 13th Jet to sign at an NCAA Division 1 program in the past 5 1/2 years.

C - Konner Lutz – Medicine Hat, AB -  has accepted an athletic/academic scholarship and signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NCAA Division 1 powerhouse Stetson University Hatters.  The Hatters play in the Atlantic Sun Conference and are the defending conference champions.  Stetson was ranked as high as #15 in the country last season and played in the NCAA Tournament in 2010.   Lutz is the second of 2 Jets to sign early this season.  For more information on the Hatters: http://www.gohatters.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=14600&SPID=6736&SPSID=69238

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Other Jets to sign this season

LHP - Zach Mayo – Mather, MB -  has accepted a scholarship and signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NCAA Division 1 North Dakota State University Bisons.  The Bisons play in the Summit Conference with the likes of South Dakota State, Oral Roberts and South Utah to name a few.  Mayo is the first of 2 Jets to sign early this season.  For more information on the Bisons: http://www.gobison.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=2400&SPID=706&SPSID=12103

Vauxhall, AB –

The VAB is very proud to announce the first collegiate signing of the year.  Mayo is the 12th Jet to sign at an NCAA Division 1 program in the past 5 1/2 years.

LHP - Zach Mayo – Mather, MB -  has accepted a scholarship and signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NCAA Division 1 North Dakota State University Bisons.  The Bisons play in the Summit Conference with the likes of South Dakota State, Oral Roberts and South Utah to name a few.  Mayo is the first of 2 Jets to sign early this season.  For more information on the Bisons: http://www.gobison.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=2400&SPID=706&SPSID=12103

Vauxhall, AB -

The VAB weekend schedule has changed slightly.  The games on Saturday @ PBA have been changed from a DH to a single 9 inning contest starting at 2 pm.  The Jets will then take on the Badlands Academy Sunday @ 1pm DH in Vauxhall. 

The entire Jets organization, Vauxhall community members, VAB supporters and VHS staff were treated to a special event.  #1 Jets supporter Yukio Kitagawa and his wife Barbara were in Vauxhall to celebrate his 75th birthday.  Yukio treated the crowd to a special power lifting demonstration in the new weight room.  Yukio is a former Canadian weightlifting champion and thrilled the large crowd with his passion, dedication and athletic ability in the weight room.  Yukio was complemented by one of his first students dating back to 1960.  Lorne put his true strength on display and truely impressed everyone in attendance.  Yukio and his wife Barbara are true inspirations to our entire organization and we look forward to many more years as partners in developing our student-athletes on and off the field of play. In a special ceremony the weight room was officially named “Kitagawa Fitness Center!”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YUKIO!!!

The VAB again would like to thank the Scotiabank and all volunteers at our Annual Golf Tournament this past weekend.

Below is the update Edmonton Tournament Schedule:

ST. FX. 2011 Fall Baseball Showcase EventSeptember 23-25, 2011

Friday September 23rd

Game 6 – 8:30p Okotoks vs Vauxhall Telus Field

Saturday September 24th

Game 9 – 1:00p Vauxhall vs FX Black CP9 – Sher. Pk.

Game 12 – 4:00p Vauxhall vs U of C CP9 – Sher. Pk.

Sunday September 25th

Game 18 – 12:00p PBA vs Vauxhall Telus Field

The 2011/2012 roster has been announced by Head Coach & Director of Baseball Operations, Les McTavish.  The roster consists of 22 student-athletes from 6 provinces.  The new crop of promising Jets report to Vauxhall on August 28th with several days of meetings, conditioning and practicing prior to their opening game during VHS Spirit Week September 6th at 1:30 pm. 

Below is the 2011/2012 roster:

The coaching staff will return for the 6th year Head Coach & Director of Baseball Operations - Les McTavish and  Associate Head Coach – Jim Kotkas as well as support staff members Strength and Conditioning Coach – Jeff Krushell, Sport Psychologist – Christie Gialloreto,  Secretary – Shannon Mossey and Athletic Therapist – Gord Watt.  The VAB is very proud to announce 3 new staff members to the program – former 2006/2007 alumni – Zane Anderson as Assistant Coach/Fund Development, former 2006/2007 alumni – Josh Hoetmer as Mental Training Coach as well as Tina Mazutinec – Residence Manger.  Welcome to the VAB Family to all the new staff member.

See you at Jets Stadium

The VAB is very proud to announce that the 2nd Jet was drafted in the 1st year player draft -  3B/1B – Brendan Hendriks – Cochrane, Alberta was drafted today by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 40th round – 1231 pick overall.  Hendriks has committed to attend NCAA Division 1 University of San Fransico in the fall.  The Phillies will follow Hendriks progression throughout the summer.   

Hendriks being drafted makes 10 draft picks in the past 5 years:

2007 – Cody Phipps – Houston Astros – signed

2008 – Lionel Morrill – Minnesota Twins – attended College of Southern Idaho

2009 – Steven Inch – Philadelphia Phillies – signed

2009 – Adam Nelubowich – Seattle Mariners – attended Washington State University

2009 – Brandon Petite – Houston Astros – attended Texas Tech University

2009 – Jordan Wong – Milwaukee Brewers – attend Hill College

2009 – Dale Anderson – Texas Rangers – attended College of Southern Idaho

2009 – Jay Johnson – Baltimore Orioles – attended Texas Tech University

2010 – Jay Johnson – Toronto Blue Jays

2011 – Jay Johnson – Philadelphia Phillies – signed

2011 – Ben Dartnell – Boston Red Sox – TBD

2011 – Brendan Hendriks – Philadelphia Phillies – TBD

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The VAB is very proud to announce that LHP – Ben Dartnell – East St. Paul, Manitoba was drafted today by the Boston Red Sox in the 34th round – 1042 pick overall.  Dartnell has committed to attend NCAA Division 1 Eastern Michigan University in the fall and will now have the decision to sign a professional contract with the Red Sox or attend University. 

Dartnell being drafted makes 9 draft picks in the past 5 years:

2007 – Cody Phipps – Houston Astros – signed

2008 – Lionel Morrill – Minnesota Twins – attended College of Southern Idaho

2009 – Steven Inch – Philadelphia Phillies – signed

2009 – Adam Nelubowich – Seattle Mariners – attended Washington State University

2009 – Brandon Petite – Houston Astros – attended Texas Tech University

2009 – Jordan Wong – Milwaukee Brewers – attend Hill College

2009 – Dale Anderson – Texas Rangers – attended College of Southern Idaho

2009 – Jay Johnson – Baltimore Orioles – attended Texas Tech University

2010 – Jay Johnson – Toronto Blue Jays

2011 – Jay Johnson – Philadelphia Phillies – signed

2011 – Ben Dartnell – Boston Red Sox – TBD