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.

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 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!

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!

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

The Jets swept the Badlands Academy on a beautiful fall day in Vauxhall by scores of 6-2 and 10-5. 

Game 1 saw Brandon Radmacher dominate threw 5 innings allowing 1 hit, 0 runs, 6 K’s and 0 BB.  Tanner Spencer earned the save going 2 innings allowing 1 hit, 2 unearned, 1 BB and 1 K.  Offensively, the Jets were led by Guillaume Gingras who was 1 for 3 with a run scored.  Jager Toffan was 1 for 3 with a run scored and a stolen base.  Mitch McGeein was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Anthony McKinley was 2 for 2 with a double, 2 RBI’s and a stolen base. 

Game 2 saw Luke Whelpton start and earn the victory going 4 innings allowing 2 hits, 3 unearned runs, 6 K’s and 1 BB.  Nick Stobbe threw 1 2/3 innings allowing 2 hits, 2 runs scored, 2 K’s and 3 BB’s.  Jesse Borden threw the final 1 1/3 innings allowing 2 hits and 3 K’s.  Offensively, the Jets were ledy by Jager Toffan who was 2 for 4 with a double, 2 runs scored and stolen base.  Anthony McKinley was 1 for 2 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.  Konner Lutz was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI’s.  Mitch McGeein was 1 for 3 with a 3 run HR.  Travis Wallace was 2 for 2 with a double, 2 runs scored and a stolen base.  Matt Benn and Jose Calderon rounded out the offense with a hit a piece and Calderon pitched in with 2 RBI’s. 

Next action is next weekend vs PBA.  Schedule is TBA.

The VAB Jets lost a tight one by a score of 4-1 to the Prairie Baseball Academy.  A 3 run 5th inning ended up being the difference in the contest.  The Jets out hit the Dawgs 7-4 but a a few walks and a couple of costly errors proved to the the difference.

Zach Mayo started on the mound going 4 2/3 innings allowing 3 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned runs, 6 K’s and 5 BB’s.  Chris Thibideau threw a very solid 1 1/3 innings allowing 0 hits and 0 runs.  Logan Seifrit held the Dawgs at bay going the final 2 innings with 3 K’s and 0 hits. 

Offensively, the Jets were led by JG Weeks who had a very productive day at the plate going 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Dan Moro, Konner Lutz and Anthony McKinley pitched in with singles and Jager Toffan added a double.

Next action for the Jets is tomorrow @ Jets Stadium vs Badlands Academy with a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.