Category: Events

Make it 10 years celebrating XMAS “Christmas Carol”

Calgary, AB – 

Calgary Theatre and the 29th running of “The Christmas Carol” live theatre production has become an annual holiday tradition for the Jets.  2015 marks the 10th consecutive year that Yukio and Barbara Kitagawa have treated current Jets as well as many Academy supporters to a great day of holiday celebration and cheer.  On behalf of the entire Jets organization we would like to thank Carl Ringdahl, Kitagawa’s and Shirley from Theatre Calgary for the great day.  We would also like to thank Donna Brown from Intact Insurance for the special gift for each of the boys.

More exciting news from the Intact Foundation to be announced in the future.

Group Shot at the CarolCarl RingdahlHootyLiamKitagawa'sBinsfeldNicholsonOjala kids

9th Annual Awards Banquet a tremendous success!

Vauxhall, AB – 

The 9th Annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Banquet was once again a tremendous success.  Marty Baceda led the evening again as our MC.  Former Blue Jay and 1998 World Series Champion Homer Bush talked about his childhood, professional baseball career, being a Jay as well as a World Series Champion Yankee and talked directly to our current Jets about work ethic and adversity.   Several Awards and Scholarships were handed out highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships.  Barbara & Yukio Kitagawa continued to inspire the entire Jets organization as they matched all donations at the Reno Lizzi table as well as Pennies for K’s to $20,000.00.   The 2015 banquet has set a new standard for years to come!!! The Award winners are listed below:

Jet of the Year – Nolan Rattai

Reno Lizzi Scholarship – Tyler Scott

Reno Lizzi Underclassman – Josh Burgmann/Carson Perkins

Inch by Inch Scholarship – Brady Moxham

Jan Tolton Memorial Scholarship – Sean Robbins

Doug Stevenson Award – Tyler Scott

Wanda Stober Memorial Scholarship – Jared Kennedy

Coaches Award (newly named Blaine Burbank Coaches Award) – Jake Cook

Sports Connection Scholarships – Geordie McDougall

Scotiabank Scholarship – Brody Burnett

Thank you to everyone who attended, donated and sponsored the Banquet.  All donations go along way in assisting our student-athletes in Live Their Dreams.  Once a Jet….Always a Jet!

Merry Christmas from the Jets!

Christmas Card 14-2

Vauxhall, AB – 

The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball staff, student-athletes and Board of Directors would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New.  We are looking forward to the 9th season of Jets baseball and look forward to seeing you at our 9th Annual Awards & Scholarship Fundraising Dinner Saturday February 28th, 2015.

9th Annual “The Christmas Carol” celebration

Play team pic 14

Calgary, AB – 

Calgary Theatre and the 28th running of “The Christmas Carol” live theatre production has become an annual holiday tradition for the Jets.  2014 marks the 9th consecutive year that Yukio and Barbara Kitagawa have treated current Jets as well as many Academy supporters to a great day of holiday celebration and cheer.  On behalf of the entire Jets organization we would like to thank Carl Ringdahl, Kitagawa’s and Shirley from Theatre Calgary for the great day.  We would also like to thank Donna Brown from Intact Insurance for the special gift for each of the boys.

8th Annual Award/Scholarship Fundraising Dinner!

fundraiser tickets 2014 SINGLE.xlsx

 

Vauxhall, AB –

The VAB is excited for the 8th annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Banquet March 1, 2014 at the Vauxhall Community Hall (5 pm cocktails and 5:45 pm program begins).  Former 14 year MLB veteran Sandy Alomar Sr will be the featured speaker at this years event.  Alomar coached several years after his playing career was over both in the minor leagues and at the Major League level.  Sandy is also the father of HOF/Toronto Blue Jay legend Robbie Alomar and MLB All-star Sandy Alomar Jr.

The evening will once again be highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships as well as several other Awards and Scholarship presentations.

A silent auction, live auction and raffles will be going on throughout the evening with Marty Baceda leading the charge as our MC.

Auction items will be posted prior to the banquet.  Some of the highlighted items received so far is a Joe Montana limited edition signed jersey, Magic Johnson signed jersey, Joe Torre Signed Jersey and Brett Lawrie signed game worn jersey.

Please contact Shannon Mossey at [email protected] for tickets.  Tickets cost is $60/ticket or $450/table of 8.

 

7th Annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraiser!

Vauxhall, AB – 

The VAB is excited for the 7th annual Awards/Scholarship Fundraising Banquet March 2, 2013 at the Vauxhall Community Hall (5 pm cocktails and 5:45 pm program begins).  Former Toronto Blue Jays World Series winner – Duane Ward will be the featured speaker.  Ward won 2 World Series rings with the Jays in 1992 and 1993 and still holds the save record for the Jays today.

The evening will once again be highlighted by the Reno Lizzi Scholarships as well as several other Awards and Scholarship presentations.

A silent auction, live auction and raffles will be going on throughout the evening with Marty Baceda leading the charge as our MC.

Below is a list of some of the auction items.  If you are interested in please contact Coach McTavish ([email protected]) if you are interested in a reserved bid for an item.

Signed Iginla Jersey, Signed Cal Ripken Jr Jersey, Signed Ryan Vogelsong WS Jersey, Signed Joe Montana Jersey, Trip for 2 to Victoria for 3 nights/4 days (includes hotels, flights, golf, wine tour or whale watching and more), Signed balls from Votto, Lawrie, Alomar, Halladay, Andre Dawson signed bat, 7 night condo stay in Fairmont, Signed Toews Jersey, custom sitting bench, Tim Lincecum signed picture, golf throughout southern Alberta and much more.

Please contact Shannon Mossey at [email protected] for tickets.  Tickets are $60/ticket or $450/table of 8.

Strathmore Minor Ball and the Jets team up!

Strathmore AB, –

From January 13th – March 9th the VAB kicked off the inaugural Strathmore Minor Baseball (SMBA) Winter Camp under VAB Instruction.  Every Friday three VAB players along with assistant coach, Zane Anderson and Strathmore Reds coach/player Cody Bangen helped teach the young players of the Strathmore region valuable baseball skills. The Camp consisted of approximately 60 kids, broken up into three age groups. Pitching and hitting was the primary focus of the camp. Infielding, outfielding, catching, and base running were also covered during the eight-week camp.

 We would like to send our appreciation to the Strathmore Minor Ball Association for allowing the VAB the opportunity to run the camp. The camp wouldn’t have been possible without SMBA’s president Daren Kennett spearheading the project. We are excited for the continued SMBA & VAB relationship, committed to improving the grassroots baseball system in the Strathmore region.

4th Annual Awards/Scholarship Dinner!

Vauxhall, AB –

Please mark March 6th 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 [email protected].

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
Banquet Ticket

3rd Annual VAB Golf Tournament – June 20, 2009

3rd Annual VAB Golf Tournament has been scheduled for June 20th. The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball is pleased to have Scotiabank sponsoring this tournament again this year and we all look forward to this event. For an entry fee of $75 you will recieve a welcome gift, nine holes of golf, lunch prior to tee off and BBQ steak dinner after golf. There will be prizes awarded and exciting on course contests. Participants may enter as an individual or as a team. All levels of golfers welcome with this event placing emphasis placed on having fun not just final scores. Please register by June 5th.

For other information or to register please contact Scott Reiling at the Vauxhall High School (phone: 403-654-2145) or email [email protected]