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
Category: Press Release
Academy family member and truely inspirational supportor passes away.
Vauxhall, AB
The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball is very sad to announce the passing of a truely inspirational supporter and family member of the Jets – Wanda Stober. Wanda was a loving mother of the only 3 year Academy standout pitcher Cole Stober. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Stober family and friends as well as everyone who may be affected by this devastating tragedy.
WANDA STOBER
1964 – 2009
Wanda Stober, beloved wife of Brad Stober of Hays, passed away in Calgary on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the age of 44 years.
Relatives and friends are invited for Prayers at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 324 – 2 Avenue North, Vauxhall on Monday, January 26, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 324 – 2 Avenue North, Vauxhall on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Mariusz Sztuk SDS Celebrant. Burial to follow in the Vauxhall Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Wanda’s name may be made directly to the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball (memo line: Wanda Stober Scholarship Fund), Box 618, Vauxhall, Alberta T0K 2K0.
VAB players are well represented in the 2009 Pre-Draft List!
Vauxhall, AB –
The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball is very well represented on Bob Elliot’s 2009 MLB Pre-Draft List. Elliot ranks high school seniors and collegiate eligible draft players on an annual basis through his website – “Canadian Baseball Network.” Overall the Academy has placed 6 current and 3 former player on the list.
Below is the current and former VAB players and their ranking:
#5 – OF – Lionel Morrill (Currently attending CSI)
#6 – LHP – Jay Johnson (Currently attending PBA)
#7 – RHP – Brandon Petite
Players to watch:
C – Jean-Guy Bilodeau
RHP – Jordan Wong
RHP – Steven Inch
OF/3B – Adam Nelubowich
RHP – Tyler Vavra
Inf – Dale Anderson
The draft list changes throughout the spring leading up to the 2009 MLB 1st Year Player Draft. For more information click on the website – http://canadianbaseballnetwork.com/draftlist/2009
2nd Year Academy standout added to Junior National Team Roster!!
Vauxhall, AB –
The Vauxhall Academy of Baseball is very pleased to announce that senior OF/3B Adam Nelubowich has been added to the Canadian Junior National Team Roster. Nelubowich will join teammate Mike Washburn in Orlando, Florida April 16th – 26th, 2009 to compete against MLB extended spring teams. Nelubowich and Washburn will fly out of Las Vegas, Nevada during the Jets spring trip to join up with their Team Canada teammates.
In total 8 Jets have been invited to tryout with Team Canada over the past 2 1/2 seasons – an accomplishment that we are all very proud of. The fine, young student-athletes that have elected to move away from their homes early in their careers is what makes this all possible.
Below is a list of student-athletes who have attended a tryout with Team Canada:
Dale Anderson – 2007/2008
Lionel Morrill – 2007/2008 (made the Junior Olympic Team in 2008)
Tanner Craswell – 2007
JC Paquin – 2007/2008
Brandon Petite – 2008 (made the Jr Olympic Team in 2008)
Jordan Wong – 2008
Mike Washburn – 2008/2009
Adam Nelubowich – 2008/2009
Friend of the VAB passes away!
Close friend of the VAB and Minnesota Twins scout, Jim Ridley, passed away on November 28th, 2008 after a battle with cancer . Ridley coached VAB assistant coach, Jim Kotkas in the 1988 Olympics and was also a part time scout who work under Ridley. For more details on Ridley’s career check www.baseball.ca. The last player that Jim Ridley drafted was 2008 Jet – Lionel Morrill. Our deepest condolences go out to the Ridley family.
Former Jet – Jay Johnson committs to Texas Tech!
Vauxhall, AB –
Former LHP and 1B for the Jets in 2006 – Jay Johnson (Sussex Corner, NB) has committed to play for Texas Tech University next fall. Johnson enjoyed 4 great recruiting trips to the University of Nebraska, Washington State University, Oregon State University and Texas Tech. Jay has spent the last 2 seasons at PBA in Lethbridge, AB playing for Coach Kubicek and Coach Hubka – both programs (VAB and the PBA) are very excited for Jay and his family.
Oct. 18th and 19th game time changes!
Vauxhall, AB –
The games on both the 18th and 19th of October vs PBA in Lethbridge at Lloyd Nolan Yard have been change from 1 pm to 12 noon both days.
Oct. 18th – 12 noon (DH)
Oct. 19th – 12 noon (DH)
October 10th game is cancelled due to weather!
Vauxhall, AB –
Friday nights game vs PBF is cancelled due to the weather forcast. THe teams are still playing Saturday and SUnday at 1pm (Sat) and 11pm (Sun).
Wong & Washburn with Team Canada in Orlando, Florida!
Vauxhall, AB –
The VAB wishes success to 2 current grade 12 student-athletes – Jordan Wong (RHP – Calgary, AB) and Mike Washburn (3B/1B – Fredricton, New Brunswick) in their initial tryout with the Canadian Junior National Team. The CJNT is in Orlando, Florida Oct. 2nd – 10th competing against MLB instructional rosters at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. This now makes 7 current and former VAB Jets athletes to tryout/make the final roster of the Canadian Junior National Team. Tanner Craswell – 2006/2007, Dale Anderson 2007/2008, Lionel Morrill 2007/2008, JC Paquin 2007/2008, Brandon Petite 2007/2008, and now Wong & Washburn. For more information please visit Baseball Canada – www.baseball.ca.
4 Jets going to the Mizuno Elite Camp in Toronto!
Vauxhall, AB –
The entire Jets family would like to congratulate 4 VAB Jets for being selected by Baseball Canada to attend the Mizuno Elite Camp in Toronto Friday thru Monday. LHP – Taylor Simmonds, OF – Shane Zimmer, LHP – Ben Dartnell, and Inf – Kym Barthel will test their skills with the best 15 and 16 year olds in Canada at the Rogers Centre over the weekend. Please visit: www.baseball.ca for more details.
