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 is established at the Bank of Nova Scotia, and anyone that wishes to 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:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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               Prairie Baseball Academy               Vauxhall Academy of Baseball

2425 North Parkside Dr.          545 6^th Avenue North                  Box 618

Lethbridge, AB Canada            Lethbridge, AB Canada                 Vauxhall, AB Canada

T1J 4W3                               T1H 6N8                                    T0K 2K0  

The funeral arrangements have been set for Mitch MacLean and Tanner Craswell, and are being held on Thursday and Friday this week respectively, both in their hometown of Charlottetown, PEI.  The southern Alberta baseball community will be represented in PEI by approximately 16 members of local baseball groups including the Prairie Baseball Academy, Vauxhall Baseball Academy and the Lethbridge Bulls.  The Lethbridge Bulls will be represented by the President/General Manager, Kevin Kvame, who mentored and housed the two young men over the course of their time in Lethbridge. 

We encourage everyone to visit and post your memories of Mitch, Tanner, and Tabitha, as well as send wishes to Shayna at the same time, on the 'In Memory of Mitch Maclean, Tanner Craswell, and Tabitha Stepple' memorial page on Facebook.  Details regarding the Memorial Fund will be finalized as early as tomorrow morning and updates will be available at www.bullsbaseball.com, Twitter @lethbridgebulls, and on the Lethbridge Bulls Baseball Club Facebook page.

The Lethbridge Bulls would like to thank all those near and far for their ongoing support and generosity during this difficult time.  The amount of support has been tremendous and is a true testament to the number of people Tanner and Mitch influenced and inspired in their lives, not only in the Baseball community, but in all aspects of their lives.

The Bulls again would like to extend their condolences to Tanner's mother and father, Cindy and Keith, and Mitch's mother and father, Irwin and Dianne, and their entire families. The Club would also like to extend their condolences to the Stepple family, and hope for a full recovery for Shayna.

The Bulls would like to wish everyone safe travels and well wishes during this Holiday Season!

LETHBRIDGE, AB: The Bulls are pleased to announce that Mike Coe will be the teams first Assistant General Manager. The position is effective immediately and will see Coe look after player contracts and expectations, assist with the sales department, and over see some of the Bulls social media initiatives.

Mike was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta where he played Little League and American Legion. In the year 2000 he played for the Junior College of Northeastern Oklahoma A & M. In 2002 he was named the NJCAA 1st Team All Region 3rd Baseman. He then went on to play in the NCAA for Division II Henderson State University in 2002 - 2004 on a baseball scholarship. He left Henderson State with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, and a Minor in Communications. He is currently working with High Risk Youth's in a Residential Treatment Center.

Coe was a member of the Lethbridge Bulls in 2001and 2003 and in his first season he was named the WMBL Canadian Rookie of the League. In 2002 Mike played in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League (ACBL) for the Lehigh Valley Catz in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he helped lead his team to become League Champions.

The Bulls are very proud to have Mike part of the club as he has always had a hometown sense of pride and will help lead us in the right direction for a another Division Title and possibly our first League Title. He's excited in the direction the league is headed and was very impressed last season at the talent level of the players and how much the league has improved since his days as a Bull.

For further information on all the Bulls news and updates for the 2012 season check out bullsbaseball.com, www.facebook.com/lethbridgebulls, or www.twitter.com/lethbridgebulls.

Please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Kvame (Lethbridge Bulls Baseball Club President/General Manager) or Mike Coe (Lethbridge Bulls Assistant General Manager) for further information.

Thank you Bulls fans for all your support over the 2011 season! After the very disappointing loss Tuesday night the Bulls are heading back to school earlier than anticipated but are excited to see you all back out in May of 2012. Call now to order your season tickets to ensure you can watch every game in your favourite seats!

We have some very talented Bulls players that we would like to recognize.

MVP - Jesse Sawyer

Rookie of the Year - Mitch Maclean

Pitcher of the Year - Tyler Vavra

Most Sportsmanlike - Eric Dorton

Best Defensive Player - Tanner Craswell

Players Player - Joel Blake

Hardest Worker - Brendan Hendriks

Hey Bulls Fans,

Too busy to make it into the office or the ticket booth to get your Bulls tickets? Well you're in luck as of June 27, 2011 we sell our tickets online! Click below to head over to the website and get yours now! It works great, especially on busy game nights such as July 1st!

CLICK HERE!

Summer is officially here and there might be no group of people more happier about it than the Lethbridge Bulls. It's been a rough start to the WMBL season in more ways than one. Wins have been hard to come by early in the season and the team has a record below .500 going into the latter part of June. The Bulls haven't been able to find the winning combination yet and the weather during the past couple of weeks has only made matters worse. Rain and more rain has been the team's nemisis. A recent trip to Moose Jaw is a good example.
 
The Bulls had a two games series scheduled with the Miller Express. But the first game was delayed by rain, then a fire in a transformer at the ballpark knocked out all the power and the game was suspended. The teams resumed the game the next day prior the regularly scheduled contest. After stopping in Swift Current to play the Indians the Bulls returned home to open a four game homestand against Okotoks. The Dawgs won the game 5-2, even though Bulls starter Chris Walker pitched a solid game. Solo home runs by Zach Rhodes and Wade Morton accounted for the Bulls runs. Then the Edmonton Prospects paid their first visit of the season to Spitz Stadium for a three game series.
 
The Prospects won the opener 6-4 Friday (June 17), scoring five times in the fifth to erase a 3-1 Bulls lead. Rookie Brendan Hendricks played very well and was named the game MVP. The Vauxhall Academy grad went 2 for 4 and hammered a triple in the eighth to drive in Jesse Sawyer. Saturday the rain returned and the game had to be postponed. It was an unfortunate cancellation for a couple of reasons. It was Little League Night, with all Little Leaguers wearing their uniforms admitted free. Earlier in the day the Little Leaguers competed in a skills competition and were supposed to be recognized with their awards at the Bulls game.
 
The club also had a ceremony scheduled before the game to honor Murray Hatch, who passed away a couple of months ago. Murray was well recognized to everyone at Spitz Stadium as the Bulls number one fan. His mother, his sisters, and other members of his family were on hand for the ceremony. But rain wiped out the game and they weren't able to attend the make up game the next day. The Bulls planned to present a framed photo of Murray on the field throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. It was signed by the entire team including Coach Scott Rhodes and General Manager Kevin Kvame. Murray's mother was most appreciative of the jesture. And even though the club wasn't able to pay a public tribute to one its most loyal fans Murray's mother was still deeply touched and said it was the thought that counts.
 
The Bulls and Prospects played a doubleheader (two seven inning games) on Father's Day to make up for Saturday's rain out. The Bulls got their first win of the season at home in the opener, 6-5 in an extra inning. Edmonton held a 4-3 lead going to the bottom of the seventh. But Tanner Craswell forced the extra inning in dramatic fashion. With two out the Bulls second year shortstop hit a home run over the left field fence to tie the game. The Prospects pushed a run across in the top of the eighth to regain the lead at 5-4. In the bottom of the eighth with one out Rhodes, Sawyer and Hendricks all got on with base hits to set up a unique ending. Vauxhall Academy grad Shane Zimmer arrived in Lethbridge from the southern United States the day before and made a contribution in his first plate appearance. Pinch hitting for Dave Dorton, Zimmer hit a ground ball to the shortstop and Hendricks was erased at second on the force out. But the relay to first base skipped away toward the outfield allowing Rhodes to score the tying run, and Sawyer to come in with the winning run. Justin Kuks was the winning pitcher in relief of Tyler Vavra. Craswell was the game MVP, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, including the game-tying home run. The local chapter of Kidsport also benefitted from the Bulls victory, with Sun Life Financial , in a long-standing promotion, donating one hundred dollars to Kidsport when the Bulls win at home.
 
But Sunday's doubleheader was marred by persistent rain showers. There were a number of lengthy rain delays, and the Bulls had to pitch in at least three times pulling the tarp on the field. It made for a long day at the ballpark. And the Bulls may have felt the effects of pulling out the tarp and re-doing the field several times. The home side led 6-1 after two innings. But after a rain delay in the top of the third, Edmonton scored six runs in the frame to take a 7-6 lead. Jesse Sawyer tied the game in the bottom of the third with a lead off home run. But the Prospects got a run in the fifth to go back on top 8-7. Mitch Maclean tied it up again at 8-8 with a solo homer in the sixth. But Edmonton scored twice in the top of the seventh for a 10-8 win.
 
After the homestand the Bulls went back on the road for two games in Melville and two games in Yorkton. But like the little comic strip character with a constant cloud over his head the rain continues to follow the Bulls. Monday's (June 20) game in Melville was rained out. Two games are scheduled in Yorkton Tuesday and Wednesday, and a doubleheader in Melville Thursday. The Bulls return home to face the Medicine Hat Mavericks Friday at 7 pm (June 24). Remember its Gas King Five o'clock Friday, and that means you can pick up a coupon at any Gas King location and bring it to Spitz Stadium where you'll receive 2 adult tickets, 2 youth tickets, 2 hamburgers. 2 hotdogs, 4 drinks and 1000 kickback points for thirty-five dollars. Sunday (June 26) Okoktoks pays a visit for a doubleheader beginning at 2 pm. One is the regularly scheduled game and the other is a make up for a rain out on June 7. For more ticket information contact the Bulls office at 320-2025 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

After dropping the first two games of WMBL regular season The Bulls wrapped up a three game series in Edmonton Monday night with a 7-3 win over the Prospects. Starter Justin Kuks was the winning pitcher. He went six innings, allowing 2 runs and 6 hits. Mitch Schaafsma pitched the seventh and eighth, giving up 1 run on 2 hits. Bunk Coronado closed out the ninth striking out the side.

The Bulls collected ten hits in the game, with the top of the order providing the offensive spark. Lead off hitter Eric Dorton went 2 for 2, scored twice, and also drove in a run. The number two hitter in the order, second baseman Mitch Maclean, drove in a pair of runs with two doubles. Third baseman Dan McNeil enjoyed a 2 for 4 night at the plate with 3 RBIs.

After an off day Tuesday the Bulls visited Medicine Hat Wednesday night and dropped a 6-1 decision to the Mavericks. The Bulls could only manage five hits in the game, with the Dorton brothers collecting three. Eric doubled and scored the only run, and Dave went 2 for 4.

Chris Walker took the loss on the mound, giving up 8 hits and 3 earned runs in five innings. Cole Stober pitched two innings of scoreless relief with two strikeouts, and Mitch Schaafsma finished up in the eighth.

The team is still missing a number of players from its 27 man roster and hope some will be reporting this weekend, perhaps in time for the home opener Friday night. The Bulls host the Medicine Hat Mavericks at Spitz Stadium with game time 7:05 pm. It's the first of twenty-four homes dates on the schedule. Then following the regular season the WMBL play offs begin July 30.
For ticket information contact the Bulls office at 403-320-2025 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Bulls opened the Western Major Baseball League season over the weekend with a pair of losses to the Edmonton Prospects. In the first of four games on the road to open the season the Bulls lost 11-8 Saturday, despite out hitting the Prospects 11-8. 

The Bulls started Tyler Vavra on the mound. In his second season with the team, he went five innnings, allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits. Cole Stober took the loss in relief of Vavra. The former member of the Lethbridge Spitz Elks American Legion Baseball program gave up 2 runs on 2 hits in one inning of work. Another pitcher in his second season with the Bulls, Mitch Schaafsma, pitched the last two innings. First baseman/Designated Hitter Brendan Miller was the top hitter going 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI. Shortstop Tanner Craswell also drove in two runs with a triple. 

In Sunday afternoon's game the Bulls built up a 6-1 advantage after four innings, but the Prospects came back with 5 runs in the fifth, and 4 more in the sixth, to take the lead and go on to a 12-9 win.

The Bulls used five pitchers in the game. Caleb Olson, in his first year with the Bulls, was the starting pitcher giving up 1 run on 1 hit in four innngs. Riley Spencer was tagged with the loss. Third year centerfielder Eric Dorton went 2 for 2 at the plate with a double and two RBI. Rookie catcher Wade Morton had an outstanding debut offensively going 4 for 5 with three RBI.

Several players still haven't completed the season with their college teams in the U-S. So the Bulls are playing the opening games of the WMBL season without a full roster, forcing some of the pitchers to become temporary positions players. (Justin Kuks was in the line-up as a DH Saturday and Chris Walker played right field in Sunday's game.)

The Bulls wrap up a three game series in Edmonton Monday night and visit Medicine Hat Wednesday. Then it's the home opener Friday. Game time is 7:05 pm at Spitz Stadium with the Medicine Hat Mavericks the visitors. For ticket information contact the Bulls office at 403-320-2025 or at

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Rhodes Returns For Third Season as Bulls Coach
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The Lethbridge Bulls Baseball Club is pleased to announce that Scott Rhodes is returning as Head Coach for a third season. He lives in Alamogordo, New Mexico where he's been a physical education teacher and baseball coach for several years. He also operates his own baseball acdemy. But Scott has roots in Southern Alberta. He was born and raised in Champion and played American Legion Baseball in Fort Macleod.

The veteran coach has eight players returning from last season. They include: infielders Tanner Craswell, Dan McNeil and Brendan Miller, outfieldersEric Dorton, and Zach Rhodes, along with pitchers Cole Lencucha, Mitch Schaafsma and Tyler Vavra. Two players who were key members of the 2009 team are also back with the Bulls. Infielder Jesse Sawyer, who led the team in RBIs two years ago, and catcher-outfielder Joel Blake, who was the team MVP in 2009, have rejoined the club for the 2011 season.

Six players from the Prairie Baseball Academy are part of the Bulls roster for this season. The group includes infielder Mitch Maclean, pitchers Jake Hansen and Riley Spencer, along with Craswell, McNeil and Lencucha.Two former members of the Lethbridge Spitz Elks American Legion Baseball program have also joined the Bulls, infielder Kym Barthel and pitcher Cole Stober.

Last season the Bulls finished second in the WMBL's West Division with a record of 26 and 22, and lost an opening round best-of-five play off series to Okotoks 3-0. A pre-season game that was scheduled for tonight with the Vauxhall Academy Jets has been cancelled because of the rain and wet field conditions. The team opens the regular season with four games on the road; May 28, 29 and 30 in Edmonton, and June 1 in Medicine Hat. The home opener is Friday, June 3 with the Medicine Hat Mavericks the visitors. The club has planned it's usual Canada Day (July 1) celebrations with a pancake breakfast at the ballpark and a day/night doublehader against the Regina Red Sox.