Alumni Game Brings Back Familiar Names and Faces
After a come-from-behind win over Regina Saturday in a game that had all the intensity of a play off match up, the Bulls players, coaches and staff had a chance to kick back and enjoy a beautiful Sunday evening with the first-ever Alumni Game. The team welcomed back several former players and a former coach, Todd Hubka, to help celebrate the Bulls Tenth Anniversary.
The Alumni roster included: Colin Rudko, Eric Cattoni, Ken Fuglerud, Brandon Magierowski, Cole Balog, Aaron Lavorato, Kevin Gregus, Darrell Ellis, Rob Greeno, Tyler Aiken, Travis Magierowski, Kelly Gregus and Mike Leavitt.
They all saw action, along with Coach Hubka, in the game that the Bulls won 9-4. The Alumni lead 4-2 after five innings. Then Jesse Sawyer hit a three run homer in the sixth to give the Bulls a lead they would not relinquish.
But the score of the game is immaterial. It was an opportunity to celebrate the team's past and a chance for old teammates to get together and play some hardball.
Hubka had two stints as a coach with the Bulls. He was with the team in the first year of operation (1999), then had a more recent run as coach the last three seasons (2006 to 2008).
He says he doesn't remember anything specific about games and plays on the field in the early days of the franchise. "I was talking about that with Scott Rhodes (the current Bulls coach) before the game", says Hubka. "And as the years go by what you remember is just the guys on the team", he adds. "Some of the interesting situations we used to get into both on and off the field."
Hubka also says the league is vastly different than it was ten years ago. "The caliber of play, the talent on the field. and just the way the league is run have all changed for the better", he claims. "And the Bulls have played a major role in that improvement, along with the other Alberta teams. It's a very competive college summer league", says Hubka, "and about as close as you'll get to professional baseball without calling it a pro league".
But Hubka hasn't taken the summer off completely. "I'm coaching my son in the the Little League All-Star program", he says. "So I'm still coaching, only at a different level. I'm really enjoying coaching my son and glad he's playing baseball".
The Bulls host Team Saskatchewan Monday night for an exhibition game. It's the provincial team that will represent Saskatchewan at the Canada Games next month. The Bulls are also teaming up with Bee 93 and Country 95 radio for the third annual "Strike Out Hunger Night". Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the game that will be donated to the Interfaith Food Bank. Game time at Spitz Stadium is 7:05. Then it's back to league play Tuesday when the Bulls host the Edmonton Prospects for a 7:05 start.
The Alumni roster included: Colin Rudko, Eric Cattoni, Ken Fuglerud, Brandon Magierowski, Cole Balog, Aaron Lavorato, Kevin Gregus, Darrell Ellis, Rob Greeno, Tyler Aiken, Travis Magierowski, Kelly Gregus and Mike Leavitt.
They all saw action, along with Coach Hubka, in the game that the Bulls won 9-4. The Alumni lead 4-2 after five innings. Then Jesse Sawyer hit a three run homer in the sixth to give the Bulls a lead they would not relinquish.
But the score of the game is immaterial. It was an opportunity to celebrate the team's past and a chance for old teammates to get together and play some hardball.
Hubka had two stints as a coach with the Bulls. He was with the team in the first year of operation (1999), then had a more recent run as coach the last three seasons (2006 to 2008).
He says he doesn't remember anything specific about games and plays on the field in the early days of the franchise. "I was talking about that with Scott Rhodes (the current Bulls coach) before the game", says Hubka. "And as the years go by what you remember is just the guys on the team", he adds. "Some of the interesting situations we used to get into both on and off the field."
Hubka also says the league is vastly different than it was ten years ago. "The caliber of play, the talent on the field. and just the way the league is run have all changed for the better", he claims. "And the Bulls have played a major role in that improvement, along with the other Alberta teams. It's a very competive college summer league", says Hubka, "and about as close as you'll get to professional baseball without calling it a pro league".
But Hubka hasn't taken the summer off completely. "I'm coaching my son in the the Little League All-Star program", he says. "So I'm still coaching, only at a different level. I'm really enjoying coaching my son and glad he's playing baseball".
The Bulls host Team Saskatchewan Monday night for an exhibition game. It's the provincial team that will represent Saskatchewan at the Canada Games next month. The Bulls are also teaming up with Bee 93 and Country 95 radio for the third annual "Strike Out Hunger Night". Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the game that will be donated to the Interfaith Food Bank. Game time at Spitz Stadium is 7:05. Then it's back to league play Tuesday when the Bulls host the Edmonton Prospects for a 7:05 start.
