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Saskatoon Berries (baseball)

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Saskatoon Berries
Information
LeagueWestern Canadian Baseball League (East)
LocationSaskatoon, Saskatchewan
BallparkCairns Field
Founded2023
Colours       
OwnershipSaskatoon Entertainment Group
ManagerJoe Carnahan
PresidentSteve Hildebrand
Websitesaskatoonberriesbaseballclub.ca

The Saskatoon Berries are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Founded in 2023, the team began play in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) in 2024. The Berries host games at Cairns Field.

Team history

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The Berries hosting the Lethbridge Bulls at Cairns Field in June 2024.

Saskatoon has a long history with the WCBL, but was without a team for a decade after the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets folded in 2014.[1] In March 2023, it was announced that Saskatoon had been awarded a WCBL expansion franchise that would begin play in 2024.[2] The franchise is owned by Saskatoon Entertainment Group, run by father–son business partners Mike and Colin Priestner, which also owns the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League and the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League.[3] The group signed a 10-year lease at Cairns Field and renovated the facilities there.[4] The team launched a fan vote to name the new team.[5] In July 2023, it was announced that Berries had won over the other nickname finalists, which included the Bridge Pigeons, Cobra Chickens, and River Pirates.[6] Club president Steve Hildebrand called the name "uniquely Saskatoon."[7] Before the end of the month, the team also unveiled its logo and team colours.[8] Ahead of their inaugural season, the club announced a partnership with local minor baseball organizations that includes donating funds from game-day fundraisers.[9]

In July, 2023, the Berries hired Joe Carnahan as its coach.[10] Carnahan was a four-time WCBL coach of the year as manager for the Swift Current 57's, the team he helped lead to the WCBL championship three times. He also won three titles as a player for the 57's.[11] In June 2024, the team added former Yellow Jacket and Major League Baseball pitcher Andrew Albers to its coaching staff.[12] The team's inaugural season roster included eight players from Saskatchewan, including three pitchers hailing from Saskatoon.[9][13]

The Berries played their first game in Regina on May 25, 2024, dropping a 5–4 game to the Regina Red Sox.[14] The Berries hosted their first home game on May 28, losing again to the Red Sox by a score of 8–5 in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,200.[15] The team earned its first ever win on May 31, defeating the Weyburn Beavers by a score of 5–0.[16] The Berries' first home win came on June 1, when they defeated the Lethbridge Bulls by a score of 16–10.[17] The team went on to compile a 31–25 record before defeating Medicine Hat Mavericks in the East Division playoff semifinal; the Berries lost the East Division Final against the Moose Jaw Miller Express.[18] The Berries sold more than 55,000 tickets, the second most in the WCBL.[18] The team was also notified by the New Era Cap Company that its hat was a top-seller among minor league teams in North America.[19]

Season-by-season record

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League Season Manager Regular season Post season Attendance
Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
WCBL
2024 Joe Carnahan 31 25 .554 3rd East 3 3 .500 Lost Eastern Division final 1,931
Totals 31 25 .554 — 3 3 .500

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (2015-12-09). "Saskatoon would be welcomed back into the WMBL, if it's 'done right', league president says". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  2. ^ "Saskatoon will have its own baseball team in 2024". CTV News. 2023-03-29. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (2023-03-29). "The Western Canadian Baseball League is back: New franchise lands in Saskatoon for 2024". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  4. ^ Roblin, Scott (2024-05-22). "Saskatoon Berries lift the curtain on Cairns Field makeover ahead of inaugural home game". Global News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  5. ^ Mandzuk, Will (2023-07-13). "It's a 'berry' great day for Saskatoon's newest baseball team". CKOM. Archived from the original on 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  6. ^ O'Connor, Liam (2023-07-13). "Saskatoon Berries chosen as name for new Western Canadian Baseball League team". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-07-17. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  7. ^ Kruger, Brooke (2023-07-13). "'Saskatoon Berries' unveiled as name for new baseball club". Global News. Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  8. ^ O'Connor, Liam (2023-07-28). "Saskatoon Berries baseball team logo is a dream come true for graphic designer". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-07-29. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  9. ^ a b Roblin, Scott (2024-05-24). "Saskatoon Berries ready to write some history as part of inaugural WCBL season". Global News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  10. ^ Roblin, Scott (2023-07-07). "Saskatoon Baseball Club hires WCBL champion Joe Carnahan as inaugural coach". Global News. Archived from the original on 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  11. ^ Mitchell, Kevin (2023-07-14). "They have a name and a coach; now, the Saskatoon Berries wait for the 2024 baseball season". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2023-07-15. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  12. ^ McLernon, Will (2024-06-03). "Former MLBer joins Saskatoon Berries coaching staff for inaugural season". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  13. ^ Rice, Don (2024-05-23). "Ripe for watchin': Saskatoon Berries bring collegiate-level baseball back to Saskatoon". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  14. ^ Rice, Don (2024-05-29). "Saskatoon Berries impress, but fall short before sellout crowd in inaugural home-opener". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  15. ^ Roblin, Scott (2024-05-29). "Sold-out crowd greets Saskatoon Berries for first home game in franchise history". Global News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  16. ^ "Berries "running back to Saskatoon" with first franchise victory". CKOM. 2024-06-01. Archived from the original on 2024-06-03. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  17. ^ Lazaruk, Les (2024-06-04). "More Berries Firsts as Saskatoon Out-Slugs Lethbridge". CJWW. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  18. ^ a b Roblin, Scott (2024-08-14). "Saskatoon Berries look back on inaugural WCBL season following playoff elimination". Global News. Archived from the original on 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  19. ^ Clausing, Shane (2024-08-17). "Saskatoon Berries' inaugural season exceeds expectations on and off the field". CJME. Archived from the original on 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
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