Saskatoon Berries (baseball)
| Saskatoon Berries | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| League | Western Canadian Baseball League (East) |
| Location | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
| Ballpark | Cairns Field |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Colours | |
| Ownership | Saskatoon Entertainment Group |
| Manager | Joe Carnahan |
| President | Steve Hildebrand |
| Website | saskatoonberriesbaseballclub |
The Saskatoon Berries are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, slated to begin play in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) in 2024. The Berries will host games at Cairns Field.
Team history
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 stated its intent to upgrade the facilities there.[3] The owners also planned to increase fan engagement over the Yellow Jackets era, and began with fan voting to name the new team.[4] In July 2023, fans voted on the name, and Berries won over the other finalists, which included the Bridge Pigeons, Cobra Chickens, and River Pirates.[5] Club president Steve Hildebrand called the name "uniquely Saskatoon."[6] Before the end of the month, the team also unveiled its logo and team colours.[7] The team plans to unveil the rest of its branding before the end of 2023.[5]
In July, 2023, the Berries hired Joe Carnahan as its coach.[8] 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.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Mitchell, Kevin (2015-12-09). "Saskatoon would be welcomed back into the WMBL, if it's 'done right', league president says". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ "Saskatoon will have its own baseball team in 2024". CTV News. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Kevin (2023-03-29). "The Western Canadian Baseball League is back: New franchise lands in Saskatoon for 2024". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Mandzuk, Will (2023-07-13). "It's a 'berry' great day for Saskatoon's newest baseball team". CKOM. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Liam (2023-07-13). "Saskatoon Berries chosen as name for new Western Canadian Baseball League team". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Kruger, Brooke (2023-07-13). "'Saskatoon Berries' unveiled as name for new baseball club". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ O'Connor, Liam (2023-07-28). "Saskatoon Berries baseball team logo is a dream come true for graphic designer". CBC News. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ Roblin, Scott (2023-07-07). "Saskatoon Baseball Club hires WCBL champion Joe Carnahan as inaugural coach". Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Mitchell, Kevin (2023-07-14). "They have a name and a coach; now, the Saskatoon Berries wait for the 2024 baseball season". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
