Spitz Stadium. (Supplied by Lethbridge Bulls Baseball)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge Bulls aim for home opener June 18

May 27, 2021 | 10:28 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Western Canada’s best baseball players look to step up to the plate in just a couple of weeks’ time.

Following the Alberta Government’s announcement Wednesday that COVID-19 restrictions would start to be eased on June 1, the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) is looking to close in on some key dates for the upcoming season.

READ MORE: Province announces three-stage plan to ease restrictions

WCBL President Kevin Kvame says they have been in close contact with the province for several months now, initially hoping to start the season back in March.

The first game of the season is expected to take place June 18 as the Lethbridge Bulls welcome the Okotoks Dawgs to Spitz Stadium.

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“We will begin the season with a limited number of fans in the stands, as per guidance from officials,” says Kvame. “We also anticipate increasing that capacity in late-June or early-July, depending on hospitalizations and vaccination rates.”

An earlier statement from the Bulls adds that games will also be streamed on YouTube for free.

Partially due to international travel restrictions, the Bulls will be playing with an all-Canadian roster this year.

“We will be playing against less teams this year, due to borders and restrictions. You can expect to see games against the Edmonton Prospects, Okotoks Dawgs, and Sylvan Lake Gulls with their all-Canadian teams this summer. The Fort McMurray Giants as well as the Medicine Hat Mavericks are still pending, as they have some obstacles to figure out before they can commit to running their seasons,” reads part of the statement from the Lethbridge Bulls.

A tentative schedule is expected to be released in the coming days with playoff semi-finals tentatively scheduled for August 16-18.

Kvame says the league hopes to hold the championship series August 20-22.

“We’re just excited to get back on the field and provide a great summer of baseball for our talented Canadian players. We’re also excited for our fans, who we applaud for standing by us as we’ve been planning this season.”

Stay tuned to the WCBL’s website and social media pages to stay updated on the season.