Director hints at changes after early exit
John Ircandia looks at the 2015 Okotoks Dawgs season in two ways.
On the one hand, Seaman Stadium was filled with record- breaking crowds of passionate fans who came to watch top collegiate talent play really good baseball in the prime of summer. Once again, this market was the class of the Western Major Baseball League as the Dawgs drew over 3,000 fans per game to their still- sparkling state of the art facility.
“The fans love it. They appreciate the summer entertainment value,” said the Dawgs longtime manager director and owner. “They love the quality of the baseball, which is fantastic.” But on the other hand ... “I don’t ever remember being defeated in the first round ( of the playoffs),” Ircandia continued. “So, we have some things to address in the off- season ... we’re not satisfied with the on- field result and we’re looking at ways to rectify that.
“To me, I don’t know what the answers are.”
It’s an interesting predicament for Ircandia as he begins his dissection of a 2015 campaign that ended abruptly last Thursday as the Dawgs lost a deciding fifth game to the defending champion Medicine Hat Mavericks.
They shook off a slow start in the regular season and finished second in the Western Division with a 2919 record.
Puzzling, really, considering the quality of talent the Dawgs fielded this year.
Trevor Swaney was dubbed the WMBL pitcher of the year with the top regular season ERA ( 1.69) while he and Dylan Nelson tied the franchise record in wins ( seven).
The pitchers and three other players — second baseman Brian Sisler, first baseman Brendan Hendriks, and outfielder Daniel Fredrickson — were first- team WMBL all stars.
“You've got a nucleus of incredible skill and talented players. You say, ' What happened around that? Why didn't we advance far in playoffs?'"
Throughout the year, their coaches brought knowledge and experience with Brett Thomas, a former player who was motivated to win at the helm for a second year and was assisted by veteran Dawgs coach Dave Robb. But was it enough? “We're evaluating all aspects and the coaching aspect is first and foremost when you have a team that has some quality players and hasn't had the results you expect,” Ircandia said.
Discussions on the matter are on his immediate off- season agenda. Truth be told, the gig is difficult. And it isn't easy winning in a summer collegiate league when the ( unpaid) roster changes from year to year.
Still, the Dawgs have advantages in drawing top college players over the other nine teams in the league.
They boast the largest fan base in the WMBL, a spectacular setting, and top- notch facilities.
The vibe is motivating ( just look at the peewee, bantam, and midget level Dawgs which all won provincial championships).
As for the history of the collegiate Dawgs on- field product, their club has won three championships and been to the finals twice in its existence.
Attracting talent, according to Ircandia, shouldn't be a problem.
“Then it's a question of taking that talent and creating a winning atmosphere,” he said.
“And, as we all know, sometimes the attitude and competitiveness of the team is what wins championships.”
The bar is set high in Okotoks and, in turn, the bar is raised in the WMBL.
So, getting knocked out in the first round of the post- season — despite a talented squad and great attendance — is still not acceptable.
“Something's gotta happen,” Ircandia. “There's got to be changes so we're not having the same conversation ( next year).”
Around The Bases: The Medicine Hat Mavericks didn't last long after beating the Dawgs, though. The Lethbridge Bulls completed a 3- 0 sweep of the Mavs in the WMBL semifinals with an 8- 6 win on Monday night ... In the other series, Weyburn stayed alive with a 1- 0 win in Game 3 on Monday over the Regina Red Sox, who now lead the series 2- 1. The winner will advance to meet Lethbridge in the WMBL final.