August 17, 2003. The date marks one of the most glorious days in Barrhead’s baseball history.
“Orioles shock Lions with two wins” was the headline in the Barrhead Leader.
Not only did the Os maul the Westlock Red Lions with 8-7 (extra innings), 11-5 victories, they also won the North Central Alberta Baseball League championships series.
Meanwhile, Barrhead’s Lyle Schaffrick was named league championship MVP for his play at the plate.
Victory was even sweeter because the Lions were the defending champions after back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002. Indeed, the Lions were the dominant team of the 90s after a long unbroken run of championships.
It was Barrhead’s first NCABL championship since 1983. In the final league standings the Orioles finished second with a 14-7 record, an impressive feat in a period that saw big crowds turn out for games.
However, any hopes the success would be a harbinger of a golden era were dashed as Barrhead baseball went into decline.
The last Barrhead team to play in the league was the Blue Jays in 2007. They ended the season with a record of three wins and 15 losses, just one win behind the Edmonton Stars and the Waskatenau Chiefs.
As the 10th and 30th anniversaries of these high-water marks in local baseball fast approaches, a call comes for Barrhead to try to regain its former luster.
It comes from Paul Riopel, commissioner of the North Central Alberta Baseball League, which is entering its 46th consecutive year of operation.
“At one time Barrhead’s star shone brightly,” he said. “I would love it to do so again.”
Riopel, who presides over the day-to-day operation of the league, said most of the NCABL’s franchises were now based around the city of Edmonton.
The 10 teams in 2013 are: Camrose Axemen, Edmonton Athletics, Edmonton Blackhawks, Edmonton Indians. Edmonton Warriors, Sherwood Park Athletics, St. Albert Cardinals, Stony Plain Mets, Sturgeon Paladins and Westlock Red Lions.
Yes, those Westlock Red Lions have continued to roar in the league, while Barrhead teams like the Orioles and the Blue Jays went from being household names to bywords of a shining past.
Riopel, who played for the Morinville Manufacturers, is saddened by baseball’s migration to the city, or the urbanization of the league.
“I lament the loss of rural franchises,” he said. “Baseball was born in the rural areas. That is where it was first played.
“It was a source of great pride to many of the local communities. I will always have a tender heart for the grassroots of baseball.
“I feel that is where the heart of baseball is, where it first flourished and spread through Alberta.”
The dimming of Barrhead’s baseball star contrasted with the voices of optimism six years ago.
Although the Blue Jays finished 3-15 in 2007, they lost eights games by three runs or less, believing a relative lack of experience was a decisive factor. One of their victories was a 9-2 thrashing of the Edmonton Blackhawks.
They looked towards 2008 with hope and plans to strengthen their pitching and hitting. It didn’t happen.
Riopel, of St. Albert, said the NCABL would welcome an application from Barrhead to rejoin the league.
According to the NCABL website, each team in the league is represented on the league’s board of governors and new clubs are welcome.
“We are anxious to reestablish the great reputation Barrhead had in the game of baseball,” said Riopel.
“Barrhead was once a hotbed of baseball. The community was well regarded for its prowess in years gone by.”
Riopel said he had been in touch with the “movers and shakers” in Barrhead’s sports scene, people like Rod Callihoo, about reviving local baseball at the higher echelons.
People should be aware, however, that the league had developed enormously over the years, with the average age now hovering around 24, said Riopel.
The NCABL is recognized as a senior AA league, with baseball played at a very high amateur level, he added. Such standards meant the league had to carefully assess each application to join.
“The bar has been raised,” said Riopel.
He said a successful bid would require excellence in several areas – baseball field preparation, recruitment, a talent base, community and media support, and on-field and off-field management.
“We don’t want teams to be blown away,” he said.
Riopel said he preferred working with a group a year in advance of an application. Due diligence had to be carried out for the league to continue thriving.
“The league has evolved beyond what it was 20 years ago,” he said. “Now to belong or apply to belong a group has to be well organized. We are not a slo-pitch beer league. This is a highly competitive league, with good coaching and high baseball performance.”
Riopel urged Barrhead to roll up its collective sleeves to rejoin the NCABL.
“I would welcome a Barrhead delegation with open arms and be willing to assist them with their preparation of a bid for re-entry,” he said.
Perhaps once again names like the Os and the Blue Jays will become familiar to a new generation of baseball fans.
