Fitzsimmons Shines in Bulls win over Dawgs Red
The Lethbridge Bulls took on the Okotoks Dawgs Red team in their second home game of the season on June 23rd. The game was under constant threat from an incoming thunderstorm, but the teams managed to finish the game before the storm arrived at Spitz Stadium in Lethbridge. Though a low scoring affair with the 3-2 final favoring the Bulls, infielder Mike Fitzsimmons (“Fitz”) shone through the match. Our team caught up with him after the game to chat.
“I thought I had an alright game.” Fitz says about getting the Bulls on the scoreboard. “(I) Got the first RBI up the middle and had to beat the throw to first base. I had to be conscious about getting on the board.” The Bulls would hang on to “get the dub” in their 2nd game against Dawgs Red on the season, even though Fitz tells us, “It was kind of a nailbiter there at the end”. Fitz’s defensive play through the middle frames helped hold the Bull’s lead, including a clutch play to stop an Okotoks rally. “As shortstop I had the choice to get the guy out at 3rd or 1st; I heard the team cheering “three!” so I just quickly got it out to third and that probably saved a run or two.” Fitz pauses and thinks about the play before adding, “In situations like that you’re already thinking about what to do with the ball before you get it. That out was big.”
“I heard the team cheering “three!” so I just quickly got it out to third and that probably saved a run or two.”
Outside of the stadium, Mike is going to UBC, going into his 4th year of a Psychology major. He also plays ball for the UBC Thunderbirds. '“I missed out on a season this past year because UBC is the only Canadian team in the NAIA. The league carried on without us. It was tough watching everyone else playing and we were sitting it out. I really missed the competitive atmosphere.” Fitz adds that coming into the 2021 WCBL season, he finds it “easy to bring the energy when you’ve missed out for that long.” He loves the chance to play again and says he is aiming to “Get the most out of my baseball experience at UBC and carry on until I can’t anymore. Looking back I’ll enjoy the times.”
Fitz is the youngest of 3 brothers and grew up on a hobby farm in Chilliwack, BC. He got his start playing sandlot baseball with wiffle balls and tennis balls with his brothers. “It got me used to competing and getting dominated by my brothers.” His older brothers provided “lots of adversity and I was taught to overcome that with my brothers not going easy. It was good and fun.” He played in Chilliwack for a few years before transferring to Abbotsford top pursue a goal of playing Premiere baseball with the Cardinals. He joined the Cardinals junior team and then in 2018 won the PBL championship with their senior team.
Fitz is loving his introduction to summer ball with the WCBL. He tells us there’s “Nothing better really. I haven’t seen such an energetic crowd - even with restrictions. Playing in Spitz, it’s a great atmosphere and what you dream of as a kid.”
The Bulls are on the road today with a game coming up in Okotoks against the Dawgs Black tonight. “We’re going to try and bring the energy!” Fitz assures us. “Summer ball is all about gaining confidence and not being afraid. Can’t be afraid to lose or strike out and there’s always the guy behind you ready to pick you up.” Fitz credits their success so far this season to being a good offensive team and is confident the Bulls can get a few runs on Okotoks tonight. “Seamans stadium is great to play cuz they have good fans and it’s fun to shove it in their face.” We hope the team gets the opportunity to do that.
Fitz was a late recruit on the Bulls team along with several of the other Canadian prospects. 2-3 weeks before opening day his UBC coach told him there was a spot available to play in the WCBL, up to which point Fitz was worried he’d miss out on another season. “Luckily I got that chance and want to thank coach Chance and Luke for giving me the opportunity." Fitz is also extremely thankful to his billets, Brittney and Luke Bruce for taking him in and welcoming me on such late notice. He is thrilled to be playing again and is looking forward to the Spitz energy at the Bulls’ next home game on Sunday.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Fitz!
Tickets for the Bulls’ next home game on Sunday, June 27th and the upcoming Canada Day double header can be purchased at the Bulls’ website at https://bullsbaseball.com/