Ty Wevers on The Bulls’ Series with Prospects

The Lethbridge Bulls completed their 5-game series against the Edmonton Prospects at Spitz Stadium on Sunday, July 4th. The final game saw the Bulls put up a W with a final score of 9-3 over the Prospects. The win to end the series also brought a change in the WCBL standing, with the Bulls sitting in 1st place over the Prospects. Ty Wevers took some time off from his downtime to discuss the series with us. “It’s something our team has been working towards,” he says of the Bulls taking first place and edging the Prospects 3 games to 2 in the 5 game series.

“It was a good series.” He says. "[It was] Nice to get back into it and play the length of games we had, they were good games for fans, friends and family to watch,” Wevers says the team started off the series in ok shape but had to pinpoint and fix a few things through the series, particularly following their walk-off loss on Canada Day to start the series. “We didn’t get out hit the whole series except for the last game.” He points out. “Offense was on point, pitching was a little bit off the first few games but when we got both going it’s a good example of why we’re in first.” The Bulls have put up some impressive statistics through the series, putting up 53 runs with a .319 batting average and 3.87 ERA across the 5 games. “The number one thing for me is being on board with pitchers and getting the ball across the plate,” Wevers says of his contributions to the games. “We have a great defence and need to trust that. If that can continue to work we will be a very good team.”

Looking back on the last five games against the Prospects, we asked Ty if there were any standout moments for him. “The wins are what mattered to me. Going up an 8 spot in the first inning in the 4th game coming off a loss was pretty good. It was a very good opportunity for us to get rolling and we were able to carry that momentum. It was a good win for our baseball program.”

With the WCBL being shuffled for the 2021 season, players are seeing a lot of familiar faces with the All-Canadian squads this year. Ty had a few former teammates on the Prospects. “I knew a few - Hunter Porter - I played my grade 12 year in Vauxhall with him. I played against him in the 2nd last game this weekend. It was good to get out and play against those guys. I know a lot of the guys around the league because it’s all Canadian baseball players. It’s a smaller community than anyone thinks. Great to compete against those guys.” The opportunity to play against former colleagues and teammates has been a common theme in our conversations with the players throughout the season so far.

As Catcher, Wevers plays alongside Noah Or and has a fairly unique perspective on the game. “Playing Catcher is great.” His enthusiasm is impressive as he tells us about it. “Growing up, I never was a catcher ‘til the team needed one. I love being behind there [home plate] and making relationships with the pitcher. I like seeing the whole field and being in every single play. It’s a good position for my skillset and I love being able to enjoy it.”

Ty was born and raised in Lethbridge. Ty got into baseball as a child. “It became a thing passed down from my dad. He’d come out in the back yard and we’d hit balls into a hockey net. I played hockey ‘til 13 when I joined baseball. All my friends started playing. I never knew I’d go this far, but I’m very thankful that I did.” Ty played in the Jr. Dawgs program initially, then joined the Jr. Bulls and also as a minor league player had the chance to compete in the 2016 & 17 World Series, representing team Canada. “I had a pretty good team with my youth years.” He says. In grades 11 and 12 Ty played for Vauxhall Baseball Academy. Upon graduating, he moved to Kansas and is attending Cloud County Community College where he plays in the JHOC conference. Down in Kansas, Ty plays alongside several familiar faces. "There’s A lot of Canadians all throughout [JHOC]. Colby and Cloud are the two biggest teams and there are lots of Edmonton and Alberta players. I’m thankful I went there, it’s a good spot for me.”

Being back home for the summer and playing for the Bulls is a surreal experience, Ty says. “Growing up I went to Bulls game and dreamed of playing in the pinstripes. It’s very cool how life comes full circle. It’s cool to be playing in front of friends and family; it’s a great way to give back to all the people who supported you when you were younger; to show them how the work went and how I turned out.” Referencing one of our previous interviews with Mike Fitzsimmons, Wevers adds,” I agree with what Fitzy said too. Our fan base is unmatched. It’s a very cool experience whenever we sell out the stadium and I hope we can do that as we continue in first seed.”

Looking at his success to now, Ty credits a lot of his teammates for helping him grow as a player. “It’s really been a mix of people [who have helped me]. Playing baseball with your buddies - Carlin Dick and Levi Abbott and Ty Penner. But Noah Or being a mentor for me - seeing how he goes about things and how he plays his game and the results he gets. His play is a direct representation of how I want my career to go. That’s how you build culture, that’s how you build team. No single person, just a mix of folks working together.”

Ty asked us to relay his appreciation to the staff at Spitz Stadium. “From the team’s pregame meals to the crew and media, announcers, clean up staff, head office…” Ty says “the program is unmatched. The Intelligence behind the whole team and help and commitment that the workers have, concession, mascot, ticket sales - it really drive the program and gives us the opportunity to play our game in front of the fans.”

The Bulls’ next game is against Okotoks Dawgs Black at Spitz Stadium on Thursday, July 8. Tickets information can be found on the Bulls’ website at www.bullsbaseball.com

Our photos from the game, including the ones requested by the parents in the stands and the Prospects club, can be found Here