Swift Current Indians Wrap Up

Every August I find myself at my laptop preparing a new blog entry about the WMBL and Swift Current Indians Baseball.

Last year after a tribe win, I made light of the WMBL trophy being nowhere to be found. Lost in a broom closet in Okotoks somewhere after a Dawg 3-peat in years prior.

Two years ago was my "Co-Champs = no champs" post, where I touched on the greed of certain parties in the league stretching league resources thin to make a profit.

This year, I have been encouraged to share thoughts on the league's new player eligibility rules and the bizarre playoff seeding that saw Swift Current lose in round 1. They were seeded against one of the top teams in the league in a series that saw The Tribe without home field advantage.

Well...

I like the new eligibility rules.

"Members of the Canada-based Western Major Baseball League have voted to raise their game in the competitive world of summer collegiate baseball by adopting roster rules more in line with the premier leagues in the states. While not quite as strict, beginning in 2012, WMBL team rosters will be limited to players who have remaining college eligibility, college seniors who just completed their fourth and final college season, and a maximum of three Canadian players who are one year removed from college."

Long story short, players will not be able to play in the league into their 30's anymore. Yes, this removes Conrad Funk and past legends like Kelly Horaska from the equation...but honestly, Conrad has a baby on the way and probably wasn't going to play next year anyway. Conrad and Horse aren't the norm. We don't see those types every year.

Joe Carnahan will adjust his recruiting accordingly, and the Swift Current Indians will be fine. These new recruiting rules will give the league better credibility and attract better players to the prairies every summer.

The cost of importing players will go up. Hopefully the upgrades in skill will help fill seats around the league.

...and the playoff format? The Swift Current Indians have won three championships with that format. I agree they got screwed this year, but I'm not gonna call the league "bush league" and demand change. I'm sure things will be reviewed.

What people need to realize is the quality of baseball is going up every year. Since I've started calling games, there has been a steady rise in the talent level of the players. This year I enjoyed a few games with 2006 Indians alumni John deVisser. He marveled at how much the league has improved in just five years.

The WMBL is growing, and there will be growing pains...but if you love baseball and spend a good chunk of your summer nights at the nearest WMBL ballpark...you won't be disappointed.

Switz