It’s been quite the successful season for the U13 AAA Cloverdale Rangers.
Over the course of their year so far, the squad has gone an incredible 45-8-1. The boys also recently won the qualifying tournament for the Western Canada Baseball Championships. With that win, the squad earned the right to represent B.C. at the championship tournament to be held in Winnipeg, beginning Aug. 16.
“They are an outstanding group of young men,” Alyssa Wolanski, the team’s manager, told the Cloverdale Reporter. She said the team comprises highly-skilled kids that have been together since October, 2023.
“With that much talent and that much time together, often squabbles or egos become a problem,” Wolanski explained. “But this talented group of baseball players have overcome injuries and battled hard as a team. It's so rewarding to see their hard work and dedication paying off.”
The U13 AAA Rangers, part of the Cloverdale Minor Baseball Association, won the Kelowna Valley of Champions tournament earlier this year. They placed second in the B.C. Minor Provincial tournament in Duncan. Then, along with the top five teams in B.C., they competed in, and won, the western qualifier tournament in Chilliwack.
“They don't have outside coaches,” noted Wolanski. “There are four dedicated dads who give up their commitments to be on the field six days a week to coach and mentor this group.”
The Rangers are now looking for some sponsors to help offset the costs of getting the team to Winnipeg for the western championship tournament.
“Any assistance or donations from our local community businesses would be greatly appreciated,” said Wolanski.
Wolanski and the Rangers can be reached via email: cloverdalerangers2024@gmail.com.
