How did the Toronto Blue Jays become AL East contenders?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
37 minutes ago
- CTV News
Ehlers signs with Carolina Hurricanes
Ehlers signs with Carolina Hurricanes Nikolaj Ehlers has signed a six-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes after spending 10 seasons with the Winnipeg Jets.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Spruce Grove ballpark, refund delays frustrate season-ticket holders
Season-ticket holders for an Edmonton-area baseball club are demanding refunds because its new ballpark is still under construction and may not be ready to open this season as promised. Jennifer Vachon and Sandie Miller both bought season tickets for the Energy City Cactus Rats in anticipation of watching the Western Canada Baseball League team in a new ballpark being built in Spruce Grove. The problem is construction of the stadium isn't finished, and from the looks of it, it won't be ready this season. Vachon spent $1,600 for four season tickets in 2023, when the team was known as the Edmonton Prospects and its new home field was under construction and had been for more than a year at that point. The Spruce Grove resident said she and her family were excited by the idea of watching games in a new stadium with promises of on-site entertainment, a microbrewery and an outdoor amphitheatre. However, that was then. It's two years later and the stadium sits partly finished on the eastern edge of the town a 10-minute drive from Edmonton's western city limit. Spruce Grove Ballpark A 2025 aerial view of the under-construction Energy City Metro Ball Park, far right, in Spruce Grove, Alta. (Google Maps) 'It was something we wanted to do as a family, but now, with everything going on and the kids getting older, we just don't have the time for season tickets anymore,' Vachon told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday. 'I'd love to purchase single tickets and come as much as possible.' Miller said she and her husband are also frustrated they've paid for seats that they can't sit in. They spent $1,050 on two season seats for home games this year. Miller said the Cactus Rats anticipated a home-opening game in the new ballpark late last month then pushed the date further and further into July. 'At that point, I said I wanted a refund because I know it's not going to be open this year and I can't commit to next year,' she told CTV News Edmonton. Spruce Grove ballpark Energy City Metro Ball Park under construction on July 3, 2025, in Spruce Grove, Alta. (Nav Sangha/CTV News Edmonton) Instead, in an email, the team told Miller it would be playing its first home games July 5 and 6 at Spruce Grove's Henry Singer Ball Park, where there is no seating. It would cost an additional $30 for both games and people would be allowed to bring their own chairs if they wished. She said she doesn't want to 'go sit in a field and watch a ball game.' 'I want the whole experience of the stadium and everything they promised,' Miller said. Miller has been put on a refund list, but in a statement to CTV News Edmonton, the Cactus Rats said 'our ticket policies, including those regarding refunds, align with the broader Western Canadian Baseball League standards.' 'Under those guidelines, refunds are not issued, even in cases of venue-related disruptions,' the team wrote, adding 'all 2025 season ticket holders have received a full credit toward 2026 season tickets.' The Cactus Rats said while they're 'deeply disappointed' with their ballpark construction delays, 'we've continued to press forward with the season at alternate venues.' Henry Singer Ball Park A baseball diamond at Spruce Grove's Henry Singer Ball Park on July 3, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton) The club has played the first six weeks of the WCBL season on the road and used Fort McMurray's ballpark as their home venue for a clutch of late June games. The league's regular season is scheduled to end on Aug. 4 followed by the playoffs. If the season had ended Wednesday, the Cactus Rats – currently fourth place in the West Division with a record of 12-17 – would be in the WCBL post-season. Still, Vachon says he 'doesn't think it's right' if she doesn't get a refund. 'It's my money, and we've just heard nothing, and they are kind of saying that a full credit can be used for next year, but like I said, our life has changed,' she said. 'I cannot spend $1,600 in tickets next season, so it's left me a little sour with them. It's frustrating.'
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘Very proud': University of Regina Cougars' women's basketball coach stepping down after 19 seasons
University of Regina women's basketball coach Dave Taylor is stepping down, the school announced Thursday. (Source: University of Regina Cougars) After 19 seasons as head coach of the University of Regina (U of R) women's basketball team, Dave Taylor will be stepping down from the program prior to the 2025-26 season, the school announced Thursday. 'It was a very hard decision to leave the U of R,' Taylor said in a press release. 'My time has been filled with great memories of the people, the games, the fan support and the day-to-day enjoyment of the job.' 'The program is in a great place and I feel the time is right to leave. I am very proud of the run of success,' he added. Taylor had been the coach of the Cougars since the 2006-07 season and amassed a program-high 280 regular-season wins in his career. He led the Cougars to two Canada West titles (2013, 2018) and nine national tournament appearances, including trips to the national championship game in 2008, 2009 and 2013. The Cougars saw a great deal of individual successes on the national level under Taylor's leadership as well, including three U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadians, six second-team All-Canadians, and two U SPORTS Rookie of the Year award winners during his time. The team never failed to qualify for the conference playoffs under Taylor, who is a two-time winner of both the national and Canada West Coach of the Year awards (2011-12, 2022-23). 61 of the Cougars' 111 all-time playoff victories came with Taylor at the helm, and his .757 regular-season win percentage and .656 playoff mark are both tops in program history. His 482 wins against U SPORTS opponents ranks 10th all-time in U SPORTS women's basketball history and he leaves with the fourth-most playoff wins of all-time. 'Dave is truly a Regina basketball legend,' U of R Director of Sport, Community Engagement & Athlete Development Lisa Robertson said. 'Throughout his incredible career, he led the Cougars to heights that few programs ever reach, consistently keeping them among the nation's best and making them a powerhouse in the highly-competitive Canada West conference.' 'His teams brought our community together, filling the gym during thrilling playoff runs and unforgettable battles,' she added. Taylor's tenure with the Cougars expands long beyond his head coaching role, as he joined the program as an assistant coach at the beginning of the 1993-94 season. His time as an assistant saw the Cougars win a national championship (2001) and four conference championships (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004). He served as an assistant coach under both Christine Stapleton and Jeff Speedy for a total of 13 seasons before being named the program's ninth head coach in May of 2006. 'I want to thank my wife Jennifer and children Anna, Reese and Hayden who always supported me,' Taylor said. 'Thanks to all the amazing players I got to coach and the assistant coaches and staff who helped me run the program.' 'Thanks to the community for all the support that allowed us to compete at the highest level. I leave full of wonderful memories,' the coach added. 'Women's basketball in the province is stronger and richer because of Dave's leadership, passion, and dedication,' Robertson said. 'Both the University and the basketball community in Saskatchewan owe Dave a deep debt of gratitude. We wish Dave and his family nothing but the very best.' 'He will always be part of the Cougar family,' the school added. According to the U of R, Taylor has accepted the position of women's basketball coach for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Michaela Kleisinger will take on head coaching duties in an interim role for the 2025-26 season. A comprehensive search will be conducted to identify the program's next head coach prior to the 2026-27 season.
