Latest news with #WinnipegGoldeyes
Winnipeg Free Press
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian content fuelling Fish
It's very fitting that the Winnipeg Goldeyes take the field in red and white. This year's lineup features seven Canadians which is the most the Fish have ever boasted in their 30-plus years of existence. They're not just here to fill out the roster. 'It is a coincidence,' said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins, as he doesn't go out of his way to seek them out. 'But I'd say three or four of them are maybe our best players.' BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes first baseman Matthew Warkentin's 11 home runs lead the team this season. One of the top Canucks is first baseman Matthew Warkentin, a Leamington, Ont., product who was recently named the American Association's Batter of the Week for having 13 hits, including five doubles, two home runs, and eight runs batted in, during a six-game stretch. The others from The Great White North include pitchers Ben Onyshko (Winnipeg), Landen Bourassa (Lethbridge, Alta.,), Landon Leach (Toronto), Will Sierra (Montreal), James Bradwell (North Vancouver), and outfielder Jacob Robson (London, Ont.,). 'It's awesome. I haven't played with too many Canadians in pro ball, and definitely not six others at once,' said Warkentin, 28, before the Goldeyes lost 12-7 to the Sioux Falls Canaries Thursday night. 'We all have different stories, but I think everybody from Canada gets what it takes to come out of Canada to play professional baseball so it's pretty cool that we got seven of us like that.' Warkentin, who towers over the average ball player at 6-6, headed into Thursday as the team leader in home runs (11) and was second in batting average (.290) and RBI (37). The first-year Goldeye made his way to Winnipeg after a pro club in Mexico released him in April. With not much time to latch on with another team, the Manitoba capital was an easy fit as he wouldn't have to scramble to secure a work visa. After finishing his college career at Xavier, playing two seasons of affiliated ball under the Chicago Cubs, and then appearing in the Pioneer and Frontier leagues, Warkentin is finally once again swinging a bat on home soil. Having maple syrup in his diet again has served him well as it was announced Wednesday that Warkentin was selected to the West Division all-star team. Outfielder Max Murphy and pitchers Tasker Strobel and Ryder Yakel were the other Fish to get the call. 'I think I was a bit sour at first getting released in Mexico because I thought I did enough to stay and I really wanted that opportunity, but everything here has been great… The organization as a whole is really professional and helpful,' said Warkentin. He also finally has some teammates that can relate to the misery of being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. 'There was definitely some Leafs jokes during the playoffs. We got a couple guys from Florida who jumped on the Panthers bandwagon during the Stanley Cup, and then we'd ask them to name a few players, and they didn't know anybody,' laughed Warkentin. If you want to be generous, you could add the two Canadians in training to the list with Murphy and left-handed starter Mitchell Lambson now residing in Winnipeg after meeting their partners here. Lambson, a Montclair, Calif., native, might end up a late addition to the all-star crew as the Goldeyes nominated him for the final spot in the West which is decided by a fan vote. Lambson, the AA's Pitcher of the Year in 2019, signed on with the Fish in their championship-winning 2017 season and is now in his sixth campaign with the club after rejoining them late in 2024. 'I was just coming up here with really no idea what to expect, it was my first year in indy ball and I just got released,' said Lambson, who spent three years in the Milwaukee Brewers system. 'I was just seeing where my life was going to take me, where my career was going to take me at that point. Now, here I am still, and it's been awesome. I love being here in Winnipeg, and it's home now.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Lambson, 34, still has one of the best arms in the league. He's 6-1 and leads all pitchers in innings pitched (73.1) and complete games (three). The trusty southpaw — who plans on coaching up the local scene when he hangs up the cleats in a few years — tossed 10 innings last Sunday in a 2-1 road loss to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. 'He does it in a little bit of an unothodox way,' said Onyshko, who entered Thursday with a 2.65 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 19 appearances out of the bullpen. 'He's not an absolute fireballer, so it's really cool to watch him take the ball every fifth day because you know he's pulling out everything he's got to get through the lineup and he manages to get through the lineup four or five times every time he takes the ball which is super impressive.' The Goldeyes (25-29) host the Kansas City Monarchs (33-21) for a four-game series this weekend that kicks off Friday with a doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m. The two sides will pick up from the third inning of their June 8 game that was suspended due to rain. They'll take a short break before playing a seven-inning Game 2. Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Global News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
4 members of Winnipeg Goldeyes named to all-star team
At least four members of the club will be representing the Winnipeg Goldeyes at this year's annual American Association All-Star Game. First baseman Matthew Warkentin and outfielder Max Murphy were both chosen as starters for the West Division All-Star Team, while relief pitchers Tasker Strobel and Ryder Yakel were also named to the squad. A fifth player off the Goldeyes could also be attending as starting pitcher Mitchell Lambson is one of six players from the West Division up for the last man in fan vote. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Warkentin was just named the American Association batter of the week on Monday. He leads the Fish with 11 home runs and 36 runs batted in. He is also second on the team with a .291 batting average. Murphy is second on the Goldeyes with nine dingers and is batting .264 through 50 games. Story continues below advertisement Strobel and Yakel lead the Goldeyes' pitching staff with 23 appearances each. Strobel has a team-leading earned run average of 2.07, with Yakel right behind him with a 2.34 ERA in 38 innings pitched. Lambson has a 6-1 record in his sixth season with the Goldeyes and is unbeaten in his last five straight starts. Fans can vote for Lambson here until 10:00 p.m. on Thursday. This year's festivities are in Fargo, North Dakota. The All-Star Skills Competition and Home Run Derby are scheduled for July 21st with the all-star game to be played the following night.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Goldeyes hosting first-ever Autism Acceptance Game in effort to make baseball more inclusive
CTV's Daniel Halmarson has more on the Winnipeg Goldeyes' initiative to help introduce kids with autism to baseball. The Winnipeg Goldeyes are working to make baseball more inclusive with a new concept for Thursday's game. The team is hosting its first-ever Autism Acceptance Game as a way to introduce kids with autism to the sport by meeting them where they're at. That means the ballpark will be quieter and safe spaces have been set up to take breaks from the crowd. Five-year-old Cyrus Banjavich lives with autism and is taking in his first Goldeyes game. It will be extra special for him as he is also throwing out the first pitch. 'His independence is really, really impressive. I'm so proud of this little guy,' said Cyrus' dad, Geoff. He said sports have been a way for Cyrus to connect with the world around him. 'I found that sports seemed to be a bridge for him to understanding and understanding a lot about himself too.' Geoff said Cyrus started with swimming lessons and watching hockey. He was able to watch the Manitoba Moose at their Autism Acceptance Game earlier this year. 'I thought (what) was amazing, is how everything came together with so much support for these little guys. And I thought, 'Why don't we do this for the Goldeyes?'' It didn't take much convincing for the baseball team and St. Amant Foundation to jump on board to celebrate acceptance and inclusivity. 'This game, it's for the kids,' said Tania Douglas, the executive director of St. Amant. 'It's for people with autism and everything is set up for them to be able to have a great night and be included with everybody else.' The Goldeyes are making sure everyone will feel comfortable. 'We have sensory kits at the fan services booths with earplugs and fidget toys. We have our family lounge that, if things get too loud or overwhelming, they can take them in there and relax for a bit,' said Andrew Collier, the general manager of the team. Banjavich said these types of experiences are invaluable for kids like Cyrus and open up a world of possibilities, one step at a time. 'The more inclusivity that we have for our kids this way, the more options they will have in this world. And that's what I want him to have, all the options,' said Geoff. All proceeds raised through 50/50 and buying items like plushies will go to the St. Amant Foundation to support their autism outreach programs.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Goldeyes stage comeback to claim series
The Winnipeg Goldeyes experienced a bit of whiplash in this week's series against the Sioux Falls Canaries. After a solid 9-3 win in Game 1 of the series, followed by a lopsided 15-2 loss, it was hard to predict how the third game would go for the Goldeyes, who have had hot and cold bats all season. Luckily for the Fish, Thursday night's game would be categorized as hot, taking their third series win in a row with an entertaining 8-7 comeback victory at Blue Cross Park. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes starting pitcher Mitchell Lambson, last week's American Association pitcher of the week, delivers the ball during top of the third inning. 'I mean that's baseball,' said Goldeyes centre-fielder Roby Enríquez. 'Sometimes you're gonna take L's, but what really matters is whatever happened yesterday, you don't live in the past, and you keep moving forward. We just flipped the page, and today we got a different result.' Ramón Bramasco, first up to bat, set the tone early for the Fish with a hit on his first swing, later being brought in by first baseman Matthew Warkentin to give the Goldeyes a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. However, a run by the Canaries' Hunter Clanin tied the game in the top of the third and got things going for the road team. Matt Ruiz, who can't seem to be stopped recently, then hit his third home run of the series, a three-run blast, giving Sioux Falls a 4-1 lead. Unlike the second game, where the Goldeyes completely fell apart after opening the scoring, allowing nine runs in the fourth, this time the Fish didn't let the game slip away so easily. 'It almost felt like yesterday all over again,' said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. '…Thankfully, it wasn't nine runs. It was enough where we had a chance to come back. That's what we need. We need to start winning games like that, the close ones.' In the bottom of the third, a blast to left field by Tanner O'Tremb for a three-run home run tied the game at four apiece. But Canaries' Josh Rehwaldt took back the lead at the top of the fifth, with his 11th home run of the season giving his squad a 5-4 lead. Starting for the Goldeyes was southpaw Mitchell Lambson, allowing eight hits, five runs, and striking out two in five innings pitched before being replaced by Ryder Yakel, who, unfortunately for the Fish, allowed a home run almost immediately — with Scott Combs sending one over the left field fence to extend the lead to 6-4 for the Canaries. The Fish tied the game at the bottom of the seventh thanks to RBI singles from Andy Armstrong and Enríquez. 'I feel great, I feel good, thank God,' said Enríquez. 'I got good at-bats and helped the team to win. I'm here to just help the team to win… I'm glad I can contribute for the team to win some ball games.' The Canaries didn't lose their lead for long, with Combs' second home run of the game making it 7-6 at the top of the eighth, but the Goldeyes didn't flinch, with Jacson Robson stealing a base and advancing to third on a catcher error before being brought in by a Lynch single to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Kewshawn Lynch ended up being the game hero, scoring the winning run, with right handed pitcher Trevor Brigden closing out the game for the Fish. The Goldeyes continue their homestand Friday, opening a three-game series against the Sioux City Explorers. Game time is 7 p.m. 'Another division opponent, so we gotta win another series,' said Watkins. '…We haven't really got on a winning streak, where we've won three, four, five, six in a row or anything like that. But you win enough series, eventually your records gonna look right.' On Saturday, the Goldeyes (17-19) will host National Indigenous Peoples Day at Blue Cross Park, featuring live entertainment celebrating Indigenous culture, music, and dance. Manitoba Blue Cross is also donating 400 game tickets and food vouchers to individuals who have been displaced by wildfires.
Winnipeg Free Press
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Free Goldeyes tickets for wildfire evacuees
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are hosting celebrations for National Indigenous Peoples Day at Blue Cross Park on Saturday, June 21. The evening, which sees the Goldeyes take on the Sioux City Explorers at 6:00 p.m., will feature live entertainment celebrating Indigenous culture, music and dance. Ramsey Rae & Chances R will perform on the Promenade Stage before the game, Pamela Davis will sing the national anthems, and the Summer Bear Dance Troupe will perform during the game. This is the first time the Goldeyes have hosted a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, as the date has never previously coincided with a game day, according to Dan Chase, the team's director of sales and marketing. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Goldeyes infielder Matthew Warkentin connects with the ball. The Fish will host their first National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration game day on Saturday, with 400 free tickets going to wildfire evacuees. 'It's all about giving back to our community is the way we look at it,' said Chase. 'Whether it's Indigenous folks, or we've run Ukrainian night here for 10 years, I think it's important that we recognize folks in our community and celebrate their culture.' Additionally, in recognition of those affected by the ongoing wildfires, Manitoba Blue Cross has donated 400 game tickets and 400 food vouchers to individuals who have been displaced. Complimentary bus transportation to and from the game will also be provided. 'Supporting Manitobans throughout the province is our top priority, especially in times of crisis,' said Benjamin Graham, president and CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross, in a press release. 'For folks who had to upend their lives and flee hundreds of kilometres to a possibly unfamiliar city, we hope that an evening at Blue Cross Park can offer not only a fun experience, but a comforting sense of community.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Perimeter Aviation will also be at Blue Cross Park, offering interactive games and an enter-to-win contest for a two-person trip to any destination provided by the airline or Bearskin Airlines. 'We're proud to be part of National Indigenous Peoples Day and help celebrate the vibrant cultures and communities we serve across Manitoba and Ontario — especially for those who have faced recent displacement. This night is about coming together in unity and resilience — and having a little fun along the way,' said Joey Petrisor, CEO and president of Perimeter Aviation, in a press release. Chase says around 5,000 people are expected to come out to the ballpark on Saturday. For more information or to arrange complimentary ticket packages for groups of twenty or more, contact Dan Chase at dan@
