ASSINIBOIA - The Assiniboia Aces 18UAA baseball team began their season at home on April 28. The team plays in the AA Division of the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League (SPBL). The league consists of 15 teams across the province and carries a 28-game schedule wherein every team plays each other twice.
The winner of the league wins the province and earns a spot in Tier 1 AA at the western Canadian baseball championship in August, to be played in St. James, Man.
The SPBL was an 18U province-wide league, established in 2011 by Leo MacDonald with support from Baseball Saskatchewan. The SPBL has grown into a respected developmental league among Canadian and US Colleges. Players are advancing at greater rates into CCBA, CCBC, NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA College programs. SPBL alumni have also been selected into MLB drafts.
Former SPBL player Logan Hoffman from the Muenster Red Sox became Saskatchewan’s highest ever MLB draft pick, being selected in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB draft.
The Aces will be led in 2024 by coaches Lane Jepson, Ron Lucas, Dave Starke and Kai Lee, with Pam Lee serving as manager. There are 12 players on the roster from Assiniboia, Lafleche, Glentworth, Fife Lake and Viceroy.
The 2024 Aces 18UAA roster includes: Kaden MaClean, Keaton Hillmer, Ethan Scott, Van Sinclair, Mason Rasmussen, Easton Lee, Jake Starke, Tyson Starke, Jett Williams, Theron Watteyne, Kai Packet and Kayson Packect.
Coach Jepson said, “Assiniboia has been in and out of this league for years now. It is our first time back in for a couple years now. The team has some sponsors that will be recognized at our home games and through social media (Facebook) 18U Assiniboia Aces AA.”
To help with travel and other expenses incurred in a season, the team will be doing a bottle drive and a small raffle, and fans are reminded to watch for dates to be announced.
Jepson said fans can follow their games on GameChanger for live game play by play, as well as the league website.
The travelling spans all the way from Estevan and Weyburn right up to North Battleford and Prince Albert. Assiniboia’s first game took place on April 28 at home.
The Aces say they appreciate the support of fans in the stands and for their fundraising and other events in their efforts to win their way to a berth at Western Canadians, representing Assiniboia.
