The senior men’s baseball team was last in action in 2020. It is now preparing for its return to the South West Baseball League, where it will once again face such regional foes as the Virden Oilers and the Reston Rockets.
“I’m looking forward to being back in Elkhorn and having ball once again in our community,” said Tyler Wood, who last season helped the Boissevain Centennials claim the SWBL title.
The Expos open the 2023 campaign hosting the Hamiota Red Sox on Wednesday, May 24. On May 26, the Virden Oilers visit.
The Expos’ rebirth was fueled by the desire of community members to see players return to the local diamonds.
“I want to see ball back again,” Expos manger Mike Kyle said. “We have some younger kids coming up and we want to see them playing.”
Kyle helped lead the charge – with strong support from Wood and Mike Stevenson – for the reformation of the Expos. The hope is that after the team’s return for 2023 that it will keep going and help inspire young people in the sport. Kyle praised the community’s diamonds, which have been underutilized the past couple of summers.
“Right now, everyone is excited to be back and playing ball in town,” Wood said.
A lack of players and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic kept the Expos off the field the last couple of years. Now the team boasts a healthy roster of about 18-19 players, Kyle said.
“We have a young group of guys who can and are willing to play multiple positions and that will give us lots of flexibility both offensively and defensively this year,” Wood said.
The Expos joined the SWBL in 2014. Wood and Stevenson played important roles on and off the diamond for the squad since its formation until it left the league after the summer of 2020. They are back as well as a number of former Expos: Brad Bowles, Bryce Kyle, Colby Walker, Brady Frattinger, Steve Bonchuk, Jake Poole, Jayce Soder, Damon Bajus, Logan Toder, Clayton Rozak, and Jordan Howard. To this group, the team adds such young players as Kurt Rookes, Connor Lewis, Foxx McColl, Logan Brennand, Brian Rhodes, Dylan Couvier, and Parker Johnson. McColl, Rookes and Brennand suited up for the Rockets last season. The Expos are pleased to have coaches Trever Frattinger and Brent Brennand volunteering their time.
