“If you can see it, you can be it” is going to be lived in real time. The Women's Pro Baseball League is set to officially begin play in just a couple of months and our @joemcfarland.bsky.social has a few thoughts on how we could and should build our own talent pipeline. ⚾

Grew up in rural Alberta. Have spent all 43 years of my life in this province. Been very politically tuned in my entire adult life. Always thought of myself as small-c conservative. And now I’m feeling every bit of this Craig Baird editorial. #ABleg macleans.ca/politics/i-d...

🎧 What a crazy week it's been for baseball with plenty of news from the pros and college ranks. Then we hear from a trio of newcomers to #ADSPodcast, including Jacob Gillis (Dawgs Academy), Nathan Yunick (Martin Academy) and Seamus Lehman (AHP Academy). ⚾ open.spotify.com/episode/58Lc...

Good Canadian kid.

🇨🇦 Always and forever. 🏒

Brazen revisionist lying here by Danielle Smith, blaming AHS for screwing up the procurement. She personally announced the purchase. At her behest, Jason Copping directly oversaw the contract and defended the high cost. This is from a March 20, 2025 Globe story by Carrie Tait and Alanna Smith.

A must read here for all Canadians, but especially Albertans via @emmettmacfarlane.com emmettmacfarlane.substack.com/p/danielle-s...

I’ve been saying this for a while and tonight is another example: we are on about step 3.5 of the 5-step “Free Alberta Strategy.” Alberta will vote for a bunch of changes, won’t get the support from other provinces, and then independence as a “last resort.” www.freealbertastrategy.com/the_strategy

“Alberta is no longer calling.” #ABlef #cdnpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Most think of Buck Martinez as a legendary Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster, but here are 10 things you might not know about him as a player. is.gd/m6qowy

A few reasons off the top of my head for AB to stay in Canada (in no particular order): - Beautiful National Parks - Cross-Canada research opportunities and collaborations (and funding) - Canadian Forces - Canada Border Services Agency - National Sport Organizations What’s on your list? #ILoveCanada

⚾️ NEW STORY: “Honestly, it’s one of the highlights of my baseball career so far. I’m just looking forward to representing my country with Canada across my chest.” Okotoks Dawgs alum Matt Wilkinson is set to rep his home country at the World Baseball Classic. albertadugoutstories.com/2026/02/11/a...

⚾️ Really proud of how this edition of the @abdugoutstories.bsky.social podcast turned out. It’s all about the Baseball Canada contingent heading to the World Baseball Classic. Hear from Greg Hamilton, Jordan Procyshen, Adam Macko and Matt Wilkinson. 🇨🇦 podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/e...

Good. Hold the vote tomorrow. Let’s get it out in the open and let the chips fall where they may. This whole sideshow is distracting from real issues in Alberta like health care, education, and even our upcoming budgetary concerns. Pitter-patter, please. #ABleg calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

A tremendous Class of 2026 for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum! ⚾️🇨🇦 albertadugoutstories.com/2026/02/05/d...

“The cuts are a sign that Jeff Bezos, who became one of the world’s richest people by selling things on the internet, has not yet figured out how to build and maintain a profitable publication on the internet.” Or he has no interest in running a journalistic outlet. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...

🎧 The new #ADSPodcast has arrived! We head to @milb.com this week for a chat with a pair of prospects rising up the ranks. Hear from Wetaskiwin's Matt Coutney after his year in the Angels system + Regina's Thomas Ireland talks about his Rangers journey.⚾️ open.spotify.com/episode/0etS...

⚾️ NEW STORY: “Coming around second toward third, I’m pointing to the crowd as I found my parents right away. It was cool to see them smiling and the look on their faces.” Dawgs Academy alum Eric Hartman reflects on his first pro season in Atlanta’s system. 🇨🇦 albertadugoutstories.com/2026/01/28/s...

“She believes they don’t want to join the U.S.” OK. Let’s play hypothetical for a minute. We vote to separate. Goodbye to Canadian Forces (and the bases we have here). Goodbye to Canada Border Services Agency. Goodbye RCMP. And you think Trump will respect our independence? C’mon now. #ABleg

Any real leader would be jumping at the opportunity to address the province. All you’d have to say is “I’m aware of all the concerns and this is unacceptable. We will make all resources available to get the system back on track so every Albertan has trust in our health care system.” #ABleg

Anyone else just so very tired of this gong-show/dumpster fire known as “Alberta separation”? It’s honestly out of control. And the fact a bunch of cosplay cowboys are out there pretending to represent Alberta in the U.S. is absolutely embarrassing. When did we elect them to bargain? #ABleg

🎧 We're back! The first edition of ADS: The Podcast of the 2026 season is here with a trio of fantastic guests. Hear from Steve Hildebrand of the Saskatoon Berries, Dawgs Academy alum Eric Hartman of the Augusta GreenJackets and Tyler Heineman of the @bluejays.com. Enjoy! ⚾️

I've always hated the idea of a parachute candidate. I think it should be outlawed. But this whole thing takes it a whole new level. The people of Battle River-Crowfoot were used as pawns because the CPC knew they could run a cactus in rural Alberta and win easily. #cdnpoli

Can someone explain to me why grocery store chains seemingly get a free ride when it comes to this never-ending quarrel over expensive visits to the supermarket? I mean, they have the record profits as evidence of price-fixing, no? #ABleg #Cdnpoli

So... Does this mean #ABleg would/should welcome the federal government walking in for a review of health care delivery in #Alberta if the minister in Ottawa believes they "have a responsibility as minister to intervene to protect the public interest"? www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

OK, lemme play devil's advocate for a moment in a place that won't result in my notifications being inundated with ridiculousness. Let's just say for the sake of argument that the pro-separatists get the required signatures: are we having two referendums on separation? Help me understand. #ABleg

I know we’re only nine days into 2026, but I’d like a full refund before we get through the 30-day trial. I think this model is defective. I was really hoping for fewer political dumpster fires, no major water main breaks and I certainly didn’t ask for ICE to kill a woman.

My wife and I have conversations about this all the time. I’m actually pro-screening, especially in grade one. Find the complexities early and then find the best way to address it for each student. The way the system is set up now though (and is being proposed) doesn’t work. #ABleg #Alberta

It's 7:30 in the morning and wait times at two Edmonton hospitals are over 7 hours long (University of Alberta Hospital is reporting 8 hours and 45 minutes as I type this). This is all unacceptable on so many levels. #ABleg #Alberta www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

This story just gets curiouser and curiouser. We, as Albertans and as taxpayers, deserve to know the unfettered truth about what's going on here. Instead, we're continually getting bits and pieces. A public inquiry would be nice. #ABleg #Alberta www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

🥂 NEW STORY: As we say goodbye to 2025, we take a look back at some of the big moments we'll remember from another outstanding season. That includes the Regina Red Sox championship, Tristan Peters’ call-up & an emotional moment in @wcblbaseball.bsky.social. ⚾️🇨🇦

“Until May 2026” is a bit of a tell. If we’re not in an election campaign by then, it’ll be close. No sense holding a byelection for someone who will only serve for a year. Buckle up, #ABleg. Things are gonna get fun. #Alberta

Beyond grateful for the recognition from Baseball Canada. Words honestly can’t describe how honoured I am to get this in the mail. So many people to thank, particularly the many who have supported @abdugoutstories.bsky.social over the years. ⚾️🇨🇦 albertadugoutstories.com/2025/12/17/mcf…

So, if I’m doing the Alberta separation thing properly, am I cheering against Canada at the #WJHC, cheering for the US, or simply dreaming of the day Team Alberta gets a chance to play into the tournament? #ABleg 🏒

The question I keep coming back to is: what if it were ANY other president releasing heavily redacted and incomplete reports like this? Obama? Biden? Bush? Clinton? Any of them? Why should Trump be any different? www.pbs.org/newshour/amp...

Wait… The government paid how much money to hold a traveling roadshow then produce a 17-page report to basically sell the preconceived items they wanted to pursue? What an absolute farce. #ABleg #Alberta www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

⚾️ Still at a loss for words over being recognized by Baseball Canada with the Bob Elliott Media Recognition Award. Truly, it’s a reflection of everyone who has listened to the show, read our stories, or agreed to answer our dumb questions. 🇨🇦 albertadugoutstories.com/2025/12/17/m...

Congratulations to Joe McFarland, of Alberta Dugout Stories, who has been named winner of Baseball Canada's 2025 Bob Elliott Media Recognition Award. It is well-deserved. Joe and Ian Wilson do absolutely outstanding work. @abdugoutstories.bsky.social @joemcfarland.bsky.social

To say this came out of left field is a massive understatement. Never in a million years would I have ever imagined being on the ballot let alone being recognized in this way. Thank to Baseball Canada, Bob Elliott, Ian, my family & Canada's baseball community! ⚾ baseball.ca/joe-mcfarlan...

Did I miss a memo? When did we elect separatists to negotiate anything with the US? Has the premier disavowed them (especially given they were at the UCP AGM)? It’s time to draw a line in the sand on this buffoonery once and for all. #ABleg #Alberta

⭐️ NEW STORY: They were the best of the best of the 2025 @wcblbaseball.bsky.social season. Our annual All-WCBL Team is here, with a 26-man roster featuring at least one player from each team, celebrating another memorable summer across the circuit. ⚾️ albertadugoutstories.com/2025/12/15/2...

“Alberta is now governed by an administration whose treatment of disabled citizens would, in previous eras, have been regarded as a lamentable stain on public conscience.” Cam Tait hits the nail squarely on the head. #ABleg #Alberta edmontonsun.com/opinion/tait...

Random thought: one of the biggest failings of present-day politics is the tribalism involved. It's abrasive instead of collaborative. Compromise is a four-letter word and basic human decency doesn't seem to exist. If you want more people to engage, we need to get away from purity tests.

The bug going around right now is gnarly. Started with a cough, lost voice and body aches. I’ve had a 40-degree fever, chills, and now my nose is running like a faucet. And I’ve been zapped of all energy. Some people I know are two weeks into the sickness now. #ABleg www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Danielle Smith's comments about the judiciary are among the most worrying things she's said about Alberta democracy. Conservatives need to stand up to her. Now. open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...

📅 NEW STORY: "They meticulously look to secure dates for their many promotions and events, which fans have come to love throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.” The @wcblbaseball.bsky.social schedule has been released with Opening Day on May 28. ⚾🇨🇦 albertadugoutstories.com/2025/12/01/w...

Tonight, history was made with the first-ever Women's Pro Baseball League draft. Several Canadians were chosen, including 2 from Alberta (Madison Willan & Sydney Barry) + 2 from Saskatchewan (Braidy Birdsall & Addie Ziebart). Made me think of this editorial from earlier in the year. #WPBL

Narrator: “Hey, Joe, remember yesterday when you lamented about how crazy of a week it was in #ABleg and I told you it was only Tuesday?” Me: “Yeah, why?” Narrator: “Well, it’s Wednesday, so here’s this.” Me: “Motherf$&@%*!” #Alberta www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Me: “It sure has been a messed up week in Alberta, from more privatization in health care to the rejection of a higher minimum wage to a bad voicemail and now this story…” Narrator: “It’s only Tuesday.” Me: “Motherf!%#@*” #ABleg #Alberta www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...