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Chatwood rolls up sleeves

Jason Chatwood is set to join the working world.The 23-year-old native of Innisfail received his education degree in health and physical education from Gonzaga University in Spokane earlier this year and is hoping to get a teaching job in Central Alberta.
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Red Deer Rigger Delton Kruk successfully slides back into first to avoid a St. Albert Tiger pickoff Tuesday night.

Riggers 11 Tigers 0

Jason Chatwood is set to join the working world.

The 23-year-old native of Innisfail received his education degree in health and physical education from Gonzaga University in Spokane earlier this year and is hoping to get a teaching job in Central Alberta.

“I’m looking at a couple of things,’ he said following the Red Deer Riggers 11-0 win over the St. Albert Tigers in Sunburst Baseball League play at Great Chief Park Tuesday.

“I’ve had an interview in Sylvan (Lake) and I’ve love to coach and teach around here.”

This winter will be the first time in five years Chatwood won’t be returning to college in the States. He played two years with Colby College in Kansas and spent the last three at Gonzaga.

The first two he played at while last winter he helped coach the baseball team while finishing his degree.

“That was different, but I’m glad I did it,” he said. “It was a great experience and I learned a lot. It helped me prepare as a coach and helped me bring a lot back up here. It’s a different world from playing, but it’s good to see the other side of the field.”

Chatwood certainly enjoyed his time at the Spokane university.

“They treated me great,” he said.

“The two years I played I played every game and we won our conference and went to the regional tournament my senior year.” Chatwood admits it’s a bit strange as he looks ahead and realizes his college days are over.

“You grow up wanting to play college ball and now it’s over, but it’s good to be here and do this.”

Chatwood is one of the keys to the Riggers success and helped them win the provincial title last year, but it did take him a couple of games to find himself this season.

“I didn’t play down there, although towards the end I tried to work out on my own,” he said. “But it took me a little while to get my legs under me, but it’s getter better every game.”

The fact the weather hasn’t been good hasn’t helped.

“But we had a good game tonight and we’re in the Kamloops tournament, so hopefully we’ll start to get some games,” he said.

The Riggers also have the national championships in Dartmouth, N.S. at the end of August, but that’s not what Chatwood is looking towards.

“The thing is we can’t play off last year. We have to look at this year and concentrate on the provincials and take it from there. This league is tough as every team can jump up and beat you on any given day, so we can’t look ahead.”

The Riggers were concentrating on their game Tuesday as they collected 13 hits against a pair of St. Albert pitchers — starter Matt Hammond and Matt Rindero, who came in in the fourth trailing 5-0.

The Riggers had 13 hits including a three-run home run by Curtis Bailey in the first inning. Bailey finished with a pair of hits while Chatwood had three singles, Delton Kruk a single and a double and Denver Wik a triple.

Riggers used four pitchers as they prepared to open the Kamloops tournament Friday.

James Dykstra started and worked two innings of two-hit ball while Joel Peterman also gave up two hits in two innings. Mac Girodet retired the three men he faced in the fifth inning and Brent Lazzarotto retired the six batters he faced.

l Riggers will add a catcher and two pitchers from Prince George for the Kamloops tournament . . . Riggers return to league action Monday in Calgary against the Redbirds and host the Red Deer Stags Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com