It’s all about the right fit.
Whether buying a brand-new pair of shoes or figuring out which baseball team to sign with for the summer, the perfect fit is essential.
Once Sylvan Lake Gulls shortstop Jonah Weisner finished his final year playing for the Ottawa University Braves in Kansas, the Longview, B.C. native had the decision to make on where he wanted to play summer ball.
Did he want to return to the Brooks Bombers of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) where he joined the team halfway through the 2022 season? Instead, he chose a fresh start in Sylvan and so far, he has no regrets.
“[Brooks] wanted to have me back. I just thought about myself and trying to get to the next level… I thought this was the most readily available opportunity for me to try and get my game to the next level,” Weisner said.
“And to hopefully see some more opportunity come my way. It was just a matter of a stepping stone and this was the right fit for me.”
Just 14 games in, Weisner is loving his time in central Alberta. The team and the community have embraced him with open arms.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic. The community, facility, and the team here are awesome,” he said.
“I can’t get over the fact that I’m here right now and doing this. This is an unbelievable opportunity.”
Weisner first got approached with the idea of joining the Gulls through his coach in Kansas who had a connection with Gulls head coach Jason Chatwood. After conversing with Chatwood Weisner signed with the Gulls early in the new year.
“Knowing how great their team was last year and to play here as a visitor it was something I couldn’t pass up on,” he added.
This season the Gulls are 8-5 and sitting in third place in the West Division. In addition, on Tuesday the WCBL released their power rankings with the Gulls in third place.
Weisner has certainly done his part leading the way in multiple statistical categories in the batter’s box for the Gulls. Through 14 games Weisner leads the Gulls with a .409 batting average, and eight RBIs, and is tied for the lead with one home run.
“I just try to do my part as an offensive key to the lineup. I want to be a guy who puts the ball in play and makes things happen,” he said.
“I’ve just been fortunate enough to find some open gaps, get on base, and be productive for my team. More or less it’s just about being consistent and getting a good swing off every time I step into the box.”
Weisner was introduced to baseball through the minor system back home in B.C. He then went on to play in the college prep league for Fraser Valley before moving to play his final two years of eligibility in Kansas.
He never expected to make it as far as he has in his career but now has his sights set on hopefully continuing to play the game at the professional level.
On Tuesday night the Gulls were edged by the Lethbridge Bulls at Gulls Stadium to complete a four-game series that began last Friday. The two teams leave the series with a 2-2 split.
The Gulls took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning after Matthew Fung knocked in a pair of runs. The Bulls went on to score five runs including two in the fifth and three in the sixth to take the lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Gulls cut into the lead when catcher Hank Dodson hammered in Weisner who advanced to third base the play prior off a wild pitch.
The Gulls headed into the deciding ninth inning trailing 5-3 but were unable to rally late.
Carson Angeroth started on the mound for the Gulls and threw four shutout innings striking out six batters.
Alex Galvin threw in the fifth inning striking out one before Jaxon Zanolli stepped in the sixth inning. The youngster allowed two runs on four hits before getting pulled Zac Laird. Laird allowed three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Brian Baker closed the game out striking out two and allowing no hits in the final two innings.
Next up for the Gulls is a matchup with the Okotoks Dawgs at Seaman Stadium on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.