Wranglers 13U, Woodstock ramping up for Baseball Canada nationals

Woodstock’s Nolan Tabor puts the bat on the ball during an ICBA game against the Brantford Red Sox. (Jeff Tribe photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

The result might not have been the one the Woodstock 13U Wranglers would have preferred.

But a tight 13-12 Inter-County Baseball Association Tier I loss to the visiting Brantford Red Sox is the kind of competitive preparation they can benefit from leading up to the Baseball Canada 13U National Championship tournament August 20 to 23 in Woodstock.

“A game where we had to play through some battles we had with ourselves at the start,” agreed Wranglers coach Dave Klochnyk. “Hit well at the end, came up a little bit short.”

The opportunity to participate in a Baseball Canada national event is not something to be taken for granted. However, given the fact 2026 represents the fourth consecutive year a host berth has been open to a Wranglers squad, it is an opportunity to not only be celebrated but anticipated following a five-year agreement extension with Baseball Canada through 2031. In total, with back-to-back two-year host agreements concluding this year, The Friendly City is scheduled to act as 13U host city for nine years running.

“It feels kind of like we’ve got a bit of a monopoly,” laughed Woodstock Minor Baseball Association Vice-President Brent Peltola. “It doesn’t mean we’ll have it forever, but we really enjoy running it.”

In brief, Woodstock’s long-standing relationship with the event recognizes great facilities, a central location, access to both accommodation and community services, as well as demonstrated operational commitment and expertise and importantly, municipality buy-in, both during the tournament and year-to-year.

“The City of Woodstock does a great job of supporting it,” Peltola credited.

The 13U Wranglers are scheduled to open the draw Thursday, August 20 at Southside East against Quebec 2. Simultaneously, Ontario 2 will take to the Southside West field against Prince Edward Island. Ontario 1, British Columbia 1 and 2, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Alberta and Quebec 1 round out the draw.

Pool play continues through Friday, with playoffs opening Saturday and finals beginning Sunday at 8 a.m. The Bronze and Gold Medal games are set to go Sunday, August 23 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Southside West and East, respectively.

There is a level of confidence and familiarity built through experience. Not wishing to fix something that is not broken, WMBA is looking at minor improvements to the 2026 model from 2025, rather than any drastic overhaul, ‘smoothing the edges of a couple of things.’

Based on the popularity of one night of musical entertainment inside the licensed refreshment tent last year, it will be extended through Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The organizing committee is also working with Baseball Canada on upgrading scorekeeping and minor tournament officials.

Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie Banks is credited with saying, ‘Let’s play two’, an enthusiasm for the game extrapolated at 13U nationals, with 38 scheduled games across four days for nine years running. One year, let alone nine, does represent a lot of work for a lot of people, Peltola admits, citing the saying about doing something one loves, not feeling that way.

“We love running the tournament, and we love supporting baseball in our community. It doesn’t feel like that much work.”

As the organization continues and the pace ramps up with the approach of first pitch, Klochnyk is also getting his young charges prepared for the challenge.

“It’s pretty cool,” said 13U Wrangler Daxton Smith, who played third base against the Red Sox. “Not many players get to play in it.

“A lot of good baseball players and a lot of good teams.”

“It’s going to be a pretty good experience,” agreed teammate Charlotte Roy. “Just excited to be there. Meet some new teammates and just have fun.”

The Wranglers have been “battling in some tournaments against really good teams,” says Klochnyk, as well as facing ICBA Tier I competition. “Holding our own in league, sitting in the middle."

Against Brantford, Woodstock had gotten behind early, but fought back to send the game into extra innings. Although the Red Sox escaped with a one-run win after surviving a bases-loaded, one-out Wranglers rally, Klochnyk was pleased with the never-say-die effort from his team.

“Always in it, always fighting.”

Following the provincial qualifier tournament, the Wranglers can add up to six players from non-qualifying teams to an 18-member roster. It is an opportunity for each participant to play in an event featuring some of the best 13-year-old players in Canada, names one may recognize in the future.

“We hope to compete and hold our own,” concluded Klochnyk, who, previously active on the tournament committee, is looking forward to experiencing the opportunity as a coach. “I get to be excited about it too.”