It was the cherry on top of an excellent baseball season for Markus Exner and Nash Noble.
The duo were the only two players from Prince Albert named to Team Saskatchewan for the 14U Western Canada Prospects Series which was hosted in St. Albert, Alta from Aug. 29 through Sept. 1.
The three team tournament featured some of the top players from Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Noble says it was a great finish to the baseball season.
“It was a great experience for sure. It was a privilege to know that only two of us from PA were selected to go on that team. It’s absolutely something I’ll never forget. This is a great way to finish the season. It wasn’t exactly how you wanted it to go, losing in the semifinal, and getting last place. Seeing the competition, being with meeting new people, new coaches, and all that was just great.”
Exner and Noble were teammates this summer on the Prince Albert U15 Royals and also represented Team Lakeland at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster at the end of July. The two played both volleyball and baseball for Lakeland.
Noble says playing in some higher level tournaments such as the Prospects Series and the Summer Games are going to help him improve as a baseball player.
“That’s going to improve me tremendously. That was for sure the best players in Western Canada. It’s great to play with people like that. It challenges you, and it makes you better as a baseball player.”
Noble is a multi-sport athlete also playing basketball and volleyball when he is not on the baseball diamond. He says playing in big moments in other sports has helped him with the mental side of the game.
“You’re less nervous in some cases after being in a tournament like that. Nerves aren’t high. You’re more comfortable and it just makes you a better player in moments like that.”
Exner says he enjoyed the opportunity to play with some of the top talent at his age level from across western Canada.
“I think that was a great experience. There were a lot of really good ball players there. I think we played very well, lots of really good hitting. Won two games and lost three. I’d say that’s pretty good when you’re playing against Alberta and BC.”
The Prince Albert Royals program only has teams that compete at the AA level, while a majority of the players in the Prospects Series play at the AAA level for their respective clubs.
Exner says the game becomes a lot faster at the AAA level.
“It’s like the AA to AAA swap. A lot better pitching, a lot of really good off speed. I feel like the hitting was a lot better. There were some people who could hit the ball way further than I’ve ever seen.”
Although his playing time was limited, Exner says he enjoyed getting to know his new teammates from across the province off the diamond including the odd poker game at the hotel.
“It was really good. It was really fun being with all the boys. They were just great to play with. It was really fun. Even the games were really fun. I didn’t play too much, but it was a great experience.”
sports@paherald.sk.ca
