Baseball

Goldeyes Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Manager Logan Watkins at Goldeyes practice on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. For Mike McIntyre story. Free Press 2026

Goldeyes offence comes alive in battering of Milkmen

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Saturday, May. 23, 2026

WINNIPEG Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins was preaching patience earlier this week, believing it was only a matter of time until his team’s sleepy batters and pitchers began to wake up.

The alarm clock finally went off Friday night at Blue Cross Park.

A 9-2 victory over Milwaukee was just what the doctor ordered for a bleary-eyed group that had been outscored 49-16 through six games.

The Goldeyes improve to 2-5 on the young season, while the Milkmen — which swept Winnipeg over three games in Wisconsin last weekend — fall to 5-2.

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Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Goldeyes outfielder Roby Enriquez said it’s a lot of fun being part of a club with so many different players from around the world.

Goldeyes roster a reflection of baseball’s global impact

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Goldeyes roster a reflection of baseball’s global impact

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Take a look around the Winnipeg Goldeyes clubhouse and one thing quickly becomes evident: this is quite the international school of Fish.

Eight different countries are represented on the current roster of 25 players, which might just make them the United Nations of the American Association.

“So many different cultures. It’s good to have all of them,” outfielder Roby Enriquez told the Free Press on Wednesday prior to his team facing the Kane County Cougars at Blue Cross Park.

“It’s a lot of fun, being with guys from around the world. You learn about language and food, experience different personalities. It’s a blessing to have them here on one team.”

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Baseball

JIM PIERCE / BOSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS Boissevain’s Danika Nell pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings as Boston University clawed back to avoid an upset against the Lafayette Leopards in the first game of the Patriot League softball championship last Thursday.

Boissevain’s Nell pitches Boston back to NCAA Division 1 regionals

Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Boissevain’s Nell pitches Boston back to NCAA Division 1 regionals

Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Thursday, May. 14, 2026

There’s a chance Danika Nell goes pitch for pitch with softball’s first million-dollar player this weekend.

The Boissevain native and her Boston University Terriers are off to NCAA Division I regionals in Lubbock, Texas — home of NiJaree Canady and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Regionals are the softball equivalent of the first weekend of basketball’s March Madness, with the top 16 ranked teams hosting a four-team double-elimination tournament for a spot at Super Regionals the following weekend.

The Terriers open the weekend against No. 6-seed Ole Miss on Friday at 1 p.m. CT.

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Thursday, May. 14, 2026

Goldeyes Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes slugger Max Murphy believes the time has the right personnel to make a run at the American Association title this season.

Weather aside, Goldeyes warmed by potential of new season at training camp

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Weather aside, Goldeyes warmed by potential of new season at training camp

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

It may feel more like hockey weather than baseball season around here, but that hasn’t stopped the Winnipeg Goldeyes from getting into the swing of things.

Sure, these Fish might be frozen during spring training, but optimism is already heating up about what these boys of summer could accomplish by early fall.

“I think we’ve got a really good team. I think we’re going to make a run at it,” veteran slugger Max Murphy told the Free Press on Wednesday at Blue Cross Park.

He’s talking about an American Association championship, which the Goldeyes last accomplished in 2017. They came close to winning it all in 2024 — the first year under skipper Logan Watkins — but ultimately lost in the final. Last year represented a step back, with a 48-51 record which led to missing the playoffs entirely.

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Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

Winnipeg Jets

JOHN WOODS / THE CANDIAN PRESS Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period in Winnipeg on Saturday.

Jets’ season on the brink

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Jets’ season on the brink

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Sunday, Apr. 12, 2026

The margin for error has seismically shifted from slim to none.

By virtue of a 7-1 shellacking at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night at Canada Life Centre, the Winnipeg Jets playoff hopes are officially on life support and they’re now perilously close to next-year country.

Coupled with the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon, the Jets now face a five-point deficit in the chase for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with just three games remaining in the regular season.

That essentially ensures the Jets must run the table, while also receiving plenty of help on the out of town scoreboard.

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Sunday, Apr. 12, 2026

Baseball

Erin Hooley / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Winkler’s Tristan Peters (29) celebrates his game-winning walk-off RBI single with his Chicago White Sox teammates Friday over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Winkler-product records first career major league hit, walk-off RBI single

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Winkler-product records first career major league hit, walk-off RBI single

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Have yourself a week, Tristan Peters.

Nearly two decades after Corey Koskie recorded the final hit of his big-league career, another Manitoban is beginning to write his own story at the highest level.

If the past seven days are any indiciation, it’s going to be a real page-turner,

Peters, the pride of Winkler, started this MLB season with a bang, belting his first career hit last Saturday in Milwaukee — a line-drive double to left field off Brewers right-hander Chad Patrick.

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Friday, Apr. 3, 2026

Baseball

Lindsey Wasson / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Winkler’s Tristan Peters was traded to the Chicago White Sox by the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Peters made his Major League debut with the Rays last season, appearing in four games with the club.

Winkler’s Peters traded to Chicago White Sox

Ken Wiebe 2 minute read Preview

Winkler’s Peters traded to Chicago White Sox

Ken Wiebe 2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Tristan Peters is on the move.

The Winkler product was traded to the Chicago White Sox by the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Peters, who played in the Manitoba Junior Baseball League with the Pembina Valley Orioles, made his Major League debut with the Rays last season, appearing in four games while going hitless in 12 at-bats.

Peters, who turns 26 in late February, is known as an excellent outfielder who has hit for some power at the Triple-A level.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Baseball

FILE - Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) throws during the fourth inning of Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball playoff series, Oct. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Trevor Story declines to opt out, keeps contract with the Red Sox

The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Trevor Story declines to opt out, keeps contract with the Red Sox

The Associated Press 1 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

BOSTON (AP) — Shortstop Trevor Story declined to exercise his right to opt out of his contract and is remaining with the Boston Red Sox.

Story agreed to a $140 million, six-year deal with Boston before the 2022 season and could have opted out, giving up $55 million in guaranteed money.

Instead, he kept $25 million salaries for 2026 and ’27, and a $25 million team option for 2028 with a $5 million buyout.

The two-time All-Star shortstop, who turns 33 on Nov. 15, played in 157 games, his most since 2018, and hit .263 with 25 homers and 96 RBIs.

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Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

Baseball

San Diego Padres hire former reliever Craig Stammen as manager

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

The San Diego Padres have hired former reliever Craig Stammen to be their manager.

Stammen got a three-year contract Thursday to begin his first managerial job at any level of the sport.

The longtime right-handed reliever retired from his playing career with the Padres in August 2023, and he spent the past two seasons as an assistant to the major league coaching staff and the baseball operations department headed by general manager A.J. Preller.

The 41-year-old Stammen replaces Mike Shildt, who retired Oct. 13 after just two seasons in charge. The Padres won at least 90 games and made the playoffs in both seasons under Shildt, who cited burnout and exhaustion in announcing his departure.

Amateur

Supplied Kirsten Giesbrecht (left) and Mya Richard of Team Manitoba’s female baseball team. It’s ‘awesome’ to play on a female baseball team says Richard, who hails from Elie.

Female baseball gaining popularity as it makes Canada Summer Games debut

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Female baseball gaining popularity as it makes Canada Summer Games debut

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

Softball is no longer the only option for females stepping into the batter’s box at the Canada Summer Games.

This year’s edition of the national event — which kicked off its second and final week Monday in St. John’s, N.L., — will feature female baseball for the very first time.

Team Manitoba is in Pool B with Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The top two teams in the group will advance to the playoff round. Manitoba takes the field today at 9:30 a.m. CT against Saskatchewan and again at 4:30 CT vs. Nova Scotia.

“To be honest, when I found out I was given the opportunity to go, I was speechless and very humbled and honoured to be a part of this community,” said shortstop Kirsten Giesbrecht, a 17-year-old from Altona.

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Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher Luke Boyd thows a pitch during the top of the first inning against the visiting Cleburne Railroaders in American Association of Professional Baseball action at Blue Cross Park, Thursday.

Goldeyes ride big second inning to victory over Railroaders

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

Goldeyes ride big second inning to victory over Railroaders

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025

The Winnipeg Goldeyes (36-47), powered by a six-run second inning, held on for a very needed, close 7-6 victory over the Cleburne Railroaders (39-44) Thursday night at Blue Cross Park in front of 4,016 fans.

The Goldeyes, who dropped game two of the series 10-8, despite a late comeback attempt, took care of unfinished business in game three, earning back-to-back series wins at home with a one-run win finally going in their favour.

Although the Fish still sit 101/2 games back of the Sioux Falls Canaries, who hold the final West Division playoff spot, with 16 games left in the season, they hope momentum will carry into a crucial road series against the best in the West, the Sioux City Explorers.

“We’re just trying to finish as hot as possible,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “It’s kind of a long shot that we’re going to get back into it, but that’s a product of our division being so good this year. I mean, I think four of the five top teams in the league are in the West. And I mean, it’s kind of crazy to think about, but yeah, it’s good to see the guys haven’t quit.”

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Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025

Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg’s Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble entertained fans throughout Wednesday’s game.

RedHawks teach Goldeyes a lesson

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

RedHawks teach Goldeyes a lesson

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks showed the Winnipeg Goldeyes why they’re in the final West Division playoff spot — and the Goldeyes are not — Wednesday evening, making it look easy with a lopsided 10-4 victory in front of 4,540 people at Blue Cross Park to complete the series sweep.

The Goldeyes barely had time to find hope for a win before the RedHawks blew things wide open in what was a game-costing start for pitcher Mitchell Lambson.

On just the second swing of the game, the RedHawks got on the board, with Lamar Sparks blasting a home run over the left field fence.

A couple of outs later, it was RedHawks designated hitter Brendon Dadson who sent a home run of his own out of Blue Cross Park, this time over the right field fence, to give his squad a 2-0 lead at the top of the first.

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Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025

Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS files Mitch Lambson pitched seven innings Thursday in the Goldeyes victory over the Chicago Dogs.

Goldeyes hang on to down Dogs

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

Goldeyes hang on to down Dogs

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

Back home and playing their first game since the American Association’s all-star break, the Winnipeg Goldeyes were in dire need of a fresh start. With a close 6-5 win over the Chicago Dogs on Thursday evening at Blue Cross Park, the Fish are hoping the tides are finally turning.

For a team that has been at the bottom of the American Association’s West Division for most of the season and is trying to squeeze into a playoff spot, the past two weeks could not have been more disastrous.

Despite going into the all-star break coming off a 9-3 win in Lincoln, Neb., against the Saltdogs on Sunday, it could not erase the season-high nine-game losing streak the Goldeyes went through beforehand.

“It goes without saying the last two weeks have been pretty rough,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “But I guess that’s baseball. The hard part is seeing how many one-run losses we’ve had, being that close and not coming through to win at least half of them, but just kind of is what it is. We have a lot of baseball still left, so I think we just needed a quick break, let everyone reset mentally, and then come back.”

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Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

Amateur

Supplied The Bonitvital Black Sox get their shot this weekend at the Manitoba Baseball Tier 1, 18U AAA provincial title after back-to-back Tier 2 provincial championships in 2023 and 2024.

Best of Manitoba Baseball clashes for provincial title

Zoe Pierce 6 minute read Preview

Best of Manitoba Baseball clashes for provincial title

Zoe Pierce 6 minute read Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

When Jamie Bettens took over as coach of the Bonivital 18U AAA baseball team at the start of the Baseball Manitoba regular season this spring, the message was clear — get into Zone 1 for the 18U AAA provincials.

After back-to-back Tier 2 provincial championships in 2023 and 2024, the Bonivital Black Sox have proved they can win tournaments and, this year, they’ll get their shot in Tier 1 at the 2025 18U AAA provincials, taking place this weekend at Charleswood Park.

“When I took over the group, we sat down and said, ‘What is our goal for this year?’” said Bettens. “And, unequivocally, every single player said, ‘We want to be in Zone 1 this year. We want to move up and be in the higher bracket and compete against the top teams in the province.’”

Tier 1 placement this year is determined by regular-season standings. The top six teams qualify for Zone 1 and compete in Tier 1 provincials, while the bottom five are placed in Zone 2. The system, introduced this year, replaced the previous playoff format to get into Tier 1.

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Thursday, Jul. 24, 2025

Goldeyes Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS files Goldeyes’ southpaw Mitchell Lambson pitched a strong game against the Monarchs despite the team’s loss.

Goldeyes’ struggles continue as club drops pair to visiting Monarchs

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Preview

Goldeyes’ struggles continue as club drops pair to visiting Monarchs

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Friday, Jul. 11, 2025

It’s been a tough go as of late for the Winnipeg Goldeyes, who have dropped their last three series and didn’t get the start they wanted entering a weekend series against the Kansas City Monarchs, dropping back-to-back games in a doubleheader Friday night at Blue Cross Park.

“We just need to win,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins. “I mean, we’re running out of time to get rolling. We’re in the second half of the season now. We battled back to get to .500 and then just had a couple tough series, and now we’re kind of back in a hole again. We just got to keep trying to climb out of it.”

The first game of the doubleheader was a continuation of a rained-out game on June 8 against the Monarchs, in which the Goldeyes were trailing 2-1 at the bottom of the third.

The Monarchs picked up right where they left off a month later, with runs by Jaylyn Williams, Josh Bissonette and Ryan Leitch at the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 5-1.

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Friday, Jul. 11, 2025

Goldeyes Report

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Goldeyes first baseman Matthew Warkentin’s 11 home runs lead the team this season.

Canadian content fuelling Fish

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Canadian content fuelling Fish

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

It’s very fitting that the Winnipeg Goldeyes take the field in red and white.

This year’s lineup features seven Canadians which is the most the Fish have ever boasted in their 30-plus years of existence. They’re not just here to fill out the roster.

“It is a coincidence,” said Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins, as he doesn’t go out of his way to seek them out. “But I’d say three or four of them are maybe our best players.”

One of the top Canucks is first baseman Matthew Warkentin, a Leamington, Ont., product who was recently named the American Association’s Batter of the Week for having 13 hits, including five doubles, two home runs, and eight runs batted in, during a six-game stretch.

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Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

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