2023 Season Preview

2023 Supers Season Preview

The Canora Supers are the three time defending Southeast Senior Baseball League (SESBL) champions, and look to make it four in a row in the 2023 season. The roster will look much the same as previous seasons, so another competitive campaign is expected.

Gone from the previous seasons will be Phil Sobkow and Jayden Heskin. Phil has decided to hang up the cleats due to chronic shoulder pain and family commitments. Jayden will be away for the summer working. It will be sad to see them go, but the train keeps moving on.

The rest of the 2022 roster will return, however injuries to catcher Sean Kolodziejski and pitcher Tanner Denesowych will sideline them for at least the first half of the season, and possibly longer.

And without further adieu, the 2023 Canora Supers:

Kody Rock- He is the ace of the pitching staff, bats at the top of the order, and plays tremendous defence at shortstop. He is the undisputed top player in the SESBL, and the fans come out to see him

Zach Rakochy - He is gone most of May for seeding every year, but once June comes around he is ready to set the table at the top of the order as one of the top bats in the league. He also plays infield or outfield, and brings a tremendous attitude to the field

Kholton Shewchuk - A solid starting pitcher, a big bat in the middle of the order, and a steady presence at third base. He is Mr. Reliable, and does whatever is needed for the team.

Travis Mentanko - He is the man known as Tank, but also the most feared bat in the league. He will once again be counted on for power hitting, and veteran leadership while playing first base

Ian Quewezance - The man known as “Q”, he brings a high batting average to the lineup and exceptional infield defence. It will be his fifth full season as a Super

Evan Rostotski - Death, taxes, and “Rook” playing right field! All while drawing plenty of walks and hitting lots of singles. Book it!

Clay Sleeva - Clay will be back for his second full season with the squad. He swung an excellent bat and played awesome defence in center field. The southpaw should also see some time on the hill

Brendon Landstad - Another hometown youngster entering his second full season. He played everywhere in the outfield and infield last season. His bat progressed nicely in 2022, and he looks to take the next step this year. He also has big potential as a pitcher with a strong arm

Grady Wolkowski - Also back for his second full season. He will catch and play anywhere else in the field. Work commitments will limit his availability, but he will be ready to go

Sean Kolodziejski - He has been the Supers leadoff hitter and catcher for the past five years. An injury will keep him out for at least the first half of the season, but could possibly heal in time to suit up for playoffs in July. His intensity and spirit is unmatched

Derek Palagian - He provides good defence in left field while battling the sun, and has a consistent bat. He will still be counted on to pitch as well, but mostly in relief

Darcy Blommaert - a Super since 1999. The ageless one will be back once again to throw the occasional inning out of the pen or play some outfield.

Shea Peterson - He will be back for his second season. The Sturgis native impressed on the hill with his ability to throw strikes. He will get even more opportunities this year on the hill, and play as a corner infielder on occasion

Dylan Toffan - Work commitments always limit his availability. But he is always eager to get in the lineup at third, short, or pitcher. His bat is always explosive, and it is always a bonus when Dyl-Toff is around

Chet Bornhorst - a member of the previous two championship teams, Chet plays great defence in the outfield, and is also a heck of a catcher. Work and school commitments will reduce his availability, but he always seems to be able to make enough games for playoffs

18U callups - Logan Wolkowski, Porter Wolkowski, Nate Wolos and Hunter Lamb each suited up a few times for the Supers last season. They will each play with the Canora Reds, but may see more time with the big club. Jeff Stewart played plenty last year as a callup from the Parkland AA Expos, and should see some more action. Other youngsters will be in the mix as well as recruiting the next generation of players is of utmost importance in senior baseball

Greg Andreychuk - Also a member of the Supers since 1999, Greg will mostly manage/coach, but will be the ninth player if necessary. 2022 was his first season without recording an at bat, and it will continue as long as enough players show up each game.

With the majority of the roster returning, the possibility of a fourth straight league title is a very good. The rest of the league has added some quality younger players, so it will get a tad more difficult each passing year to win. But as long as the Supers keep adding quality young players of their own, they’ll always be right in the mix.

The Supers have had a distinct home field advantage at the refurbished Al Sapieha Field. With tremendous fan support, the team is always energized in front of the Canora faithful.

The SESBL is unfortunately down to four teams as the Roblin Stars have taken a one year leave of absence. The Supers, Langenburg Legends, Yorkton Marlins and Parkland Pirates (Yorkton/Melville) will battle it out in a twelve game regular season. Playoffs will start on July 10 with two best of three series. The winners of those will play for the league title starting July 19 in a best of five

Manager Greg Andreychuk will also serve as league president. The main objective is to build the league back up as there needs to be teams re-emerge in communities throughout the area. The league meeting was held on April 17, with several topics being discussed. Mostly it was adding rules to the league constitution which were either missing, or improved upon.

The season begins on Friday, May 12 in Yorkton vs the Marlins. Game time is 8:00 PM. The Supers look forward to seeing everybody at the park this summer in what hopes to be another championship season!