LOCAL BASEBALL TEAM CHANGES OWNERSHIP                       May 13, 2008

PLAY BALL!!

The Medicine Hat Mavericks Baseball Club is pleased to announce that one of Medicine Hat's local Baseball Alumni has purchased the team and will assume operations for the 2009 WMBL Season. Greg Morrison, of the city, has a long and impressive baseball history and will bring strong, competitive baseball to Medicine Hat, while providing a Fun, Exciting Family Atmosphere at the park.

Morrison's college baseball career began at the National Baseball Institue (NBI) and played against the Toronto Blue Jays at Athletic Park in 1993. MORRISON has 12 years as a professional baseball player under his belt, including the Medicine Hat Blue Jays, Great Falls Dodgers, Hagerstown Suns, Winnipeg Goldeyes, and many others. As well, he has been involved in coaching for the past 13 years.

Along with new ownership the front office will have some added baseball experience. Candice Henson has agreed to be a part of the Mavericks Managerial team. Henson has long history within baseball operations and promotions as she began her baseball career with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays Minor League Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994, eventually working for the Toronto Blue Jays out of Skydome from 2001-2003.

Morrison and Henson will bring fresh new faces to Maverick Baseball and look forward to creating an atmosphere at the park that will provide hours of summer fun for the entire family.

For more information please contact either Greg Morrison at 403-878-4294 or Candice Henson at 403-548-4626.

 

 

 

Dan Feser                                                               May 13, 2008
Press Herald-Unity, Sask

In a matter of two hours, 60 local-area baseball players gained a lot of knowledge from a 12-year professional.
Unity-born Greg Morrison, currently coaching American-Legion baseball in Medicine Hat where he works as a kinesiologist, ran a one-day skills camp for local baseball players for Unity Minor Ball and poured a wealth of knowledge and experience into the players and participating coaches. Drafted by the Dodgers and then signed by the Blue Jays, Morrison was a triple crown winner in the Pioneer League. He retired in 2007 after 12 professional seasons (and over 100 professional home runs) and several tournaments with the National team. He returned to Unity where his father Ross played several years for the Unity Cardinals.
“I left here when I was five years old and I only have about five memories, but they are all good ones,” Morrison told the group of Bantam players.
He was happy to be back to contribute to the local ball programs. Along with basic mechanics and skills, Morrison talked to the players about the importance of playing as many sports as they can because all sports help other sports.
“Playing baseball will help you as a hockey player which will help you as a basketball player,” he said. He also told the players to keep playing as long as they can, because Canada has become a world power in the sport.
Morrison, who was impressed with the local Wall of Fame in which he is inducted, was pleasantly surprised at the calibre of baseball skills in the local area players. Morrison also helps coach Team Alberta and sees the high calibre players in Midget and Bantam.
“The calibre of the players looks good due to their athleticism. It is a bit raw, but there is huge potential for those who like baseball,” Morrison said after the camp,
“It was a great day. I hope we can do it again. I found myself talking about it all day at work (on Monday).”
Morrison was joined by local coaches and a handful of the senior Cardinals including player-coach Regan L’Heureux, who felt the instruction was invaluable for anyone who had the opportunity to attend.
“Coach Morrison made the camp. Having that calibre of skills instruction in town was just great for all the ages that attended. Everyone in attendance left with new skills to apply immediately, including me. I learned coaching skills and baseball skills during the four sessions. I would recommend it to any skill level player and I can’t wait until he is back to run the camp again,” L’Heureux said.
Unity Minor Ball president Bob Abel received nothing but positive feedback.
“Everyone I talked to said it was the best baseball camp they’ve ever been to. Young and old all said it was ‘wow’. We’re hoping he will come back again anytime,” Abel said.
Morrison is hoping to have another opportunity next year and even hopes to expand the camp into a two-day event. Or perhaps opening it up to other communities.