Okotoks DAWGS Baseball Academy

April 16, 2024

Who are the DAWGS?

The Okotoks DAWGS are a non-profit organization committed to the development of youth and collegiate baseball in Canada. With 4 WMBL Championships under their belt, 4 Division titles, 6 playoff berths, 177 wins (most in WMBL in 5-year time span), and over 300,000 in attendance, the DAWGS have earned international notoriety for their elite coaching and state-of-the-art facilities, attracting promising young athletes from as far away as Mexico, China, and India.

Along with winning 4 major championships, and qualifying for the playoffs every year they have fielded a team, DAWGS summer collegiate team consistently produces quality professional players. Numerous DAWGS have been drafted, and played in MLB organizations through the years.

Several DAWGS have had success with Team Canada’s Junior National Team, and 13 DAWGS are currently active in MLB organizations.

“When you look at the big picture, whether you’re a grade nine student or a college player looking for a place to play, the Okotoks Dawgs have it all: facilities, coaching, stadium. I’ve never seen anywhere else in Canada that has a better program in place for the amateur player. They’re up there when it comes to passionate and loyal fans.”

Bob Elliot

Canadian Baseball Network

Toronto Blue Jays Beat Reporter for the Toronto Sun

Cooperstown Hall of Fame Inductee

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

Okotoks Dawgs / Seaman Stadium Hall of Fame

Why the DAWGS?

Professional Grade Facilities

The DAWGS training complex is widely recognized as the top amateur indoor/outdoor baseball facility in the country:

Ircandia Outdoor Training Centre: features three batting cages, four bullpen mounds and a practice hitting area with various hitting aids and tools
Conrad Field: Bantam playing field
Seaman Stadium: Home of the Dawgs
Tourmaline Field: Home of the JDawgs
Duvernay Fieldhouse: year-round indoor weight room and turf infield

Experienced & Dedicated Coaching Staff, and Guest Instructors

Several coaches have professional or collegiate coaching and playing experience, some of whom are active in MLB organizations who spend their off-seasons coaching with the DAWGS
Academy coaches have contacts with professional scouts and college recruiters/coaches in both Canada and the United States
Commitment to sending players on to collegiate or pro baseball

Unmatched Instruction/Training

Speed and strength-training programs based on MLB, Team Canada and Collegiate workout programs
Aggressive winter skill development program
Duvernay Fieldhouse provides an off-season environment unlike any other in Canada, allowing players to fully engage with trainers on a daily basis

Unmatched Year-Round Competitive Schedule

Knowledge of top-tier youth baseball in Canada and the States allows the Academy to play one of the top amateur schedules in North America
Regular participation in highly scouted Canadian and American tournaments including the Arizona Fall Perfect Game Showcase, BC’s prestigious Parksville Baseball Tournament and Best of the West Tournament in Kamloops
Regular competition versus Western Canada’s top college programs
Arizona Fall Perfect Game Showcase at MLB Spring Training Complexes
Arizona Jr. College Exhibition Series
BC’s prestigious Parksville Baseball Tournament
Best of the West Tournament (Kamloops)
May Long Weekend Tournament (Kamloops)
Exhibition games against top Canadian Junior College Programs
Regular competition versus Western Canada’s top college programs
A Recruiting Showcase attended by U.S. and Canadian college coaches
DAWGS Annual Spring Event featuring 16 teams from Western Canada and U.S.
A highly-scouted USA tour with maximum exposure to US college programs

Unparalleled Player Development

Since 1995, over 40 players have been drafted or signed by MLB teams
Numerous DAWGS have been selected in the MLB amateur draft, earned scholarships to NCAA Division 1 or top NAIA universities, or selected to Team Alberta, and Team Canada

Strong Academic Program & College Preparation

The DAWGS have partnered with Foothills Composite High School to provide amateur athletes with a full range of educational opportunities (including Advanced Placement, CTS, Fine Arts, & French Immersion), empowering students with exceptional opportunities to excel in their academics as well as athletics
FCHS accommodates both classroom and self-paced learning environments, making it highly conducive to an athlete’s schedule, including various opportunities for Advanced or Assisted Learning options
Between the DAWGS exceptional mentoring relationships and FCHS’ strong academic program, athletes are uniquely equipped for a healthy transition to the next level of academics while simultaneously preparing to take their game to the collegiate and/or professional level

Strong Academic Program & College Preparation

The DAWGS have partnered with Foothills Composite High School to provide amateur athletes with a full range of educational opportunities (including Advanced Placement, CTS, Fine Arts, & French Immersion), empowering students with exceptional opportunities to excel in their academics as well as athletics
FCHS accommodates both classroom and self-paced learning environments, making it highly conducive to an athlete’s schedule, including various opportunities for Advanced or Assisted Learning options
Between the DAWGS exceptional mentoring relationships and FCHS’ strong academic program, athletes are uniquely equipped for a healthy transition to the next level of academics while simultaneously preparing to take their game to the collegiate and/or professional level

DAWG Alumni

Young DAWGS often train with college and pro athletes when they return to Okotoks to train and play
DAWGS Academy alum, Jim Henderson became the first DAWG to play Major League Baseball, emerging as the setup man in the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen
Hundreds of DAWGS Academy alums have gone on to play collegiate baseball since its inception, and Major League Baseball has drafted over 35 DAWGS

Visit http://dawgsacademy.ca