NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks manager Mark Goodman calls in his team during the second day of training camp ahead of the 2023 Western Canadian Baseball League season.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Through two days of Medicine Hat Mavericks training camp Mark Goodman has enjoyed every single second.
The Mavericks manager is gearing up for his first summer at the helm and in the Western Canadian Baseball League. Goodman is the pitching coach at the Colorado School of Mines, a D2 NCAA school. He has coached 16 seasons of college baseball including stops at the Juco, NAIA and NCAA levels and has spent five seasons in summer college baseball, including three in the Northwoods League.
“This is a great place, it’s a great organization that’s top notch here,” Goodman said. “They’re doing it right and we’re getting better each day. Today was much better than yesterday, we have a good squad who look like they’re going to buy into each other and have a hell of a season.”
The eason gets started with a home-and-home series against the Lethbridge Bulls. The Mavs are in Lethbridge on Friday and have their home opener at Athletic Park on Saturday. They host the Swift Current 57’s on Sunday to wrap up opening weekend.
This summer marks his 10th coaching summer ball, meaning Goodman is used to learning players’ names as quickly as he can and getting accustomed to his new team. He was happy to hear the Mavericks spent Tuesday night together and is encouraged with their attitude at practice.
“These guys are looking to play for each other,” Goodman said. “So if we can play for each other this summer, we’re going to be pretty good. It’s not always the top talent. It’s who’s going to go out there and dive for a guy, who’s going to go out there and get the extra base for your guy. As of right now, these boys look like they want to do it for each other.”
He’s looking forward to opening day at Athletic Park and being part of the Mavs’ 20th season in the WCBL.
“I can’t wait for the fans to come out and support us, I’m really excited to see the fans and get to know as many people as possible and I hope this is one of the best seasons for Medicine Hat in a few years.”
