Morrison named to All State team ahead of D1 opportunity

By JAMES TUBB on August 11, 2023.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

Evan Morrison wrapped up his summer in all-star fashion.

The Medicine Hat product was selected as a recipient of an American Legion baseball Class AA postseason award, being named to the Class AA All-State Team as a first baseman.

He was excited to hear the news and thanked an opposing coach for helping get him on the ballot.

“It was strictly because of the coach from the Billings Royals,” Morrison said. “He saw the nomination list and he contacted whoever sent it out and said, ‘Why isn’t this guy on the list? That’s my vote and I’m not voting unless he’s there.’

“I had a pretty good season. I know Helena’s first baseman was really turning up this year but I feel like I earned that.”

Morrison’s Medicine Hat Moose Monarchs teammate Jeff Bullock also received a postseason award Thursday, being named to the Class AA All Conference Team as an outfielder. Morrison says he was happy to have another Monarch get honoured.

“It’s awesome to see another guy from Medicine Hat to get something like that. He definitely earned it, he had a great season,” Morrison said.

The all-state award for Morrison comes a week before he will head south to start his Division I baseball career with Western Texas College. It’s an opportunity he’s looking forward to and is ready to experience the next level of baseball.

“I’m excited to go there, just grind, practice and make myself the best I can be and see where that takes me,” Morrison said. “Texas always has good ball down there and I’ve talked to some coaches there and they seem pretty nice – the whole program seems pretty good. It’s actually my coach’s old school and he told me a lot about it and said I’d really enjoy it.”

He says his Monarchs coach and former Medicine Hat Maverick, Cam Rittinger, gave him some advice and offered his help whenever needed through the phone.

“He said definitely make friends with people who have cars to drive you around and into town when you need things,” Morrison said. ” He says things have changed since he’s been there so if I have questions about anything I can text him and he’ll answer.”

He hasn’t had a chance to tour the campus but is looking forward to seeing it and getting on the field. He’s also ready to showcase his skills around the diamond, beyond his talents at first base.

“It’s a college that’s really competitive and everybody wants it real bad down there, I’m excited to be part of a really good, competitive league,” Morrison said. “I can’t wait to see the difference between where I was and where that’s going to be, and it’s all about adjustments. It’s going to take a while but it’s going to be really fun, and it’s going to help me grow a lot. It’ll maybe help me go to a bigger school afterwards or wherever I go in life.

Morrison has showcased his talents competing at different levels throughout Medicine Hat, playing in American Legion baseball while also representing the Monsignor McCoy Colts at the high school level. He was part of the Medicine Hat team that competed at the 2017 Canadian Little League Championships held in Medicine Hat.

He thanks his coaches for their work in getting him to the level he is now and hopes he can be a role model for younger baseball players who want to play the game at the D1 level.

“My coaches have put up with a lot of my crap for a lot of years. I’ve lost it at points and they never gave up on me,” Morrison said. “They always knew I had talent and wanted me to get me somewhere, they really helped out with that. The teammates I’ve had and the friendships they’re for the rest of my life.

“You have to grind and put your head down, do the best you can to play every game like it’s your last game. Don’t get worried about other things, other people or what they think about you. Just play as hard as you can.”

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