Medicine Hat Mavericks infielder Tyler Vanneste celebrates his first-inning home run Sunday in an 11-5 win over the Weyburn Beavers at Athletic Park.--NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Tyler Vanneste is enjoying his spot as a leader in the Mavs’ clubhouse.
The third-year Medicine Hat Maverick has experienced two different seasons in the red and white, a Game 3 loss in the WCBL finals in 2023 and a first-round exit at the hands of the Saskatoon Berries last season, both disappointing ends to a summer of highs and lows at Athletic Park.
He’s one of two third-year Mavs, taking up a veteran role alongside shortstop Johnny Vulcano. Vanneste says he’s enjoyed ushering in the new wave of Mavs and introducing them to the league and how to find success in the WCBL.
“It’s like what JT (head coach Jonathon Thornhill) has been saying, just having fun on and off the field,” Vanneste said. “Just getting all the boys together, whether we’re at the ballpark or when we’re away from it on off days. That just helps get all the guys together and we’re meshing well, the vibes are good in the clubhouse.”
The Warman, Sask. product has enjoyed the experience he’s gained through two seasons in the league and another two school years with Cal State San Bernadino.
“I know a lot of new guys, you don’t expect how many games you’re going to play, and the toll it takes on your body,” Vanneste said. “So you kind of learn how to take care of it and what what you’re gonna feel like the next day. Just learning to play through a minor tweak or whatever it happens to be.”
Vanneste was the Mavs’ designated hitter for two games over the weekend, tallying a pair of hits, four RBIs and a home run in the role. He got back onto the field for Sunday’s 11-5 win over the Weyburn Beavers, the third of a three-game weekend sweep at Athletic Park, blasting his fourth home run of the season, adding another hit and an RBI as well.
It’s part of a hot start to his fourth WCBL season, playing 2022 with the Edmonton Prospects before joining the Mavs. Entering play Tuesday at Saskatoon against the Berries, 15 minutes from his hometown of Warman, Sask., Vanneste is tied for the WCBL lead in RBI (15) and home runs (four). His 18 hits is third in the league and on his team, behind infielder Carter Roth and outfielder Jeremy Freeman Jr.
This far into his baseball career, Vanneste doesn’t even entertain the success he’s had so far at the plate.
“As I’ve started to play more the solo aspect, I’ve kind of got rid of that and it’s more team focused and just trying to get wins,” Vanneste said. “I just want to win ball games. This is all I got, it’s my last year. So I just want to win.”
As quick as summers seem to fly by for students in the stands, getting a couple months escape from school, the seasons pass by even faster for players like Vanneste who see an end to their WCBL career on the horizon. As they near the quarter mark of the season, Vanneste says his biggest advice for the next wave of Mavs is to enjoy their time in the league and even more so, cherish Medicine Hat while they’re here.
“It’s fun, it’s why I keep coming back every year,” Vanneste said. “It’s a fun place to play and you get a good experience, it’s going to help you for school. So just enjoy it, have fun and give it your all every day.”
