The St. Albert Cardinals have their work cut out for them if they want to defend their North Central Alberta Baseball League (NCABL) championship title.
The Cardinals came into the 2024 NCABL season with a new team but the same goal: winning a championship. However, the team was met immediately by obstacles beyond their control, particularly weather.
Between rainouts, which are a part of baseball, and the air quality advisories, the Cardinals have had seven games postponed so far, forcing them to make up these games later in the season. Cardinals governor and player Zach Pollard cited the postponements as a challenge.
"Playing rescheduled games has made for a busy July," he said. "We're fighting through injuries, sore arms take a toll."
Another challenge has been the heat wave that Alberta has been living in.
"Five straight games playing in above 30-degree weather is tough," said Pollard. "It makes you feel sluggish, were struggling to stay hydrated."
The season has had some positives. The Cardinals will have eight players representing the team at the All-Star game on July. 21. The NCABL All-Star game will start at 2:15 p.m. at Keller field in Westlock.
Heading into the All-Star break, the Cardinals played five games in eight days, going 2-2-1 and giving the Cardinals a record of 9-5-1, good for second place in the league standings.
The Cardinals will be back in league play at 7:15 p.m. on July 25 at Legion Memorial ballpark when they host the Edmonton Reds.
The NCABL playoffs will start Aug. 10.
Go to Cardinals Schedule for the rest of the upcoming games.
