Despite the current situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Academy is carrying on, though with some slight changes.

The Dawgs have been taking a proactive approach to AHS' health recommendations regarding the pandemic, having closed the Duvernay Fieldhouse on March 16th, and pulling out of several early season tournaments.

Athletes are currently training at home by way of a development program which is accessed online.

Managing Director with the Okotoks Dawgs John Ircandia says it's designed to keep players sharp.

"The program includes both physical development as well as baseball specific drills. They're all designed to be done in someone's basement or somebody's house or in a garage; somewhere safe."

Ircandia credited Tyler Hollick and other Dawgs coaching staff for the creation of the program, which sees players exercise for two hours every day.

He says the transition has been a bit of a process in and of itself.

"I think it's an adjustment. You know, when you're young you're invincible. We have had to remind some of them from time to time, 'look, this is serious stuff, you've got to adhere to the guidelines.' I'd say overall, ninety nine percent, it's been very smoothly done."

He says parents have shown support and gratitude toward the measure taken to ensure the health of players and staff.

Ircandia says the plan is to transition players back in to the Fieldhouse for regular training as soon as it's safe to do so.

The Dawgs plan to proceed with their season which is due to start in June, though they'll continue to monitor the ever-developing situation surrounding the pandemic.

 

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