Slave Lake Heat battle to provincial silver

August 6, 2026 · by Admin2017 · 0

The Slave Lake Heat 11UA turned a challenging season into a memorable finish, capturing the silver medal at the Baseball Alberta Provincial Championships after battling their way to the championship game.

After a season filled with close losses, 11UA Coach Ryan Norman says the provincial run was a rewarding way to end the year.

“It meant a lot after losing so many close games,” Norman says.
The championship game was interrupted by bad weather and postponed until Monday, July 20, giving players time to regroup before returning to the field.

The Slave Lake Heat players celebrate their first-ever win together during a tournament in Edson in June. According to team manager Kristine Kelham, the victory was an exciting milestone for the team and marked the beginning of building strong friendships and teamwork that carried them throughout the season. *Photo courtesy of Coach Ryan Norman*

More than winning

One of the tournament’s highlights came during the rain delay, when players from Slave Lake and the Wetaskiwin Nationals spent time together instead of focusing on the competition.

“It’s not all about winning,” Norman says. “It’s about the journey and the friends you make.”
Even after falling short in the final, Norman says the team’s attitude stood out.

“There were tears, but the kids handled it with positivity and class,” he says. “That’s something to be proud of.”

The Slave Lake Heat U11A gather for a team photo before beginning their run at the provincial championships. Head coach Ryan Norman is pictured at top left as the team prepared for a memorable tournament that ended with a provincial silver medal and a provincial finalist banner.

Big plays, lasting lessons

According to Norman, the Heat earned their place in the championship with strong pitching, allowing just one run in each of their first two games.

One of the biggest defensive plays came against Grand Cache when Tucker Kelham caught a shallow fly ball before throwing out a runner at home to stop a potential comeback.

Despite trailing 12-0 in the championship game, the Heat continued to fight.
Tenley Price hit a home run on her birthday, sparking the team’s comeback effort.

“That home run gave us some life,” Norman says. “The kids kept battling.”
Throughout the season, the coaching staff emphasized three values: respect, positivity and communication, says Norman.
“We wanted the kids to encourage each other and enjoy the game.”

While the silver medal was a rewarding finish, Norman says the coaches’ biggest goal has always been helping players develop a love for baseball.

“We want these kids to keep playing for years to come,” he says. “Hopefully this gives them confidence to come back next season.”

Julia Magsombol
Lakeside Leader