From the Nest #008
Published June 3rd, 2025
THE 2025 WCBL SEASON HAS LAUNCHED
We’re officially back and it already feels like summer! Last week, we kicked off the season with our annual Sea of Gold Home Opener and it was quite the dramatic start.
Not only did we experience a doozy of a windstorm, but we also got hit with a rain delay before the game even started. Despite all that, the Red Deer & District Pipe Band still played, the confetti cannons fired, and the Gulls opened the 2025 WCBL season with a hard-fought win!
You’ll read more about that below in an article written by season ticket holder, superfan, and gifted sports writer Jeff Falls, who will be providing recaps of the previous games. All that and more in this edition of From the Nest!
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My name is Jeff Falls. My wife Kim and I have been huge fans of the Sylvan Lake Gulls since their inception in 2021. For the past number of years I have posted my observations of Gulls games on my Facebook account, and apparently people have noticed them and enjoyed them. I was recently approached by the Gulls to see if I might consider doing this on a slightly more formal basis, and I thought that might be fun, so I will be contributing quick recaps, from a fan’s perspective, that will appear in the Gulls newsletter “From the Nest”.
Anyone that follows the Gulls knows that 2024 was an amazing season. They finished first overall during the regular season, but unfortunately came up a bit short in the playoffs when once again they were eliminated by the Okotoks Dawgs. This year the Gulls will be looking to take that next step and bring home a league title.
So, the 2025 season is now under way. The Gulls players began arriving this week, and I’m sure they are liking what they’re seeing of the town, the stadium and the team, as it begins to take shape. There are some players who’ve been here for a few years and know what a great place this is to spend the summer. There are also a number of new players that will find out quickly that they’ve picked a good place to be. The team started their season this week with a couple of games, one exhibition game against the Red Deer Riggers Sr Men’s team, which featured a few former Gulls players, and then their season opener, against the Energy City Cactus Rats, who used to be the Edmonton Prospects. The exhibition game also gave us our first look at this years Gulls. We saw a number of the incoming players, and what we can maybe expect this season, and they pulled out a 15-5 win.
A couple days later things got underway for real as there were opening ceremonies, player introductions and lots going on for the fans. What had been a beautiful day was replaced by high winds and off and on rain throughout the evening. The game got off to a rough start for the Gulls and they got out of the first inning trailing 6-0. They got 3 of those runs back in the 2nd, but the Rats responded with 3 of their own in the 3rd. The Gulls continued to battle, and tightened things up and scored 3 runs in the 5th and 3 more in the 7th, and suddenly it was 9-9. The Cactus Rats put up another run in the 8th and we’re up 10-9. But the Gulls did manage to rally in the bottom of the 9th and scored 2 runs for the walk-off win, 11-10. It might not have been pretty but it was a ‘W’ for the Gulls. Now they head to Ft McMurray for 3 games this weekend, before they return home for a game Tuesday. Although the Tuesday game is here, the Gulls will be the visitors against Energy City. The Cactus Rats will be playing a few games here this season as they wait for their new stadium in Spruce Grove to be completed. Then Wednesday and Thursday we get our first look at this years Okotoks Dawgs.
I’m looking forward to another exciting and entertaining season of Gulls baseball! I hope you are too!!
Go, Gulls, Go!!
It’s one of our favourite nights of the season- Minor Ball Night! Each year, we welcome the future stars of the diamond to Gulls Field for a celebration of community and the game we all love. Young athletes from across the region will be in attendance, and we encourage all minor ball players to wear their team jerseys proudly. Let’s pack the park with local pride and cheer on the next generation of ballplayers!
We have a game on Friday the 13th – so how could we not host a costume party!! We are encouraging fans to dress up however they like- scary, silly, princesses, mummies, Sully look-a-likes and beyond! We would love to see all the unique costumes come into the stadium!
Still need to pick up your tickets for the Summer Send-Off? You easily grab them online through the link below, but now you can toss them into your Costco cart!
This is your chance to see 2024 CCMA Entertainer of the Year JOSH ROSS!
Not only will you experience incredible music and delicious food and beverage options from our food truck partners, but this summer’s concert will also have an outdoor artisan market! You’ll want to spend the entire day in the Gull’s backyard.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Community Appreciation Events <3
This season, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the incredible individuals who help make our community strong. Throughout the summer, we’ll be hosting a few simple but heartfelt Community Appreciation events- taking a moment during select games to recognize and celebrate the everyday heroes among us with in-game shoutouts and well-earned applause from the crowd.
On June 3, we’re celebrating Healthcare Workers Appreciation Night at the ballpark. We’ve reached out to hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, hospices, medial imaging sites, and more with the hope of filling the stands with as many of these incredible big hearts as possible. It’s a small way for us to say thank you to those who show up every day with compassion, strength, and care for our community.
June 12 is First Responders Appreciation Night- a chance to recognize and thank the everyday heroes who keep our community safe. We’re sending out a big Gulls shoutout to those who answer the call when it matters most.
June 14 is Teachers & Educators Appreciation Night! A celebration of the incredible individuals who shape minds, spark curiosity, and support the next generation. From classroom teachers to support staff and administrators, we’re tipping our caps to the champions of education who make a lasting impact every single day.
Stay up to date on concert news, performers, tickets, and more when you signup for the Gulls Summer Send-Off Insider newsletter.
