History of Lethbridge Baseball

Lethbridge American Legion Baseball History

Monday, 01 March 2010 16:34

One of the first sports to establish itself in Lethbridge was baseball. The sport began as the idle past time of youngsters, but soon became organized as a sport. There are historical accounts of baseball games being played as early as 1891 in Lethbridge. Lethbridge played against Great Falls in a double header and was a fan favorite with a few hundred in attendance.

One of the first formally organized team was the Lethbridge Miners formed in the summer of 1909, and they played in a full interlocking schedule with many teams from Montana. The club played in a formal league set up in the south and won their first league game, a great sign of things to come. The love of baseball has continued on from those early years and Lethbridge residents have maintained their loyal support and love for the game. The city is home to the American legion Elks and Lethbridge Miners, Lethbridge has also been home to some professional baseball teams through the Pioneer League; the Lethbridge Expos, Dodgers, Mounties and Black Diamonds have all delighted baseball fans over the years as minor league baseball teams. The Lethbridge Bulls in the Western Major Baseball League, a summer Collegiate Baseball league, has entertained the fans the past few years as well.

The Prairie Baseball Academy was formed in 1995 opening the first Canadian College Baseball program in Canada home of the PBA Prairie Dawgs in Lethbridge. We are very proud to say that the Lethbridge American Legion Program is one of the leading baseball organizations in the Province of Alberta and its continued growth and progress is evidence of the capable leadership which the Association has experienced over the years. The high regard with which baseball is held is very obvious on a visit to any of our local diamonds. 100 + years of baseball history with many more years to come.