“We’re growing a lot as a team and trying to figure out how to win and how to play together. I think people are getting better and that’s all you can ask for in summer ball.”
After a 2-7 start to their Western Canadian Baseball League season, the Saskatoon Berries have been playing much better baseball lately.
They’re holding a playoff position with a 16-18 record and just 21 games remaining in their inaugural season.
Carnduff, Sask. outfielder Carter Beck has been sparking the offence, leading the club in numerous categories including home runs with seven, stolen bases with 10, and runs scored with 38. His .391 average ties him for fifth place in the WCBL.
“Personally, I don’t look at stats too much because I don’t want them to get into my head,” said the 19-year-old Beck. “I just go out and try to find a way to create runs and help our team win, whatever it takes.
“It was a tough start to the season. So we definitely have work to do, but we’re starting to work our way back. We’re a really young team in the WCBL age-wise and I think we’re growing a lot as a team and trying to figure out how to win and how to play together. I think people are getting better and that’s all you can ask for in summer ball.”
Head coach Joe Carnahan has been penciling Beck in as leadoff hitter regularly lately, a position he is relishing.
“It’s new for me at leadoff,” said Beck, who usually plays centre or right field. “I’ve only ever done it a handful of times before, but I’m actually starting to like it. Being the first hitter in the game you can try and start it off on the right foot. Usually you get a lot of at bats. It feels like you’re always up, so that’s cool.”
Beck comes from a ball-loving family. His dad played baseball and his mom softball. His two younger brothers play ball and his younger sister plays softball.
“I was probably on a ball diamond when I was two or three years old,” said Beck, who just returned from his freshman baseball season at the University of Mary in Bismark, ND.
“My dad played senior ball, so I was always on the diamond and started as bat boy right away. As soon as I could walk I had a ball and bat.”
Beck grew up watching WCBL teams play in Regina, Melville and Weyburn; he always looked up to the players, he said.
“When I was little I remember watching WCBL play in Regina and I thought, ‘I’m going to play in that league one day,’ and now I am, so that’s pretty cool.”
In his first college season at U Mary, Beck was named conference freshman of the year after he batted .432 with 12 home runs and a team-leading 53 RBIs. He had lots of friends and family making the three-hour drive from Carnduff to Bismark for his games.
“I’m actually heading to a school farther away now. I’m heading to Indiana State,” said Beck, who is excited to join a Division 1 program in the fall.
“I had a really good freshman year and I was looking for opportunities to move up in the baseball world. Indiana State reached out to me and gave me an offer I couldn’t say no to.
“I’m a small-town kid. I’ve lived in a small town my whole life. I think you just keep going and trust yourself. People will find a way to find you. I’m headed to Indiana State next year from Carnduff, Sask., and who would have thought that was going to happen? It seemed like that might not ever happen, but eventually it will find you.”
The Berries, who have been averaging more than 1,750 fans at NexGen Patch at Cairns Field — second highest in the WCBL — are headed for their season-long nine-game road trip. Starting Tuesday, they’re set to play six games in Alberta and three in Saskatchewan over an 11-day stretch before returning on July 22 to host the Weyburn Beavers.
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