Lucas Church of the Bonnyville Braves baseball team was named the Alberta midget AA player of the year after a 2013 season which saw his team win the provincial tier 1 championships.
Coaches of all 29 teams in the province voted to select the player of the year, looking for the player that best showed athleticism, sportsmanship and leadership.
“I was kind of surprised,” said Church. “I wasn't going out there to be the best. It was just because I enjoy (baseball) and wanted to play.”
Church attended the Baseball Alberta annual general meeting in Edmonton on Nov. 2 to accept his award, which was presented to him by retired Toronto Blue Jays Roberto Alomar and Duane Ward.
“I was honoured to be able to go and receive the award, which was presented by Roberto Alomar and Duane Ward. That was really exciting. I felt honoured and blessed just to be able to have had that experience,” said Church.
Jim Church, who has coached his son Lucas for eight seasons, described Lucas's season as “neat”.
“It was a neat year. He kind of won a trifecta,” said Jim Church. “We won the midget AA Tier 1 and were the best team in the province, the Edmonton International Baseball Foundation gave him a $5,000 scholarship for school and then he won this. It was a great year.”
Church described Lucas as a grinder out on the ball diamond, who always goes out and plays hard.
“He is more of a quite leader. He is not a ‘showboater', he doesn't have to be in the spotlight, but he is going to be there pumping up the younger guys and helping them out.”
Lucas is currently studying Sports Management Leadership at Prairie Bible College in Three Hills. He hopes to go on mission trips and travel the world, meaning his baseball playing days are likely over.
“I was honoured to be able to have received that (award) and be chosen among all of those other players who showed a great level of competition,” said Church.
“A big thanks to my dad. He has been my coach for about eight of my ten years in baseball. And thanks to all my coaches and those who were with me along the journey of my baseball career.”
