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Viper & Alberta Resident Acquired by Dodgers

October 21, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers Baseball Club have had the contract of Brant Stickel purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. The Veteran, Alberta native was quickly signed by the Dodgers after a tryout in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this month where he threw only four pitches including two at 92 miles per hour. After pitching in the instructional league in Glendale, Arizona the left-handed thrower is currently travelling to Venezuela to play winter ball for six weeks. He will return to Calgary following winter ball and head to spring training in March.

"I was given the opportunity to have a shot to enter spring training with the Vipers and I am very blessed for what the organization gave me," says Stickel. "I was able to gain some valuable knowledge from (manager Morgan Burkhart) and (pitcher Joe Sergent) as well as (pitching coach Mike Snyder). Also to be able to face ex big league hitters was a huge benefit for me now."

The 23-year-old made his professional debut with the Vipers this season and pitched in 15 games including three starts where in total he struck out 16 batters in 27 innings. It has been a whirlwind 2010 for Brant who was invited to training camp on a tryout basis after Manager Morgan Burkhart watched him throw his final game for the University of Calgary Dinos. From there the 6'4" 210 pounder was a surprise addition to the opening night roster after a fantastic showing in an exhibition game where he struck out the side.

"It's a perfect example of a guy who comes to work early everyday and works hard to get better in hopes of improving himself even though he wasn't getting much playing time," says Burkhart. "The fact is he does have spectacular raw talent, more than most guys on our team, and now he has the chance to put it all together in an organization."

Stickel completed four seasons with the Dinos Baseball Club where he was a 1st Team Canadian College Baseball Conference All-Star and in early 2010 he led the CCBC as both the strikeout king with 61 and also run producer with 25 runs batted in.

The baseball player comes from hockey bloodlines as he is cousins with National Hockey League players Shane Doan and Carey Price.

Brant is the second Calgary Vipers pitcher to be acquired this year after Jay Broughton had his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox during the season.

"What a wonderful opportunity this is for Brant," says President John Conrad. "He is most deserving of this opportunity for the dedication and patience he exhibited during his first year of Professional Baseball. Obviously his raw talent will now be structured towards one day fulfilling his dream of playing in the Majors. I applaud Brant, our coaching staff and players for having been a part of this journey. We hope that one day this former Alberta born Calgary Viper hits the Big Leagues".



Golden Baseball League Stories from October 21, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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