North Battleford southpaw Andrew Albers is headlining the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. (Baseball Canada)

By Logan Lehmann

Among the greats

North Battleford’s Albers headlines Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2024

May 31, 2024 | 5:03 PM

The Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame announced its inductees for 2024, which includes a few big leaguers.

This year’s class will feature 12 individuals and one team, including a handful of people from around the Battlefords area and Northern Saskatchewan.

One of those people, and headliners of the class, is Andrew Albers, a former major league pitcher from North Battleford.

A graduate of John Paul II Collegiate, Albers spent 13 years playing pro ball that included MLB stints with the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Following his time in the majors, Albers went across the pond to Asia where he had a successful tenure with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and was an all-star in 2018.

He completed his pro career with a 3.70 ERA in 327 appearances, including 174 starts, spanning 1,462 2/3 innings. He also pitched for Team Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and now serves as the pitching coach for the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

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(Baseball Sask/Facebook)

Another local product who is getting the call to the hall is Unity’s Regan L’Heureux, who currently serves as the town’s Minor Baseball President and Baseball Saskatchewan Vice-President.

L’Heureux is a long-time baseball player and coach in the area, and was recognized as Baseball Canada’s Volunteer of the Year in 2022.

(Baseball Sask/Facebook)

The lone team to be inducted this year is Team Saskatchewan from the 1994 Canada Cup – the first time the province won gold at a U17 national tournament. The team featured player Greg Rieben (Prince Albert) and Chef De Mission Jack Rauckman (Muenster).

(Baseball Sask/Facebook)

A full list of the inductees for the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 can be found below along with where they are from:

Andrew Albers, North Battleford – former MLB pitcher

Dustin Molleken, Regina – former MLB pitcher

Stu Scheurwater, Regina – MLB umpire

*Eugene ‘Buck’ Gerbig, Maidstone – Builder

Regan L’Heureux, Unity – Builder

*Harry Luhning, Lumsden – Builder

*Norman McInnis, Saskatoon – Builder and Executive

Rodney Palaniuk, Regina – Builder

Sever Rose, Turtleford – Player/Builder

Larry Schrader, Regina – Umpire

*Lee Taves, Mervin – Builder

Stacy Walker, Lloydminster – Builder

Team – 1994 Canada Cup Team Saskatchewan

*Indicates to be inducted posthumously.

The Class of 2024 will be inducted into the Hall during a ceremony on Aug. 17.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com