NSRBL MVPs reflect on honour

Olson led the NSRBL with a 4-0 pitching record, while finishing top-five with a 0.00 ERA (first) and 19 strikeouts (fifth) in 15 innings pitched (third). Additionally, the Lakers’ ace also had a batting average of .444 while at the plate.

These stats played a pivotal role in helping lead Standard Hill to the best record in the NSRBL, at 8-0 through the shortened regular season campaign this summer.

Olson said it was very humbling to receive the MVP nomination from his teammates, and equally so to be recognized by his peers on other teams across the division.

“First off, it’s an absolute honour just to be nominated by my team for the team MVP, and then after that, to realize the league thinks the same as well, it was a great honour,” Olson said. “There’s a lot of great baseball players in this league, so being the best for one year is amazing.”

Olson said his success this season can be attributed to a good offseason of preparation, and a great group of teammates who help make the diamond an enjoyable place to be.

“I worked this offseason on getting my arm nice and healthy for the season and getting prepared and then I guess the ball went my way a few times and I kind of got rolling,” he said. “It helps too that it’s a great group of guys to be around, and they make it very easy to want to come out and play.”

West Division MVP, Braden Polreis

Polreis was named West MVP following a season that saw the Saskatoon product light it up in the batter’s box for the Unity Cardinals.

Playing in his fourth NSRBL season with the Cardinals, Polreis started the season hot with a pair of hits on opening night, in a performance that would set the tone for the rest of the campaign.

Polreis’ .520 batting average was tops in the league amongst players to suit up for at least seven games, while his 13 hits (second) and three doubles (fourth) were also amongst the league’s elite this summer.

Modest in the assessment of his season, Polreis said getting off to a good start was greatly important to his success this year, especially with the shortened schedule this season.

“In a shortened season like the one we just had, if you’re going hot it kind of ends up looking pretty good at the end of the year,” he said with a laugh. “I think I just got on a bit of a hot streak and was seeing pitches well. [I was] just hitting the bat on the ball and sometimes some were falling in there for me too.”

Polreis said receiving the recognition of being named MVP is special because the voting is determined by teammates and players across the league.

“I definitely feel honoured being nominated by my teammates there and being put towards a league vote,” he said. “It feels pretty special for the guys you play against all year to vote for you for MVP that way. It’s a special feeling and I feel pretty good about it.”

In addition to the two MVPs, the league also acknowledged an honorable mention for the MVP award in each division.

Damon Schaefer of the North Battleford Beavers finished second in league voting in the East Division; while Jayden Gartner of the Lloydminster Twins finished second in league voting in the West Division.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

NSRBL MVPs reflect on honour

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