High River's Tucker Zdunich has been a staple for the Okotoks Dawgs and the WCBL for four years.
Zdunich first got his opportunity to play in the WCBL back in 2019 when he played a season with the Moose Jaw Miller Express. He would then play for the Okotoks Dawgs Red squad in 2021 and return in 2022 with the Dawgs. In 2023 Zdunich found himself in Kenosha with the Northwest Diamond Sports (NWDS) summer league but has returned once again and has been a staple for the Dawgs this season.
Zdunich explains what attracted him to the sport.
"Growing up I played both hockey and baseball. Played hockey in the winter and baseball in the summer and it was always fun switching back and forth between them. Definitely could have went with hockey but, I just had way more fun playing baseball. I mean, I grew up going through the Okotoks Outlaws and Dawgs Academy. Now I am here, the group of guys that I went through baseball with and the fun times I had, it just pulled me closer to playing baseball," Zdunich explained.
His three brothers Tyler, Tanner, and Turner all played the sport as well with Turner currently with the Dawgs Academy squad.
"Me and my brothers all went through the same kind of steps. We went through minor ball and ended up on the Dawgs. Turner's followed through the footsteps," he said.
"We always just wish the best for each other and (Turner) has really grown the last few years. This year he's having a really good year and I'm really proud of him. We don't really compete against each other, we just try to build each other up and help each other out."
Zdunich explained why he chose to try ball in Kenosha last year and what brought him back to the Dawgs for this season.
"I was told that going to Kenosha would be the better option for me just for the competitive league that it was. It was a hectic league, and it was a good experience to go through. It was kind of a pro ball format. To come back to Okotoks, once you leave it you kind of realize that this is the best place to play summer ball. I was fortunate enough for Lou (Pote) to ask me to come back and I was really excited. It's been an awesome summer, so I am really happy I'm back here," Zdunich said.
One thing that Zdunich really appreciates about Okotoks is the crowd that comes to games in droves. The passionate fan base provides a pro-ball vibe for him and the Dawgs.
"The fans really make it that much more special. But, yeah our schedule and the way we are treated it definitely feels like professional baseball. When we sign autographs for the kids, they really look up to us. It definitely has that feeling," he said.
Zdunich primarily plays in the outfield but started his journey in baseball with the infield. It wasn't until grade 10 that he made the switch after current GM of the Dawgs Tyler Hollick got him to try outfield. He explained that his speed was the main reason for the switch and that he would be most successful in that position in college.
While there are returning players to the team from when Zdunich was on the Dawgs in 2022, he has also had some of his teammates from Reinhardt University on the squad.
"Me and Nash we've been friends for a few years now and I helped him get to Reinhardt and we've had a couple of awesome years together. With Jarrett Burney, he's been one of the best players on our team at Reinhart for the last few years and I mean, he's a hit king at our school. I really wanted him to come here because I knew he'd really helped the team out a lot and I think he's really done a good job of that so far just with his exciting defence and his good bat in the lineup," Zdunich said.
"Yeah, it's awesome bringing Burney in and meeting all of our friends and he really loves the group."
Zdunich said that the team from 2022 and this year's team with the Dawgs have some similarities between them.
"I'd say the teams are really similar, just both years it's been an extremely talented group. Great bats in the lineup, our pitching's strong. Like our bullpen, I love when they come in because I know that we're going to have some strong outings and our our starting pitchers have been extremely well for the last little while. But you can just tell with both teams, we got that drive to be the best. It's been a rough patch the last, week or so. But I mean, ups and downs and I know that will be good when it comes to playoffs and we got a really strong team for it." he said.
While in 2022 he wasn't able to compete during the whole playoffs due to being called back to Reinhardt University, Zdunich said his college days are over and that he will be playing during the Dawgs playoff run this year.
"Yeah, I'll be here throughout the playoffs, so that will be a first for me because I had to go to school two years ago when we won it and definitely had some FOMO. But, it was so awesome seeing that group get a championship. Then last year, watching my friends win it too, that was really special. Then coming back and going for the three-peat, I mean it's gonna be really exciting to play in the playoffs," Zdunich mentioned.
Fans who head to the game an hour early before the first pitch may notice that Zdunich is one of the first players on the field warming up. He chatted about why being one of the first ones out is a part of his routine.
"Yeah, it's part of my routine. In the clubhouse, we're laid back and it's good vibes, but when it gets to be around 6:00, I really lock it down. I want to get out there, get my routine going, play some catch, stretch out, and just get locked in before the first pitch," he said.
Hailing from High River it's been nice for Zdunich to be able to play near his hometown and has even taken out Burney his teammate from the Dawgs and Reinhardt around town.
"It's been awesome. It's nice being home, get to see a lot of family, and sleep in my own bed and stuff like that, so it's nice. Burney actually lives with us too, So it's nice kind of helping him out around here. We went to the Hitchin' Post there couple of weeks ago," Zdunich explained.
Zdunich used to go to the Dawgs games as a kid and has now had the full experience of what it's like to play for the organization. It's been a full-circle moment for him.
"When I was a kid coming to watch these games, you look at the guys and be like, wow, these guys are awesome. Then being in that spot now, like looking at it, it's like, wow, I get to be that influence for kids that was like me before. But now I'm just super grateful I get to play for this organization," he said.
"The fans are super special. I mean, they're so into it. Like big moments of the game and they understand everything that's going on and they're so locked in. It's one through nine, like even if we go to extra innings the fans are just there rooting for us and it really builds our energy up. It's so much easier playing at home than on the road that's for sure."
"Yeah, it's good, bringing Academy guys back where we've known each other for a few years. I'd say that's kind of the core group and then, you got guys like Luther and Lombard that came in and they've had a huge impact here, they're part of the core," Zdunich said.
"When the new guys come in, we just welcome them in."
Zdunich will be playing in the 2024 WCBL All-Star Game on July 20th, something that he is really proud to have accomplished. With his play so far this season, there should be no surprise as to why he was selected.
"It's pretty special. I was pretty honoured to hear that. It's gonna be a lot of fun. I mean, playing in front of the home crowd, and playing with the best in the league, I'm really looking forward to," he said.
When asked if he had a time machine and could go back to talk to his younger self to let him know that he would be playing for the Dawgs' Zdunich responded with this.
"I would have been super excited by hearing that and it really would have motivated me for sure. That was always my goal, looking at these guys like oh, I'd really love to play like in this environment and these big games."
10 Questions for Tucker Zdunich
What is your go-to cheat meal?
"That would be Pizza Pops, deluxe."
How many ballpark hot dogs could you eat in one sitting?
"I'd say a dozen."
Favourite ball team and player growing up?
"Favourite ball team has always been the Blue Jays, and I would say my favourite player growing up was Edwin Encarnación."
If I could grant you one wish, what would you wish for?
"I would wish to play in the MLB."
If you could meet one person on this planet who would it be?
"Tom Brady. Just chat up with him and get some advice from him on how to get a competitive edge."
Favourite sport other than baseball?
"Hockey"
What household chores do you hate doing the most?
"I would say the dishes."
Would you rather live in a city full of people or the mountains with no one in sight?
"Definitely the mountains."
What is your favourite TV show and movie?
"TV show is Corner Gas and movie is Miracle."
What do you order from the Hitching Post?
"Double cheeseburger and a mint chocolate chip milkshake."
Bonus
How many hours have you spent at George Lane Park in your lifetime?
"A couple of days because they have the ODR (outdoor rink) so I would go out to the ODR sometimes."