The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) has denied the Fort McMurray Giants' protest of two games against the Okotoks Dawgs in late July.
On July 28, the Dawgs were set to host the Giants for a doubleheader that had already been postponed from July 22.
Just before the first game was set to begin, the Giants walked off the field, declaring the conditions unsafe due to excessive rainfall in the days leading up to the game.
In place of the doubleheader, the Dawgs held an impromptu “Dawgs vs. Dawgs” match, which went ahead without incident or injury.
Following an investigation, the league announced on Saturday, Aug. 2, that the protest was denied and that the field had been deemed playable “as had been determined during a pregame inspection by the umpiring crew.”
Both games were counted as forfeits in the Dawgs’ favour.
According to the WCBL, the Giants have been fined an undisclosed amount.
"We gathered all the facts and reports, then applied our constitution, rules, and regulations to the protest and made the ruling. Without relying on our WCBL officials on the ground, we would have substantial difficulties in our league," said WCBL President Kevin Kvame in a social media post.