The South Central U18 AAA Cubs are Western Canada Baseball champions, and while the trophy is impressive, it is the players’ stories that show why this season was so memorable. For Winkler’s Teemu Peters and Jackson Friesen, the gold medal weekend in Winnipeg was the perfect ending to a summer full of wins, laughs, lessons, and a lot of baseball.
Undefeated at Westerns
The Cubs stormed through the championship without dropping a game. “I mean, we won, so yeah, we didn’t lose a game,” said Peters with a grin. It was a dream finish that wasn’t exactly on their minds when the season began. “Not really, no. I think there was a chance, yeah, but it wasn’t something we thought about at the first practice,” Peters added.
A team that clicked
From the beginning, the roster felt different. “We just clicked right away. Everyone on the team got along, and I feel like if you have good chemistry, then you’ll just click when you play,” said Friesen.
With players coming from Winkler, Altona, and Morden, the Cubs were a mix of familiar faces who had crossed paths in minor ball for years. That comfort helped them roll through the regular season with an incredible 24–3 record. “It felt good. It is good, but you don’t always realize how good it actually is until you look back and see you barely lost,” said Friesen.
Learning from the loss
Before their golden weekend, the Cubs had a tough moment at Provincials, finishing second after falling to a Winnipeg team in the final. “We went through three pitchers in one inning and couldn’t hit the strike zone. They hit the ball, and it just didn’t go our way,” said Friesen.
Peters remembered what made that opponent hard to beat. “Their pitcher really got us with a nasty slider. We couldn’t hit it,” Peters explained.
That loss gave the team perspective, and maybe even some extra motivation heading into Westerns.
Standouts and lessons
The championship run also gave teammates the chance to shine. “I would say Max, definitely, especially at Westerns. He barely got out,” said Peters.
Both players credited their coaches, Paul Schaak, Bobby Matuszewski, and Cam Kirby, for teaching more than just mechanics. “They always made sure we weren’t in our own heads. Just go out there, play loose, and enjoy the game,” said Friesen.
Backyard baseball and family ties
For both Winkler players, baseball started young, usually with dad in the backyard. “I think it was my dad. He got me into it when I was young, played T-ball, and I just got hooked,” said Friesen. Peters had the same story. “Yeah, my dad too. He played, and it just kind of stuck with me.”
Friesen remembered countless games of catch at home. “Me and my dad would throw in the backyard. I just practiced my pitch grips with him,” he said. Peters spent his extra time swinging the bat. “Yeah, a lot of hitting,” he added.
The love of the game runs especially deep in the Peters family. Teemu’s older brother, Tristan Peters, recently made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays. “It was surreal, but I kind of did believe it, because of all the work he put in. It felt like it was meant to be,” said Peters.
For Friesen, seeing that up close is inspiring. “I think it’s really cool to see a guy from Winkler go to the MLB. It shows that anything is possible,” he said.
Why baseball?
For both players, baseball is more than just a sport. “Just love the sport,” said Friesen simply, though he admitted volleyball has his attention too. Peters put it another way. “I actually like that it’s relaxing, but then it’s also intense in those situations,” he explained.
Both believe young players can improve the same way they did, by putting in time outside of practice. “Practice,” said Friesen. Peters agreed. “Yeah, and practice outside of practices. Practice on your own time.”
Looking ahead
Though the Cubs’ season has wrapped up, both Winkler players are stepping into new chapters. Friesen is heading to Providence University College to play volleyball, while Peters is set to continue his baseball journey with the Pembina Valley Orioles junior team while beginning university. Coaching might even be in their futures someday, though neither is in a rush.
Looking back, the two agreed it was a season to remember. “We just came out swinging, and it worked,” said Friesen with a smile.