MLB prospect Carter Beck returns to Cairns Field, Berries fall in 10 innings to Bulls

From a never ending string of interviews, text messages and autograph sessions, it’s safe to say the past week has been the wildest of Carter Beck’s life.

With the Carnduff, Sask. product just four days removed from being taken 26th overall in the MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, the highest ever selection for a Saskatchewan-born player.

“It’s been a ride,” Beck said.

“It’s been crazy, it’s been fun, but just trying to enjoy it the best I can. It only happens once, so just trying to enjoy it and people don’t stop reaching out. It’s pretty cool how many people are excited about it and want to support.”

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Beck was the guest of honour on Wednesday night at his old home of Cairns Field, as the 21-year-old outfielder made his return to the Western Canadian Baseball League park where he starred for two seasons with the Saskatoon Berries.

Instead of trotting out to his familiar position of centre field, Beck walked to the mound where he delivered the opening pitch to a loud ovation from the Berries crowd.

“It’s super cool just to see the impact I’ve left everywhere I went,” Beck said. “My goal is to go out, inspire and be a role model for people. I think it’s kind of showing through this right now.”

Berries head coach Joe Carnahan said it was a welcomed sight to see the two-time WCBL all-star back on the diamond which helped launch his professional career and has made him a top prospect in the Braves system.

“For him to even come back speaks volumes of what kind of person he is and also what he thinks of this organization,” Carnahan said.

Along with signing autographs for a lengthy lineup of fans pre-game, Beck spent time with several former teammates with the Berries including fellow outfielder Ethan Murdoch.

“It was awesome to see him,” Murdoch. “The kid deserves everything, so glad to see him and congratulate him in person, not just through text. It was awesome to see him and the way the fans reacted when they saw him out there was something else.”

A large group from Beck’s hometown made the drive up for the Berries game against the Lethbridge Bulls, including both of Carter’s parents.

His mother Tara said the evening felt to the family like coming home.

“It’s a huge day,” Tara said. “This is so exciting and he really enjoyed his time here in Saskatoon. He learned a lot while he was here and got used to playing every day. It’s really an honour to have him back here and the whole Berries family has just been amazing.”

The family was together in Carnduff on Saturday afternoon when Carter received a life-changing call from his agent less than 30 seconds before he was officially selected by Atlanta.

“I walked out on the patio and just pointed at the TV I had going in the backyard,” Carter said.

“I go like, ‘Watch, I guess?’ Sure enough, they announced that pick right there. I put my hands on my head and didn’t even know how to react. It was a super cool moment and probably the only time of my life I’ve had absolutely zero words.”

That stunning moment came as a surprise to the entire Beck clan according to his father Blair.

“We didn’t get time to get nervous,” Blair said. “We actually had a couple family members get there late because we said, ‘No, get there by 2 p.m. it’ll be fine.’ He got drafted at 1:45, so we were completely caught off guard.”

Carter’s whirlwind week will continue on Friday as he’s headed to North Port, Fla. to sign his first professional contract and join the Florida Complex League Braves rookie-level team.

That will begin a lengthy road through the minor leagues which Carter added he’s ready to chase.

“Hopefully just get out there, get rolling, take it one step at a time and keep grinding my way up as fast as I can,” Carter said. “There’s lots of levels to climb, but I’m ready to get after it and start doing that.”

On the cusp of starting his professional career, Carter said it was important to spend a little time back in his home province before going stateside.

Now, set to pursue his goals with a province of support at his back.

“It’s what everyone dreams about doing,” Carter said. “Now that I got the opportunity to start taking the steps to get to where the dream is, is really cool.”

Errors cost Berries in extra innings loss

The Berries couldn’t complete the series sweep against the Bulls on Wednesday night, as they dropped a 10-8 decision in extra innings.

It was a game which featured three lead changes and three game-tying runs, before Lethbridge’s Kalem Haney broke the contest open in the 10th inning with a bases-loaded RBI single to cash two runs.

Second baseman Gael Salinas said the team struggled with mental mistakes all night, resulting in four errors against the Bulls.

“We just kept going back and forth,” Salinas said. “Hats off to them, they played better than us and they deserved to win. We made too many errors, didn’t capitalize where we should have.”

Carnahan’s night came quickly to an end in the top of the third inning, as he was ejected from the game after arguing a walk to Haney by starting pitcher Adam Korte.

Speaking post-game, Carnahan gave his thoughts on the call and what he believed was a sub-par night for the umpires.

“We had a couple batters get rung up on strike three (calls) with strikes that are outside the chalk line and not even close,” Carnahan said.

“Korte threw a lot of pitches where the catcher doesn’t move his glove and is not called a strike. You kind of question what’s going on when that stuff happens.”

The Bulls were the final West Division opponent Saskatoon will host this year, aside from the WCBL championship series if they qualify.

Korte said it was a bit of a mixed bag, as the Berries earned the split in their two games versus Lethbridge after a 7-4 victory on Tuesday.

“They’re a tough team,” Korte said.

“I think we battled them really well both games. The first game, we were able to keep them off the bases a bit more. This game, we let a few too (many) free ones go for them and I think that ended up biting us in the end.”

The Berries (26-12) hit the road for a two-game series against the Medicine Hat Mavericks, before the organization hosts WCBL All-Star Weekend at Cairns Field on Saturday and Sunday.

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