Baseball Edmonton is a consortium of investors who, in 2021, signed a 10-year lease with the City of Edmonton to operate RE/MAX Field; an iconic baseball stadium in the city. Alongside operating the Edmonton Riverhawks out of the facility during the summer, in 2021 Baseball Edmonton also took over operations of the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks, formerly the Edmonton Collegiate Baseball Club.
The Edmonton Collegiate Hawks will give young aspiring Alberta baseball players the opportunity to combine a challenging collegiate baseball experience with an academic commitment at well respected post secondary educational institutions. The goal of developing a truly well rounded collegiate athlete will be a reality under the guidance of reputable coaches and advisory members. The affiliation with the Edmonton Riverhawks of the West Coast League will provide many benefits for ECH athletes:
- the ability to have the iconic RE/MAX Field in the Edmonton river valley as the team’s home base
- four season training facilities that will ensure optimal skill and athletic development
- quality coaching and mentorship environment within the program
- a convenient training and playing schedule that will allow for a strong academic commitment while becoming the best player possible
- the opportunity to have collaborative training sessions with the WCL Riverhawks coaching staff
- job opportunities at Riverhawks home games to help with student financial commitments
- an integrated player identification system for players wanting to play summer baseball in various leagues(WCBL, WCL) as well as players potentially looking to transition to American college programs
After his 1st year as Head Coach for the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks Program, Lanferman led the team to a 11-19 record, finishing 5th in the CCBC Regular Season Standings, while going 2-2 in the CCBC Championship and finishing the season tied for 3rd. Lanferman spent the summer of 2022 as the Hitting Coach for the Edmonton Riverhawks of the West Coast League, and has now transitioned into the Head Coach position for the prospective 2023 summer season. Lanferman is a Fort Hays State University & University of British Columbia alumnus, completing his BA Psychology. He currently attends the University of Western States while completing his M.A. in Sports & Performance Psychology. The Sherwood Park native is proud to be heavily tied to the local baseball community as it continues to grow and develop elite baseball players.
Weger is in his first year as an Assistant Coach for the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks. He played in the British Columbia Premier League throughout high school for the Whalley Chiefs, before starting a 5-year college career at the University of British Columbia. In his sophomore year Weger received NAIA All-Conference Gold Glove accolades, as well as Cascade Conference first team All-Star as a third baseman. In his junior and senior campaign, Weger was awarded with Academic All Canadian honours, and recently graduated from UBC with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology. Weger will be joining the Edmonton Riverhawks Coaching staff as the Hitting Coach for the 2023 season.
Dylan is currently in his first season as an Assistant Coach at Edmonton Collegiate. He played his minor baseball in Lloydminster before graduating from the Badlands Baseball Academy. During high school, Dylan played for Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Cup and Team Prairies at the Toronto Blue Jays Tournament 12 (Futures Showcase), being an All-Star in 2015. Dylan played at the collegiate level with Niagara County CC and the Prairie Baseball Academy, where he won a CCBC National Championship and was a conference All-Star. He also spent the summers playing with the Moose Jaw Miller Express and Lethbridge Bulls in the WCBL. Since his playing days, Dylan has been an Assistant Coach at the Badlands Baseball Academy, Head Coach of the 18U AAA Northwest Prairie Pirates, and the Baseball Operations Manager at The Dome Red Deer. He will be staying in Edmonton this summer as an Assistant Coach with the Edmonton Riverhawks of the West Coast League.
Nathan has been an Assistant Coach with Edmonton Collegiate (formerly known as the University of Alberta Baseball Club & ECBC) since 2017, working with catchers. Nathan played his minor baseball in St. Albert before moving on to play at the collegiate level with the Prairie Baseball Academy and the University of Alberta Baseball Club. Coffin was also the Head Coach of St. Albert 15U & 18U teams from 2013-2015. Nathan will be staying in Edmonton this summer for his second season as Bench Coach for the Edmonton Riverhawks.
Ray Brown has been an important fixture in the Northern Alberta baseball landscape for many years. After playing professional baseball for the Kansas City Royals organization, Ray came to Canada as an accomplished pitcher. Transitioning to coaching many years ago, Ray has been instrumental in helping young players of all ages reach their ultimate playing potential. As a bench coach and mentor for our young Hawks coaching staff, Ray will share his vision of giving young Alberta baseball players the opportunity to stay at home, continue with their education and follow their baseball dreams! Ray will be staying in Edmonton this summer as the Pitching Coach for the Edmonton Riverhawks.