Portager enjoying his final years of baseball in Altona

The Altona Bisons are in the middle of the pack when it comes to the Manitoba Junior Baseball League (MJBL) standings. The squad started the season by losing three of their first four games, but since then, they have a record of 4-4. 

Portage's own Carson Dubois is in his second year with the team and says a couple of errors have cost them games in the early going. He believes if they can clean that up, they'll be right where they want to be.

"I think we're happy with our group coming into the year, so we expect to be up at the top of the standings. We have a lot of good guys coming back, a couple from college programs," says Dubois. "I think we expected to be in the mix this year but it's good to see that other teams aren't jumping too far ahead."

The Bisons are tied for fifth place in the league standings but are just two games back of the top spot. Dubois adds they've struggled to put runs on the board in the first month of the year but notes their defence has kept them in most games.

After having last year to adjust to what the MJBL is all about, Dubois says he's been able to put his best foot forward this season.

"A guy that played AAA ball in Portage with us during the COVID year brought me onto this team last year. The coaching staff has welcomed me with open arms, and it's a great place to play," Dubois continues. "Last year, I started halfway through the season. Starting from the beginning this year, where everyone is trying to figure out their mechanics, I felt like I could establish myself a little more."

The catcher says the MJBL is filled with high-level baseball players, including some Division 1 NCAA players taking part during their offseason. While the league definitely has players that will further their baseball career after the season, that's not what Dubois is focused on.

"I'm just trying to play as long as I can and get out the last years of baseball I have in me at a high level. I'm just having fun out there," Dubois continues. "I'm not trying to go out there and impress anybody on any given night. I'm just trying to have fun playing baseball with my friends. So, that takes the pressure off."

Dubois says his only goal for the rest of the season is to help bring an MJBL Championship to Altona.