Ian Horne has been an avid ball player for years and this summer will continue his career in the Western Major Baseball League with the Yorkton Cardinals.
"I was born in Abbotsford, British Columbia, but I grew up in North Vancouver," he told Yorkton This Week. "I played for Highlands Little League as a youngster.
When I was 12, we won the divisional tournament and competed in the Provincial Championship. Some of my best baseball memories come from these tournaments.
"After little league, I went on to play for the North Shore Twins and the Vancouver Cannons in the BCPBL."
Those experiences took Horne, a corner outfielder who plays either right, or left, south to play American college ball.
"This year I played my second season with the West Hills College Falcons in California," he said.
"We went through a lot of ups and downs through the season but we managed to double our win total from the year before."
Horne said he just wants to play and is the kind of player that does whatever he can.
"I am a guy who likes to go out there and contribute wherever I can," he said.
"My biggest strength is my bat. I love driving in runs and lead the Central Valley Conference in RBIs during the regular season this year."
Horne will hope to carry that forward with the Cardinals.
"I heard about the WMBL through former teammates who enjoyed their experience playing in this competitive, challenging summer league," he said.
"I chose the Yorkton Cardinals because I thought it would be great to play my summer ball in the country where I am from and have a unique opportunity to experience living in a Prairie town."
For Horne, the summer will also be a chance to get back into the swing of baseball after a setback.
"I am coming off a shoulder injury and am planning to develop and maximize my arm strength throughout the summer," he said.
"I look forward to the opportunity to work on all aspects of my game with my teammates and coaches.
The Cardinal season begins with their season opener in Melville June 1, and home opener at Jubilee Park against Regina is on June 2.
