(Photo by Colton McKee, coltonmckeephotography.com) 

BY TRUMAN BARTMAN. THEMAVERICKS.CA

As a student entering high school, Gary Dornan found himself sitting in class just like any other student, wondering what the future had in store for him. The following year, the Moncton, New Brunswick, native began his Grade 11 year by moving across the country to go to school and play baseball at the Badlands Baseball Academy in Oyen, Alberta. Dornan’s  progression on the field has come with hard work and self-belief, allowing him to make the transition to higher-level baseball earlier than most. The Medicine Hat Mavericks were impressed by Dornan’s development and offered him a spot on their 2025 roster. For Gary Dornan, a summer with the Mavericks presents a chance to expand his skillset, mature as a player, and pitch in high-leverage situations. 

Fast forward to Saturday night, and Dornan is called upon to close out a tight game against the top-ranked Okotoks Dawgs in front of over 1000 people. For an 18-year-old, this is a rare spot to be in, but Dornan handled the situation with a veteran’s composure, closing out the game and giving the Mavericks the win. At the beginning of the season, Dornan never would have pictured himself in the place that he was that night, but now he aims to make the best of it and soak in as much as he can.

He credits his time at Badlands for helping him find success while playing in the WCBL and for helping mould him into the player he is today.

“The way I got recognized, I went to a baseball skills showcase. The assistant coach of Badlands Academy texted me and asked me if I wanted to come out to Oyen in grade 10, but it was a little too soon for me, so I stayed home for my grade 10 year and went the following year for grade 11 and grade 12.”

Badlands Baseball Academy is rooted in teaching their athletes the importance of “teamwork, leadership, and respect” while simultaneously providing a high-end baseball experience for players. 

“I had a great time at Badlands. It was probably the two most beneficial years of my life so far, and I got really developed in my skills and pitches. I went in as a two-way player, but that stopped quickly, and then they just saw potential in me as a pitcher. That ended up working out really well, and I’ve gotten a lot better.”

As a veteran player on their roster, Dornan was tasked with helping Badlands recruit players from Medicine Hat. While searching for potential prospects for his school, Dornan received an opportunity to show off his own abilities.

“I was running a recruitment camp down in Medicine Hat with the Badlands assistant coach and a couple of other players. We were looking at some talent from Medicine Hat to come to Badlands. Greg Morrison (general manager/owner of the Medicine Hat Mavericks) was there, and I was the only pitcher there, so I threw a bullpen, and he said he liked what he saw and offered me a spot pretty much right there.”

A run-in by chance, combined with Dornan’s pitching tools, earned him a spot on the Mavericks and a chance to experience playing collegiate summer ball for the first time. Despite there being many affiliate players scattered around the WCBL, many of them are limited in how much playing time they’re awarded. Dornan has earned the trust of his coaches quickly and has become a reliable piece of the Mavericks pitching staff. 

Dornan doesn’t like to compare himself to his peers or other players his age; he instead chooses to focus on what he can control.

“I’m never really comparing myself to anybody else at all. Everyone does their own thing, and they’re all on their own paths. I’m sure there are a couple of people my age that are on the same road as me, but I never really look at myself and compare myself to people that are better than me or compare myself to people in general.” 

During his time with the Mavericks, he has become a sponge, looking to pick up as much information from his surroundings as he possibly can. He credits his Maverick teammates, coaches, and even the privilege of watching others around the league in skyrocketing his development since the beginning of the season.

“My first couple of times out were good learning experiences for me. It taught me about what more advanced hitters are like and what it looks like to have a couple more years of ball under your belt.”

“The scouting reports from the coaches helped me learn how to pitch to a certain guy. If you’ve got a fastball, put it in a spot where they can’t hit it. If you get off speed, put it where they can’t hit it. If you’ve got stuff that tails and cuts, make sure to use it effectively. Use certain pitches that go against hitters’ tendencies and learn about those hitters’ tendencies as you go.”

There’s still plenty to learn for young Dornan, and this is just the start of what looks to be a promising career on the mound. Of course there will be challenges along the way for Dornan, but it’s the lessons and experiences that he will gain from playing in the WCBL that will help him become an experienced pitcher in the long run. 

For now, Dornan is proud of how far he has come as a pitcher and looks to feed off of the early triumphs he’s had on the mound for the Medicine Hat Mavericks.

“I’ve come a long way, and honestly, to get recognition from a league like the WCBL in high school. I feel happy with what I accomplished. I definitely feel good about myself.”