Head Coach & Manager: Les McTavish

Les has been married for 5 years to Kim (Kirchner) and they have 2 boys – Shaye (November 2003) and Brennan (August 2005).

Les began his playing career at the young age of 4 years old. Growing up in Stettler, Alberta he had a passion for all sports. It wasn’t until the age of 15 that he realized that he might have a career in baseball. At this time in 1994 he participated with Team Alberta at the Baseball Canada Cup. Again in 1995 and 1997 he participated for Team Alberta at the Western Canada Summer Games and Canada Summer Games.

Les started his college playing career at the Prairie Baseball Academy in its first year. Fortunately Les received the first athletic scholarship out the PBA. From there Les moved on to Division 1 college baseball in the prestigious PAC-10 conference. Washington State University Cougars is where Les continued his college career for 4 years while playing against many of the best players in college baseball and traveling throughout the United States. While at WSU Les received PAC – 10 honorable mention all academic team 3 times. Les finished his career with the 2nd most appearances in the programs 104 history.

It was in 1998 when Les began his coaching career with the Lethbridge AA Elks. Coach Mac enjoyed 4 years of success with the Lethbridge Elks including their first Montana State title in 13 years in 1998 and all 4 years the Elks made the Montana State Tournament including 2 – 3 rd place finishes to go along with the state title.

Coach Mac began his collegiate coaching experience in 2000 with the Prairie Baseball Academy as the pitching coach for Blair Kubicek. It was at the PBA that Coach Mac found a real passion for coaching year round. The Prairie Dawgs enjoyed two great years, highlighted with a Canadian College Championship in 2000. Coach Mac was proud in 2001 as 4 pitchers signed letters of intent to pitch at the University of New Mexico. In the fall of 2000 Les was employed by the Seattle Mariners as their Alberta scout.

Coach Mac began his Head Coaching career with the Lethbridge Bulls of the Western Major Baseball League. Over 3 years at the helm of the Bulls they made the playoffs in all 3 years including winning the Western Pennant in his final year. While coaching the Bulls Les was employed by the Alberta Amateur Baseball Council. Over the 4 years as Operations Manager, Alberta ranked 3rd Nationally at the Canada Cup and 3rd at the Canada Summer Games while enjoyed success at the all other program levels. In 2002, Coach Mac was the pitching coach for Team Alberta at the Canada Cup and the club finished with a silver medal (the highest finish in Alberta history). In the fall of 2004 the Seattle Mariners invited Coach Mac to participate as a guest coach in Peoria, Arizona.

In the spring of 2004 Coach Mac was able to reach one of highest honors a coach can endure in Canada. He was able to assume the pitching coach position with the Canadian Junior National Team. In 2005, the Canadian Junior National Team qualified for the World AAA Junior Championship with a 3rd place finish at the Pan American World Qualifier. The pitching staff enjoyed success with a 1.70 team ERA and in the top 2 in most pitching categories.

I am extremely exciting to begin work with the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball. Our staff is committed to ensuring that all players at the Academy are given all the necessary means and knowledge both physically and mentally to achieve success.

Les McTavish

Career Highlights

Personal

  • Wife – Kim (5 years), Kids – Brennan (6 months) – Shaye (2 ½ years).
  • Currently reside in Lethbridge, Alberta.
  • 2002-2006 - Alberta Amateur Baseball Council - Operations Manager (Team Alberta is currently ranked 3 rd Nationally over the past 3 years)
  • 2001 – present – Seattle Mariners – Alberta area scout.

Early playing years – Early playing career

  • Grew up in Stettler, AB and played most of my minor ball there.
  • Played in several Provincial, Western, and National Championship tournaments
  • Played for Team Alberta in 1994 (Canada Cup), 1995 (Team Alberta North), 1995 (Western Canada Summer Games), 1997 (Canada Summer Games – Bronze medal)

Collegiate Baseball – Playing career

  • Played at Prairie Baseball Academy in its first year - 1st player to receive a scholarship out of PBA.
  • Pitched at Washington State University - 4 years - 2nd most appearances in WSU history.
  • 3 – time Honorable Mention All – academic PAC-10 conference.
  • One of four nominees for 1998 Pac-10 reliever of the year.

Coaching Career – 1998 to Present

  • 1998-2001 – pitching coach for Lethbridge American Legion AA Elks - including their 1st State Title in 13 years.
  • 2001-2002 – pitching coach for Prairie Baseball Academy – 2001 PBA pitching staff holds all time records for ERA, K’s, and Wins.
  • 2002 – pitching coach for Team Alberta which won the Silver medal at the Baseball Canada Cup.
  • 2002-2004 – Head Coach/Manager for the Lethbridge Bulls – Western Major Baseball League - Pennant winners in 2003.
  • 2003 – Guest Coach for the Seattle Mariners at MLB Instructional League in Peoria , Arizona .
  • 2004-present - Canadian Junior National Team Pitching Coach - Bronze Medal winners at the AAA Pan American Qualifier.
  • Certified NCCP Level 3 Coach and Course Conductor.
  • Coached over 100 players that have moved on to play professional and/or - USA/Canadian collegiate baseball