The 19U Gulls program is committed to developing high-performance student-athletes through year-round training, elite competition, and a culture built on discipline, accountability, and teamwork. Our mission is to prepare athletes for collegiate opportunities while helping them grow as confident leaders and responsible young adults.
 
Program Philosophy
Our program is designed for athletes who are serious about development, effort and committed to competing at a high level. We emphasize:

• Skill development and baseball IQ

• Strength, conditioning, and athletic performance

• Mental toughness and resilience

• Leadership and accountability

• Respect for teammates, coaches, opponents, and officials

• Academic responsibility and personal growth
   

We believe development is a long-term process, and we challenge our athletes to pursue excellence every day.
 

Evaluations 

The U19 Gulls Prep Team evaluations occur in mid September and are open to all players in the U19 age group regardless of enrolment at St. Joseph's High school. You do not need to be a student at St. Joseph's High School to evaluate for the team. Players are evaluated on skill components, game play and past coach feedback. The final team roster will be published in early to mid October. 

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​2026-2027 EVALUATION INFORMATION

Tryouts: September 19-20

Callbacks: September 25-27

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Registration deadline: September 16. Register HERE.

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Year-Round Off Season Skill Development

• Structured practices and position-specific instruction

• Strength and conditioning programming

• Arm care and injury prevention focus

• Mental performance and competitive preparation

Elite Competition

• Competitive tournament schedule throughout Alberta, Western Canada and the US

• Opportunities to compete against top programs

• Exposure to high-level game environments giving athletes an opportunity to be seen

College Preparation

• Guidance through the recruiting process

• Support with player development goals

• Assistance with exposure opportunities

• Education on expectations at the collegiate level

Team Culture

• A positive and competitive environment

• Coaches who value accountability and effort

• Expectations of professionalism and commitment

• Playing for the Gulls requires commitment and consistency. Players are expected to:

• Attend practices, training sessions, and games consistently

• Arrive prepared and on time

• Maintain strong academic standing

• Demonstrate effort and professionalism

• Prioritize team culture and accountability

Clear and respectful communication is important to our program. We encourage:

• Athletes speaking directly with coaches first

• Respectful parent communication when necessary

• Constructive conversations focused on development

• Topics such as playing time, roles, and development are best addressed through open communication and a team-first mindset.

Academic Partnership — Gulls & St. Joseph's High School
The 19U Gulls Prep Team is proud to partner with St. Joseph's High School and the Falcons Baseball Academy to provide student-athletes with a unique environment that supports both academic success and elite athletic development.

Through this partnership, athletes participate in daily baseball training as part of their regular high school class schedule, including morning sessions within the Falcons Baseball Academy. This integrated approach allows players to consistently develop their baseball skills, strength, athletic performance, and game knowledge while continuing to meet their academic requirements in a structured and supportive setting. This partnership also allows athletes to continue playing other sports or pursue evening part time jobs, lending to development of the whole person off the field, as well as on.

A key advantage of this partnership is the collaboration between the school and the Gulls coaching staff. Several team staff are also directly involved with the high school academy, creating continuity in athlete development and allowing for individualized instruction tailored to each player’s goals and needs. This alignment helps athletes receive consistent coaching, communication, and mentorship throughout the school year.

Academic courses remain fully integrated into each student-athlete’s regular course schedule, ensuring players continue progressing toward graduation and post-secondary opportunities while pursuing elite baseball development. The staff at St. Joseph's High School understand the demands placed on high-performance student-athletes and provide flexibility, communication, and support to help students successfully balance academics, training, travel, and competition. The Gulls Prep players have full access to school counsellors, career counsellors and administration support as they transition to college level play. 

Together, the Gulls and St. Joseph’s High School are committed to creating an environment where student-athletes can excel in the classroom, compete at a high level, and prepare for opportunities beyond high school baseball.

The 19U Gulls Prep Team train in high-quality facilities designed to support year-round athlete development and elite performance training.

During the off-season, athletes train at the facilities within St. Joseph's High School, including a fully equipped field house and weight room that provide a professional training environment for skill development, strength and conditioning, mobility, and athletic performance. Players also have access to advanced Rapsodo technology, allowing coaches and athletes to track pitching and hitting metrics, analyze performance data, and create individualized development plans throughout the year.

In-season, outdoor training and all home games take place at Gulls Field in Sylvan Lake — a brand new, state-of-the-art turf baseball facility and home of the Sylvan Lake Gulls of the Western Canadian Baseball League. The facility provides athletes with an elite game-day and training atmosphere, featuring a beautiful playing surface and a professional-level environment that reflects the standards and expectations of high-performance baseball.

Together, these facilities allow the 19U Gulls Prep team to offer athletes consistent year-round development opportunities while training in environments built to prepare players for the next level of the game.

Player fees are based on a full St. Joseph High School Ball Academy year along with the Gulls Prep Team Costs for the competitive season. 

• St. Joseph High School Full Ball Academy: $3,395/year 

• Gulls 19U Prep Team: $6,000/season 

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For an athlete participating in both the St. Joseph Falcons Academy and the Gulls Prep Program, the combined cost would be approximately:

~$9,395 CAD per year

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Please note that players participate in several fundraising activities to help offset these costs. The costs above are before fundraising contributions. 

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Additional costs that may or may not apply include:

• Travel expenses for tournaments

• Hotels/meals during travel

• Transportation fees 

• Personal equipment and optional apparel

• Potential showcase trips

We are pleased to be able to offer an injury rehabilitation pathway to all 19U Gulls Prep team members. Craig Schmitt, Sport Physiotherapist, has partnered with the Gulls Prep Program to offer injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation planning for every athlete. This option may include: 

• Off-season and in-season prehab and arm-care programming. Collaboration with pitching and S&C coaches for program design or for exercise modifications for those recovering from injury

• In-season injury assessment within 24 hours after injury whenever possible

• Shared communication pathway between PT, coaches, player, parents and S&C coach for those with injury 

• Individualized rehabilitation program based on injury and position 

• Ongoing treatment option for those players where it is appropriate. This may occur either 

  • Pre or Post game

  • During practice times

  • Biweekly consulting at St. Joseph’s High School

If you have any other questions regarding the 19U Gulls Prep Program, please reach out to GM Jason Chatwood or Head Coach Josh Zannolli.