A long-time Okotoks Dawgs supporter can’t help but get overwhelmed at the team’s annual breast cancer research fundraiser game. Sandra Cooke-Locken was diagnosed with cancer two days day before the game four years ago. Last year, she lost her best friend Dr. Kristi Lynn Laycraft, 46, the night before the game. “Kristi and I grew up together and she was diagnosed with breast cancer the year after I was,” Cooke-Locken said. “We had done everything together, including playing baseball. That is why I love baseball because I played as a young girl – the Blackie girls baseball team… When Kristi and I were younger, we were both going to be the first female major league baseball players — that didn’t quite work out.” The Dawgs have raised more than $325,00 for breast cancer research at their annual Wear Pink to the Park Day. The annual fundraiser is July 22 when the Edmonton Prospects visit Seaman Stadium at 2 p.m. Cooke-Locken started the Kristi Laycraft Memorial Scholarship for the Dawgs Academy — $200 for every Dawgs’ playoff game victory — in January. The total is matched by the Dawgs. “Last year, the night before breast cancer game Kristi passed away before the game, I talked to Dawgs [vice-president] William Gardner about the situation and that I would like to honour Kristi and my youth with a scholarship,” said Cooke-Locken while fighting tears. “He said ‘I love it — the Dawgs would match it.’’’ Laycraft and Cooke-Locken were “neighbours,” their Blackie area family farms about a mile-and-a-half apart. Laycraft went on to be chiropractor, setting up a practice in High River and Calgary. “I know education was important to her and we thought it would be a nice tribute to her,” Cooke-Locken said. The two friends helped each other through their breast cancer journeys. “When you hear those words you don’t know what the future is going to hold for you,” Cooke-Locken said. “I had quite an aggressive form of breast cancer — they had to get me in there and do what they could and do it quickly… Kristi was one of the first people Dale, my husband called after my diagnosis. “She was ‘whatever you need,’ whether it was chiropractic or just someone to have a glass of wine with. “Kristi was very quietly supportive of me… When she called me and said she had a lump on her breast, my heart just dropped.” Cooke-Locken has been part of the team’s family for the past decade. Through her company, Sarini Fine Jewellery, she gives an Okotoks Dawgs a watch for being the “Player of the Game” before the opening pitch at Seaman Stadium. The Dawgs were with her during her cancer fight. “It was really nice to see support in this area for the breast cancer game and know that in some small way, that during my treatment process, there were benefits because of the Dawgs’ fundraising game and the awareness they bring to it,” Cooke-Locken said. “When I told William about my cancer, it was ‘Whatever you need, whatever it takes…’ they made sure to check in on me and see how I am doing. It is a lovely thing that they do.” The Dawgs’ Wear Pink to the Park Day has players’ jerseys auctioned off between innings. The proceeds go towards breast cancer research. As important and emotional the game is to Cooke-Locken, she is going to miss it because she is watching her son play rugby for the Foothills Lions at the Alberta Summer Games in Grande Prairie. “Looking your own mortality in the eye, it does give you a greater appreciation for every day you are here,” she said. “Whether it’s a beautiful sunset, going to a Dawgs game or a drive to Grande Prairie to watch your son play rugby. “I definitely don’t take the little stuff for granted anymore.” She plans to continue with the scholarship contributing $200 for each Dawgs’ playoff game win. And she would love to pay more than $400, the amount she dished out last year. “Wouldn’t that be nice,” she said with a laugh. “I think there’s a chance to raise $3,600 [with Dawgs’ matching] if they go all the way.” For more information about the Wear Pink to the Park Day game go to dawgsbaseball.ca or call 403-262-3264(Dawg). Dawgs bite back What looked to be a one-horse race in the WMBL’s Western Division is becoming interesting. The Okotoks Dawgs nine-game winning streak, snapped Monday night in Weyburn, has the team back in the hunt of first in the West. The Medicine Hat Mavericks continues to lead the West, 5.5 games up on the Dawgs. Okotoks (24-11) opened its Saskatchewan road trip on Monday with a 3-2 loss on a walk-off to the Beavers. Eddie Sanchez had two RBI in the loss. Okotoks made quick work of the Yorkton Cardinals to close out a three-game homestand over the weekend. Mason Swegarden pitched seven shutout innnings as Okotoks crushed Yorkton 12-0 on July 15 at Seaman Stadium. Outfielders Collin Ridout and Ryan Humeniuk paced the offence with two ribbies each. Okotoks rallied with a six-run eighth inning to chase the Cardinals 8-5 in the series opener on July 14. Dawg Greg Student had a bases clearing knock to put the game out of reach. The Dawgs are in Moose Jaw and Swift Current before returning home on July 21 for the first of two home games with Edmonton. For more information go to dawgsbaseball.ca
