Alameda’s Tyren Dorrance has been one of the best players in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League this season, and has been rewarded for his strong play.
Dorrance, an outfielder with the Southeast Performance Pump midget AAA Twins, was named the league’s most valuable player July 26. He also took home the batting title, an award that recognizes the top offensive player in the league.
Both awards are determined by a vote among the league’s coaches.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It still hasn’t set in quite yet,” he told Lifestyles. “It’s a huge honour to be picked for MVP and the batting award.”
Dorrance led the league in batting average (.505), slugging percentage (.632), on-base percentage (.832), on-base plus slugging percentage (1.465) and home runs (four). He was also second in runs batted in (33).
“I was way more consistent this year,” said Dorrance. “I wasn’t as streaky as I was last year, and I stayed consistent throughout the whole year. I worked on my power in the offseason, so I had lots more extra base hits and home runs this year.”
Defensively, he recorded four outfield assists while not registering an error.
“I made the recent switch to outfield in the offseason this last year, and I got real comfortable really quickly and made zero errors on the year,” said Dorrance.
A lot of players in the league would have been worthy selections for the awards, he said, and he’s excited he was chosen for the honours.
Dorrance has committed to played baseball for the Taft Community College Cougars in Taft, Cal., next season. Winning the two awards will give him a lot more confidence as enters collegiate baseball.
“I can always go back to what I know in California if I’m ever struggling,” he said.
But he’s also sad knowing that his minor baseball career is over. He spent years playing in Alameda’s minor baseball system, and then played bantam for the Southeast A’s program, which is also based in Alameda.
His midget years were spent with the Twins, who boast players from throughout southeast Saskatchewan.
He also played high school baseball for Martin Collegiate in Regina the last two years, giving him a chance to continue playing baseball once the minor ball season was finished, and to receive additional training.
Dorrance also played tribute to the contributions of his father, Trent.
“He helped coach me along the way, every step. He’s a big factor in me getting to where I am today.”
