The Canadian Baseball Network has named Okotoks Dawgs founding and managing director John Ircandia as one of the most influential Canadians in baseball.

The CBN recently released their list of the nation's top power brokers in the sport for 2025 and Ircandia moved up from 13th place the previous year to 12th overall.

In climbing the list, the CBN pointed to renovations of the facilities at Seaman Stadium, including the incoming addition of pitching and hitting labs, as well as the expansion of the weight-training room. Another field-level suite and 200 more grandstand seats are also being added to the home of the Dawgs, and other seating sections are being pondered.

"The Okotoks Dawgs drew 110,029 for its 27 Seaman Stadium home dates in 2025, for an average of 4,075 fans, including 6,498 on Canada Day," noted the article, which was assembled by Kevin Glew and Bob Elliott.

"And all roads will lead to Okotoks this summer as the best 19U teams from across the country compete on the Road to Okotoks for the Justin Morneau Cup. Sandlot coaches ask why Okotoks? Can you name me one better amateur stadium in Canada?"

The Road to Okotoks national championship will take place from July 14-19.

Finishing in top spot on the list was Edward Rogers, the executive chair of the board of Rogers Communications, the owner of the Toronto Blue Jays. Right-handed starting pitcher Nick Pivetta of the San Diego Padres landed in second place, followed by Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in third.

The 19th annual poll included several ties to the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

Former major-league slugger Matt Stairs came in at No. 56 on the list.

"In 2025, Stairs enjoyed his first full year as a hitting coordinator in the Okotoks Dawgs’ organization. He worked with over 120 youth players, ages 10 to 18, in the Dawgs’ program. Stairs also ran a hitting clinic for kids at the Dawgs’ Duvernay Fieldhouse in February and a two-day hitting, pitching and defence camp at the end of November. In between, he continued in his unofficial role as WCBL All-Star Game ambassador at Seaman Stadium," read his entry in the story.

Sportsnet broadcaster and WCBL superfan Jamie Campbell finished in 61st position, up two spots from his previous ranking.

"Campbell completed his 15th season on Blue Jays Central (21st in broadcasting), and with the Blue Jays coming within one win of capturing the World Series, it was his most exciting yet. Campbell and the Blue Jays Central crew even took their show on the road to Dodger Stadium for the Fall Classic," said the CBN.

"For a second consecutive year, Campbell and his son, Jack, toured Western Canadian Baseball League parks. In 2024, they visited Alberta, so this July they checked out Saskatchewan ball parks in Weyburn, Saskatoon and Regina."

Campbell will be off to Saskatchewan again next month for a pair of WCBL sports dinner events - one with the Weyburn Beavers on Feb. 6th and the other with the Swift Current 57's on Feb. 7th

Vincent Ircandia, an original member of the Okotoks Dawgs, was recognized in 79th place for his work as the CEO of StellarAlgo, a leading sports customer data platform that has partnered with more than 200 sports properties and 14 leagues.

Coming in at No. 84 was Les McTavish, a former player and coach with the Lethbridge Bulls, who was honoured for his efforts at the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball in southern Alberta.

Greg Brons - the former head coach of the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets of the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL), the predecessor of the WCBL - slotted in at 90th on the list for his coaching with Baseball Sask.

Moving up from 123rd place to 95th overall were Joe McFarland and Ian Wilson of Alberta Dugout Stories and Saskatchewan Dugout Stories.

"Everyone on this list loves the game. Few would have more combined passion and desire as the McFarland-Wilson duo," wrote Elliott, a Hall-of-Fame journalist.

McFarland runs Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast and serves as a broadcast host and analyst for the WCBL, while Wilson works as the media coordinator for the league.

Also on the list at No. 102 out of Okotoks were Dawgs skipper Lou Pote, athletic trainer Savannah Blakley, and photographer Angela Burger, as well as pitching coordinator Jeff Duda and Dawgs president Tyler Hollick in 111th spot.

Honourable mentions related to the CBN list are expected to be announced in the near future.