The Legacy of Don Seaman and John Ircandia:

A Family Dream That Changed Baseball in Western Canada

In the world of collegiate summer baseball, few stories are as moving, or as transformative, as the partnership between Don Seaman and John Ircandia. Their shared vision, forged by family, resilience, and relentless determination, didn’t just elevate one team or one town, it helped reshape the landscape of baseball across Western Canada.

At the Energy City Cactus Rats Baseball Club, we believe baseball is more than a sport, it’s a force for community, character, and connection. And there is no better example of that belief in action than the enduring legacy of Don and John.

Vision Born of Family, Fueled by Purpose

When the Okotoks Dawgs relocated from Calgary in the early 2000s, the road ahead was anything but certain. The team needed more than money, it needed heart, vision, and leadership.

Don Seaman, a successful businessman and passionate believer in community sport, brought critical financial support. But it was John Ircandia, Don’s son-in-law, who brought the dream to life. John had the vision, the relentless energy, and the detail-driven determination to turn that investment into something far greater, a living, breathing baseball culture.

Together, they built not just a team, but a legacy.

Seaman Stadium: A Dream Realized, A Community United

In 2007, Seaman Stadium opened its gates in Okotoks, a shining symbol of what can be achieved when vision and support come together. While Don’s name graces the stadium, an honour richly deserved, it was John who oversaw its design, development, and daily evolution into what is now considered one of the finest amateur baseball facilities in the country.

But the story behind the stadium is deeply personal. Don’s daughter, John’s beloved wife, passed away years ago. And yet, even through profound loss, the two men have remained inseparable, bonded not only by grief but by a shared dream. Now in his 100th year, Don continues to be a guiding light, while John visits regularly, carrying their joint legacy forward with care and pride.

The Dawgs Academy: A Lasting Impact on Youth Baseball

Their partnership didn’t stop with bricks and mortar. Under John’s leadership, and with Don’s continued belief, the Dawgs Academy was born, an elite developmental program that has shaped the futures of countless young athletes. It’s become the gold standard in Canadian youth baseball and a model for teams across the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL), including the Energy City Cactus Rats.

Whether it’s the high standards on the field or the energy in the stands, the ripple effects of their vision can be felt in every corner of the league.

Baseball in Spruce Grove: Inspired by Giants

Here in Spruce Grove, the Energy City Cactus Rats are building our own baseball legacy, one deeply inspired by the remarkable example set in Okotoks. We owe a debt of gratitude to Don Seaman, whose generosity made the dream possible, and to John Ircandia, whose leadership and love for the game made it real.

Their story reminds us why we invest in this game: to bring people together, to inspire the next generation, and to leave something lasting behind.

Thank You, Don and John, With Deep Respect, The Energy City Cactus Rats

The Energy City Cactus Rats Baseball Club joins the entire WCBL in celebrating the story of Don Seaman and John Ircandia, a Canadian baseball legacy like no other. Together, they proved that with heart, belief, and unshakable determination, baseball can become much more than a sport. It can become a community’s heartbeat.

Thank you, Don, for believing in the dream.
Thank you, John, for making it real.

Energy City Cactus Rats Baseball Club
Proud Member of the Western Canadian Baseball League
Baseball in Metro Edmonton | Collegiate Summer Baseball | Building the Game in Spruce Grove