Okotoks Dawgs founder and Managing Director John Ircandia was all smiles at the team's banquet and fundraiser over the weekend. Photo - Russell Skeet.

No big surprise to see Okotoks Dawgs founder and managing Director John Ircandia elected to the Dawgs Hall of Fame on the weekend.

He started the club 20 years ago in Calgary and after some growth pains there, it's grown into a real baseball centre here in the Foothills that he thinks will be producing plenty of Major League talent in the year's ahead.

"I think we do have some realistic possibilities. I think it's coming. I definitely think it's coming. We have some coaches here and the facilities, it really is a breeding ground for the next real superstar to roll though there and work his way to the top."

Right now Jim Henderson is the only former Dawg in the Majors, as a reliever with the Milwaukee Brewers.

But Ircandia is quick to point out several Dawgs have been drafted in recent years.

Eight years after moving to Okotoks Ircandia still can't get over the amount of support the Dawgs get from the town and surrounding area.