Running a baseball program can take many twists and turns over the course of a year, let alone decades. Whoever thought it would include operating a haunted house inside Spitz Stadium? That wasn’t even a thought when the first ball was thrown for the Lethbridge Bulls at Spitz Stadium 27 years ago, but in 2026 it is a reality. And the best part is that the baseball family makes it all possible! So, on this Halloween Eve, I thought I’d take this opportunity to recognize some of the players behind the scenes who are volunteering as people take their twists and turns navigating this year’s Field of Screams, which ends tomorrow night. We’ll see what characters we have around baseball doing this event. And we’ll also check in with the bosses of the Field of Screams, Dave and Katie Ankermann, and see who gets the Lead Terror Manager title.
The part of this story that I love the most is the participation in a fun community event by our hardworking players. These are the Prairie Baseball Academy and Lethbridge Longhorns players volunteering their time to run the event — and the money raised at the Field of Screams goes right back into the game and community: facilities, scholarship programs, equipment, and more. The event also supports the Interfaith Food Bank in our community and is supported by several hauntingly good businesses and organizations including the Movie Mill and Tourism Lethbridge, long-time partners in making it all happen. Halloween has become something special around here.
So on a freezing Thursday night, I took the opportunity to visit the haunt and cornered a few of the crew to ask some important questions. Let’s meet the monsters…
Cash Kropinak — Lethbridge Longhorns, outfielder/pitcher. Cash works the upstairs where guests come out of the elevator, as Ghostface — although, technically, the Grade 12s don’t get to do the actual scaring. “They leave that for the PBA guys,” he says. I told him that “that’s kind of bush” but hey, we don’t make the rules. Bases loaded, two out, full count? “About as scary as it gets.” If Longhorns coach Tim walks through, Cash will scare him “as bad as I could.” And a trivia note: his dad is a Bulls and PBA alumnus, by the way. The baseball family, indeed. Cash’s vote for who runs the show: Katie.
Mark Vulcano — PBA freshman, second baseman. Mark haunts the cemetery, playing statue until you’re close — then he pops. His skeleton mask was handed to him out of a locker with instructions to grab a mask, any mask, and his honesty about the outfit is refreshing: he rates it a 3 out of 10. Facing 95 at the plate scares him more than the haunt does. If Coach Hubka walks through? “Oh yeah. 100%, I am going to try to get him.” His entire Halloween warning to you is two words: “Be ready.”
Kaleb Heppner — PBA pitcher, Altona, Manitoba. Kaleb is Jason — chains added by himself — and part-time elevator usher, making sure guests read the policies before they ride. (There were some misbehaving hockey youth last weekend. Order has been restored.) As a bullpen arm, the bases-loaded, full-count spot does not scare him: pressure is “routine.” Walking his own haunt at midnight? That’s scarier. His pick for best ballplayer among the creatures is Beetlejuice — “he’s an athlete.” Kaleb’s vote for the boss: Dave.
Kade Hamilton — PBA freshman, third baseman, Lethbridge. Kade is a skeleton popping up by the elevator, and he carries the confidence of a hometown kid: his costume rates an 8 out of 10. The maze at midnight, no lights — that’s scarier than 95 at the plate. The coach he wants in the haunt is Burgie: “It’d be funny if we got that.” Burgie hasn’t been through yet. Halloween night, Burgie. DARE YOU… Just saying. Kade’s vote: Dave, as well.
Nick Besyk — PBA left-handed pitcher, Stonewall, Manitoba. Nick is the scariest clown — his words, and his costume grade backs him up: “a smooth nine out of ten.” Bases loaded, full count, World Series on the line? “I’m confident I’ll throw a strike. I just don’t know what strike I’ll throw. Pressure makes diamonds.” (Earlier in the evening, his bullpen mate Kaleb suggested Nick is just jealous because he can’t throw a strike. Consider this Nick’s official response.) Nick figures Jason of Friday the 13th fame would be a power-hitting first baseman, and the Butcher could play shortstop — “good with his hands when it comes to cutting stuff.”
Barrett Mix — PBA freshman pitcher, Olds, Alberta. Barrett is the other clown — and the crew’s choice for best actor, with two votes: Kaleb’s, and his clown partner Nick’s (“he’s legit”). Their tag team works like this: Nick jumps out of the corner, the guests turn, and Barrett is right there waiting when they turn back around. His costume rates an 8.5, just behind his partner. He’d like to get Burgie, too. And on the bosses, Barrett delivered the diplomat’s verdict: “Katie keeps it organized, and Dave gets everyone where they need to be.” A future politician, perhaps. On a baseball field, his heart beats for “the competitiveness — living in every pitch.”
One more baseball thread runs through this haunt: PBA’s fall World Series just wrapped up, and half the scare crew tonight was in the final. Barrett was drafted fifth overall and worked high-leverage innings out of the bullpen for Team White, who finished second. Kaleb was a pen arm on the winning side, and Nick dealt, too. But the draft’s best story never threw a pitch. Jimmy Boulanger — current Bulls marketing intern and PBA player recovering from injury — couldn’t play, and still got drafted high. Why? “Jimmy a good cheerleader? Oh yeah,” says Barrett. “He’s the heart and soul of Team White.” Some guys help you win games. Some guys are why the team works.
The official, unofficial results. Best Actor, by crew vote: Barrett Mix. Costume crown: Nick Besyk, and it wasn’t close after “a smooth nine.” Most wanted coach in the haunt: Burgie, with two votes — Coach Tim and Coach Hubka also named, while Coach Mac was officially ruled too scary to scare. And the Lead Terror Manager title: the players voted Dave 2, Katie 1, with one ballot cast for “both.” So on the players’ count, Dave Ankermann takes the title — with Barrett’s asterisk attached: Katie keeps it organized. For the record, I maintain she’s the brains behind the operation.
The Field of Screams wraps up its fifth year tomorrow night — Halloween — at Spitz Stadium. Come say goodbye to the crew, and remember Mark’s advice: be ready.
Happy Halloween — we dare you to come out tomorrow on Halloween Night!!
Published: October 30, 2026
