OTTAWA-Since 1989, the Baseball Canada Cup has brought together some of the top 17 and under baseball talent in Canada together to decide a National Champion.
This year’s event gets under way in Saskatoon tomorrow with a ten team field and promises to provide some excellent competition leading up to and during Sunday’s medal games.
British Columbia won gold last year in Sherbrooke, QC when the event was held as part of the Canada Summer Games and will look to defend their title this week.
Baseball Canada is pleased to provide live scoring of all Baseball Canada Cup games courtesy of Pointstreak. Live streaming of all tournament games will also be available through livestream.
Here is a closer look at the ten participating teams in the 2014 Baseball Canada Cup.
British Columbia
Head Coach: Gautam Srivastava
2013 Record/Result: 7-1 (Pool A)/1st
All-time medal count: 24 (10 Gold, 10 Silver, 4 Bronze)
Players to watch: LHP Kyle Ross, 3B/C Tanner Rempel, RHP Josh Burgmann
Outlook: “We are hoping, as a team, to advance in the top 3 in our pool and have a chance for the gold medal. Our objectives are to pitch well, play good defense, and get some timely hitting along the way.” BC Head Coach, Gautam Srivastava
Alberta
Head Coach: Gord Gerlach
2013 Record/Result: 4-5 (Pool A)/3rd
All-time medal count: 8 (1 Silver, 7 Bronze)
Players to watch: 1B/LHP Nick Vickers, C Sean Robbins, INF/RHP Peter Hutzal
Outlook: “In a (short) tournament like the Cup, our goal is to get to the medal round and go from there. That’s how we’re setting up our (pitching) rotation.” Alberta Head Coach, Gord Gerlach.
Saskatchewan
Head Coach: Greg Brons
2013 Record/Result: 4-3 (Pool B)/6th
All-time medal count: 5 (1 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze)
Players to watch: C Brayden Resch, SS Brett Resch, 3B Brett Esau
Outlook: “Our objective is to medal in this event. We came very close to capturing a gold medal (in 2011) and we believe that every time we play in this event we have the talent and desire to achieve this.” Head Coach, Greg Brons
Manitoba
Head Coach: Jason Cassils
2013 Record/Result: 3-2 (Pool B)/7th
All-time medal count: 3 (All Bronze)
Players to watch: C/1B Brett Harrison, RHP Brady Moxham, RHP/OF Marshall Burgess
Outlook: “We are hoping to build off of some excellent pitching performances and solid defence from recent tournaments. However, our ultimate goal is to get out of Pool B and play for a medal.” Head Coach, Jason Cassils
Ontario
Head Coach: Scott Robinson
2013 Record/Result: 4-4/2nd
All-time medal count: 17 (8 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze)
Players to watch: OF Miles Gordon, C Andrew Yerzy, OF Tristan Pompey
Outlook: "Team Ontario's objectives for the Baseball Canada Cup are to have as many players as possible named to the Junior National Team's (fall) roster and to win gold." Ontario Head Coach, Scott Robinson
Québec
Head Coach: Joel Landry
2013 Record/Result: 3-4 (Pool A)/5th
All-time medal count: 18 (6 Gold, 6 Silver, 6 Bronze)
Players to watch: RHP Alexis Lavergne, LHP Vincent Beauregard, 1B/OF Jonathan Martin
Outlook: “With five players coming back from last year, we feel that we have enough depth on our team to win gold. Once again, it will be a tough battle to compete inside of Pool A, but we are confident that 2014 will be a good year for Team Quebec.” Québec Head Coach, Joel Landry
New Brunswick
Head Coach: Mark Noel
2013 Record/Result: 4-2 (Pool B)/4th
All-time medal count: 1 (Bronze-2008)
Players to watch: RHP/SS Blake Gallagher, LHP/OF Dominic Tardif, RHP Jake Cook
Outlook: “Team New Brunswick is hoping to make it out of our pool and into the playoff round. As a young team we hope to gain some experience and exposure for our players.” New Brunswick Head Coach, Mark Noel
Nova Scotia
Head Coach: Kevin Richardson
2013 Record/Result: 2-4 (Pool B)/8th
All-time medal count: 1 (Bronze-1995)
Players to watch: LHP Jake Lonar, 1B Nathan Livingstone
Outlook: “We set a team goal at the beginning of the year to finish top 2 in our division, thus making it to a crossover game. We believe this is a goal we can meet, but also know it'll be very tough as there will be great competition. Beyond that our goal is to create exposure for as many players as possible to be considered for Baseball Academy’s, as well as the Junior National Team.” Nova Scotia Coach, Patrick Westhaver
PEI
Head Coach: Dave MacIsaac
2013 Record/Result: 0-6 (Pool B) /10th
All-time medal count: 0
Players to watch: C Cole MacLaren, 2B Matt Barlow, RHP/3B Kyle Pinksen
Outlook: “PEI is entering with the goal of executing fundamentally and having the results take care of themselves. We do not use the fact that we have an extremely small pool of players to pick from, as an excuse. We will compete with the team we bring and will not be intimidated. We will enjoy the opportunity.” PEI Head Coach, Dave MacIsaac
Newfoundland and Labrador
Head Coach: Stephen Donahue
2013 Record/Result: 2-4 (Pool B)/9th
All-time medal count: 0
Players to watch: RHP/SS Tyler Hennessey, OF Daniel Rice, LHP/1B Matthew Colbourne
Outlook: “Team Newfoundland and Labrador is excited to compete at the 2014 Baseball Canada Cup. The team is comprised of 18 players who have dedicated themselves to this program and will be looking to bring their game to the next level when they hit the field in Saskatoon. Team Newfoundland and Labrador will be a hard working team who are looking to turn some heads at the event and compete for a playoff opportunity.” NL Coach, Trevor Murphy
Baseball Canada Cup website
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