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Clapp Takes Post with Astros Organization

Clapp Takes Post with Astros Organization

February 27, 2007

Arguably the face of the Canadian Senior National Team, Stubby Clapp spent last season as a player-coach with the Edmonton Cracker Cats of the Northern League.  Now he is going to take on the latter role on a more full-time basis in another organization. Clapp has been named the new hitting coach for the Rookie-Class Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League.  The Windsor, Ontario native hit .323 with one homer and 34 RBI in 79 games for the Cracker Cats last season. The 34-year-old has represented Canada on numerous occasions over his successful career including the 1991 World Junior Championships, the 1999 Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg, and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. Clapp has also played at every level professionally, including a 23 game stint with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001.  Clapp will be joined by a fellow Canadian on the Astros staff as former Senior National Team Coach Orv Franchuk was recently named hitting coordinator.

New Development Programs for Coaches and Athletes

New Development Programs for Coaches and Athletes

February 20, 2007

Baseball Canada is in the process of revamping its coaching certification program in order to give able coaches more effective training to get the tools they need to develop and create better resources to suit their needs. “We’re looking to change the way we offer the program,” says André Lachance, Manager of Baseball Operations with Baseball Canada.  “We want to ensure that athletes receive the most competent coaching.” “Before we would give an eight hour class, give (the coaches) a certificate, and tell them ‘ok, go coach.’  Now we’re going to have an evaluation process we didn’t have before and evaluate each competitive coach’s qualifications,” adds Mr. Lachance. Baseball Canada, along with the provincial associations, is holding meetings to discuss the transition into the new program.  They are also looking to help improve communication between program facilitators and coaches. “We’re looking to improve the discussion between the facilitator and the coach and only with better discussion is there going to be improvement,” says Mr. Lachance. The new coaching training program will help advance coaching development, which in turn would advance player development.  With that said, Baseball Alberta is in the process of implementing a new strategy for athlete development to help better fit their needs. Through the Long Term Athlete Development program, the provincial association is looking to put in place a pitch count system rather than an innings pitched system to help better develop pitchers in the future. “We’re trying to give (pitchers) progression as far as limiting pitches early on and giving them a certain amount of required rest,” says Mark Randall of Baseball Alberta.  “This is more of a prescription as to what they should be doing throughout the season.” “Bottom line is you’re going to protect the athlete and develop more pitchers,” adds Mr. Randall.

Canadian Prospects at a Glance

Canadian Prospects at a Glance

February 09, 2007

With Pitchers and Catchers set to report Major League Spring Training next week.  There are some Canadians who will be in camp in the upcoming weeks to keep an eye out for.  Also, look out for a up and coming Canadian talent in this summer’s Major League Baseball Draft.  Please note: all of the rankings and reports were compiled by Baseball America. First baseman Joey Votto, from Toronto, Ontario is ranked third in the Cincinnati Reds’ Top Prospects coming into the season.  Votto is also ranked as the Best Power Hitter and Best Strike-Zone Discipline on the Reds’ Best Tools list.  Although signed by the Reds as a catcher, Votto is seen as Cincinnati’s first baseman of the future, and the very near future at that.  He is projected to crack Cincinnati’s lineup no later than September of this season and is expected to stay once he gets there. Last season, Votto tore it up for Double-A Chattanooga hitting .319 (.547 slugging percentage) with 22 homers and 77 RBI, also adding 24 stolen bases on his way to earning the Southern League MVP. North Vancouver, B.C. native Blake Hawksworth missed significant time due to injury in 2004 and 2005, but had a remarkable comeback year in 2006.  The right-handed pitcher split his time last season between Single-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield in the St. Louis Cardinals organization where he went a combined 11-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 27 starts. Hawksworth is ranked fourth on the Cardinals’ Top Prospects list prior to 2007 and is also ranked as having the Best Changeup in the organizations’ Best Tools list.  His injuries (bone spurs in his right ankle and a partially torn labrum) knocked his progress off track, but he seems to have regained his touch after last season. Philippe Aumont of Gatineau, Quebec is a 6’7”, 225 pound right-handed pitcher ranked 32nd in the Top 100 High School Prospects list.  He’s projected to go high in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft, joining the likes of Adam Loewen and Jeff Francis who were both selected in the first round in 2002. “If it’s the first round, good.  Or the second round, that’s fine too,” says the 18-years-old Aumont of his draft status in a recent interview in the Ottawa Citizen.  “I want to compete.  I just want to play and compete.” With a 90 plus mph fastball and a dominant mound presence, one can expect big (pardon the pun) things from Aumont.

Rally Cap Unveils New Logo

Rally Cap Unveils New Logo

February 01, 2007

Baseball Canada is proud to unveil a new logo for its 2007 season of the Rally Cap Program.  The new logo is meant to increase awareness of the Rally Cap Program as well as create an identifying symbol for players and coaches. The Rally Cap Program was established in 2005 and was developed using existing baseball initiation programs, as well as adding new ideas in order to create increased interest for players.  It is also fitting the new Long Term Athlete Development model of Baseball Canada. Rally Cap’s goal is to create an environment in which children and adults can have fun with baseball; teach baseball skills, rules and strategy to our players; model and teach competitiveness with an emphasis on good sportsmanship and promote increased self esteem among Rally Cap children and adults. For additional information on the Rally Cap Program, please visit the Development section of our website and click on the Rally Cap link.

Vince Horsman Named Pitching Coach of Gulf Coast Blue Jays

Vince Horsman Named Pitching Coach of Gulf Coast Blue Jays

January 24, 2007

As more and more Canadian born baseball players achieve growing success in their careers, another Canadian is enjoying success in the coaching ranks.  The Toronto Blue Jays announced their Minor League staff and named Vince Horsman as the new Pitching Coach for the Gulf Coast Blue Jays in the Rookie Class Gulf Coast League. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native spent last season as the pitching coach with the Pulaski Blue Jays of the Appalachian League (Rookie Class) guiding the club to a league-best 588 strikeouts. Horsman spent five seasons in the Major Leagues from 1991 to 1995 with Toronto, Oakland, and Minnesota posting a 4-2 win-loss record and a 4.07 ERA in 141 games.  He was also a member of the Senior National Team in 2000 for the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Panama.

Thank You For Supporting The National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser

Thank You For Supporting The National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser

January 18, 2007

Baseball Canada would like to thank all of those involved in making our 2007 National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser a success.  Through the generosity of all those in attendance and committed sponsors, we were able to raise over $50,000 for Baseball Canada's National Teams Program. The event held for the fifth consecutive year at Toronto's Renaissance Hotel at Rogers Center was attended by a significant number of MLB Alumni, Corporate Partners and Friends of the National Teams Program.  Canada's Olympic success in Athens as well as Team Canada's success at the inaugural World Baseball Classic was celebrated and awards presented to acknowledge accomplishments within the national team's family and on the world Baseball stage. "Once again, we were quite fortunate to celebrate Canadian Baseball  excellence with so many committed alumni, MLB and Corporate Partners and Friends who have directly and indirectly contributed so much to the growth and development of our National Teams Program," says Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada's Head Coach and Director of National Teams.  "Baseball excellence in Canada continues to impact the game on a global scale and as such we are honored to have the support of so many of our country's key contributors." To see photos of the event, click here

Winterball Launch a Complete Success

Winterball Launch a Complete Success

January 18, 2007

Reigning American League MVP Justin Morneau and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Adam Loewen were at Richard McBride Elementary School in New Westminster, B.C. on Wednesday to go back to their roots and help introduce the new Winterball Program. Winterball is a Canadian school-based program that is incorporated as part of the physical education curriculum for schools throughout all 10 Canadian provinces. The program’s objective is to introduce the basic fundamentals of baseball in a fun, non-competitive manner, while providing a positive learning experience for participants.  Students in grades 3-6 (ages 8-12) participate in the nine-week sessions that run throughout the winter and spring months.  Winterball, created by Baseball Ontario in conjunction with Baseball Canada and Sport Canada in the 2002-2003 school year, has been supported by Major League Baseball since 2004. “I would have loved to have had something like this when I was that age,” says Morneau in an interview with the Vancouver Sun.  “We never had anything related to baseball in the winter back then.  If we can get the kids trying baseball in the winter, when spring comes hopefully they’ll be interested in continuing in the sport.” During its first three years, the Winterball Program has helped to introduce baseball in more than 1,100 schools, reaching more than 200,000 students. With a growing number of Canadians appearing in the Major Leagues and the recent success of the Canadian Olympic Team and World Baseball Classic Team, as well as the success of players like Morneau and Loewen in the Majors, it helps breed an interest for baseball in Canada. “I think it’s grown a lot, especially since Justin won the MVP_ that helped a lot,” says Loewen in a Canadian Press interview.  “It brought a lot of exposure for the game and everybody saw that Canadians are doing well in the game.  Everybody is excited about that, we’re kind of taking over you could say.” To see pictures of the Winterball launch, click here If you would like to acquire a Winterball kit for your school, please contact Baseball Canada at 613-748-5606, or by e-mail at info@baseball.ca

2007 National Championships Site Announced

2007 National Championships Site Announced

January 16, 2007

Baseball Canada announced today the site for its seven 2007 National Championships and two invitationals, and for the first time in four years they will all be at one site.  From August 9-12 and August 16-19, the championship tournaments will be held in Quebec City. The last time the National Championships were held in a single city was in 2003 in Windsor, Ontario.  But hopefully this time around there will be better luck with power sources.  The championships were held at the same time as the major blackout that affected Southern Ontario and the North East United States. The first week of championships will see the Pee Wee Girls, Bantam Girls, Senior Women, Senior Men and the Baseball Canada Cup from August 9-12.  The second week will see the Pee Wee Boys, Bantam Boys, Midget and Junior championships from August 16-19. The last time Quebec City hosted a National Championship tournament was in 1991 when the city hosted the Pee Wee championship.

André Lachance becomes Canada’s first level 5 baseball coach

André Lachance becomes Canada’s first level 5 baseball coach

January 15, 2007

André Lachance’s coaching career began when he was 17 years old.  Now, 20 years later, he has reached a level of coaching that is a first in Canada.  He is the first baseball coach in Canada to receive his level 5 certification from National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). With a coaching resume that dates back to 1987, Mr. Lachance has gone from coaching at the mosquito level in Québec to being the head coach for the National Women’s Team. “With this, I hope that more coaches will apply for their level 5 and I can be there to help them along the way,” says Mr. Lachance. The NCCP is a training and certification program for coaches [five levels (1 to 5) and three components (Theory, Technical, and Practical)], offered across Canada in more than 60 sports. The program was designed to meet the needs of a wide range of coaches - from those who introduce youngsters to sport to those who work with Canada's high performance athletes. Mr. Lachance’s journey from his level 4 to his level 5 began in September 2005.  Through the National Coaching Institute in Montreal, once a week he would complete coaching modules, 20 in total, before presenting his portfolio in a final presentation in front of a certification panel. Along with the National Women’s Team, Mr. Lachance has coached at many elite levels.  In 1992, he coached Team Québec, with then young prospect and now MLB star Eric Gagne, to a gold medal at the Midget AAA Nationals.  In 1995, he helped initiate the Université Laval’s baseball program where he would coach his team to a Canadian Interuniversity Baseball Association Championship in the programs first year.  In 1997, he was a guest coach for the Montreal Expos at spring training and in 2006; he coached Canada’s Women’s Team to a bronze medal in the World Championships.  However, Mr. Lachance’s experience isn’t limited to coaching.  In 1996 and 1997 he was a regional scout for the New York Yankees. Along with his duties as head coach with the National Women’s Team, Mr. Lachance is also the Manager of Baseball Operations with Baseball Canada.  And now as the first level 5 certified baseball coach in Canada, he wants to put that status to good use. “This has opened doors for me and I hope to continue to learn and improve and to increase the status of baseball across the country,” says Mr. Lachance.  “Especially for the girls.”  

Reitsma signs with Mariners, Guiel goes to Japan

Reitsma signs with Mariners, Guiel goes to Japan

January 08, 2007

Former Canadian National Junior Team member and World Baseball Classic team member Chris Reitsma signed a one-year, US$2.05 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.  Reitsma, who is coming off elbow surgery, was 1-2 with an 8.68 ERA in 27 games with the Atlanta Braves last season before succumbing to injury. Reitsma will assume the Mariners' setup role for closer J.J. Putz.  Seattle, which has finished last in the AL West for three consecutive seasons, traded 2006 setup man Rafael Soriano to the Braves for starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez earlier this off-season. Langley, B.C. native Aaron Guiel has signed a contract with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.  Guiel hit .242 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in 2006 splitting time between the Kansas City Royals (19 games) and the New York Yankees (44 games). Guiel played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic this past spring and wore Canada’s colors at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg.



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