OTTAWA – As one of the big three in Canadian sports, let alone Canadian baseball, British Columbia garners a lot of expectations when it comes to high performance.
After earning four medals at the Baseball Canada National Championships in 2009, including capturing the Baseball Canada Cup for the second time in the last three years, BC is expected to be one of the favourites once again in 2010.\
But Baseball BC Executive Director David Laing does not hold that same type of expectation, citing the competitive nature of all the Baseball Canada National Championships.
“You never go in expecting to win,” says Laing. “You hope you’ve prepared your teams and your athletes as well as you can and that they have great success, but going up against some of those provinces across the nation you can never assume anything.”
He adds: “We’ll get them ready and we’ll show up and strap them on and hopefully have some success.”
But as well regarded for their high performance as they are across the country, often over looked is their ability to increase registration numbers over the last few years as well as increase interest in new grass-roots development programs, which is where Rally Cap comes in.
Baseball BC has seen a growing number of local associations buying into the Rally Cap Program, which is now in its fourth season after being implemented by Baseball Canada. But as with any other provincial association, there are always some detractors.
“Many of the old guard in some of the local associations are set in their ways and have the mentality of ‘this is the way we’ve always done it,’” says Laing. “But we’re working aggressively to win them over.”
Also this season, BC will be handling two big events. First will be the Bantam Girls National Championship in August and in November will be the Baseball Canada Fall Convention. Both events will be held in Richmond.
“Preparations are already well under way and have great so far,” says Laing of the championship. “We have a tremendous volunteer group that have done an excellent job with the goal of hosting the best Bantam Girls Championship ever.”
As for the convention, accommodations are already set as well as a few surprises in store for the contingent who will be attending.
But when probed further, Laing would not divulge any trade secrets.
“We’re keeping everything under wraps for the time being. But if everything falls into place it’s going to be exciting.”
As will another season of baseball in beautiful British Columbia.
