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Learning the Ropes

Learning the Ropes

April 23, 2007

For some Junior National Team members, the first time at Spring Training Camp can be somewhat overwhelming.  For Kyle Lotzkar of Delta, B.C., this is his first Spring Training Camp but at least he has experienced a Fall Instructional Camp, so the experience is not completely foreign. “You know what’s going on a little bit more,” says Lotzkar of his second time in Orlando.  “I’m a little more mature and I can help out the new guys a little bit.” Kyle is relatively new to the National Teams Program, and in such he has not quite found his niche on the team. “I haven’t quite figured (my role) out yet,” says Lotzkar.  “Once we go to the Dominican and further on, I can establish that.” For the new members of the Junior team, and all players for that matter, it can be difficult to adjust to a new work load and new surroundings.  The guys who rely on talent alone learn they need to work harder to keep up with rest and improve on their focus.  Kyle is no different. “More so on the mental side and the maturity process,” says Lotzkar of the areas he needs to improve. Kyle has been continuously improving on that as well as the physical side of the game.  With continued growth and maturity, he will turn heads quickly as he moves on in his career.

Tigers Thump Juniors

Tigers Thump Juniors

April 23, 2007

Walks were the downfall of the Junior National Team as the pitchers gave up a combined 11 free passes on route to a 15-5 beating from Detroit Tigers Extended Spring Training team. Stosh Wawrzasek of Langley, B.C. got things started for the juniors allowing one run on two hits and struck out a pair in his two innings of work. It all unravelled after that as the Tigers would score three in the third and seven in the fourth to jump ahead to an 11-1 lead. The Tigers would add two more runs in the sixth and one more in the eighth before the Canadians would show some life offensively. The juniors would score four runs on five hits in the bottom of the eighth to close the gap to 14-5 as Michael Mutcheson of Morden, Manitoba; Victor Spencer of Burnaby, B.C.; Ivan Hartle of North Vancouver, B.C. and Marc Bourgeois of Granby, Quebec drove in runs in the inning. The Tigers would add one more in the top of the ninth to close out the game’s scoring. Next for the Junior National Team is a 1:00 pm game against the Extended Spring Training squad of the Cleveland Indians tomorrow.

Juniors shutout by Braves

Juniors shutout by Braves

April 22, 2007

A sacrifice and a 2 out single in the sixth inning was all it took today as the Atlanta Braves Extended Spring Training squad downed the Junior National Team 2-0 in exhibition play. Unlike yesterday’s high scoring affair, today was a pitchers duel throughout as both teams collected 13 hits combined.  Seven for the juniors and six for the Braves. Philippe Aumont of Gatineau, Quebec started things off for the juniors as he went two solid innings allowing no hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Aumont was followed by Corey Pappel of Mississauga, Ontario who pitched two strong innings, allowing one hit, one hit batsman and fanned two hitters. Ryan Kennedy of Calgary, Alberta came in and shut things down in the fifth but would allow the winning run to score in the sixth.  In total, Kennedy pitched two innings allowing two hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Evan Hildenbrandt of Abbotsford, B.C. was the other pitcher to allow a run, giving up a double and an RBI single to start the eighth, but in his two innings of work, he allowed only the two hits and one run with three strikeouts. Kyle Benoit of Brampton, Ontario pitched the ninth and only allowed one hit with one strikeout. Next for the Juniors is a 1:00 pm game versus the Detroit Tigers’ Extended Spring Training team on Monday.

Canadian Juniors Fall to Astros in First Spring Contest

Canadian Juniors Fall to Astros in First Spring Contest

April 21, 2007

The Junior National Team were still getting rid of some rust as they committed five errors on route to an 11-6 loss to the Houston Astros’ Extended Spring Training squad. The Astros scored runs in every inning except the first as Canadian starter Kyle Lotzkar of Delta, B.C. was able to shut the Astros down in his first of two innings pitched. Houston was able to jump out to a 7-0 lead by the fifth inning before Canada responded with some offense of their own. The juniors scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth off of doubles from Michael Mutcheson of Morden, Manitoba and Greg Wallace of Nanaimo, B.C., and an RBI single from Jordan Wideman of Mississauga, Ontario. The Astros would grow their lead to 9-2 in the seventh before Canada responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs on a triple by Carter Bell of Courtenay, B.C. and a sac fly by Mutcheson, cutting the lead to 9-4. Coming to bat in the bottom half of the eighth with the score 10-4, Canada added two more runs when Kyle Fillier of Toronto, Ontario hit a two-RBI single to score Marc Bourgeois of Granby, Quebec, who reached on an error, and Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., who had doubled. By the end, the Astros scored 11 runs on 13 hits and committed two errors, while the juniors scored six times on 11 hits with five errors.  Lawrie was 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored, Bell went 2-for-4 with a triple, RBI and a run scored, and Wideman went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Canada hits the field again tomorrow at 10 am as they take on the Atlanta Braves Extended Spring Training team.

Ready to Take a Leadership Role

Ready to Take a Leadership Role

April 21, 2007

Langley, B.C.’s Brett Lawrie has done a lot in a short amount of time with the Junior National Team.  At 16 years old, Lawrie led Canada in hitting at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Cuba and nearly won the tournament’s batting title.  With that performance among others, he was awarded the Junior National Team’s MVP award for last season. This is Brett’s second Spring Training camp with the junior squad, and with all that added experience under his belt, he sees himself being in the forefront in the clubhouse. “I feel I need to be more of a leader on this team,” says Lawrie.   “I want to lead by example and help guys who haven’t been here before wherever I can.” Brett is letting his bat do the leading as he is picking up in Spring Training where he left off in World Championships and Fall Instructional League. But there is more to the now 17 year old than his abilities at the plate.  He is a very vocal and approachable young man who can be seen mingling with everyone in the clubhouse. Off the field, he is respectful of the people around him.  This is perhaps comparable to a Major League player which he models himself after. “I guess I look up to Derek Jeter because he’s a complete player and I like how he handles himself on and off the field,” says Lawrie. Although Brett currently admires Jeter from afar, he dreams, like many other young ballplayers, to get to the ultimate stage. “Once I’m done here, I hope someday I can play in the majors,” says Lawrie. To see him play, there is no doubt that Brett has the potential to make it far in the game, and with his continued success and willingness to learn and improve at his craft, it is very possible that he will someday compete against, or even with the man he admires.

Junior’s Spring Training is Under Way

Junior’s Spring Training is Under Way

April 20, 2007

The Junior National Team flew in to Orlando on Friday night to begin the ninth year of the annual tradition of Spring Training Camp in the sunny state of Florida. 34 players from across Canada are vying for a spot on the team which will compete in the World Junior Championships in Edmonton next year. The team will spend their first full day together in team meetings, taking the team photo and taking the field for the first team practice of the week. The young men will then take the field for practices and eight exhibition games against Major League Extended Spring Training teams throughout the week, facing off against the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians twice each. On Sunday the 29th of April, the juniors will go their separate ways until they get together again for the Dominican Summer League tour in May.

Mizuno Junior Elite Camp Offered Big League Highlights

Mizuno Junior Elite Camp Offered Big League Highlights

April 17, 2007

The Mizuno Junior Elite Development Camp took place last weekend at the Rogers Centre and all fifty 15-16 year old kids got a taste of the big league experience by receiving some of the best instruction in the country and learning some new drills and techniques to the game of baseball. After the players reported on the Friday night, they were treated to the first of three Toronto Blue Jays games on the weekend.  The on-field and off-field instruction began the following day with two “Life Skills” seminars.  The first seminar was on strength and conditioning with former Blue Jays Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeff Krushell, who showed the kids proper stretching techniques and exercises to help prevent injuries and increase strength and endurance. The second seminar was a presentation by Mizuno Canada to introduce the players to some of the new equipment they have to offer and the importance of having the proper and comfortable equipment. After the second Blue Jays game, the players hit the field for some on-field instruction with some of the Blue Jays coaching staff, lead by third base coach Brian Butterfield with pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and first base coach Marty Pevey.  With the help of coaches form across the country, the young men were put through several infield and outfield drills as well as bullpen sessions for the pitchers and catchers in the group.  Following that was batting practice where groups would rotate from fielding to the batting cages to hitting.  During this, pitchers were shown the Blue Jays weight training facility and show more exercise techniques. On the Sunday, it began with two more “Life Skills” sessions, first with Blue Jays Director of Canadian Scouting Kevin Briand who discussed career planning and talent assessment, followed by a presentation by Baseball Canada’s Director of National Teams Greg Hamilton about the National Teams Program. Once the kids took in their final Blue Jays game of the weekend, they took the field at Rogers Center for more instruction from the coaching staff, beginning with baserunning drills followed by additional infield and outfield drills along with catching instruction and pitchers fielding practice. Now all the practice for the weekend was done and it was time for the inter-squad game on Monday.  The group would be split in to two teams, one coached by Brian Butterfield and the other by Marty Pevey.  The coaching staff and scouts were on hand to evaluate the players in a game that saw 23 pitchers and all position players see action. Highlights of the game include Shane Kraemer of Chilliwack, B.C. and Steven Inch of Edmonton, Alberta to be the only two pitchers to face the minimum with Kraemer striking out one, while Inch fanned a pair. All pitchers with the exception of two recorded at least one strikeout in their inning of work. Offensively, Jordan Wong of Calgary, Alberta went 1-for-3 with a RBI triple, two walks and a run scored.  Stephen Brien of Mount Pearl, Newfoundland was 1-for-2 with a double and a walk and Jose Torralba of Mississauga, Ontario was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.  With all that said, Team Pevey beat Team Butterfield 10-5 in the scheduled 12 inning game. After the game, the group was treated with appearances by Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons, pitchers Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett, and third baseman Troy Glaus for some instructional tips, autographs and photos.  To see the photos of the event, click here.

Mizuno Junior Elite Development Camp Set for April 13-16

Mizuno Junior Elite Development Camp Set for April 13-16

April 10, 2007

Major League Baseball, Baseball Canada and Mizuno Canada will host some of the top 15-16 year old baseball players in the country for the 2007 edition of the Mizuno Junior Elite Development Camp at the Rogers Center this April, it was announced today. This select group of aspiring “big leaguers” from across Canada will receive on-field instruction from coaching and scouting staffs of the Toronto Blue Jays, Major League Baseball and Baseball Canada. “The comprehensive nature of the Mizuno Junior Elite Development Camp will allow these talented young Canadian players the opportunity to refine their skills while preparing them for competition at the next level,” says Greg Hamilton, Head Coach and Director of National Teams for Baseball Canada. “One of Major League Baseball International’s primary goals is building on the talent base of players all over the world,” said Paul Archey, Senior Vice President, International Business Operations, Major League Baseball.  “With an MLB-record 19 Canadians on Opening Day rosters this year, MLB remains committed to helping elite young players develop the necessary skills, both on and off the field, to succeed at the Major League level.” From April 13 through April 16, the players will sweat through fundamental skills training designed by the coaching staffs that include hitting, pitching, infielding, outfielding, catching and baserunning.  On the final day of the elite camp, participants will form two teams to compete in a Canada East vs. Canada West intra-squad game. In addition to the on-field training, the young men will participate in a series of “Life Skills” classroom seminars.  Seminar topics include proper nutrition, career goal planning, strength and conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation, talent evaluation and assessment. “Mizuno is pleased to be a part of this once in a lifetime opportunity to help these young athletes realize their dreams of playing in the Major Leagues,” said John Stacey, President of Mizuno Canada.  “Our relationship with Baseball Canada continues to flourish and Mizuno will continue to help support the development of Baseball in Canada through grassroots programs.” Past players who have participated in the Mizuno Junior Elite Camp include current Major Leaguers Adam Loewen of the Baltimore Orioles and Russell Martin of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Instructors include from the Toronto Blue Jays, third base coach Brian Butterfield, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, first base coach Marty Pevey and Director of Canadian Scouting Kevin Briand.  Denis Boucher, former Major Leaguer and current pitching coach for the Canadian Olympic Team and Greg Hamilton, Head Coach and Director of National Teams for Baseball Canada are also included in the instructional staff. For media wishing to attend, please RSVP to confirm your attendance by contacting André Cormier at 613-748-5606 or by e-mail at media@baseball.ca.

Opening Day a Good Day for Canadians

Opening Day a Good Day for Canadians

April 03, 2007

The Boys of Summer got the 2007 season off and running and some of the home grown talent contributed to the excitement. Justin Morneau started his defence of the American League MVP by going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in a 7-4 victory for his Minnesota Twins over Erik Bedard and the Baltimore Orioles. Morneau hit his first homer of the season off Bedard in the second inning to open the scoring.  He would also hit two singles, and he would hit Orioles’ catcher Paul Bako in a collision at the plate on a play at home plate in the fourth reminiscent of a hard body check in hockey. Also making an appearance in the game was Toronto native Jesse Crain.  He pitched 2/3 of an inning, retiring both batters he faced, including a strikeout. Another Canadian making some noise on Opening Day was Jason Bay as he helped launch the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 4-2, 10 inning win over the Houston Astros. After the Pirates tied the game in the ninth, Bay came up to bat in the 10th with a man on and one out.  The Trail, B.C. native, who was 0-for-4 at that point, took a 0-2 fastball from Astros’ reliever Chad Qualls over the left field fence to bring in the game winning runs. The marathon known as the Major League Baseball season continues with a couple other Canadians expected to make their season debuts.  Shawn Hill will be taking the ball for the Washington Nationals as they face the Florida Marlins and Jeff Francis will be on the mound for the Colorado Rockies to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mike Johnson signs with the Cracker-Cats

Mike Johnson signs with the Cracker-Cats

March 29, 2007

The Edmonton Cracker-Cats of the Northern League announced the signing of a one-year contract with former Major Leaguer and Edmonton native Mike Johnson. “I'm back home, playing pro ball, still doing what I like to do in a city I love to live in,” said Johnson in an Edmonton Journal interview.  “Our family was going to make this our permanent home in about a year, so it's like this was meant to be.” The six-foot-two, 180-pound right-hander pitched parts of five seasons in the majors from 1997-2001 with the Baltimore Orioles and the Montreal Expos.  The 31-year-old compiled a career big league mark of 7-14 with a 6.85 ERA and two saves in 218 innings pitched. Johnson, who was a member of the 2004 Canadian Olympic Team in Athens, pitched for Somerset of the Atlantic League last season with a 5-4 record and a 4.34 ERA and nine saves.  He missed the entire 2005 season after going through Tommy John surgery.



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