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Olympics Are Within Reach

Olympics Are Within Reach

March 06, 2008

TAICHUNG, Taiwan – Qualifying for the Olympic Games is always the ultimate goal for any national sports federation. Baseball Canada is no exception and the ultimate goal could be achieved very soon at the Final Olympic Qualifier. Canada will be competing to qualify for their third Olympics, second since becoming an official Olympic sport and second in a row here in Taiwan from March 7-15. The 2008 team attempting to qualify is quite different from the one that competed in the 2004 Olympics with only five players on the current roster returning for Canada in this qualifier. But the experience of players like Stubby Clapp (Windsor, ON) and Adam Stern (London, ON) goes a long way with a young team. “You just have to remind them that it’s still baseball,” says Clapp. “There is obviously alot a stake, but if they can learn to relax and just do what they can do and not do anything extra. Everybody has a role on the team, everyone will fill in and the job will get done.” “They all understand what needs to be done,” says Stern. “Those guys are coming in with a lot of intensity and it shouldn’t be a problem getting anybody up for these games and they all know what’s on the line.” To help motivate the team and perhaps visualize the objective, the team held a meeting while in Australia and showed a montage of Olympic footage from 2004 where Canada finished fourth. Mike Saunders (Victoria, BC) was moved by the video. “I got chills,” explains Saunders. “The hairs were standing on my arms and I got goosebumps. It’s something I’ve been wanting this since (the qualifier in) Cuba and it’s now or never.” Even those who lived it were moved by the video. “It brings back alot of memories and you relive alot of emotions,” remembers Stern. Now, it is up to this team to accomplish what the 2004 team did and they know what lies in the road ahead. All players are eager for a chance to play in the Olympics. “This might be the most excited I’ve been for baseball for a long time,” says Saunders. “Going to spring training, getting ready to start the season is pretty exciting but it’s nothing like this.” “When we were in Australia, everybody was excited to be back together again and playing. Now it’s game time and that is different electricity and a different type of intensity,” says Clapp. For the dream to come true, Manager Terry Puhl says that the pitchers must lead the way. “We’re going to need continued good pitching,” says Puhl. “If the pitching holds up, the offence is good enough to score runs, but pitching is the key.” This experience is also new to Puhl, who has been the Senior National Team Manager since 2006. Ernie Whitt managed the 2004 team that went to the Olympics and the former Major League outfielder hopes to duplicate that feat and says it would be a career highlight. “To be a part of something like this is why I’m here. This is a great bunch of guys. I never had that opportunity as a player to represent Canada and it’s exciting for me, but it’s about the players and the team is always first. But for what I hear, the Olympic experience is one of a kind.” For Stern and Clapp, they witnessed an event that few athletes have experienced. They hope to relive that experience. “It was probably one of the greatest memories as far as baseball goes,” says Stern. “No matter what happens in your life or career I think that will be one of the highlights and whatever you can do to be there is what you want to do.” “I can’t even begin to describe the feelings I had from being at the Olympic ceremonies to playing in the games and playing against the best athletes in the world. It’s awesome,” says Clapp. For younger players like Saunders, a spot at the Beijing Games would be a dream come true. “The Olympics would be the number one highlight of my career right now. It would be number one for a long time, if not always.” The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will be the last for baseball until the International Olympic Committee reinstates baseball as an Olympic sport and the earliest that can happen is for the 2016 Olympics. For that, there is an extra sense of urgency to qualify for the Games. “It’s going to be special because it could be the last Olympics, but it’s also a big part of our program,” says Clapp. “If we’re not able to participate, our program could take a big hit.” And for those who were there in 2004, qualifying for the 2008 Games would a second kick at the can to get a medal. “Going from a good position, then losing a heartbreaker to Cuba those things stick with you,” says Stern. “Even four years later those things are fresh in your memory. People need to understand what went on there and try to avoid that this time around.”

Canada Finishes Exhibition Series with Win

Canada Finishes Exhibition Series with Win

March 03, 2008

GOLD COAST, Australia – Canada’s offence got the job done and the pitching was stellar as they would take the final exhibition game of this series by a score of 4-1 over Australia. The pitchers were solid in shutting down the Aussie offence in this eight inning contest, starting with the starter Jonathan Lockwood (Toronto, ON). Lockwood only allowed one hit and two walks with a pair of strikeouts in three inning of work. “You have to approach this time to work on things you need to work on and treat it as a learning experience going into the tournament so you can be at your best,” says Lockwood. “Every game is going to be a combination of guys. It’s good that everybody finished well and did what they had to do and that looks good come tournament time because guys are going to go in there and get it done.” Jamie Richmond (Mississauga, ON) and Alexandre Periard (St. Eustache, QC) were in good form in relief. Richmond, in three innings pitched, allowed two hits with two strikeouts and Periard gave up a run on three hits and a walk with one punch out in two innings in relief. “It was a good outing for everybody today,” says Manager Terry Puhl. “Lockwood was outstanding, and he’s going to be a workhorse for us going forward. Richmond did what he always does and Periard was solid as well.” Offensively, the star in this game was Jimmy VanOstrand (Richmond, BC) who doubled, homered and scored twice. He hit the double in the second inning and would come in to score the game’s first run on a single from Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, ON). VanOstrand would homer in the fourth inning off of Adam Blackley with Matt Rogelstad (New Westminster, BC) on base to increase the Canadian lead. “It was good to have a game like that to finish off the exhibition series,” says VanOstrand who was 2-for-2 with two RBI. “I’m looking forward to going to Taiwan and hopefully keep it going.” David Corrente (Chatham, ON) would also add to the offence with a solo-home run to lead off the fifth inning off of Gavin Dlouhy. Corrente would hit the second pitch of the inning over the left field fence to put Canada ahead 4-0. The Aussies would break the shutout bid in the seventh inning when Andrew Utting would single off of Periard to drive in Ben Risinger and put the Australians on the board. The Canadians finished the exhibition series with a 3-1-1 record, which could be a good sign going into the Final Olympic Qualifier. “It looks good for us,” says VanOstrand about his hopes for the qualifier. “It’s a tough tournament and there is going to be a lot of tough competition there but we definitely have a good team to give ourselves a chance. It’s going to be lots of fun.” “We have all the tools here to get it done. We just need to stick to our game and we’ll get the results that we want,” says Puhl. Canada will make its way over to Taiwan on Tuesday, March 4th to begin its road to Beijing at the Final Olympic Qualifier which is scheduled to begin on March 7th to the 15th. Canada will play for three open spots against Australia, Germany, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Spain and Taiwan.

Canada Earns Their Second Win in Exhibition Series

Canada Earns Their Second Win in Exhibition Series

March 02, 2008

GOLD COAST, Australia – Canada’s offence once again came up big as they would break a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning to beat Australia in the fourth exhibition game of the series by a score of 9-5. The Canadians would score four runs on five straight hits in the eighth inning before the Aussies could register an out. Emmanuel Garcia (Montreal, QC) started things off with a leadoff double and would score on Mike Saunders’ (Victoria, BC) RBI triple. Ryan Radmanovich (Calgary, AB) would then drive in his second run of the game with a single to score Saunders. Matt Rogelstad (New Westminster, BC) would move Radmanovich up to third base with a double and Emerson Frostad (Calgary, AB) would cash in Radmanovich with a single. David Corrente (Chatham, ON) would drive in Rogelstad to complete the scoring. “Manny Garcia had a wonderful night, Saunders was fabulous and Radmanovich had some big RBIs. It’s coming together for us,” says Manager Terry Puhl. It was a good start to the ballgame for Canada as they would open the scoring in the first inning when Radmanovich would drive in Stubby Clapp (Windsor, ON) for the first run of the game. “I’m feeling good about my swing right now. It was nice to get a couple big hits in key situations which is the things we’re going to have to do in (the qualifier) to win,” says Radmanovich, who was 2-for-3 with the two RBI. From there, James Avery (Moose Jaw, SK) shut things down, allowing only two walks with three strikeouts in three innings of work to start the game. “I’m feeling pretty good. I’m building up every time we go. I threw pretty well tonight, a couple of walks were disappointing, but other than that I thought I threw pretty well,” says Avery. But the Aussies would comeback and score four runs in the fourth inning off Brooks McNiven (Vancouver, BC) to take a 4-1 lead. Two doubles, two singles and an error was the cause for the Australian runs in the inning. The Canadians would tie thing up however in their half of the fourth inning on two sacrifice flies from Rogelstad and Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, ON) and a wild pitch that would score Saunders who reached on a single. Canada would then take the lead in the sixth inning when Garcia, who tripled to lead off the inning, would score on a ground out by Rogelstad. Once again though, Australia would comeback to tie the ballgame when Daniel Berg hit an RBI single to score Mitch Dening to tie things up at 5-5. But the Canadians would score four in the eighth and T.J. Burton (Ottawa, ON) would pitch a one, two, three ninth inning to preserve the win for Canada. The Canadians will play their final exhibition game against Australia on Monday, March 3rd at 2 pm.

Canada Comes Back to Tie Australia

Canada Comes Back to Tie Australia

March 01, 2008

GOLD COAST, Australia – The Canadians erased a six run deficit in the ninth inning and Steve Green (Greenfield Park, QC) struck out five of the six batters he faced to preserve an 8-8 tie in the third exhibition game against Australia. Canada was behind by a score of 8-2 going into the top of the ninth inning. Emmanuel Garcia (Montreal, QC) got things started with a single followed by a two-run home run by Emerson Frostad (Calgary, AB) to cut the margin in half. After Adam Stern (London, ON) drew a walk and a double from Stubby Clapp (Windsor, ON), Mike Saunders (Victoria, BC) hit a three-run bomb to right field to bring the Canadians within one with nobody out. With now two out and Taylor Green (Courtenay, BC) on third, Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, ON) drove in the tying run with a single off Aussie Brendan Wise. “I mark (this game) down as a win,” says Manager Terry Puhl. “When you come back and hit the ball as hard as we did and score runs... a team that never has any quit in it is a team that is going to qualify (for the Olympics).” “It was a great comeback,” says Frostad, who got the comeback started and was 2-for-4 with three RBI. “We were slow the first couple of innings and it took a little while to get going, but that’s the type of team we are. We’re very explosive and we can put up those big innings.” The Aussies started the game with a bang as they would put across four runs in the first inning off Canadian starter Brett Gray (Petrolia, ON). Gray would allow another run in the second inning to put the Aussies ahead 5-0. Canada would cut the gap in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Frostad, who would later score on a bases loaded walk to bring the score to 5-2. “I’m starting to get the flow again. It’s mostly timing. We’ve all been hitting in the cages and working out. It’s just getting that (in game) timing down and it’s going to take a couple games, but a lot of the guys are starting to get going and hopefully we can keep that going,” says Frostad. But the Australians would add to the lead in the sixth when Ben Risinger, Glenn Williams and Mat Kent all came in to score off Scott Richmond (Langley, BC), who allowed one run on two hits, and Mike Kusiewicz (Ottawa, ON), who allowed two runs, one earned, on one hit, to make it 8-2 for Australia. Steve Green came into the game in the eighth inning with Canada trailing by six and silenced the Aussie offence when he struck out two of the three batters he faced in the inning to allow his teammates to generate the impressive comeback the following inning. Green would then shut down the Australian attack by striking out the side in the ninth inning to finish the game. “This game gave me a great boost of confidence,” says Green. “It was an unbelievable game. The thing about Team Canada is that we never give up and that’s key. We showed it with six runs in the ninth and we got the job done.” Canada and Australia will play game four of this exhibition series on Sunday, March 2nd at 5:30 pm.

Canada Squares Exhibition Series

Canada Squares Exhibition Series

February 29, 2008

BRISBANE, Australia – Canada was running on all cylinders as both the pitching and offense flexed their muscle in a 10-1 win over Australia in the second exhibition game of this series. The Canadians collected 15 hits to go along with four home runs in this game which saw 10 of the 12 players who saw action get at least one hit. “We got to see a lot of pitch tonight and this time we were squaring up the baseball,” says Manager Terry Puhl. “You could see that this team has a lot of power. It’s going to be fun.” The Canadian offense did not waste any time to put points on the board. The first inning saw Canada put four runs on the board with the help of a grand slam from Matt Rogelstad (New Westminster, BC). The inning started with two straight walks to Adam Stern (London, ON) and Stubby Clapp (Windsor, ON) and a single by Mike Saunders (Victoria, BC) to load the bases. After Ryan Radmanovich (Calgary, AB) hit into a fielder’s choice, Rogelstad belted the grand slam to put Canada in front 4-0. “Today, guys got a lot of good swings,” says Stern, who was 2-for-4 with a two-run home run. “Now it’s going to be getting (timing) down, getting to hit the breaking balls and off speed stuff, because that’s going to be our biggest challenge when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare.” After increasing the lead to 5-0 on a RBI single from Radmanovich in the second inning, the Canadians scored two more runs in the third inning on a two-run homer by Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, ON), making it 7-0. “I had a pretty good approach, slowed it down and it went good,” says Weglarz, who was 2-for-4 including a double. “It was 3-1 knuckle ball that didn’t break, got it up and it went.” The score would be 7-1 going into the seventh inning when Saunders hit a solo home run to bring the lead back to seven runs. Stern would complete the scoring in the eighth inning with his two-run knock. “Right now, results are good but you want to get comfortable, get ready to hit and today happened to be a good day,” says Stern. “I still want to see more off speed stuff, but it was one of those things that all of a sudden clicked and I was ready to go.” As for the pitchers, they held the Aussie offense in check all night. It started with Jamie Richmond (Mississauga, ON), who threw two no-hit innings, allowing only two walks with a pair of strikeouts. “Not bad for the first time out. I didn’t feel great, but it I think it went good,” says Richmond. “Jamie’s been pitching with a lot of confidence really early,” says Puhl. “He did well for us at the World Cup and he’s going to be a big part of our pitching staff.” Jonathan Lockwood (Toronto, ON) followed with a solid two innings of his own, allowing one run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Alexandre Periard (St. Eustache, QC) and T.J. Burton (Ottawa, ON) combined to close out the Canadian side on the mound, giving up only a walk with one punch out in three innings of work. Canada will do battle with Australia in the third game of the exhibition series on Saturday, March 1st at 7 pm.

Canadians Fall Short in First Exhibition Outing

Canadians Fall Short in First Exhibition Outing

February 28, 2008

BRISBANE, Australia – It started off well, but one inning would turn out to be Canada’s downfall in their first exhibition game as they would fall at the hands off Australia by a final score of 5-3. The Canadians would be the ones to break it open in the third inning when Emmanuel Garcia hit a double to cash in Jeremy Ware (Guelph, ON) would had reached base on a walk. “I was just trying to see the ball well. I got a 3-1 fastball and I was able to put the bat on the ball,” says Garcia. David Corrente (Chatham, ON), who also walked, would score the second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Emerson Frostad (Calgary, AB) to make it 2-0. The Canadians would add to the lead in the fourth inning when Ware hit a double of his own to score Matt Rogelstad (New Westminster, BC) and make it 3-0. “I’m just trying to keep it simple, put a good swing on the ball and it worked out,” says Ware of his double. Things were going smoothly until the fifth inning when the Aussies would put up a five spot and take the lead. Aaron Wideman (Mississauga, ON) and Steve Green (Greenfield Park, QC) combined to give up those runs on two singles, four walks and a wild pitch. “We’re obviously getting out there for the first time, facing hitters for the first time this year and it feels good to get out there,” says Wideman of his outing. “I didn’t have my control today, but I’m working on all of the glitches and the bumps and bruises, but my arm felt good. I just need to get rid of the wrinkles and be ready for the next day.” James Avery (Moose Jaw, SK), who started for Canada, and Brooks McNiven (Vancouver, BC) threw two innings a piece and combined to shutout the Australians allowing only two hits with six strikeouts. There were more positives than negatives for Canada in a game which saw most of the players taking the field for the first time since the end of last season. “They had a soft five runs off of balls that weren’t hit real hard and our guys are still just trying to see some pitches,” says Manager Terry Puhl. “Defensively we did well. We made some really nice plays. They’re good athletes. It’ll be a couple more days and they’ll be right there.” Canada takes to the field again on Friday, February 29th against the Aussies for the second game of their exhibition series. The action starts at 7 pm.

The Road to Beijing Continues

The Road to Beijing Continues

February 27, 2008

GOLD COAST, Australia – The beginning of the end starts now. The Senior National Team is at the National Training Complex for the Australian National Baseball Team for an exhibition series against the Aussies in preparation for the Final Olympic Qualifier in Taiwan from March 7-15. The weather has not been completely cooperative so far with drizzles in the area and the forecast calling for rain for the next few days, but that will not stop the Canadians who held their first full team practice today The players not only have to get ready for the upcoming tournament, but they also have the task of getting into game shape. Most of the players have not touched a ball or have swung a bat since the end of last season. This doubles the challenge on the Canadians, something the coaching staff and the players are well aware and are ready to face. “We have some of the best players out of Canada here,” says Senior National Team Manager Terry Puhl. “They know their talent and it’s a matter of letting their talent come through and see where it takes us.” The process of getting into game shape is a little trickier with the pitchers as the staff will need to monitor them in order not to extend their arms too quickly. “It’s a tough situation with the timing of (the qualifier), but alot of the guys have been throwing sides and batting practices already with their clubs so it makes things a little easier,” says Pitching Coach Denis Boucher. “We’re going to keep a close eye on (the pitchers) and we’ll start the exhibition games by limiting them to a couple innings a piece and then move on up to five innings if we can in the next few weeks.” So far, the process to get the players into game shape has been going smoothly, but the trick is to get them ready a bit of a quicker pace. “We’re going to do as much as we can and as much as they want and we’re going to take care of them as much as possible,” says Coach Rob Ducey. One thing is for certain. The goal at the end of this trip is to qualify for the Olympic Games this summer in Beijing and Canada will certainly be ready for that.

2008 Provincial Preview: Prince Edward Island

2008 Provincial Preview: Prince Edward Island

February 21, 2008

Canada’s smallest province, both in population and land mass, continues to become a big player in baseball the last few years. The registration numbers continue to grow and the Executive Director of PEI Amateur Baseball, Kelsey MacIntosh says that the last six weeks have been exceptionally busy. “We have a new V.P. Administration, Karen MacIntyre.  We’ve approved a new constitution.  We’ve had all our meetings with our minor league commissioners.  We are having our 2007 Awards Reception on March 4th.  We have set our calendar for the year, which will be released in March and we’ve secured a few contract agreements with sponsors,” says MacIntosh. Set in PEI’s calendar will be the Junior National Championship in Charlottetown from August 14-17 and from all accounts, the preparations are all on track. “We’ve secured a number of major sponsors, including a title sponsorship.  Our field preparations for the two renovated fields went well last fall and will be ready for the season and everything else is going according to schedule.” The coaching staff for the junior team that will represent the province at that tournament, as well as the coaching staffs for all other provincial levels have been selected.  Also, the Midget, Junior and Baseball Canada Cup players are already beginning their training camps. Business also continues to be on the up swing as the association signed a sponsorship deal with Rawlings to be the official baseball for the province and they are in the process of bringing in a new Technical Director. “Essentially, the person would be responsible for Winterball, Rally Cap and help organize clinics as well as become a learning facilitator.” MacIntosh sees the growth of the association over the years and appreciates and acknowledges the efforts put forth by everyone involved. “It’s definitely been a busy last few weeks.”

Baseball Canada Officially Entered in World Baseball Classic

Baseball Canada Officially Entered in World Baseball Classic

February 19, 2008

OTTAWA, ON – Baseball Canada was officially introduced as one of the 16 teams that will be participating in the second edition of the World Baseball Classic which was announced today by Major League Baseball. The Classic will take place in March, 2009 and will allow the best Major League Baseball players to represent their country in international competition. The 16 teams announced are the same as the inaugural tournament in 2006 with talks of expanding that number for the 2013 edition of the Classic. “We are very excited to be once again invited to participate in such a high caliber tournament and we look forward to showcasing some of the best baseball talent in this country and to compete against the best in the world,” says Baseball Canada President Ray Carter. A round-robin format will allow each country to play teams within its pool once. The top two teams from each pool after Round 1 will advance to Round 2, with the top two teams from each pool moving on to the semi-finals. Both the semi-finals and championship game will use a single-game elimination format. This time around, all four first round competitions will be played outside the United States leaving the door open for Toronto to potentially host for the first round.  Games in the second round will take place in the U.S., which will also host both semi-final contests and the championship.  An announcement on the host cities will be made next month. Baseball Canada’s field staff and team roster will be announced at a later date.

Baseball Canada Announces Roster and Schedule for Final Olympic Qualifier

Baseball Canada Announces Roster and Schedule for Final Olympic Qualifier

February 15, 2008

OTTAWA, ON – Baseball Canada announced today the roster that will represent Canada at the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Taiwan from March 7-15. Among the 24 players selected by Baseball Canada for the event are five former members of the 2004 Olympic Team who are 2B Stubby Clapp (Windsor, ON), LHP Mike Kusiewicz (Ottawa, ON), OF Adam Stern (London, ON), OF Ryan Radmanovich and OF Jeremy Ware (Guelph, ON). Also among the players selected, 17 will be returning from the team that represented Canada at the IBAF World Cup this past November.  The roster will be a mix of experience and youth. “We are very excited about the blend of experience and young rising talent on this roster,” says Greg Hamilton, Director and Head Coach of National Teams.  “With an Olympic bid at stake, we anticipate a very competitive tournament and look forward to challenging ourselves against some of the world’s best baseball playing nations.” The Olympic Qualifier will feature eight countries in a round-robin formatted tournament where the top three teams will earn the final spots for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing this summer. Canada will be competing for one of those three spots with Korea, Chinese Taipei, Australia, Mexico, Germany, South Africa and Spain.  If Canada qualifies, they will join Cuba, United States, Japan, Netherlands and host China who have already qualified. Before heading over to Taiwan, the Senior National Team will make its way to Brisbane, Australia from February 24th to March 4th for a training camp and exhibition series against the Australian National Team at their national training complex. Click here to see the entire 24-man roster and schedule of the Senior National Team for the Final Olympic Qualifier.



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