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National Teams Banquet an event you will not want to miss!

OTTAWA-The 2012 Baseball Canada National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser on Saturday January 14th at the Renaissance Toronto Downtown (Rogers Centre) is shaping up to be a star studded event with many high profile major league players and front office personnel already confirmed to attend.

Former American League MVP Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins will be in attendance and joined by rising star Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays.

John Axford who led the National League with 46 saves in 2011 as a member of the Central Division winning Milwaukee Brewers has also confirmed his participation in the event.

The Awards portion of the evening will see Ernie Whitt become the fourth member of the Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence sponsored by RBC Wealth Management. Ernie has been involved with Baseball Canada since 1999 and reached a high point in October when he led Canada to the Gold Medal at the Pan Am Games.

Jonathan Malo will be presented with the Senior National Team MVP Award from the Major League Baseball Players Association after helping Canada capture the Gold Medal at the Pan Am Games and Bronze Medal at the IBAF World Cup. Also a member of those teams, Shawn Hill, will be given the Stubby Clapp Award which will be presented by Mizuno Canada.

Adam Loewen will be given a Special Achievement Award from the MLBPA after making a return to the big-leagues in 2011, this time as a position player. Receiving the Baseball Canada Alumni Award from the L.J. Pearson Foundation will be Rene Tosoni after he made his MLB debut in 2011 as a member of the Minnesota Twins. Brett Lawrie will also be given a Special Achievement Award which will be presented by RBC Wealth Management.

Finally, ESPN Wide World of Sports will honour Ryan Kellogg as the Junior National Team MVP after he played a significant role in helping Canada qualify for the 18U IBAF Baseball World Championship.

Other special guests for the evening include Toronto Blue Jays President Paul Beeston, Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos as well as former Montreal Expos General Manager and current Blue Jays executive Jim Fanning.

Milwaukee Brewers Assistant General Manager Gord Ash is also confirmed to attend.

A host of current and former MLB players will be attending that include: Paul Quantrill, Pete Orr, Jeff Francis, Chris Leroux, Chris Reitsma, Adam Stern, Rob Butler and Duane Ward.

Outgoing President and CEO of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Tom Valcke will be joined by former Anaheim Angel and current Vice-President of Baseball Canada Jason Dickson for an evening of Canadian baseball celebration, emceed by Blue Jays radio voice Jerry Howarth.

In addition to the awards presentation, social hour and formal dinner, this evening will feature many interactive opportunities with the stars and an extensive auction of sports memorabilia and sporting event packages.

This evening will also serve as a very important fundraising source for Baseball Canada’s Junior and Senior National Teams. With the 18U IBAF Baseball World Championship and World Baseball Classic Qualifier, Baseball Canada’s National Teams will be very active on the world baseball stage in 2012.

Tickets for the gala cost $400 per person, $3,200 for a table of eight guests or $4,000 for a table of ten guests. Baseball Canada has registered charitable status.

There will be a pre-banquet press conference covered by Sportsnet, TSN and The Score from 3:30-5:30 pm, Saturday January 14th, in the Aurora Room of the Renaissance Toronto Hotel at Rogers Centre (Aurora Room is adjacent to the Northern Lights Ballroom).

The press conference will begin with opening statements from Baseball Canada President Ray Carter and Director of National Teams Greg Hamilton. This will be followed by a scrum style question and answer period with the players and MLB management personnel attending.

For more information concerning the gala, please contact Greg Hamilton, Coach and Director of National Teams, via e-mail at ghamilton@baseball.ca.

For media interested in covering the press conference, please contact Adam Morissette, Coordinator of Media & Public Relations, via e-mail at media@baseball.ca.

*Please note, for those attending the banquet, there is no ticket required. Please visit the registration table upon arrival at the Northern Lights Ballroom prior to the Cocktail hour.

2012 Baseball Canada National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser Program
2012 Baseball Canada National Teams Awards Banquet and Fundraiser Registration Form


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