OTTAWA – Thirty-two players have been named to the Junior National Team roster that will compete at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida from April 20th – April 30th.
The annual Spring Training Camp will feature daily practices along with seven exhibition contests against affiliated MLB clubs.
Included on the schedule is a match-up against the extended spring training club of the Toronto Blue Jays on April 25th in Dunedin, Florida.
“This camp will allow our coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate all players in a highly competitive environment,” says Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada’s Director of National Teams and manager of the Junior National Team. “The strides taken at this camp will better prepare our team for success internationally at future competitions, including the upcoming Americas World Junior Qualifier”.
Three players who participated in the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship, Justin Atkinson (Surrey, BC), Tom Robson (Ladner, BC) and Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (Montreal, QC) are part of the 32-player roster. All three players are also eligible for June’s MLB First-Year Player Draft.
For the players, the training camp will not only offer them the chance to represent their country while improving their skills but will also provide plenty of exposure, as several college and professional scouts will use the training camp as an opportunity for talent evaluation.
The Spring Training Camp is an important step in the process as the JNT will attempt to qualify for the 2012 World Junior Baseball Championship (scheduled for Seoul, South Korea) at the Americas World Junior Qualification Tournament in Cartagena, Colombia from September 23rd - October 2nd, 2011.
Roster
Pitching Rotation
JNT Schedule
JNT Program Information
