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Friday, April 1st, 2016 - MONTRÉAL – On Friday, Baseball Canada in partnership with Baseball British Columbia, Baseball Alberta, Baseball Sask, Baseball Manitoba, Baseball Ontario, Baseball Québec, Baseball New Brunswick, Baseball Nova Scotia, Baseball P.E.I. and Baseball Newfoundland & Labrador launched Summer’s Perfect Game – a concept to promote baseball as the summer sport of choice for Canadians.
The announcement was made at news conference inside the Olympic Stadium in Montréal prior to the start of the two-game spring training series between the defending American League East champion Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox.
“We’re very excited to officially launch Summer’s Perfect Game,” said Baseball Canada President Ray Carter in a statement. “Baseball is enjoyed by thousands of Canadians each summer as players, coaches, officials or volunteers. Our goal, through Summer’s Perfect Game, is to promote our sport so that thousands more can enjoy the benefits that our game offers.
“Our registration numbers have experienced a steady climb recently including an 8% increase in 2015. With the success of our National Teams, a strong grassroots presence that includes programs for all, combined with the impact that the Toronto Blue Jays have in our country, baseball is alive and well in Canada.”
The event was emceed by former Canadian National Baseball Team player Marc Griffin from RDS and included a video presentation featuring Canadian professional baseball players Russell Martin, Michael Saunders, John Axford, Dalton Pompey and Josh Naylor, and Canadian Women’s National Team players Ella Matteucci and Ashley Stephenson.
Special guests included Stephen Brooks, Vice President Business Operations with the Toronto Blue Jays, Jason Dickson, Vice President Baseball Canada and His Worship Mayor of Montréal, Denis Coderre who announced an action plan for amateur baseball in the City of Montréal.
“Today, we are announcing an ambitious action plan for baseball that includes aiding in the development of baseball and improving facilities, while promoting the sport of baseball by welcoming events,” said Coderre. “We have noticed an increase in registrations among baseball associations in Montreal recently and some excitement with the popularity and growth of baseball. As a city, we need to support this excitement.”
Following the news conference, Mr. Coderre, Mr. Brooks and Mr. Dickson posed for a photo on the field with Montréal native Russell Martin and Michael Saunders of the Toronto Blue Jays, and National Team legend Stubby Clapp.
For more information, please visit summersperfectgame.ca.
