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BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – Baseball Canada has named 20 athletes to the Junior National Team roster who will represent Canada at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship, with Canada set to begin its pursuit of a berth at next year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in China.
The championship runs from October 22-29 at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, with four World Cup qualification spots on the line.
Canada enters the tournament in Group C alongside Puerto Rico and Panama. The Juniors will open against Puerto Rico on Thursday, October 22 at 3:00 PM EDT before facing Panama at 12:00 PM EDT on Friday. Opening Round play concludes Saturday with doubleheader action as Canada takes on Puerto Rico at 12:00 PM EDT and Panama at 3 PM EDT. All four Canadian games will be played at IPL Academy Stadium 2.
The final roster was selected following Canada’s U-18 Pan American Championship Selection Camp in the Dominican Republic features a good mix of Junior National Team veterans refreshed by some new young talent.
Head Coach and Director of Men’s National Teams Greg Hamilton will lead the group alongside coaches Mike Johnson (Sherwood Park, AB), Jesse Hodges (Victoria, BC) and Chris Begg (Uxbridge, ON).
Canada’s 20-player roster
Pitchers: Calum Andersen (Calgary, AB), Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, ON), Gabe Fink (Edmonton, AB), Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, ON), Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, ON), Ethan Reason (Stouffville, ON), Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC), Johann Sternberg (Toronto, ON) and Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC).
Catchers: Taye Thierman (Calgary, AB) and Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC).
Infielders: Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), Jalen Jacob (Maple, ON), Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON), Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, AB), Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, AB).
Outfielders: Maxime Blain (Repentigny, QC) and Sam Ellis (La Pêche, QC).
Utility: Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, ON) and Cohen Miller (Calgary, AB).
Tournament Format
Eleven countries are divided across three groups for the Opening Round. Group A features the United States, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Curaçao, while Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua make up Group B. Canada, Puerto Rico and Panama comprise the three-team Group C
The top two teams from each group will advance to the six-team Super Round beginning October 25, while the remaining countries move into the Placement Round. Results from Opening Round games between teams that advance together will carry into the Super Round standings.
Because Group C contains only three teams, each country will play four Opening Round games. All four games will count towards the Group C standings, but only designated games will count toward a team’s Super Round record. For Canada, the October 23 meeting with Panama and the October 24 game against Puerto Rico are the two designated carry-over games should those opponents also advance.
Super Round play runs through October 28, with the top four countries earning qualification for the 2027 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in China and advancing to the tournament’s final day. The third- and fourth-place teams will meet in the bronze medal game at 10 AM. EDT on October 29, followed by the gold medal game between the top two teams at 2 PM EDT.
U18 PanAmerican Championship games will be streamed on Youtube.
Keep up to date with the Junior National Team by following @BaseballCANJNT on X and Baseball Canada on Instagram and Facebook.
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