TORONTO- The Mizuno Elite Development Camp came to a close with the traditional Canada East vs. Canada West intra-squad game at Rogers Centre. After fourteen innings of baseball (twenty-eight pitcher’s threw one inning each), the East managed to hold on for a 10-9 victory. For participants, the game was a culmination of a three day experience of a lifetime.
“It was really special,” said Brett Siddall (Windsor, ON) of being at the camp. “I learned a lot of things that will help make me a better player, it was a great experience.”
Siddall set the tone early on the mound as he struck out three consecutive batters after giving up a base-hit in the top of the first. The pitchers were certainly ahead of the hitters as the game was scoreless through the first four innings.
In the bottom of the fifth the East got on the board with four runs to open the scoring. Kyle Hann (Oakville, ON) had the big hit of the inning as he roped a double that brought in two runs.
Down 6-0 in the seventh, the West finally made some noise as Derek Jones (Brampton, ON) used some smart base running to score his team’s first run.
The West then made their way back into the game in the ninth inning when they put up four runs to cut the deficit to two and give their bench some life. With the bases loaded Ramon Valdez (Chestemere, AB) smacked a triple to bring home three runs.
After the East made it 9-5, the pesky West squad would plate two more runs in the twelfth led by Philip Craig-St-Louis (Gatineau, QC) RBI single. Not to be outdone though, the East answered back in the bottom of the frame as Jamar Brunette (Toronto, ON) picked up his second hit and second RBI of the game to score what would be the winning run.
The West would make things interesting in the fourteenth inning by putting across two runs, but Travis Harris (Fredericton, NB) was able to limit the damage and secure the win for his East teammates.
Junior National Team Head Coach, Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, ON) was happy with how the camp progressed and is excited about some of the talent that was on display.
“There certainly are some real good arms, guys that can project on the mound. As for position players, there is a core group that have a chance to be pretty special and overall I thought the physicality and physical nature of the players was pretty good.”
Also impressed with the talent level at the camp was Director of Canadian Scouting for the Toronto Blue Jays, Jamie Lehman (Brampton, ON).
“I’m looking at the exact same things in these players as I would for someone who is (draft) eligible next year. For me, a lot of these guys are pretty close to where my 2011 guys are.”
Lehman, along with Blue Jays Scouting Director, Andrew Tinnish (Ottawa, ON) had a chance earlier in the week to speak with the players about scouting, player development and what scouts look for in a baseball player.
“I think the make-up of a player is just as big as having the (physical) tools,” explained Lehman. “I want to see a player that works hard, is willing to learn and wants to do everything it takes to become a better baseball player.”
Participants were also given a firsthand look at some of the finest baseball equipment available in the market from Mizuno Canada. President of Mizuno Canada, John Stacey along with Adam Vella gave campers a behind-the-scenes look at the research, development and technology that goes into their products. Players were also given the opportunity to see and feel the products in their hands and ask questions about how the products can enhance their performance on the field.
The final presentation came from Greg Hamilton who gave participants an overview of the National Teams program including a video presentation of former National Team performances that sent chills through the room. Hamilton also incorporated an explanation of some of the decisions that the players will face in the near future and impressed upon them the importance of being a quality human being, which was not lost on Brett Siddall.
“I learned that it’s equally important to be a good person off the field as it is to being a good player. This camp has taught me a lot.”
