ORLANDO, FL – The Junior National Team could not contain the Cleveland Indians’ offence in their Fall Instructional League matchup and as such suffered the loss by a 9-2 score. The Indians scored nine runs on 11 hits compared to the two runs on two hits for the Canadians. Both teams committed two errors. Danny Britton-Foster (Ladysmith, BC), Jake Eliopoulos (Newmarket, ON) and Philippe Charpentier (L’Épiphanie, QC) were on the mound in this game. Charpentier allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits and three walks with one strikeout in three innings pitched. Eliopoulos, in three innings of work, gave up four runs on five hits and two walks with one punch out. Also with three innings of work, Britton-Foster allowed one run on three hits with a walk and a strikeout. Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC) and Brett Sanders (Etobicoke, ON) drove in the Canadian runs, driving in Ivan Hartle (North Vancouver, BC) and James Kottaras (Markham, ON). The Junior National Team’s Fall Instructional League schedule continues with a game against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, October 11th at 1 pm.
ORLANDO - This game was tightly contested, but the Junior National Team was on the short end of the stick as they fell to the Atlanta Braves in this Fall Instructional League contest by a score of 3-1. The Juniors were unable to capitalize on their chances as they left 10 runners on base in this game. Carter Bell (Courtenay, BC) drove in the Canadians only run of the game in his only at-bat of the contest. Also contributing offensively was Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC) who was 2-for-2 with a walk and Brent Mitchell (Paris, ON) and Skye Irwin (Toronto, ON) also collected a hit apiece. Stosh Wawrzasek (Langley, BC) was the starting pitcher for the Canadians and he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts in three innings pitched. In relief, David Walkling (Nanaimo, BC) threw three quality innings, allowing only one hit and a walk in his outing. The story was virtually the same for Andrew Ledger (Toronto, ON) who gave up only one hit with one strikeout in his three inning outing. Next up for the Junior National Team on their Fall Instructional League schedule will be the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, October 10th at 1 pm.
ORLANDO – All the scoring was done in the first three innings as the Junior National Team suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Tigers in Fall Instructional League play. The Tigers scored two runs in the first inning and three runs in the third inning to put up all the scoring they would need in this game. Starting on the mound for the Canadians was François Lafreniere (St.-Bruno, QC) and he allowed five runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts in three innings of work. Nick Fogarty (Thornhill, ON) came in the game in relief and threw three solid innings, allowing only one hit and two walks with one strikeout. The Juniors went with Nick Bucci (Sarnia, ON) to finish the game and the 17-year-old threw three perfect innings, striking out four along the way. Four players registered a hit in the game for the Canadians, all singles. Ivan Hartle (North Vancouver, BC) was 1-for-3, James Kottaras (Markham, ON) was 1-for-3, Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC) was also 1-for-3 and Jonathan Gilbert (St-Georges, QC) was 1-for-2 with a walk. The Junior National Team will take on the Atlanta Braves in their next Fall Instructional League matchup. Game time is at 1 pm on Tuesday, October 9th.
ORLANDO, FL – The Junior National Team committed three errors and it cost them in a 4-0 loss to Seminole J.C. in Fall Instructional League action. Only one of Seminole’s four runs was earned in the contest. Offensively, the Juniors were able to punch out four hits which were all generated from different sources. Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC) reached safely, going 1-for-3. Skye Irwin (Toronto, ON) was 1-for-2, Carter Bell (Courtenay, BC) was 1-for-3 and Dale Anderson (Strathmore, AB) was also 1-for-3. Evan Grills (Whitby, ON) allowed three runs, one earned, on two hits while allowing one free pass with two strikeouts in two innings pitched to start the game. David Otterman (Coquitlam, BC), in his JNT debut, gave up one unearned run on one hit and allowed four walks and struck out a batter. Cameron Wych (Calgary, AB), Jake Eliopoulos (Newmarket, ON) and Mike Monster (Kelowna, BC) combined to shutout Seminole to close out the game. Combined, they only allowed one hit with seven walks and four strikeouts over five innings. Next up for the Junior National Team in their Fall Instructional League schedule will be the Detroit Tigers on Monday, October 8th at 1 pm.
ORLANDO - The Junior National Team scored four runs on seven hits, but it was not enough as they would fall by a score of 7-4 to the Atlanta Braves in their Fall Instructional League opener. Only three of the Braves’ seven runs were earned in this game due to an error and a wild pitch. Brad Furdal (Ancaster, ON) started on the mound for the Canadians and threw two innings. He allowed four runs, two earned, on three hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Stosh Wawrzasek (Langley, BC) relieved Furdal and allowed only one hit while striking out four in two innings of work. Following Wawrzasek was David Walkling (Nanaimo, BC), making his Junior team debut. Walkling threw two innings of relief, giving up one run on two hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout. Danny Britton-Foster (Ladysmith, BC) and Philippe Charpentier (L’Épiphanie, QC) closed things out for the Juniors. Britton-Foster allowed two unearned runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout in two innings pitched. Charpentier threw a perfect inning in his Junior debut. Four different players produced a run for the Canadians in this game as Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC), Jonathan Gilbert (St-Georges, QC), Carter Bell (Courtenay, BC) and Lionel Morrill (Edmonton, AB) each got an RBI. Ivan Hartle (North Vancouver, BC) was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Next up for the Junior National Team in their Fall Instructional League schedule is Seminole C.C. at 1 pm on Sunday, October 7th.
He stands at 6’3” and weighs in at 225 lbs and anyone who meets him for the first time has trouble believing that he is only 19-years-old. In his first full-season in professional baseball, Nick Weglarz of Stevensville, Ontario hit .274 with 24 home runs and 83 RBI in 127 games in the Minor Leagues with the Cleveland Indians. His play earned him the organization’s “Biggest Breakthrough” award, which is chosen by SportsTimeOhio.com. But this is not really surprising from the left-handed outfielder. After being drafted in the third round by the Indians in 2005, he went straight to the Burlington Indians of the Appalachian League. In 41 games, he hit .231 with 11 doubles, two homers and 13 RBI. “It’s good to know that my season didn’t go unnoticed,” says Weglarz of his award. “It’s an honour that they think so highly of me.” It would not be the only honour that would be bestowed upon Weglarz for his “breakthrough” season. He was chosen on the Indians All-Minor League first team. “Again, it’s an honour. There are a lot of guys who had really good years, guys form Double-A and Triple-A. It’s really nice. It’s all I can say,” says Weglarz. His success this season was not only in the shape of awards, but the 19-year-old was also promoted from low Class-A Lake County to high Class-A Kinston. In Kinston, Weglarz saw a familiar face in the shape of teammate and fellow Canadian, T.J. Burton of Ottawa, Ontario. But not only were they teammates, they were also roommates and it did not take long for a war of words to break out. “(T.J.) is an Ottawa (Senators) fan and I’m a Leafs fan,” says a laughing Weglarz. “So we got on each other quite a bit about that.” “You feel like you’re at home,” adds Weglarz. “We’re the only two Canadians in Cleveland’s organization so it’s always good to see guys from back home.” Weglarz and Burton will once again be teammates, this time with the Senior National Team as they will head over to Taiwan for the World Cup of Baseball in early November. This will mark the first time that Weglarz will be a member of the SNT. He previously represented Canada with the Junior National Team. “I can’t wait to get there,” says Weglarz. “Anytime you get a chance to represent your country, not only in baseball but in anything, it’s exciting and an honour.” “Nothing beats the atmosphere of the National Team and the comraderie of the players,” adds Weglarz. Canada’s World Cup team will be young, with only five members of the 24-man roster over the age of 26. Weglarz will be among the youngest. But the team’s lack of experience does not take away from the talent it possesses and the young outfielder expects only one thing happening at the tournament. “I’m going in with the attitude that we’re going to win the whole thing.”
The Major League Baseball regular season has come to a close and there are three Canadians who are continuing on for a chance to compete for a World Series title. After winning 14 of their last 15 games, the Colorado Rockies clinched the National League Wild Card and will take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the League Division Series and Jeff Francis of Vancouver, B.C. will be on the mound for game one for the Rockies. The left-handed pitcher who is continually establishing himself as the ace of the Rockies staff posted a 17-9 mark this season with a 4.22 ERA in 34 games. He threw 215.1 innings, striking out 165 batters to only 63 walks. This marks the first time in Francis’ Major League career that he will participate in the playoffs. Ryan Dempster of Gibsons, B.C. will also be in the playoffs for the first time in his Major League career. The Chicago Cubs pitcher posted a 2-7 record with a 4.73 ERA and 28 saves this season. The Cubs take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series. A trade from the Texas Rangers to the Boston Red Sox helped Eric Gagné of Mascouche, Québec reach the playoffs for the second time in his Major League career, the previous time coming with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004. Gagné put together a 4-2 mark with a 3.81 ERA and 16 saves this season between the Rangers and Red Sox.
David Corrente of Chatham, Ontario learned from an early age that helping others is an important thing in life because had no one been there to help him, he would not be pursuing his dream today. “My parents were instrumental in recognizing the people who had helped you,” says Corrente. “There are always people volunteering to help you.” It is his spirit of volunteerism that has made the Toronto Blue Jays give him the team’s Community Service Award. The catcher in the Blue Jays organization was an enthusiastic participant, spending countless hours in numerous activities, but for the 23-year-old the award was unexpected. “It’s kind of funny because you don’t do community events to get an award, you give back because it’s the right thing to do,” says Corrente. Among his volunteer duties, Corrente gave his time to the Boys and Girls club of Dunedin, Mease Manor Nursing Home, Armwood High School and the City of Dunedin. The 6’2” and 210 lbs youngster took the time to teach kids the basic skills of baseball, speak to high school students and go on picnics with seniors. In between all of his volunteering, Corrente also played baseball hitting .240 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 51 games between Class-A Dunedin and Triple-A Syracuse this season. His on field skills earned him a roster spot on the Senior National Team that will be heading out to Taiwan in November for the World Cup of Baseball. “It’s always a special thing to be asked to play for your country. I’m very excited,” says Corrente. This is not the first time that Corrente has been asked to dawn the Canadian colours for the Senior National Team. He was a member of the team which was at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Cuba last year. It was a learning experience for the young catcher as Canada finished fourth and thus qualified for a “wild card” Olympic qualifying tournament this spring, but he knows what to expect this time around at the World Cup and is confident that the team will do well. “The talent in Canada is really starting to excel,” says Corrente,” and we’re hoping we can make a name for ourselves and get (momentum) into the (Olympic) qualifier and hopefully into the Olympics.”
Karine Gagné of Granby, Québec was named the Most Valuable Player for the Women’s National Team for the 2007 season. The announcement came on the heels of the Women’s Team capturing the Women’s International Friendship Series in Cary, N.C. in early September. “The entire team played really well, so it wasn’t something I was expecting,” says Gagné, “but I’m very happy and flattered.” Gagné hit .333 in the International Series with one RBI and five runs scored, leading the team in that category. She also led the team in average, hits (seven), at-bats (21) and stolen bases (four). Already recognized as one of the best female outfielders in the world, Gagné made a transition to shortstop this season and she did not lose a step. “Karine took to the challenge of being placed at shortstop and now she can be recognized as one of the top shortstops,” says WNT Head Coach André Lachance. “She came up with some defensive plays that I have yet to see in international play. It’s without a doubt that she is a very important part of our team.” “I think I did okay at short,” says a modest Gagné. This would not be the only award the 23-year-old would earn this season. She earned the Top Shortstop Award at the Softball National Championships and in her typical reserved manner, she appreciated the accomplishments. “In general, I think I had a good year.”
Last month, the Manitoba Baseball Association sent five kids, from ages 10 and 11 to Puerto Rico. Why? So that the kids could get a new perspective all in the name of developing the sport of baseball. The event was the 18th World Children’s Baseball Fair. It was founded by Sadaharu Oh of Japan and the legendary Hank Aaron in the interest of promoting baseball and providing an opportunity to develop international relationships, goodwill and cultural understanding among the youth of the world. Manitoba is the seventh province, in the second cycle, to represent Canada at the WCBF. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland have all been to the event previously. Next year, British Columbia will get the honour with Québec and Nova Scotia to follow respectively. One of the participants at this year’s event was Thomas LeStrat, age 10. The trip and the experience will not be soon forgotten by the youngster from Eriksdale, Manitoba. “It was an experience of a lifetime and it was pretty fun,” says Thomas. Kids from around the world, along with a chaperone, are invited to the annual event. With top notch instructors from around the world, the kids learn the basics of baseball and make new friends from different backgrounds along the way. “I learned to catch, run, slide and a lot of other things,” says Thomas “I think I probably learned more than the kids,” says the chaperone and the President of Baseball Manitoba Ken Sharpe with a laugh. “The instruction was great and I got to learn a lot of different techniques.” There were kids from Japan, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, Nicaragua and many other countries who participated in this event, but things like different languages did not stop the kids from establishing some new relationships. “It was fun learning Spanish and French and I made about 100 friends,” recalls Thomas. Not only did Thomas make new friends, but he is excited to show off all of his new skills for next season and that’s music to the ears of the organizers of the WCBF.
