SHI DAVIDI -- Junior program passes baton | Canadian Baseball Network

June 21, 2009

SHI DAVIDI -- Canadian stars past connect with best of future on national junior team ... Kelly Gruber visits Newfoundland for baseball camp ... In the Majors ... Terry Francona can pronounce George Kottaras ... Justin Morneau will win MVP ... Red Sox must pay for Jason Bay to play ... Eric Gagne wants to return to the Dodgers ... Corey Koskie receives hero's welcome in Minnesota ... In the Minors ... Looking at Victoria's ball history ... Nick Weglarz Eastern League POW ... Victoria Seals find win column ... In College ... Peterborough's Tyler Plumton does not budge ... Saskatoon Yellow Jackets primed for WMB ... Jay Johnson a Honker in Rochester, MN ... Cotuit Kettlers counting on Chris Bisson ... Marc-Olivier Mimeault-Jodoin, Carl Moniz lead Georgia State ... Team Canada ... Swedes getting ready ... Ethan Stewart makes his pitch ... Larry Balkwill travels with Team Canada ... On the Sandlots ... Marysville Royals first ball team in N.B. HOF ... St. Thomas hosts 4th Cardinal Classic ... Joey Colameco adds to Brantford lineup ... Andrew Sorochan knocks in winner for St. Catharines ... If TSN's comes to Peterborough, it's due to baseball ... Ross Graham, John Ivimey pitch La Salle to title, high school ... Fabio Del Rio pitches Dundas to win ... R.I.P. Art Cunningham ... Wallace Watling, Lorne Whalen, Arthur Leggatt, Greg Morris in N.B. HOF ... Turner Park becomes Wes Montgomery Diamond ... Taylor Brown belongs with the Georgetown District ... Adam Hawes returns to Barrie ... Corey Burghall outstanding but Waterdown wins, high school ... Elliott Kerr had high hopes for Mississauga IC team.

By Shi Davidi
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Playing for the Canadian junior team since 2007, Jake Eliopoulos has had the opportunity to talk pitching with coaches like Jason Dickson, Jeff Zimmerman and Paul Quantrill.
And of all the benefits the native of Newmarket, Ont., has had from that experience, none tops the mentorship he's received from the trio of former all-stars.
``They taught me a lot about the mental game,'' Eliopoulos, a third-round pick, 68th overall, of the Toronto Blue Jays, said. ``They taught me how to not show my emotions on the mound when something goes wrong.
``If you show emotion, the other team knows they beat you and they'll strive off that and gain momentum. That's the biggest thing they taught me.''
Besides Eliopoulos, Zimmerman, Dickson and Quantrill worked with recently-drafted pitchers like: RHP Steven Inch (Edmonton, Alta.), LHP Mitch Clarke (Kitchener, Ont.), RHP Jerome Werniuk (Toronto, Ont.), RHP Mike Monster (Kelowna, BC), RHP Brandon Petite (Glace Bay, N.S.), RHP Colin Kleven (Langley, BC), RHP Paul Barton (Qualicum Beach, BC), ,Rory Young (Chase, BC), RHP Francois Lafreniere (St. Bruno, Que.), RHP Jordon Wong (Calgary, Alta.), RHP Jonathan Paquet (Ancienne Lorette, Que.) and RHP Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ont.).
The 18-year-old left-hander was the second of 41 Canadians selected in last week's draft, and more than half of them have at some point passed through the national team program. Kentucky Wildcats fireballer James Paxton (Ladner, BC), was the top Canuck at No. 37 to the Blue Jays, and is also among that group.
Both credit the junior team for accelerating their development, with Paxton saying his time with the squad helped prepare him for the jump to college, and Eliopoulos noting that he's ``come a long way.''
``I learned a lot each year,'' he said. ``I saw that I became better and better, gained a lot more confidence, faced professional hitters every time so you get a lot better from that.''
The program's camps in Orlando and the Dominican Republic each summer expose young players to professional opposition and hostile crowds, experiences that could never be replicated at home.
That in turn provides scouts with a chance to assess them against elite-level talent, and backed up the assessments from their Canadian counterparts.
But it's the addition of the alumni program that started with Zimmerman in 2003 that has given the junior team another dimension. The lessons from the coaching staff carry even more weight when they're coming from successful big-leaguers.
``They bring experience at the game's highest level, which you can't put a price on,'' said Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada's director of national teams. ``The experience factor of situationally knowing how to go about your business as a professional player and having walked in the same shoes these kids are walking in, it's a direct connect.
``It's something tangible the kids can relate to, they can relate to the path, he's worn the same uniform they've worn, had the same insecurities, aspirations and dreams and was able to realize it at the highest level.''
The desire to give back is at the root of the alumni program, whose participants also include Denis Boucher, Rob Ducey, Terry Puhl and Larry Walker.
Dickson, a former Angels pitcher now head of Sport NB, remembers how much his experience with the junior team helped him and that prompted him to join up in 2007.
He believes such coaching is the key difference between the development programs now and those back in 1991 when he was an up and comer.
``I think this is where Canada has taken some leaps and bounds with the coaching these kids get at a younger level,'' said the native of Chatham, N.B. ``At first they asked questions like who did I pitch against and what ballparks did I play in and what was your most memorable outing, things like that.
``But as we got a couple days into it, you really started to talk pitching to them and I was really able to talk at a really high level about the mental side of it and different technical stuff that they caught on to real quick. That really surprised me.''
Off course the calibre of play the junior team faces demands it. The Canadians face rookie league teams of big-league clubs in Orlando and affiliated summer league squads in the Dominican.
They don't always win, but it doesn't matter.
``They get to match themselves up against players of where they want to go, and you really get rid of that shock factor, fear factor,'' said Dickson. ``They go through a couple of tough tournaments and quite honestly take some pretty tough beatings, but in the end, they got the attitude of I've been here before, I've seen this kind of crowd before, and baseball is baseball.''
The exposure to scouts ends up helping them on draft day, too.
Influential scouting directors and national crosscheckers rarely come up to Canada, but they'll be in Florida or the Dominican, and the players notice.
``There definitely were a lot more scouts, you can see them walking around during the games and stuff like that,'' said Eliopoulos. ``There was pressure, I thought about the draft a little bit, but I tried not to think about it so it wouldn't distract me.''
The big-leaguers are there to set the players straight in case they do.
``Without speaking for any of these guys, I think I would be safe in saying that once they do it, they become attached to it, they become attached to the young guys and it takes them back to where they once were, and the dreams they had,'' said Hamilton. ``They want to be able to help the next generation of kids along and that's really the beauty and the goal of the alumni program.''

Blue Jays @ Boras: In recent years the Toronto Blue Jays have shied away from selecting Scott Boras clients who have slipped in the draft, but that changed last week.
At No. 37, they selected hard-throwing right-hander James Paxton (Ladner, BC) who was projected as a first-rounder but was still around during the supplemental picks. Choosing him represents the club's shift in thinking under interim CEO Paul Beeston.
The Blue Jays, like many teams, used to worry that his clients would be unreasonable in contract talks.
``You've got to take that into account,'' Beeston said.
There is also a belief some subscribe to that teams get less value from a Boras player since he encourages them to opt for free agency at the first possible opportunity, rather than extending before hitting the open market. That means a club gets six years of service time, no more.
``Good, I hope that at the end of six years that he's worth a lot of money because he's had a great six-year career,'' Beeston responded, underlining the Blue Jays' new modus operandi.
``You'd be foolish to say you don't consider all the various parameters but at the same time, not taking somebody because he's a Scott Boras client is not something you can do if you want to operate a franchise on the basis of trying to get as good as you can as quickly as you can,'' he continued.
``Scott Boras is a very difficult guy to deal with. On the other hand, he's got a reputation and he's got a style and you have to deal with that. But you can't pass over someone just because of who that representative might be.''
Beeston has a long history with Boras, whose first multi-million contract was a five-year deal worth over $7 million for reliever Bill Caudill signed with the Blue Jays in 1984.
Caudill battled injury and never finished out the agreement, giving way to Tom Henke as closer during the '85 season, and was out of baseball three years later.
The Blue Jays will hope for better results this time around.

Kelly Gruber Baseball Clinic: Former all-star third baseman Blue Jays Kelly Gruber is coming to St. John’s and Mount Pearl, Newfoundland Labrador on June 27-July 3.
"It's an area of Canada that was sort of neglected by the Blue Jays over the years," Gruber said when he was in Toronto for the 20th anniversary of the 1989 American League East winning team. "We were there last year and had a great time. So, we're going back."
Pre-registration ends Friday, June 26 with a cost of $149.99 plus applicable taxes. Family discount for siblings 20% per participant is available. Early bird discounts are available for pre-registrant, while complete application forms are required per each participant, along with parental/guardian consent forms for all minors
There will be n-site registration is available as well at:
June 27-July 1, 2009 -- St. Patrick’s Park, St. John’s, Corner of Empire Avenue/Carpasian Rd.
July 2-3 -- Smallwood Field (near Smallwood Arena), Mount Pearl
On-site registration cost $159.99 plus applicable taxes
-- Participants will receive: one entry for our grand prize sponsored by Green Sleeves Pub Lounge & Restaurant -- one clinic participant from each clinic (plus guest) will win a luncheon with Gruber on Saturday July 4th, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. at Green Sleeves located at 14 George St. in St. John`s; a gift bag including an official baseball GSE t-shirts, other items and coupons; plus complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages at the clinics.
All clinic participants are invited to a complimentary BBQ on Thursday July 2nd, from 6-8 p.m. at a location to be announced.
To register, print and complete all forms download PDF or word documents at www.kellygruber.ca and be sure to visit the Kelly Gruber Fan page on Facebook.

Vote for baseball in the Olympics: The Canadian Olympic Committee website has posted a poll asking: “What sport would you like to see added to the 2016 Olympic Games?”
Let’s vote for baseball.
Please send to people on your contact list.

Never too early to shop: The 2010 Justin Morneau calendar is now on sale for $15. Nine dollars of each program go to support Baseball Canada amateur and BC baseball progams.
You can order of the BC baseball website: playballbc.com with all of the key dates for 2010 marked.
We've seen most of the months and the photography is excellent.

Scholarship opportunity: The deadline for submitting applications for the R. Jack Middlemass memorial scholarship is June 1. Eligible players must meet the following criteria to apply:
_ A well-rounded Baseball Ontario player of midget age,
_ An active citizen of their respective community,
_ Demonstrate good sportsmanship, enthusiasm and involvement in the game in their respective community.
_ Require financial assistance to attend university or college (either in Canada or the United States).
Eligible candidates should submit a one-page point form summary outlining their involvement in baseball and the community, their financial need and why they are eligible for the scholarship
The value is $3,500 Canadian awarded at the time of registration at university or college and paid at the latest of acceptance or when the first tuition payment due
The selection committee consists of Howie Birnie, Baseball Ontario, now in his 51st year as a volunteer, Ed Scheck, representing the Middlemass Family and Paul Puncher, Kitchener-Waterloo Community.
Contact: Mary-Ann Smith
Baseball Ontario
3-131 Sheldon Drive
Cambridge, N1R 6S2
Fax: (519) 740-6311

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Send us your story ideas and suggestions and we’ll consider them all.
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IN YER FACE: The Canadian Baseball Network facebook group is up and running ... and running fast:
Mike Nitsos (Whitby, Ont.) of the Iowa Western Reivers, is the 400th to join.
Grant Kveder (Lethbridge, Alta.) of the Gonzaga Stags is No. 500.
Dan Chappel (Edmonton, Alta.) formerly of the Longview Lakers, the Mayville State Comets, the Southwest Mustangs, the Schaumburg Flyers and the Edmonton Cracker Cats is No. 600.
Drew Parker (Surrey, BC), who has signed a letter of intent to pitch for the Brewton-Parker Barons this fall and former ace of the JUCO World Series champion Chipola Indians, is No. 700.
Andrew Brock (Burnaby, BC) of the Idaho Coyotes is No. 800.
Derek Papp (Windsor, Ont.), who used to pitch for Judson, is No. 900.
Jonathan Lussier (Montreal, Que.), former C-DH with the Les Ailes du Quebec alongside Phillipe Alexandre Valiquette, Alexandre Periard and Mathieu Poirier is No. 1,000.
Ben TInklin (Kitchener, Ont.) of the Canadian Thunderbirds, who is headed to Kaskaskia College, is No. 1,100.
Catcher Curtis Davis (Surrey, BC), who played with the Fraser Valley Chiefs in 2008 and this year will play for the White Rock Tritons and Team BC is the 1,200th to join the group.
Kevin Bowes (Chatham, N.B.) who plays outfield for the Chatham Ironmen and coached the New Brusnwick Selects at the Canada Cup is No. 1,300.
Stephen Holland (Summerside, PEI), who in 2008 played for the Summerside Chevies and was picked up by Kings County for bantam nationals is No. 1,400. He pitched, played first base, and outfield.
Ian Robillard (Montreal, Que.), who coached the Montreal Orioles in junior (LBEQ) play and this year will coach Les Ailes du Quebec (U-17) is No. 1,500.
OF Mark Sleeman (Vancouver, BC), formerly with John Harr's North Shore Twins and who played for the Vancouver Cave Ducks in 2008, is our No. 1,600.
RHP Shawn Hetherington (Tsawwassen, BC), the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds closer, is No. 1,700.
RHP Craig Hucul (Saskatoon, Sask.) of Williston State College, is No. 1,800.
TJ Code (Vancouver, BC), a coach with the Langley Blaze is No. 1,900. Code played with the likes of Kyle Paul, Jordan Lennerton, Jon Hesketh, Matt Lesek, Justin Dyck, Jeff Thompson, Tyson Gillies, Shane Wilson and Jon Syrnk with the Blaze from 2003-05. He began coaching in the fall of 2007.
Our No. 2,000 is Cam Newitt (Barrie, Ont.). Cam's father, Gary Newitt played in Oshawa before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates minor-league system. Cam played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Intercounty League until he retired and now coaches bantam baseball in Barrie.
And our No. 2,100 is RHP Ryan Oxford (Sussex, N.B.), who pitched for Vancouver Island University (VIBI) and plans on playing for New Brunswick at the Canada Summer games this year.
Our group has representation from all 10 provinces led by Ontario, which has 757 members. B.C. has 340, Quebec has 175, Alberta has 127, Saskatchewan 67, Manitoba 47, New Brunswick 52, Nova Scotia 23, Newfoundland 20 and Prince Edward Island 15, plus 35 states led by Michigan, plus nine other countires.

Don't forget Delaware: So says Blair Hains. The former Intercounty umpire (1991-2006) worked the memorable semi-final playoff game between the Brantford Red Sox and the Toronto Maple Leafs, after the great power outage in 2003, when the CIty of Toronto couldn't turn the lights on at Christie Pitts. The game was resumed in Brantford, The defining moment came late in the game when three Leafs went down swinging.
Now Hains works NCAA DIvision II and Division III games where the best teams are John Hopkins and West Cheste.
EXTRA, EXTRA: A recap of the previous blogs:
BRETT Lawrie -- First rounder, of the Brewers.
EXTRA BASES 1 -- First week of the nationals.
EXTRA BASES II -- Second week of the nationals.
EXTRA BASES III -- Results from the third week of the nationals.
EXTRA BASES IV -- The best 15-16-year-olds from Canada gather at the Rogers Centre for the annual Mizuno Camp.
EXTRA BASES V -- Checking in on the National Junior Team in Florida.
EXTRA BASES VI -- Dropping in on the Cincinnati Reds instructional camp in Sarasota, more Canucks on the roster than anyone else.
EXTRA BASES VII -- Letters of Intent list of Canadians committed to college.
EXTRA BASES VIII -- WBC SS job goes to Chris Barnwell, Jay Johnson pops at the PBA.
EXTRA BASES VIX -- Baseball Ontario and Baseball Canada's best hear from former Expos ace Steve Rogers.
EXTRA BASES X -- Past All-Canadian team members to go on to the pro ranks
EXTRA BASES XI -- Alexandre Periard (Brewers) Chris Leroux (Marlins) promoted to 40-man rosters.
KEVIN GLEW -- First Blue Jays draft pick, Tommy Goffena, visits the Canadian Ball Hall
EXTRA BASES XII -- R.I.P. Tommy Burgess, former MLB player, National Team coach
EXTRA BASES XIII -- R.I.P. Jim Ridley, former minor-league pro, Intercounty MVP, scout and national team coach. Our all-time hit leader.
EXTRA BASES XIV -- 2008 All-Canadian College Team with links to 2000-07 teams.
EXTRA BASES XV -- Dany Wood is Canuck born, Jim Lutton and Howie Birnie -- Fab 50s, Baseball Canada banquet, BA top prospects
EXTRA BASES XVI -- Justin Morneau, Ernie Whitt to Lead Team Canada in WBC, Tip O'Neill award to Morneau, All-American honours to Shane Davis, Garret Regan
EXTRA BASES XVII -- Zak Miller, Brett Van Pelt turn in skates for scholarships
EXTRA BASES XVIII -- The top 100 Most Influential Canadians in baseball
EXTRA BASES XVIX -- Team Canada's WBC roster and more
EXTRA BASES XX -- Don Campbell wins Volunteer award in Ottawa
EXTRA BASES XXI -- Larry Walker first named to Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence
EXTRA BASES XX II -- Justin Morneau makes dreams come true in the desert
SHI DAVIDI Q & A -- Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto
KEVIN GLEW -- Strong Canuck lobby helps put Jim Rice in Cooperstown
EXTRA BASES XXIII -- Jays All-time manager? Ottawa's Neate Sager, Mark James signs with the Cincinnati, Taylor Boyle asks for help, Gordon Sinclair's Let's Be Personal still a hit, Free hitting clinic, sad day in Simcoe County
EXTRA BASES XXIV -- Larry Walker, Ernie Whitt, Bernie Soulliere, Doc Miller HOF bound, Jon Prevost Pre-season All-Conference, Langley Blaze (Jake Eliopoulos, Mike Monster) heads to Arizona, The Rookie, a poem, Tim Nelson Heads to Italy will miss Canadians 30th gala celebrations, (Justin) Randall has the Handle, All-TIme Expos Sweep Jays, Canadians in College hit 650, Facebook Group nears 1,300
EXTRA BASES XXV -- Scott Richmond, Adam Loewen to chat.
KEVIN GLEW -- Checks in on Russell Martin.
SHI DAVIDI: Stubby Clapp Q and A.
EXTRA BASES XXVI -- Scott Richmond chat.
EXTRA BASES XXVII -- Adam Loewen chat, Jim Shearon's new Canuck ball book, Ty Bouchard helops Northwestern, Pitching opportunties in Sherwood Park, Medicine Hat.
KEVIN GLEW -- Ron Taylor's 40th anniversary of winning with the Amazing Mets.
EXTRA BASES XXVIII -- With Team Canada Day One, Flight Delays, Memories of '06, Jake Peavy Starts for Team USA, Starting Lineup behind Scott Richmond vs. the Jays, Corey Koskie on his concussion, Hockey Night in Dunedin, Canuck Notes.
EXTRA BASES XXVIV -- With Team Canada Day two, Early Reading, Walker Talk, Visitors in Camp, Richmond works 2 2/3 innings, Koskie scores three times Canuck blood lines, Canuck Notes.
EXTRA BASES XXX -- With Team Canada Day 4, Early reading, 9-2 loss to the Phillies, Walker insukted by the Jays starting lineup, Davey Johnson says it is Pay Back time, Late reading, Canuck notes.
EXTRA BASES XXXI -- With Team Canada, Day Four, A (Scott) Diamond in the Rough at Steinbrenner Field against the Yankees, Four Team Ontario grads on WBC, Seven of Danny Thompson's players turn pro off 2002 16U club.
EXTRA BASES XXII -- With Team Canada, Day Five, Early Reading, David Letterman's Top 10 Reasons to Watch the WBC, TV-Radio Coverage, Which WBC Team Canada was better? 2006 or 2009? Jamie Pogue wears the Stars and Stripes, Justin Morneau has a new lid and it fits, Joey Votto comes home, Mike Johnson will start.
EXTRA BASES XXIII -- With Team Canada Day Six, Pre-game Intros; Mike Johnson holds starts Game 1, ,,, Canada-USA Today, Canada-US how they scored. ... What now for Canada? Phillippe Aumont the Great, Davey Collins back with the (Ontario) Blue Jays. ... Jays FLA sked, Late reading.
EXTRA BASES XXVIV -- With Team Canada Day Seven, Upper Deck Stairs, Montreal Station said no to WBC broadcasts, Famous Fathers -- Larry Walker and George Morneau, Where Ontario player learned their ball.
EXTRA BASES XXXV -- With Team Canada Day Eight, Plenty of Reading, One Canuck Advances -- Leon Boyd with the Netherlands, Fire Ernie? Will Scott Richmond Ever Pitch for Canada?
A DAWGS LIFE -- Jonathan Hodgson, our WMBL man, Chris Bisson (Ottawa, Ont.) hit a walk off for Kentucky in 9-8 win over Eastern Kentucky ... LHP James Paxton (Ladner, BC) dominted for Kentucky whiffing 11 against Western Michigan ... LHP Mark Hardy (Campbell RIver, BC) gained the win, Shawn Hetherington (Tsawwassen, BC) the save as the British Columbia Thunderbirds took the opener, then reliever Josh Brink (Abbotsford, BC) gained the win, Hetherington the save as UBC won a series from the defending NAIA Lewis-Clark Warriors champs. ... DH Kyle Maloney (Peterborough, Ont.) knocked in the winning run and picked up the win for the Greensboro Pride.
SHI DAVIDI -- Q and A with Mark Teahen.
ALLAN SIMPSON -- A Canuck's view of the WBC from south of the border ... UBC likes look of the new yard and news slugger Mike Elias ... Okanagan sweeps pair. ... Chris Bisson hits walk-off, for first college HR, with vid ... Brandon Kaye impressive in Douglas spring debut.
EXTRA BASES XXXVI -- We're No. ? We're No. ? We're No. ? ... Britton-Foster, Eric Brown pitch UBC to doubleheader sweep ... Aaron Johnson leads Illinois ... Tim Cozier had two hits in Niagara opener ... Steve Wickens has two for Gulf Coast ... Gord Gateman wins for Saint Joseph's ... Home Run Society Lobbies for team in Cranbrook.
EXTRA BASES XXXVII -- Canadian Baseball Did Not Die with 6-2 loss to Italy ... James Paxton headed first round bound, 47 Ks in 30 IPs ... Three 90 MPH outings for Jake Eliopoulos ... George Kottaras likely a Red Sox ... Brothers Johnson, Jay and Aaron, from around to corner to PBA, Illinois and then where ... Rory Young, Mike Monster in the 90s ... 21 in all clocked at 88 MPH or more.
EXTRA BASES XXXVIII -- Bench Watch List nominee Marc-Olivier Mimeault-Jodoin, Roomie Carl Moniz help Georgia State upset No. 3 Georgia Tech ... Jonathan Malo turns heads in Mets camp ... R.I.P. John Brattain ... Stubby Clapp opens Hitting Facility, vid worth seeing ... We’re No. 8 ... Douglas Royals hit ball and books ... Jeff Hutton Heartland POW ... Around the Majors ... Out of Left Field: Corey Koskie ... Shawn Hill signs with Padres -- not Jays ... WBC: Good for Leon Boyd, bad for Scott RIchmond ... David Davidson Demoted ... In the Minors ... Phillippe Aumont's "Best Inning of My Life" ... Matt Stocco Signs with Bologna ... In College ... Steve Anderson Homers for New Mexico State ... Ryan MacDonald homers for Brownsville ... Two Hits for Tim Cozier in Niagara win ... Russell Deutschmann 4-for-4 for Maryland Eastern Shore ... Jacob Yousif drives in four for Brownsville ... Steve Wickens has four his in FGCU Sweep ... Gord Gateman wins for St. Joe's ... Mark Sikorski gets Niagara win ... On the Sandlots ... Clickey Taylor, Mark Walters, St. Catharines HOFers ... Coburg Baseball Survives.
KEVIN GLEW -- The Montreal Expos hit 4,481 home runs as a franchise, Vladimir Guerrero (234) had the most and Brad Wilkerson the last one, but Dan McGinn hit the first ... Jonah Keri manages All-Time Expos to win over Braves in SHL ... Neate Sager's All-Time Jays lose to Indians in Game 5 stimulating action ... Joel Collins signs with Bucs ... Five Canucks released ... Pierre Miville-Deschenes, Steve Teno win POW ... Around the majors ... Justin Morneau wins Best of B.C. honours ... Book review: Over the Fence is Out! The Larry Walker Story ... In the Minors ... Ottawa out of Can-Am ... R.I.P. Cracker Cats, Hello Capitals ... In College ... Justin Cook, Chad Northcott two hits apiece for IH ...Michael Carbone has two hits, scores winner for Saint Rose ... Cory Hill gets New Mexico State W ... Jesse Reinsten pitches 6.1 scoreless for Buffalo ... Western Mustangs Head south ... Andrew Firth Commits to UBC ... Shawn Wilyman impressive for Taft ... On the Sandlots ... Richard Wright: Two Larry Balkwills ... Sean Moore sticking with the Moncton Mets.
EXTRA BASES XXXVIV -- Vauxhall wins Best of the West as Mike Washburn, Steven Inch, Brandon Petit, Jordan Wong ... Fergie Jenkins headed to Hanlan's Point SABR meeting ... Scott Thorman signs with Rangers ... Jeff Zimmerman signs with M's ... Four Canucks Released ... Rich Harden No. 3 in 10 or more K games ... Tyler Delaney NAIA POW ... Will Richards, Marc Wilson, Desmond Sullivan win POW honours ... Around the Majors ... No smelter for Bay ... Around the Minors ... Aumont moves to bullpen ... Stern on track ... Guiel a Swallow returns to Yakult ... White Rock's Boyd Holland's Hero ... In Colleges ... Paxton Headed for first round? ... Praise for NCCC's McKenna, Whidden ... Broatch throws shutout for Thompson Rivers ... Maine's Jebb beats Sacred Heart, now 3-0 ... Vendette suffers first loss ... Prospects return to Edmonton ... LaMantia four RBIs, LaPensee three hits as Wayne State drops pair ... Frederico homers against Eastern Michigan ... On the Sandlots ... Rembering Newfoundland's 1966 national junior title ... Coquitlam has deep pitching staff.
BOB BROUGHTON -- UBC UBC Soars ... Canuck Released ... In the Majors ... Larry Walker -- quintessential Canuck ... Jason Bay, Boston's secret weapon ... Mark Teahen wins starting job at 2B ... In the Minors ... Jonathan Malo knocks in first run of Mets' stay in Buffalo ... Steve Green signs with York ... Lawrie set to Rattle Timber ... In College ... Sauk starter had cool Kieth Head on his shoulders ... Tyler Tamayose 3-for-4 with HR for Woods ... Jeff Lake, Chris Norman producing ... Michael Carbone had three hits, three RBIs for Saint Rose ... Two hits for Chris Bisson against Kentucky ... Robert Ramsdale beats Bethune-Cookman ... Brandan Miller 4-for-4, 3 doubles, Boston Langley was 3-for-5 in Colby win over Dodge ... Devin Ensing has five hits vs. Wooster ... James Paxton fans 10 in loss to Georgia ... Team Canada ... IBAF Adds women's baseball to Olympic bid ... On the Sandlots ... Hobie Holbrook elected to Peterborough HOF ... China heads to Prince George ... James Pidutti helping Sudbury youngsters.
ADAM MORISSETTE -- Chris Bisson a wildcat swinger for UK ... Team Canada ... Jake Eliopoulos has three scoreless against Astros ... Mike Ellis pitches well, 4-2 loss to Braves ... Evan Grills knocked out by relay in loss to Detroit at national junior spring training ... In the Majors ... Jeff Zimmerman an M's ... Dave Van Horne, Marlins broadcaster ... 13 Canucks on opening day rosters ... In the Minors ... Adam Loewen at Dunedin ... Matt Kniginyzky starts for Northwest Arkansas ... Nick Weglarz part of Indians crop ... Why Damon Allen is like Garth Brooks ... In College ... UBC SS lives up to his name: Starr ... Sean Bignall on pace to set hit mark ... Vauhall-South Idaho pipeline ... Robert Ramsdale beats Delaware State 2-1 ... Mitch Kramer wins for Rail splitters ... Mark Sikorski wins third for Niagara ... Two homers, five RBIs for Anthony Cros in Oak City upset ... Curtis Smith pitches two-hit shutout for Southwest Minnesota State ... Jareth Vallier Durham's Rookie of year ... Dane Little tosses three hitter for Wayne State ... Kyle Kotchie commits to Texas Pan-Am ... On the Sandlots ... Orillia will field junior team ... Saskatoon numbers up.
EXTRA BASES XXXX -- Justin Morneau explains where WBC blame should go ...Steve Teno POW for Central Michigan ... Randy Schwartz goes deep ... Jay Johnson breaks wrist at PBA ... Team Canada ... Paul Barton, Mike Ellis, Steve McKinnon two scoreless each in loss ... Jake Eliopoulos, Rory Young solid in loss to Astros ... Ethan Stewart impressive against Nationals ... Evan Grills knocked out by relay throw ... Mike Ellis has good outing vs. Braves ... Jake Eliopoulos pitches three scoreless with national juniors ... In the Majors ... Matt Stairs, Harry Kalas were pals ... Justin Morneau helps fire victims ... Scott Richmond wins for Jays ... Lefty Dugas -- Canada's Babe Ruth ... In the Minors ... Ryan Radmanovich will play in '09 ... Chris Robinson opens at Iowa ... In College ... Jeff Cowan closes in on HPU record ... Steve Bone, Bob Foerster lead UBC ... Andrew Grafton records 5th save for Dickinson ... Canucks aid Grambling ... Nate Lewis, Mark Jeffery commit to Tarleton State ... On the Sandlots ... Dundee sports dome -- N.B.'s winter home ... Don MacLaggan will coach Bathurst Chaleur Red Sox ... Boyles have local talent in Brantford, junior ... Peterborough numbers on rise.
EXTRA BASES XXXXI -- Rob Butler bids for Ontario Cup invite Ontario Prospects ... Jesse Sawyer, Summit League POW -- nine homer week for South Dakota State ... Matt McGovern Peach Belt Conference POW ... Draft goes prime time ... Team Canada ... Adam Nelubowich an offensive threat for Canucks ... Evan Grills throws uneventul three innings in loss to Tigers ... In the Majors ... Rich Harden wins for Cubs ... In the Minors ... John Suomi credits toughness to hockey ... David Davidson a Marlin ... Chris Cullen assigned to West Va. Power ... In College ... Chris Bisson knocks in three against Alabama ... Michael Carbone 6-for-9 in Saint Rose sweep ... Bill Hurley wins for Binghamton ... James Paxton fans 11 against Alabama ... Corey Pappel has best start of year for Cornell ... Justin Cook pitches CG in Indians Hills ... Two hits for Graham Skelhorne-Gross in Niagara loss ... David Narodowski homers twice for Kansas ... On the Sandlots ... Clickey Taylor in St. Catharines Sports WOF ... Greg Morrison hopes to rebuild Mavs in Hat ... Looking for umps in Eastern Ontario ... Orillia hosting seven tourneys ... Aronsists burn Oromocto minor ball storage shed.
ADAM MORISSETTE -- Checking in on Intercounty Terriers ... Looking for all Ottawa-Nepean Canadians ... Brent Lavallee wins second POW ... Shave Davis, POW, after third straight CG More honours for Jesse Sawyer ... In the Majors ... Erik Bedard lets actions do talking ... Padres place Shawn Hill on DL ... In the Minors ... Brett Lawrie homers for Rattlers ... Kevin Reimer, Josh Sawatzky invited to Goldeyes camp ... Mets like Jonathan Malo ... Tony Granato set for Somerset opener ... In College ... Nic Lendvoy helps UBC to 11-run first against Lewis-Clark ... Chris Bisson triples, knocks in four in Kentucky win ... Six hits, four RBIs for Kevin Mailloux in Canisius sweep ... James Paxton whiffs 11 to beat Tennessee ... Cory Pappel co-POW in Ivy league ... Terrence Dayleg gets winning hit for WKU, parents ... Luis Castillo tosses one hitter for Bellevue ... Undefeated Jeremy Goodall beats Iowa Western ... Kevin Mailloux POY at Canisius ... Kyle Kotchie leads in strikeouts ... London Badgers alumni report ... On the sandlots ... Kingston roots go back to 1875 ... WInkler numbers up ... Reward offered for Oromocto arsonist... St. Catharines Metros have deep staff ... Travis Bondy no hits Team Ontario ... Open recruiting season for Guelph Royals ... Canada-USA game ... WW I ... Mark Walters is Mr. Metros ... Kamloops splits with Tri-City, midget ... Vauxhall loses third-place game
KEVIN GLEW -- Justin Morneau A lot like Larry ... Matt Skirving Mid-American Conference West POW ... Terrence Dayleg named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch list ... Calling all midgets for R. Jack Middlemass scholarship ... Ottawa-Nepean Canadians alumni game ... In the Majors ... 31 Things to know about Ferguson Jenkins ... Joey Votto happy ... Scott Richmond, best Canuck pitcher? ... The Justin Morneau brand ... Canada's masked man: Jason Bay ... Fergie: My Life From the Cubs to Cooperstown, review ... In the Minors ... Looking in on Adam Loewen ... Byron Bell earns invite to Tuscon ... Leon Boyd's blog ... Brooks McNiven gets little support ... In College ... Kyle Moloney hits walk-off inside-the-parker ... Jon Saporsantos, Scott Wells all-conference ... Jon Syrnyk, Mark Hardy, Eric Brown, Shawn Hetherington UBC conference all-stars ... OUA All-Stars beats Mac ... Jeff Hall, Shawn Hetherington pitch UBC to championship ... Graham Skelhorne-Gros has RBI single in Niagara win... Brian Simone wins second-team honours at West Alabama ... Sebastien Vendette moves to 7-1 for New Mexico State ... Marc Bourgeois commits to Southern Miss ... Chris Bisson a star at Kentucky ... Awards continue for Jesse Sawyer ... Team Canada ... Waking up Canadian ... Sweden, Canada's future opponent, headed to Fla. ... On the sandlots ... Hamilton Thunderbirds open 57th season ... Bryan Ezako has the winning formula in Manitoba ... Matt Clark at Vauxhall ... Okanagan Baseball Academy ... London Badgers weekly report.
EXTRA BASES XXXXII -- Ari Mellios merry band of men: Justin Morneau, Jeff Francis ... now James Paxton ... Jeff Hutton All-Heartland Conference First Team ... Kofi Osei-Aning Hon. mention in Kansas ... Ryan LaPensee Great Lakes first teamer ... Derrik Strzackowski has Kellogg at NJCAA Div. II World Series ... Jon Bourassa, Campbellsville Canucks win Mid-South ... Josh Garton hits decisive slam for Volunteer State ... Matt Whidden, Sean Jamieson lead Niagara County to NJCAA Div III World Series ... In the Majors ... Scott Richmond, AL Rook of the Month ... Cubs retire Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux No. 31 ... Larry Walker enters BC HOF ... Scott Mathieson's battle ... In the Minors ... Phillippe Aumont makes strides ... Mark James promoted to Dayton ... Evan Romanchuk, Mason Scott, Graham Campbell at Victoria Seals open camp ... R.I.P. Danny Gans, former Victoria Mussel ... Jimmy Van Ostrand finds stroke ... April good month for Zimmermans (Jeff, Jordan) ... Looking back at Kyle Orr ... In College ... Dan Zehr Academic All-District ... Ian Choy ESPN Academic All-District ... Jon Hesketh, Will Kerr combine to beat Stanford ... Ryan LaPensee Great Lakes first teamer at Wayne State ... Kyle Crawford wins for Swarthmore ... PBA grad Jesse Sawyer streaking ... Dartmouth beats Cornell, Cory Pappel ... Cam Sokalski joins East Texas Pump ... Three hits for Chris Bisson vs. Morehead State ... Russell Deutschmann three hits for Maryland Eastern Shore ... Cam McLachlan, Ben Cairns, Miles Johnson DAC All-Conference ... Jon Bourassa saves fifth straight Mid-South Conference tourney for Campbellsville ... On the Sandlots ... Ivy, Creemore open Dufferin loop ... Newmarket Hawks ready for opener, senior ... Oakville wins opener over Erindale ... Don Cull enters West Nipissing HOF ... Saint John coach Vic Fitzerald steps down ... Ed Dunham wins MacGillivary Award ... PJohn Harr's Twins look for three-peat ... Roy (Doc) Miller Chatham HOF candidate ... Fredericton releases Derek Wilson, Pat Dawson, signs Mike Ivey.
JONATHAN HODGSON -- WMBL opening day thumbnails ... Matt McGovern Peach Belt POY ... Jordan Glover Mid-America West POW ... Joel Blake Summit League POW ... Jeff Thomson CAA POW ... Jim Baba joins Saskatchewan HOF ... In the Majors ... Larry Walker left a legacy ... Matt Stairs card show, 250 in all, at N.B. HOF ... Joey Votto -- Legend in the making? ... Elmwood's Doug Lien has WS ring ... Is Jenkins a HOFer? ... In the Minors ... Manny Ramirez a Viper? ... Aaron Hornstaj in Edmonton ... Brett Lawrie suceeds in Mid West ... In College ... Guillaume Dupont-Duguay's parents bike to Huntsville ... Sean Jamieson has two hits in NCCC Series opener ... Tim Cozier homers in Niagara loss ... Tyler Windisch has four hits as NCCC makes WS ... Max Milot powers Iowa Western ... Steve Wickens has two hits knocks in a run against Kennesaw ... Jordan Tiegs helps Indianapolis win ... Russell Deutschmann named to MEAC Tourney Team ... Sterling Crawford hits walk off for Iowa Western ... Aaron Challoner one Canuck helping Woods ... Mat Atkinson earns Hon. MIAA mention ... On the Sandlots ... Evan Grills bests Jake Eliopoulos in prospect match up ... No pressue on Barrie Baycats -- manager Angus Roy ... Majors want beer at Labatt Park.
EXTRA BASES XXXXIII -- Chris Leroux makes majors on Marlins mound, not behind the plate ... Brodie Ross, Royce Consigli MVPs win Jim Ridley Ontario Premier League all-star game MVPs ... David Narodowski Big 12 newcomer of the year. ... In the Majors... Joe Posnarski's weird ones: Scott Mathieson ... AskMen top 10: Canadian ball players ... Matt Staris still swinging for fences ... Larry Walker's exploits honoured ... Remembering Fernand Lapierre with music ... Scott Richmond puts Canada in Canada's Team ... Team Canada ... Jake Eliopoulos beats Blue Jays ... Tanner Nivins homers twice in tie with Dodgers, Brian Bardis works three scoreless vs. Phillies ... Kellin Deglan, Jeff Hunt each knock in runs in one-run loss ... Evan Grills fans seven Royals ... Kellin Deglan, Eliopoulos impress in Domican split ... Evan Rutckyj, Larry Balkwill, Joel Pierce off to the Dominican ... Brandon Dailey added to Team Canada roster ... In College ... Thompson Rivers wins CCBC ... Derrik Strzalkowski leads Kellog ... Sean Jamieson heads to Canisius ... Baseball Digest discovers Canadians play college ball ... Adam Anderson plays final at Southern Arkansas ... Jordan Tiegs contributes for Indianpolis ... Jordan Broatch earns CCBC first-team honours ... On the Sandlots ... Mark Sibley back with Fredericton Tim Hortons' Royals ... Riverview has new name, league, players ... TIm Collins takes over Saint John Expos ... Guelph Silvercreeks celebrate 1938-39 OBA title ... Scott McWilliam has Moncton Cubs ready ... Dustin Turner, Ian Horner combine on Metros one hitter ... Jeff Jarockis homers in Oakville win ... Wade Hill knocks in two in Metros win ... Andy Stewart returns to Oshawa for camp ... Kurtis Miller, Kyle Kelsey help Ponies blank Kanata.
EXTRAS XXXXIV -- 17 Canucks on NCAA tourney rosters ... Vaughan wins third annual Michael Kim tourney ... Baseball America's top 10 draft.
EXTRA BASES XXXXV -- James Paxton, Jake Eliopoulos approach the finish line ... Vote for baseball in the Olympics.
EXTRA BASES XXXXVI -- James Paxton leads parade of 41 Canadians drafted ... with links for stories as well.!
EXTRAS XXXXVII -- Scout of the year award goes to Jim Ridley ... Signings David Narodowski with Diamondbacks ... Josh Garton with Reds ... Was Darvill, Bobby Wagner with Cubs ... Alex Calbick, Ryan Clarke, Chris Robinson added to National junior team ... B.C. coaching legends stages identification camp ... Tyler Tamayose honourable mention All-American ... David Davidson gets payday ... Mike and Brian Kusiewicz dominate Canadians alumni game ... Fredericton's Steve McCarty gets win, save ... Around the Majors ... Astros John Kosciak beats Canadian bushes ... Twins honor Corey Koskie ... Q & A with Jonah Keri on the Rays ... Joey Votto has ear infection ... In the Minors ... Eric Gagne returns to Quebec ... Chris Cullen, Joel Collins re-unite in Lynchburg ... Adam Loewen a work in progress ... Aaron Hornostaj sticks with Edmonton ... Nick Weglarz tears it up at Akron ... John Axford one to watch ... In College ... Kevin Mailloux an all-star honour ... Kevin McLeod, Matt Cameron CCBC all-conference ... Fabricio Montoya earns Daktronis honour ... Aaron Izaryk: from Markham Mariners to Sanford Mariners ... Matt Stuckless 1st team CAA conference ... Stephen Wickens Atlantic Sun second team ... Jerimiah Sammy All-Southland second team honours ... Jordan Glover takes loss against Toldedo ... Jesse Sawyer sets school HR record at South Dakota ... Jesse Mangal, TIm Cozier, Geoff Strong All-Academics ... Team Canada ... Paul Barton impressing ... Wes Darvill's hard work pays off ... On the Sandlots ... Pasadena's Rob Whelan HOF bound ... Cory Christie back with Sooners ... Premier League coming to Ridge Meadows? ... Moncton Mets have high hopes ... Rob Myrden, Bruce Goulding, Os Tilley HOF ... Eric DeBoer back as St. Catharines closer ... Mike Benyo leads Brampton ... Kingston arms will give old college try ... R.I.P. W. Dean Merritt ... Ryan McDonald two-sport man in the Soo ... Garrett Sawatzky POW ... Andy Neal calls WBC games ... Moncton Mets add Eric Carsner ... Matthew Litwin, 08 POY, keeps Lac St. Louis undefeated.
SHI DAVIDI -- Larry Walker was very, very good and had fun doing it, earning the nickname Filthy McNasty, Walker, Ernie Whitt, Bernie Soulliere, Doc Miller elected to Canadian HOF in St. Marys.

News from around and about:

You do a great job for Canadian Baseball players!!!

Blair Worb
Winnipeg, Man.

Bob:

I'm sure its difficult to keep up with every Canadian kid playing down here. My hats off to you for the work that you do. Take care.

Lance Champagne
LSU-Shreveport