JOSHUA HOWSAM -- Nothing wrong with senior ball
Sept. 14, 2010
2010-11 -- Letters of Intent -- Nov. 26, 2010
Canadian$ with $ix figure $igning bonuses
2010 -- Canadians in the Minors, Sept. 10
2010 -- Canadians in College, April 22
2009-10 -- Canadians at Canadians schools -- March 8
2010 -- Drafted Canadians with signings and links -- Aug. 17
JOSHUA HOWSAM -- Senior Baseball, rumours of your death have been greatly exaggerated, thanks to the likes of Henry Yap, Davey Wallace, Kyle Kristenbrun, Justin Pennell and Mike Arsenault By Joshua Howsam
I’ve often heard the lament about the decline of amateur baseball in this province. It is directed at all levels of play, but nowhere is the cry heard louder than in the senior ranks. Many of the most skilled players defect to the Intercounty Baseball League, diluting the talent level. I’ve never really given the problem that much thought, as I always enjoyed where I was. The only things that that mattered to me were winning the game or tournament at hand and enjoying my time with my teammates. The state of the league as a whole hardly had time to enter my consciousness.
That changed this season, as I was forced to sit and watch from the sidelines nursing an arm injury. In between pangs of regret that I couldn’t be out there battling with my healthy, active teammates, I noticed something interesting about our little game. Senior baseball is perfect.
The overall depth and quality of play are not at the level of some of the local semi-pro leagues. That's not to say there aren't plenty of immensely skilled players in the senior ranks as well . I was blessed to be able to spend the season watching my beloved Leaside Leafs take the field. As such, I was able to witness baseball poetry on a daily basis. I got to watch Henry Yap’s blazing eyes brimming with confidence knowing there was nothing the pitcher or the catcher could do to stop him from taking second, and often third base. I got to witness the lightning-quick, but pillow-soft hands of Davey Wallace. I got to see Kyle Kristenbrun grow from a man who could barely lift his arm into one of the most feared left-handed power bats in the province.
It's likely that players all over the province can point to similar occurrences on their own teams. From Thornhill’s incredible slugger Justin Pennell, to the debut of a young ace in Whitby named Mike Arsenault to the deadly Windsor pitching rotation that keeps them atop the Ontario standings year after year, there is special talent all over Ontario.
But this is not what I’m talking about. Talent is on display at all levels of baseball in all locations. No, what makes senior baseball unique is WHY these men play. Senior baseball is a made up of a group of people who sacrifice their time and bodies for something pure. Jorge Frugoni didn’t pitch complete games on back-to-back days in the playoffs because he’s angling for a pro contract someday. Bryan Rock didn’t catch eight games in three days at last year’s Ontario Eliminations -- as senior classifications had more entries than any other age grouping -- because he knew it would get him fame and notoriety. Brad Cormier and Greg Brandes don't spend countless hours teaching and coaching every year because of some hefty salary.
These men and the countless others who take painkillers like candy just so they can step on the field are doing this for something far greater. They are doing it for same the reason Alexander Cartwright Jr. drew up the rules in his Manhattan home way back in 1845. They are doing it for the same reason that thousands of children have done it for over a century and a half.
They are doing it for the love of sport, camaraderie and competition. They are doing it because they love the great, wondrous game that is baseball.
That, my friends, is perfect.
Profiles: To answer an email about players profiles ... we are having some problems with the rotation on the main page. As for the total ... 271 players in all have signed up -- feel free to update their stats, add a pictures and gain exposure. From Alberta 22. From British Columbia 28. From Manitoba 9. From New Brunswick 8. From Newfoundland and Labrador 2. From Nova Scotia 4. From Ontario 170.. From Prince Edward Island 1. From Quebec 3. From Saskatchewan 5. And we have also one player from Florida.
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 Poirieris 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. RHP Ryan Oxford (Sussex, N.B.), who pitched for Vancouver Island University (VIBI) is No. 2,100. Jorhn Kaluzniak (Brandon, Man.) of the Manitoba Youth Selects is No. 2,200. RHP-OF Lucas Bannon (Grand Bend, Ont.) of the Ontario Nationals is No. 2,300. Former 1B Adam Daniels (Yorkton, Sask.), who used to play for the Yorkton Cardinals is No. 2,400. LHP Tyson Nesbitt (Willowbrook, Sask.) of the Waldorf Warriors is No. 2,500. Future Blue Jays executive Jordan Milton (Bolton, Ont.) is No. 2,600. And No. 2,700 is Geoff Bawart (Montreal, Que.). PFPs I -- UPPER DECK BLOGS 07/14/09 -- 02/13/10. PFPs II -- How could B.C. forget about Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, BC) Canada's best hitter when it came time to carry the torch and during the opening cermonies of the Olympics ... Carey Ashton (Montreal, Que.) nominated in Campbell’s coach of the year contest PFPs III -- Baseball America ranks James Paxton (Ladner, BC) 21st amongst top 100 collegians -- but will be pitch this weekend? Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.) No. 98 ... Bisson earns Third Team All-American honours ... Eight earn all-Conference honours: Ali Simpson (Campbell River, BC) Bethune-Cookman; Chad Marshall (Paris, Ont.), Kyle Benoit (Brampton, Ont.), Ian Choy (Mississauga, Ont.), Shayne Wilson (Surrey, BC), Shane Davis (Belmont, Ont.), Matt Skirving (London, Ont.), Jesse Sawyer (Calgary, Alta.) ... UBC armed and dangerous as season opens with Sheldon McDonald (Spruce, Grove, Alta.), Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC), Brandon Kaye (Langley, BC), Shawn Hetherington (Tsawwassen, BC) ... Jake Eliopoulos (Newmarket, Ont.) makes first two starts at Chipola ... Matt Rustulka (Windsor, Ont.) reaches Wayne State ... Jeff Cowan (Scarbrough, Ont.) signs with indy team ... PFPs IV -- Yankees hire Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.) to scout Canada ... BMOCs: 2B Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), Kentucky, RF Sean Pisarski (Mississauga, Ont.), Nic Lendvoy (Langley, BC), David Otterman (Coquitlam, BC) UBC, Sean Bignall (Brampton, Ont.) Northern Oklahoma-Enid ... Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, BC) establishes Dempster Family Foundation to raise awareness of DiGeorge Syndrome ... It was risky trying to steal on Larry McLean (Fredericton, N.B.) ... Top this 3B Paul Lytwynec (London, Ont.) five championships in '09 ... 3B-RHP Carson Kelly, ex-Markham star, top 2012 prospect at Baseball Factory’s Under Armour Pre-Season All-America Tournament ... Jim Lutton (Oshawa, Ont.) elected to Oshawa HOF ... Mike Lalonde (Montreal, Que.) seeks teams for Académie de Baseball Rive-Sud tourney. PFPs V -- Burke Seifrit (Spruce Grove, Alta.) pitches, watches Bryce Harper go deep ... Jake Eliopoulos (Newmarket, Ont.) has rough outing ... BMOCs: Brandon Kaye (Langley, BC), Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Nic Lendvoy (Langley, BC), Blake Carruthers (Calgary, Alta.), Nic Lindsay (Coquitlam, BC), Alex White (Richmond, BC), Sheldon McDonald (Spruce Grove, Alta.), Andrew Firth (London, Ont.), Keaton Briscoe (North Vancouver, BC), Mike Elias (North Delta, BC) UBC; Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC), Nate Smith (Brampton, Ont.) and Trentt Copeland (Guelph, Ont.) Evansville; Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.) Kentucky; Matt Skirving (London, Ont.), Eastern Michigan ... Steve Kletke (Altoona, Man.) on Who Dat Nation ... Phil Savage (Hamilton, Ont.) coached Forest City Owls. PFPs VI -- Perry Silverman (Montreal, Que.), Canisius, Metro Atlantic Conference Player of the Week ... BMOCs Kurtis McCallum (Thunder Bay, Ont.) Mesabi Range, Ryan LaPensee (LaSalle, Ont.) runs his way into Wayne State record books; RHP Desmond Sullivan (Scarborough, Ont.) Rio Grande; RHP Anthony Ricciardi (North York, Ont.) Alabama State ... Mike Walker (Guelph, Ont.) oins Jays as intern ... Lansing Community College loses scholarships for back-tracking on scholarships to four Canadians ... Tom Brokow on Canada-US relations. PFPs VII -- James Paxton (Ladner, BC) leaves Kentucy Wildcats, headed to indy ball? ... Brian Simone West Alabama TIgers, POW ... Tessa Virtue, younger sis of Kevin, former O's draft pick ... BMOCs: Jason Barton (Qualicum Beach, BC), Paul Barton (Qualicum Beach, BC); Michael Page, Dany Deschamps, Luis Argumedes, Chris Bisson; Nic Lendvoy, Keaton Briscoe and Sammy Starr . PFPs VIII -- Why James Paxton (Ladner, BC) left Kentucky ... BMOCs: Marcus Knecht (Toronto, Ont.), Connors State; Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC) Evansville; Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ont.) Maine; Ryan Thompson (Fort McMurray, Alta.) UConn; Aaron Johnson (Sussex Corner, N.B.) Illinois; Josh Voth (Altoona, Man.) Wayne State; Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.) Kentucky; Kyle Kotchie (Pickering, Ont.) Texas Pan-American; Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC), Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Andrew Firth (London, Ont.), Brandon Kaye (Langley, BC) UBC ... Cole Armstrong (Surrey, BC) grape of wrath ... Continental Baseball League tryouts ... John Morris (Chestermere, Alta.) former Laurier Golden Hawk wins Olympic gold ... Scott Thorman (Cambridge, Ont.) almost misses hockey game ... Scott Ballantyne (Kincardine, Ont.) named to Team Canada coaching staff at the World University Games. PFPs VIV -- Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, Ont.) goes deep for the Cleveland Indians ... BMOCs: Evan Zerff (Regina, Sask.), Brodie Ross (Markham, Ont.), Marcus Knecht (Toronto, Ont.), Mike Reeves (Peterborough, Ont.), Keaton Briscoe (North Vancouver, BC), Mike Elias (North Delta, BC) 3B Carter Bell (Courtenay, BC), Billy Martin (Mississauga, Ont.) ... Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ont.) POW ... Mike Steed (Burlington, Ont.) has seven Canucks for Thunder Bays Border Cats ... Coaches wanted in UK. PFPs X -- Canucks talking proud watching gold-medal game in the U.S., Justin Morneau (New Westminster, BC), Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, BC) ... Tim Smith (Toronto), Brett Muron (Winnipeg), Jon Saporsantos (Simcoe, Ont.), Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), Carter Morrison (New Westminster, BC), Kyle DeGrace (Toronto), Michael Cardinale (Mississauga, Ont.), Pierre Miville-Deschenes (Montreal, Que.), Brad McElroy (London, Ont.), Peter Grouios (Toronto), Lionel Morrill (Edmonton), Jeff Crinklaw (Cambridge, Ont.), Brent Mitchell (Paris, Ont.), Brendan Gillies (Shallow Lake, Ont.), Bill Neale (Collingwood, Ont.), Jason Bay (Trail, BC), Sean Bignall (Brampton, Ont.), Curtis Smith (Calgary, Alta.), Adam Stern (London, Ont.), Trentt Copelenad (Guelph, Ont.), Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.), Ryan Lennerton (Langley, BC). PFPs XI -- Damon Loewen (Abbotsford, BC), David Walkling (Nanaimo, BC) at home in Tex. ... 2B Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.) hit in nose, out a month ... C Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC) moves up Baseball America HS list ... Dusty Baker on Phillipe Valiquette (St-Laurent, Que.) ... BMOCs: CF Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC) 2B Trentt Copeland (Guelph, Ont.), Paul LaMantia (Tecumseh, Ont.), Brian Ivan (Toronto, Ont), Tanner Craswell (Charlottetown, PEI), Lucas Waddell (Ladner, BC) ... Kyle Kotchie (Pickering, Ont.) goes Prime Time, Prime Time. PFPs XII -- MLB camps east to west, Even Grills (Whitby, Ont.) and Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, Ont.) to Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC) and Steve McKinnon (Duncan, BC), from Mississauga, to Waterloo, to Montreal, to Vauxhall, to Lethbridge, to Langley. PFPs XIII -- Jesse Sawyer (Calgary, Alta.) stays hot, Agent Josh Kusnick has six Canucks -- Taylor Green (Comox, BC), Chris Dennis (La Salle, Ont.), Alexandre Periard (St-Eustache, Que.), Philippe-Alexandre Valiquette (St. Laurent, Que.), Jeff Hunt (Cambridge, Ont.) and John Suomi (Etobicoke, Ont.) ... BMOCs: Brendan Emmett (Mississauga, Ont.), Carson Vitale (Victoria, BC), Michael Carbone (Montreal, Que.), J.R. Robinson (Burnaby, BC), Dan Welch (Victoria, BC), Craig Coupland (Lanark, Ont.), Carl Moniz (Laval, Que.), Brian Ivan (Toronto, Ont.), RHP Brandon Kaye (Langley, BC), Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Paul LaMantia (Tecumseh, Ont.). PFPs XIX -- Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.) has new team, new job, new arm slot in the Phillies system ... Jays scout Jamie Lehman (Brampton, Ont.) signs RHP Nick Purdy (Grafton, Ont.) ... BMOCs: Lucas Waddell (Ladner, BC), Paul LaMantia (Tecumseh, Ont.), Trentt Copeland (Guelph, Ont.), Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC), Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ont.), Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), Sean Bignall (Brampton, Ont.), Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.), LHP Sheldon McDonald (Spruce Grove, Alta.). ALLAN SIMPSON -- Chase For Draft’s No. 1 Pick Appears to be Two-Man Race, Bryce Harper or Jameson Taillon ... LHP James Paxton (Ladner, BC) ranked No. 37, OF Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.) No. 62, INF Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.) No. 103, C Kellin Deglen (Langley, BC) No. 144, LHP Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) No. 149, LHP Jake Eliopoulos (Newmarket, Ont.) No. 207 and RP Jay Johnson (Sussex Corner, NB) No. 233, RHP Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, Ont.) is No. 326, RHP Steve McKinnon is No. 339 and RHP Corey Pappel (Mississauga, Ont.) is No. 354, on new top 500 list. DEVON TEEPLE -- James Paxton (Ladner, BC) Signs With Grand Praire AirHogs of Indy American Association. PFPs XVI -- Desmond Sullivan (Scarborough, Ont.) throws second no hitter ... Players of the Week: Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC), Kyle Kotchie (Pickering, Ont.) ... Carey Ashton (Montreal, Que.) Campbell’s Chunky Soup Most Valuable Coach ... Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC) gets face time at MLB.com ... Dougals Royals headed to WMBL ... BMOCs: Larry Balkwill (Chatham, Ont.), Ryan Saunders (Surrey, BC), Eric Sim (Abbotsford, BC), Ryan Lapensee (LaSalle, Ont.), Michael Carbone (Montreal, Que.), Andrew Firth (London, Ont.), Mike Elias (North Delta, BC), Nick Senior (Surrey, BC). MIKE HARDILL -- Andrew Tinnish (Ottawa, Ont.) from Badger bopper to Blue Jays scouting director. ALLAN SIMPSON -- Canucks at JUCOs power No. 1 Connors: Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.), C Peter Bako (Mississauga, Ont.) INF James Kottaras (Markham, Ont.), C Jeremy Kral (Prince George, BC), Brodie Ross (Markham, Ont.), Tyler Wheeler (Guelph, Ont.), Nick DaSilva (Toronto, Ont.), Cam Gray (Toronto, Ont.) and Chris Nagorski (Mississauga, Ont.). PFPs XI -- Shawn Schaefer (Pitt Meadows, BC) NAIA National Pitcher of the Week ... 2B Jonathan Slattery (Mississauga, Ont.) CAA POW ... AMC POW: Tyler Tamayose (Lethbridge, Alta.) ... Connors State rolls thanks to Peter Bako (Mississauga, Ont.), Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.) and Chris Nagorski (Mississauga, Ont.) ... VIBI players off to Swift Current ... Dayton Dawe impressive in N.C. ... BMOCs Mathieu Beauchesne (Quebec City, Que.), Aaron Dunsmore (Spruce Grove, Alta.), Trevor Hall (Mississauga, Ont.), Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), Jesse Sawyer (Calgary, Alta.), Zach Rhodes (Champion, Alta.), Joel Blake (Langley, BC), Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC), Trentt Copeland (Guelph, Ont.), Brandon Kaye (Langley, BC), Sammie Starr (Toronto, Ont.), Nic Lendvoy (Langley, BC), Jerome Werniuk (Toronto, Ont.) and Corey Pappel (Mississauga, Ont.). ... Baseball Ontarip March trip a success. SHI DAVIDI -- Can James Paxton (Ladner, BC) move higher than 37th in draft? WILLIAM HUMBER -- Like the Weather, Base Ball Didn’t Stop at the Border: Observations and Sources on 19th Century Baseball in Canada PFPs XVII -- 1B Brian Burton (Kitchener, Ont.) National POW, RHP Matt McGovern (Ottawa, Ont.), 2B Jon Cotter (Moose Jaw, Sask.), Lucas Waddell (Ladner, BC) earned coference POWs ... Langley wins the Best of the West tourney ... R.I.P. Gary Whiteman ... Todd Blair (Ajax, Ont.) ROW ... Wayne State POW: RF Ryan LaPensee (LaSalle, Ont.) ... Minor league, Indy Comings and Goings ... BMOCs: Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.), Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), LHP Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC), Brandon Kaye (Langley, BC), Nic Lendvoy (Coquitlam, BC), RF Nate Smith (Brampton, Ont.), Brett Bousquet (Calgary, Alta.). SHI DAVIDI -- National team heads south, Dates announced for world juniors up in north in Thunder Bay ... Jonathan Paquet (Ancienne Lorette, Que.), Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC) show well in 4-3 loss to Astros ... Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC) hits 90, Jordan Boston (Brampton, Ont.) with two hits in 4-3 loss to Braves ... Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.), Emmanuel Forcier (St-Hyacinthe, QC) impressive in 8-2 loss to Astros. PFPs XVIII -- Leaside scout Jim Stevenson signed Dana Eveland ... Team Canada: Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, Ont.) three perfect innings with 5 K's in 1-0 loss to Bravos ... Kellin Deglin (Langley, BC) hits walk-off, two-run homer in 3-2 win over Astros at ESPN ... Tom Robson (Ladner, BC) and Iannick Remillard (Valleyfield, Que.) impressive in 4-0 loss to Tigers ... Jalen Harris (Toronto, Ont.) drives in only run in 11-1 loss to Nationals ... RHP Joel Pierce (Windsor, Ont.) throws three scoreless in 3-0 loss at Dunedin. PFPs XVIV -- Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC), Daniel Morari (Saskatoon, Sask.) POWs, No-no for Jason Rubinstein (Thornhill, Ont.) ... ROW: Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ont.) and Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ont.) ... Free-agent signing and minor-league movements ... BMOCS: Paul Wilson (Richmond Hill Ont.), Myles Koebel (Surrey, BC), Owen Leflar (Edmonton, Alta.), Tyler Tamayose (Lethbridge, Alta.), Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Sheldon McDonald (Spruce Gruce, Alta., Jeff Smith (Oshawa, Ont.,), Colin McKeen (Orangeville, Ont., Brad Cochrane (Burlington Ont., Liam Foran (North Vancouver, BC), Josh Herback-South (Regina, Sask.)... JUCO looks for SS. PFPs XX -- Chris Leroux (Mississauga, Ont.) in Marlins pen to stay? ROBERT BROUGHTON -- Garrett Regan (Calgary, Alta.) an Oklahoma City Star once again ... World Juniors: If Bryce Harper comes Thunder Bay's tourney won't be a secret. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Carl Enns (Richmond, BC) hopes to bring baseball to Ghana. TODD DEVLIN -- Draft time = Brewers time, for Milwaukee, Canada's team. PFPs XXII -- Mike Goemans (Guelph, Ont.) triple award winner ... Baby Nats add RHP Emerson Savage (Bartibog Bridge, N.B.), RHP Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.), OF Keenan Chanin (White Rock, BC) for Dominican tour ... C Kellan Deglan (Langley, BC) a first rounder? ... Connors slips after injury to 3B Tyler Wheeler (Guelph, Ont.) ... Chris Leroux (Mississauga, Ont.) update ... BMOCs: 2B Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), Ryan LaPensee (LaSalle, Ont.), Tyler Tamayose (Lethbridge, Alta.), Kevin Challoner (Winnipeg, Man.), Bob Foerster (Langley, BC), Nic Lendvoy (Coquitlam, BC), Mike Elias (North Delta, BC), David Walkling (Nanaimo, BC). TODD DEVLIN -- Peter Orr (Richmond Hill, Ont.), oldest of 63 Canadians hot at Syracuse ... Canucks in D.R. ... Two hits for Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC), Brandon Dailey (Brantford, Ont.) in 9-7 loss to NY Mets ... Tom Robson (Ladner, BC), Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (Montreal, Que.) work two scoreless each in 6-4 loss to Dodgers ... Jimmy Ralph (Raymond, Alta.) doubles, singles in 6-6 tie vs. Rays ... Rowan Wick (North Vancouver, BC) singles in 8-1 loss to Giants ... Ricky Bertrand (Surrey, BC), Philip Diedrick (Ajax, Ont.) two-RBI games in 8-5 loss to Rangers, Joel Pierce (Windsor, Ont.) works 4 IPs, 7 Ks, Two hits each for Keenan Chanin (Surrey, BC), Emmanuel Forcier (St-Hyacinthe, Que.)... RBI double for Jordan Boston (Brampton, Ont.), two-run triple for Jerod Bartnik (Surrey, BC), Dailey drives in tying run with second hit in 5-5 tie with Jays ... Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC), Dailey double in 3-2 win over Phillies, Brian Bardis (St-Constant, Que) records save ...Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) has two hits behind Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) in 9-1 loss to Mariners ... Dailey two-run double in 10-8 win over Brewers ... Five scoreless for Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC) in 3-2 win over Twins. PFPs XXIII -- Wray Upper (Cambridge, Ont.) hung with best: Hank Aaron, Willie Mays ... Blake Robson (Nanaimo, BC), Myles Ethier (Carvel, Alta.) lead Vancouver Island Baseball Institute to Canadian College Baseball Conference title ... HONOURS: Josh Marshall (Saskatoon, Sask.), Perry Silverman (Montreal, Que.), Corey Pappel (Mississauga, Ont.), Sammie Starr (Toronto, Ont.), Sheldon McDonald (Spruce Grove, Alta.), Brian and Jarrod Ivan (Toronto, Ont.), Danny Moore (Victoria, BC), Jordan Broatch (White Rock, BC), Brant Stickel (Veteran, Alta.), Brad Regehr (Linden, Alta.), Cody Malloy (Pickering, Ont.). ROBERT BROUGHTON -- Canucks at the NAIA Series ... LHP Shawn Schaefer (Pitt Meadows, BC), INF Greg Appleton (Port Coquitlam, BC), OF Garrett Regan (Calgary, Alta.), 1B Ian MacMaster (Surrey, BC) and RHP Matt Brennan (London, Ont.) with pictures. PFPs XXIV -- Marcus well-Knecht-ed (North York, Ont.) Connors slugger making the rounds for private workouts ... 5 Canucks in Perfect Game’s top 100 NA draft list: Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC), James Paxton (Ladner, BC), Knecht, Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, Ont.) and Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.) ... No-Nos: Ryan Forletta (Vaughn, Ont.) and Nick Szmczyk (Mississauga, Ont.) for Team Ontario ... Jason Rubinstein (Thornhill, Ont.) does same for Thornhill ... Honours: Jim Lutton (Oshawa, Ont.), inducted into Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame ... Northern light: RHP Nick Bucci (Sarnia, Ont.) ... Champs Ryan LaPensee (LaSalle, Ont.), Paul LaMantia (La Salle, Ont.), record setters, all-Conference honours too ... Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.) signs with Thunder Bay Border Cats ... LDBA renamed Dan Pulham Memorial Field ... Phil Van Horne (Scarborough, Ont.) Train for a Cure tourney ... BMOCs: Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC), Trentt Copeland (Guelph, Ont.), Nate Smith (Brampton, Ont.), Tyler Graham (Stratford, Ont.), Chris Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), Kyle Bolton (Burlington, Ont.). ALLAN SIMPSON -- Perfect Game's top 50 detailed reports, 7 Canucks in 186 ... No. 2 Jameson Taillon (The Woodlands, Tex.), No. 29 C Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC), No. 31 LHP James Paxton (Ladner, BC), No. 50 OF Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.), No. 80 LHP Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, Ont.), No. 96 2B Chris Bission (Orleans, Ont.) and No. 186 LHP Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.). ALLAN SIMPSON -- Perfect Game's top 300 prospects for draft. PFPs XXV -- Jamo Taillon Canuk citizenship could go third, mom Christie from Toronto, Dad Mike from St. Andrews West, Ont. TODD DEVLIN --- University baseball update: OUA All-star beat Western at Rogers Centre ... David Fallico (Toronto, Ont.) POG ... Adam Reynolds (Guelph, Ont.) watch ... World University Game update. SHI DAVIDI -- Kellan Deglan (Langley, BC) in good position heading into the draft. PFPs XXVI -- Born to play ball -- Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.) takes next step when he hears name at MLB draft. PFPs XXVII -- Taillon, Deglan, Knect lead drafted Canucks ... Deglan, Knecht, Bisson, Skirving and Forer sign; Grills, Pompey agree to terms. PFPs XXVIII -- Who had the best year? ABC and the Toronto Mets, with four current or alumnus selected in draft. TODD DEVLIN -- Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) rolling as Blue Rock. PPFs XXXIV -- Draft goes by the book Jays call on Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.) -- just like 1994 bedtime story. PFPs XXXX -- Milwaukee Brewers scout Jay Lapp (Brewers), winner of Jim Ridley award ... 17 years of scout's honour roll ... Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC) wanted to be a Jay ... 15 Canucks in NCAA tourney ... BMOC: Kyle Kotchie (Pickering, Ont.), Ian Choy (Mississagua. Ont.) ... Minor league POW RHP Scott Mathieson (Aldergrove, BC). PFPs XXXXI -- Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) quickly surfaces in February, drafted in 16th, signed by Jays ... Signings: Marcus Knecht (North York, Ont.), 3rd, Jays; Matt Skirving (London, Ont.), 30th, Pirates, RHP Nathan Forer (Brampton, Ont.), 46th, Yankees ... Northern Light: Skyler Stromsmoe (Etzikom, Alta.) ... Summer ball: Kevin Gifford (London, Ont.) healthy playing summer ball for Lima. DEVON TEEPLE -- Father's Day weekend includes Hall. TODD DEVLIN -- Robbie Alomar, Paul Quantril (Port Hope, Ont.), Calvin Griffith (Montreal, Que.) and Allan Roth (Montreal, Que.) et al at the Hall. PFPs XXXXII -- Our 2010 Canada Day lineup and past teams. PFPs XXXXIII -- MVP Ivan Hartle (North Vancouver, BC) leads Iowa Western to JUCO WS with three lead-off homers ... NAIA All-American: LHP Shawn Schaefer (Pitt Meadows, BC) ... NJCAA Baseball Div. II Second-Team All-American: OF Sean Bignall (Brampton, Ont.) ... NJCAA Baseball Div. III First-Team All-American: RHP Matthew Whidden (Hamilton, Ont.) ... First team NAIA All-Conference Canucks: Greg Appleton (Port Coquitlam, BC), Nolan Bracken (Regina, Sask.), Luis Castillo (Burlington, Ont.), Kurri Darby (Swift Current, Sask.), Owen Leflar (Edmonton, Alta.), Sheldon McDonald (Spruce Grove, Alta.), Tyler Plumpton (Peterborough, Ont.), Alex Ponich (Penticton, BC), Ryan Saunders (Field, BC), Brian Simone (Amherstburg, Ont.), Sammie Sarr (Toronto, Ont.), Shawn Schaefer (Pitt Meadows, BC), Tyler Tamayose (Lethbridge, Alta.) ... Second Team All-Americans: Kerry Boon (Red Deer, Alta.), Jordan Gilmour (Gatineau, Que.), Mike O’Dwyer (Innisfail, Alta.), Scott Peters (Altona, Man.), Paul Thompson (Pearson, Man.) ... Gold glovers: Nolan Bracken (Regina, Sask.), Blake Carruthers (Calgary, Alta.), Matt Denney (Florence, N.S), Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC), Cody Pifer (Montreal, Que.), Garrett Regan (Calgary, Alta.), Sammie Sarr (Toronto, Ont.), Alex White (Richmond, BC) ... All-Academic: Colin McKeen (Orangeville, Ont.), Brian Simone (Amherstburg, Ont.), Ian Choy (Mississauga, Ont.), Shane Davis (Belmont, Ont.), Mike Goemans (Guelph, Ont.), Josh Marshall (Saskatoon, Sask.) and Perry Silverman (Montreal, Que.). TODD DEVLIN -- From Brampton to T-Birds to NYY system, Nathan Forer (Brampton, Ont.). PFPs XXXXIV -- Jason Dickson (Chatham, NB) climbs Baseball Canada ladder ... Team Canada juniors on the road to Thunder Bay and Worlds: ... Tom Robson (Ladner, BC) pitches six innings, two earned runs, 8 Ks in 4-3 win over Torrington ... Joel Pierce (Windsor, Ont.) impresses in 2-0 loss to Bay Sox. PFPs XXXXV -- Terriers' Graham Tebbit steps up, Pinch-hitter belts a three-run homer to lead his club to Canada Day victory ... Team Canada leads up to Worlds ... Team USA thumps Team Canada 9-0 in final tune up ... Tom Robson (Ladner, BC) works four solid innings in 4-0 loss to Taiwan ... Jonathan Paquet (Ancienne Lorette, Que.) works five impressive innings in 4-3 win over Team USA ... Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (Montreal, QC) dominated in 7-4 win over Twin City High School All Stars ... Emmanuel Forcier homers in 7-2 loss to Team USA. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Canada thumps Netherlands in opener ... Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (Montreal, Que.) pitches six, Brandon Dailey (Brantford, Ont.), Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) go dee. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Canucks lose pitcher's duel to Cuba ... Tom Robson (Ladner, BC) works six scoreless, Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) puts up zero in 7th, Cuba scores two in 8th for 3-0 win. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Slam helps Canucks beat defending champs ... Phil Diedrick (Ajax, Ont.) hits first-inning gram slam, game winner scores on wild pitch, Brian Smith (Pickering, Ont.) gets win. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC), Rowan Wick (North Vancouver, BC) lead Canucks vs. Panama. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) leads Canucks to walk off and 1st place in pool ... Canucks trail 4-1, 6-2 and 7-6 entering the bottom of the ninth. TODD DEVLIN -- Canucks ready for Student Games in Japan. PFPs XXXXVI -- Canucks win in Japan, with Sheldon McDonald (Spruce Grove, Alta.) getting the win, Adam Reynolds (Guelph, Ont.) the save. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Canada moves to semis at TBay with 11-1 win revenge win Italy PFPs XXXXVII -- Canada 2-0 in Japan at World University Games as Brandon Kaye (Langley, BC) gets win, Chad Marshall (Paris, Ont.) goes 4-for-4. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Canucks lose in semis to Chinese Taipei 3-1 ... LHP Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) allows one run in five innings. PFPs XXXXVIII -- Canada falls to 2-1 in Japan with 8-1 loss to Team USA, Blake Carruthers (Calgary, Alta.) doubles, singles. PFPs XXXXViX -- Canada out of medals at WUBC ... 13 freebees (eight walks, five HPBs) pave way for 7-4 Korea win ... Dan Welch (Victoria, BC) homers, Chad Marshall (Paris, Ont,) has a pair of hits. PFPs L -- Canada thumps China 17-3 ... Five RBIs for Garrett Regan (Calgary, Alta.) ... Homers by Chad Marshall (Paris, Ont.), Ryan Fleming (Whitby, Ont.), Nic Lendvoy (Langley, BC) and Regan ... Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, ON) gains win. PFPs L1 -- Canada Wins 5th place game at WUBC 15-14 ... Mark Ellis (Maple Ridge, BC), Ryan Fleming (Whitby, Ont.) knock in runs in extras ... Adam Reynolds (Guelph, Ont.) gets win in relief ... Chad Marshall (Paris, Ont.), Ellis each hit .444. PFPs LII -- On his way back Phillippe-Alexandre Valiquette (Montreal, Que.) wows with his sizzling fastballwith Future Game selection. PFPs LIII -- Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, Ont.) is working on his game in triple-A, could reach the majors soon ... Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) pats himself on back ... Tourney time: Tim Black helps Hamilton Cardinals in Wheeling, Dustin Lawson Thornhill Reds beat Southwest London 5-2 in Chatham junior tourney ... Get well soon: Linda Lewis (Sarnia, Ont.) ... RHP Jordan Glover (Toronto, Ont.)didn't allow a run in first half of Coastal Plains season ... . Northern light: LHP Scott Diamond (Guelph, Ont.) PFPs LIV -- Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) has fans -- millions as write-in all-star vote would attest. PFPs LV -- Ontario Blue Jays winners at 16U, 18U ... Canadian Little League championships at Ancaster Aug. 7-14 ... RIP: Joe Tunney (Ottawa) who ran Connie Mack in the capital ... Tourney time: The Windsor Stars win Hap Walters tournament ... Northern light: OF Michael Crouse (Port Moody, BC) Gulf Coast Jays. PFPs LVI -- Carman's men win OBA junior eliminations ... Whitby wins bantam, Tecumseh takes midget and Windsor Selects win senior .. Northern Light: Peter Orr (Newmarket, Ont.) ... Mike Lalonde is looking for some more teams for the Akadema International Fall Classic in Montreal. TODD DEVLIN -- Lisa and Steve McGrail, Named one of MLB's 30 All-Stars Among Us at All-Star game in Anaheim due to their cause ... Kylie's Kause. KEVIN GLEW -- Jason Dickson (Fredericton, N.B.), former Anahiem Angel, ex-Olympian and Canadian World junior champ, still throwing strikes on the mound and board room. PFPs LVII -- MLB's boss Walt Burrows open camps looking for athletes ... RHP Jordan Glover (Toronto, Ont.) pitched seven scoreless for Edenton in the Coastal Plains playoff opener ... Canada Cup opens ... Ontario Blue Jays drop pair at Connie Mack World Series ... Blue Jays eliminated at Mickey Mantle World Series in McKinney, Tex. ... Northern Light, Canuck POW: Kevin Mailloux (Tecumseh, Ont.). KEVIN GLEW -- Andre Dawson inspired youngster Derek Aucoin to baseball career which went all the way from North Montreal to the majors. ADAM MORISSETTE -- BC Wins Baseball Canada Cup as Tom Robson pitches shutout vs. Ontario ... Greg Hamilton names fall roster PFPs LVIII -- Ricciardi era not over yet, Anthony Ricciardi earns Southwestern Athletic Conference second-team honours ... Sun Parlour wins Ontario Summer Games, beating York-Simcoe ... Matthew Paculan (Mississauga, Ont.), Dylan Moss (Mt Pearl, Nfld.) impress at Perfect Game showcase in Guelph ... Durham bid to join Western New York Conference fails ... Spencer Pecar, Evan McBride pitch Oakville to playoff berth. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Golds handed out at three Baseball Canada Nationals to Manitoba, Ontario, Abbotsford PFPs LVIV -- Michael Foster helps Ontario win gold at midgets ... Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) makes Team Canada Junior National Team selections ... RHP Jeff Gibbs (Toronto, Ont.), Dane Gordon (Barrie, Ont.) 3B Jalen Harris (Toronto, Ont.), Bryan Saucedo (Toronto, Ont.) best of 166 at MLB Bureau camp ... INF Kyle Hann (Oakville), INF Joey Hawkins (Whitby), C Justin Marra (Toronto), RHP Jordan Romano (Markham), Alex Kupchak (Oakville) shine at Perfect Game Showcase ... RHPs Adam Reynolds (Guelph, Ont.), 'Cimarron' Bill Hurley (Mississauga, Ont.) among WMBL ERA leaders ... BMOC: Kyle Stryker (Mississauga, Ont.) set single-season home run and RBI records with the Indiana University-Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks ... Orangeville wins junior C title in 16. ADAM MORISETTE -- BC edges Dartmouth to win senior gold ... BC edged Ontario to win bantam girls gold ... Host Vaughan takes bantam gold. PFPs LX -- Five Canucks headed to Arizona Fall Ball: Cale Iorg (Toronto, Ont.), Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC), Chris Kissock (Fruitvale, BC), James Avery (Maple Creek, Sask.), Phillippe Valiquette (Montreal, Que.) ... SS Joey Hawkins (Whitby, Ont.), C Justin Marra (Toronto, Ont.) added to the Canadian Junior National Team ... Owen Spiwak (Mississauga, Ont., Jake Lumley (Windsor, Ont.) contribute at bantam nationals ... Kyle Ovis pitches eight scoreless as Orangeville wins Junior C title in 16 ... Northern Light: OF Royce Consigli (Welland, Ont.) .583 average. KEVIN GLEW -- Bob Alexander, a BC pitching pioneer (1942-60) from Class-D Butler, to the Baltimore Orioles to Triple-A Portland CHRIS TOMAN -- Royals prospect Tim Smith (Toronto, Ont.) not your ordinary Joe. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Canada's best shine at Mizuno. ADAM MORISSETTE -- Canada East edges West 10-9 as Mizuno Elite Camp. CHRIS TOMAN -- Mizuno Campers take over Rogers Centre. PFPs LXI -- Mizuno Thumbnails ... Matt Benn (Tuelon, Man.), Tyson Blue (Winsloe, PEI), Alec Clavet (St-Nicholas, Que.), Dan Connors (Mount Pearl, Nfld.), Bryan Corona-Moreno (Montreal, Que.), Jeff Heidma (Coquitlam, BC), Payton Hillsdon (Moose Jaw, Sask.), Max Hollingsworth (Coquitlam, BC), Clayton Isherwood (Van Anda, BC), Anthony McKinley (Dartmouth, N.S.), Bryan Saucedo (Toronto, Ont.), Logan Seifrit (Spruce Grove, Alta.), Brett Siddall (Windsor, Ont.), Owen Spiwak (Mississauga, Ont.), Devan Thomas (Saint John, N.B.). CHRIS TOMAN -- Young Mizuno studs give Canucks a look into future with the likes of Kyle Hann (Oakville, Ont.), Logan Siefrit (Spruce Grove, Alta.), Bryan Saucedo (Toronto, Ont.), Max Hollingsworth (Coquitlam, BC), and Jamar Burnette (Toronto, Ont.). DEVON TEEPLE -- Victoria loses its Seals.