By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Cameron Dube (Cambridge, Ont.) of the Ontario Nationals had a two-homer day as the Canadian Premier Baseball League concluded its opening weekend showcase.

Each team played three games, including the Academie Baseball Canada.

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Elliott, Day I: Glenn, Mathews, Sanders, Yankowich

Elliott, Day II: Jacob, Kwinter, Lessard, Sikkema

Fitzpatrick, Day III: Bertrand, Campeau, Ion, Rudge

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RHP Nolan Bigras

Hometown: Burlington, Ont.

Current Team: Terriers.

Previous teams: Burlington Bulls, Burlington Bears.

Uncommitted.

Who are the most influential people in your baseball life and why? “My family. They inspire me to want to be better.”

Who are the most influential people in your baseball life besides your parents? “My past and present coaches were and have been very influential in my baseball. I’ve had so many amazing coaches that have pushed me and have put their trust in me. I wouldn’t be where I am now without each and everyone of them.”

Greatest day on the ball field? “We played in a tournament at Rutgers-Camden University campus in 2023 at Philadelphia. I threw a complete-game shutout in Game 1 and then went 2-for-2 with two doubles and a walk in Game 2. This was back when I could still hit last year. Unfortunately I can’t remember the exact teams we were playing.”

Favourite player and why? “Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. I’ve always loved his mentality on the mound, and I’ve studied his game quite a bit. If I had to pick current day, it would either be Shane Bieber or Paul Skenes.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I’d love to work in the industry of sports. It is where my passion lies. Jobs in sports sciences or sports management would be well suited.”

The most important life lesson you’ve learned playing ball? “That it is a game of failure. Often times you will fail more than you succeed. It’s all about how you bounce back for next time.”

What four people would you like to invite for a special diner (living or passed away) and why? “My dad passed away two years ago, so him for sure, he was someone I looked up to throughout my childhood and he’s the person who inspires me to play. Nolan Ryan is another easy choice, because he is my favourite player of all time. To get the chance to talk and learn from him would be a dream come true. Michael Jordan had one of the best attitudes and work ethic towards his sport and although he’s not a baseball player, I think he could really help me on the mental aspects. And Auston Matthews, less for advice but more for some cool conversations and questions I’d like to ask him.”

INF Cam Gravelle

Hometown: Smithville, Ont (home of former C Bobby Killins).

Current Team: Ontario Royals.

Previous teams: Bulletproof Prospects.

Committed: University of Toledo.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My dad, Chris, who works at Janco Steel in Stoney Creek. I graduated there last year and work there too.”

Greatest day on the ball field? “When I went with the Canadian Premier team in Jupiter last fall. It was a surreal experience. There were about 75 scouts there ... golf carts all around up against the screen. Think the first game I went 1-for-2 with a walk. We lost. It was high nerves.”

Favourite player and why? “Javier Baez of the Detroit Tigers. I try to be like him defensively. But he sort of sucks right now.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I’m still going for physiotherapy, working with the human body.”

The most important life lesson you’ve learned playing ball? “Realizing it is totally normal to fail.”

What four people would you like to invite for a special diner (living or passed away) and why? “My grandfather Bob Gravelle, I’m always there for him and he’s always there for me. My dad for the same reasons. My Mom who does everything for me. And ... Scott Niedermayer, who won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003, the same year my sister Megan was born. My father is a Devils fan. I’m a Devils fan. I was named after Cam Neely.”

OF John Hughes

Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.

Current Team: Ontario Blue Jays.

Previous teams: Mississauga Majors, Mississauga Southwest Twins.

Committed: Bowling Green State.

Who is the most influential people in your baseball life and why? “My mom Laura. We used to play catch on the road when I was nine, 10 and 11. I didn’t start playing until late.”

Who is the most influential people in your baseball life besides your parents and why? “Mike Irving. I went to his Batter Up Baseball summer camps and really learned a lot. I played for him first with the Twins and then the Majors.”

Greatest day on the ball field? “Winning the Canada Cup in Regina last August. We beat Team BC 11-8 in the final, after being down 5-0 in the first. (Coach) Jean-Gilles Larocque put me in about half-way through the gold medal game. I was 3-for-6 during the tournament. I think.”

Favourite player and why? “Bryce Harper. Even though he hits left-handed and I hit right-handed, I really like the way he plays. He’s so energetic and has a lot of swagger, which is why I like him so much.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “Maybe a pilot. I’ve been thinking about taking aviation at school.”

The most important life lesson you’ve learned playing ball? “To not give up. You can always come back. Like the saying ‘It’s never over until it’s over.’”

What four people would you like to invite for a special diner (living or passed away) and why? “My two grandmothers, Shelia and Myrtle; plus actor Will Ferrell, because he’s a pretty funny guy. And finally, Ryan Gosling. He’s a great actor and he’s Canadian (London, Ont., but grew up in Cornwall and Burlington, Ont.). He’s been in some real good movies like La La Land and The Fall Guy.”

LHP Codi Scott

Hometown: Thamesford, Ont.

Current Team: Great Lake Canadians.

Previous teams: Ontario Nationals, Ingersoll Ironbirds.

Committed: Jefferson College (MO).

Who is the most influential people in your baseball life and why? “My Papa -- my mom’s dad, Barry. He always called me his little Warren Spahn (Milwaukee Braves Hall of Fame lefty). I used to have the high leg kick (like Spahn). I’m reading his biography.”

Who are the most influential people in your baseball life besides your parents and why? “Tim Huitema, who coached me in Ingersoll. and was the only one to see something in me. And Murray Weir, a family friend, I used to hang around when they played softball at Slo-Pitch City (in Dorchester).”

Greatest day on the ball field? “Pitching at the Rogers Centre during the Toronto Blue Jays Canadian Futures Showcase. I pitched three innings, has three strikeouts and three broken bats, plus one pick off and allowed one hit. And tonight was pretty good (five strikeouts, one earned run, three walks against the Toronto Mets on Thursday).”

Favourite player and why? “Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers because of the way he throws and what he can do on the mound. We’re the same size (6-foot-4). I like the way he gets down the mound.

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “My Dad, Matt, owns two pizza parlours in Thamesford (Thamesford Pizza Co.). My favorite pizza? The bacon cheese burger.

Maybe I’d go into business management.”

The most important life lesson you’ve learned playing ball? “To keep yourself under control and to not take yourself too seriously.”

What four people would you like to invite for a special diner (living or passed away) and why? “Warren Spahn to ask how he could pitch so long and so often; Jacob deGrom to ask how he does it and stays under control; Mike Trout on how he deals with being the greatest and Babe Ruth. Now we have Shohei Ohtani, arm bands, better medical treatment and all the improved training. But The Babe could pitch hung over and hit three homers.”

Sunday scores

Ontario Royals 18 5, Watson Elite 18 3

Terriers 17 5, Ontario Astros 17 4

Ontario Nationals 17 11, Ontario Astros 17 7

Elliott, CPBL Showcase Day IV: Bigras, Gravelle, Hughes, Scott