Ontario Terriers C Jason Green, Jr. (Georgetown, Ont.)

September 21, 2022

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

OTTAWA - Jason Green was trying to carry on the family tradition.

He had done the blocking drills wearing full gear in his Georgetown family garage.

First, tennis balls and then Rawlings with pop 1-on-1. They weren’t pearls, but when you are wearing the tools of ignorance and blocking balls in the dirt, you don’t need a pristine sphere rubbed up straight out of the plastic like a pitcher requires for his bullpen session.

He was moving along as he converted from third baseman to catcher.

“My dad (Curtis) told me I would have better options as a left-handed hitting catcher,” said the young catcher after his Team Red beat Team Black Wednesday night at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park on Day II of the Canadian Futures Showcase.

“It was basically something to do during COVID,” said the teenager of making the transition.

The first 75 names for the Toronto Blue Jays Academy event had been released Aug. 2. And the final 75 were set to be on the Blue Jays Academy website on Aug. 19 at noon. Coast-to-coast teenagers were waiting. Some might even say that their breath was bated.

“I was laying on the floor hitting the re-fresh button, again and again, I kept trying to distract my mind, but I couldn’t,” he said. “I kept re-loading and re-loading the page. Nothing.”

Refresh.

And then he saw his name:

Jason Green, Ontario Terriers, Georgetown, Ont. Team Red

“It felt like it was 45 minutes late, but it was probably only about 20 minutes,” said Jason Jr.

He walked twice and knocked in a run in Team Red’s victory on Tuesday night. Watching from behind the third base line was his father, also named Jason.

Curtis Green went to the Canadian senior team camp with the likes of future Texas Rangers all-star Jeff Zimmerman (Kelowna, BC), major-leaguer Stubby Clapp (Windsor, Ont.), now the St. Louis Cardinals first base coach and others, including catchers Dean Crowe and Craig Horswell (Prince George, BC).

Former Chicago Cubs two-way player John Upham (Windsor, Ont.) managed, with current Junior National Team coach Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) as the pitching coach, Bernie Beckman (London, Ont.) was the GM and Bernie Soulliere (Windsor, Ont.) was the chef de mission.

“I saw Bernie when Jason played on the scout team against the Junior National Team in Ajax about a month ago, he’s still at it,” said Curtis, as Soulliere is with the Junior National Team.

* * *

The transition was smooth for the young catcher. His Georgetown Eagles team was splitting up. So, the father phoned his friend -- Georgetown’s Mr. Baseball -- Scott VandeValk -- and said ‘It’s time?”

“Scott used to throw me batting practice all the time,” said Jason.

Did he ever mix in any strikes at the historic Fairgrounds, where VandeValk helped coach Bill Byckowski (Georgetown, Ont.) win the 2009 bantam eliminations and the national championship?

“Yes, of course.”

VandeValk sent the catcher to his Terriers and coach Ryan Pollard (Milton, Ont.), who the father said “creates opportunities for kids.” In fall ball, Jason Jr. went 1-for-25 and the next summer playing his home games at King’s Christian, he hit 10 homers ... but most of them at St. Marys.

“My father helped with the catching mentality, I need,” said Jason.

Now, the son works with former minor-league catcher Matt Stocco (Guelph, Ont.) who attended Elon College and then signed with the San Diego Padres, after a year of Indy ball with the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

* * *

Papa Curtis played for the Troy University Trojans and when on the road would tell the server -- whether it was a stop at Shoney’s, Western Sizzler or whereever -- that it was coach John Mayotte’s birthday.

“Sometimes you need to loosen the coach up,” said the father who played for Dr. Boyd Hoddinott, a family doctor and his son Andrew. Then, he switched to ball.

Like his son he made the switch.

* * *

And some thumbnails ... on who is competing as the roof will not be closed ...

Okotoks Dawgs’ OF-RHP Benito Bonilla (Halifax, NS)

Name: OF-RHP Benito Bonilla (Halifax, NS)

Team: Okotoks Dawgs.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My father Henry. He taught me the game. He learned to play the game in the Dominican Republic. He gave me the skills to play ... mostly.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, beside your father and why? “Tyler Hollick my coach at Okotoks. He taught me how to get to the next level. Our Okotoks Dawgs Black won the Perfect Game World Series (at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches) in July.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “Winning the Perfect Game event ... we beat NEB National 4-2. I don’t remember if I even had a hit, but it was a great day.”

Your favourite player and why? “Jose Reyes. Growing up I played shortstop -- just like him. When I was younger, I played short. He won a batting title with the New York Mets.

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I want to have my own business, be an entrepreneur.”

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “To be confident. To have a short memory and have a passion for the game.”

Ontario Blue Jays RHP Matt Brown (Carlisle, Ont.)

Name: RHP Matt Brown (Carlisle, Ont.)

Team: Ontario Blue Jays.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My father, Jeff, coached me in Milton. He was the first to teach me how to pitch, I picked up his wisdom. I pitched to him and he caught me. He still catches me, although he does Olé a few.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, beside your father and why? “Steve Atril. He was my coach for four years. I played a year up with the Milton Mets. He was the first coach I had who took a gamble on me.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “All the days ... but if I had to pick one it would be this summer I pitched a complete game win over the Ontario Astros at Ajax.”

Your favourite player and why? “Marcus Stroman. I like the way he goes about his business. His stuff is as good as anyone. He shows you that anyone can make it.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “Straight to the big leagues -- that’s the plan right now.”

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “Things can go good or things can go bad, but you are never losing. My mom (Lisa) always said you are either winning or you are learning. That’s the approach I try to take.”

North Shore Twins’ RHP Nick Frers (North Vancouver, BC)

Name: RHP Nick Frers (North Vancouver, BC)

Team: North Shore Twins.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My Dad, Darin. He put me into baseball when I was five years old. He played high school ball and knew what he was talking about. He always supported me. He coached me with Lynn Valley Little League.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, besides your father and why? “Parker Knoch, who coached me with the Bullpen, a travel team, from age 9-to-13. He helped me develop and to be an all-round better ball player.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “In the first game of the Little League provincials we played Whalley. We were in extra innings, there were two out and we were down. I hit a bases-loaded walk-off grand slam. There was a huge celebration at home plate. Helmets were flying. When I hit it, I didn’t know it was out ... I figured it was either going to be the third out or it was going out. But Whalley beat us in the final.”

Your favourite player and why? “Marcus Stroman. I loved him when he was with the Blue Jays. I studied him all the time and loved his energy on the mound.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “Probably real estate. My mother is a realtor and there is good money. The average price of a house in Vancouver? Maybe $1.5 million or $2 million ... I’m not sure but that might be a bit light.” (A magazine site we found lists the average price as $1,207,300.)

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “How you carry yourself on the field. Doesn’t matter if you go eight up, eight down or give up eight runs ... you always keep your composure.”

Name: OF Asafa Jones (Toronto, Ont.).

Team: TXNL Academy.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My father Devon Jones. He pushed me hard to be the best. He always tells me to chase the dream and be the best person possible.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, beside your father and why? “My peewee coach Paul at North York. I don’t remember his last name. He cut me and told me to go back to house league. My dad said ‘We’re not going to quit.’ I didn’t.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “This summer with TXNL we played Florida Elite at our park in Ocoee, Fla. I went 3-for-3 with three bombs. The first one I pulled to right, the next was to centre and the third was to right. I had seven RBIs.”

Your favourite player and why? “Barry Bonds. He’s the best swinger in baseball. I love his theories about hitting and use a Sam Bat, just like Barry did.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I want to be an entrepreneur ... have my own business.”

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “No matter what happens - always have a smile on your face.”

* * *

Numbers ... from the eighth Canadian Futures Showcase.

2 _ Blue jackets -- one hanging in each dugout -- similar to the Blue Jays home run jacket. On the back are the names of all 10 provinces.

5 _ College recruiters and coaches on hand _ Canisius College, University of Illinois, Marshall University, University of British Columbia, University of Mary.

23 _ Pro scouts representing 16 teams on hand: Toronto Blue Jays (five), Cincinnati Reds (three), Atlanta Braves (two), Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers.

Elliott, Day II: Bonilla, Brown, Frers, Green, Jones