Elliott, Futures final thumbnails: Kokotailo, Lodewyks, Press, Schwarz
Ottawa-Nepean Canadians OF Preston Schwarz (Ottawa, Ont.)
September 25, 2023
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
The players and coaches have returned home -- to British Columbia and Nova Scotia -- and provinces in between.
One final installment of our thumbnails from the Canadian Futures Showcase as once again the Toronto Blue Jays were solid corporate citizens opening their doors for the best high schoolers as well as interested scouts and college recruiters.
When the Academie Baseball Canada used to come in April for an exhibition series against the Ontario Blue Jays and Team Ontario in the late 1980s -- only Toronto Blue Jays scouts were allowed to see the talent on display.
Futures Day IV: Cote, Dekker, Fernandes, Gaitens
Futures Day III: Baker, Montanaro, Ricketts, Wallace
Langley Blaze OF Briggham Kokotailo (Langley, BC)
Name: OF Briggham Kokotailo
Team Red
Hometown: Langley, BC
Current team: Langley Blaze.
Previous team: White Rock Tritons
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “I would for sure say my dad (Stephen Kokotailo). He was the one who got me into this amazing game and had been supportive towards me and has taught me everything I know about hitting. He is not only a great dad, he is a great life coach and a great baseball coach so I thank him for where I am now.”
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, not part of your family? “Doug Mathieson (Langley Blaze) is one of my coaches. He gives me a kick in the butt when I need it but will always be there to give a fist bump when something is done well. He has helped me a lot with my baseball and I know he will always be there when I need him.”
Greatest day on the ball field? “I went 6-for-6 with two home runs, made a driving play in the outfield and threw someone out at home with Langley. I would have to say that is the best game I have played.”
Favourite player and why? “Ken Griffey Jr. He had probably the best and smoothest swing and I really like his style of how he plays.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “If baseball does not end up working out for me, I would want to become a fireman.”
The most important life lesson you’ve learned playing ball? “To keep your head down and get to work. And not let people get in your head and tell you that you can’t do something. You put your head down and get to work on whatever you want to be. You will do it but you have to work and make it your No. 1 priority in life aside from a supportive family.”
Winnipeg South Wolves 3B Nate Lodewyks (La Salle, Man.)
3B Nate Lodewyks
Team Black
Hometown: La Salle Man.
Current teams: 18U AAA Winnipeg South Wolves, 19U Home Run Sports Training Academy.
Previous team: 15U Winnipeg South Wolves.
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My dad (Troy Lodewyks) because he was my coach growing up and spends a ton of time with me practicing.”
Who is the most influential person, who is not a relative and why? “I’ve had many great coaches throughout my career, including Jeff Bouchard (Winnipeg, Man.) and Cody Benson (La Salle, Man.).”
Greatest day on the ball field? “I had two singles and a home run at the Nationals in an 8-7 win against New Brunswick in the 2022 Ray Carter Cup in Saskatoon. I also pitched (5 1/3 innings, allowed three runs -- two earned -- on three hits, two walks and two hit batters, while striking out seven. He left down 7-5 -- the start gave up four in the first -- but Manitoba rallied with two in the seventh to force extras and won in the eighth when Bryan Laing (Boissevain, Man.) bunted to load the bases and an out later, Haiden Friesen (Stanley, Man.) singled to centre for the walk-off win.)”
Favourite player and why? “Aaron Judge because he’s one of the greatest hitters in the game today.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A pro hockey player.” (He played with the Pembina Valley Hawks in 2022-23 season.)
The most important life lesson you’ve learned playing ball? “Work ethic ... because if you work hard enough you can accomplish anything. Hard work pays off.”
Toronto Mets LHP Ryan Press (North York, Ont.)
LHP Ryan Press
Team New Blue
Hometown: North York, Ont.
Current team: Toronto Mets, North York Blues
Committed: West Virginia University.
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My father (Matthew Press). He has always been there for me as my coach and my best supporter.”
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, besides a member of your family? “It wouldn’t be fair to choose one person, because there are many coaches and teammates who have helped me become the person I am today. I couldn’t name all of them but a few that made an impact on me since I was young are Rich Leitch (Whitby, Ont.), Glenn Jackson (Toronto, Ont.) and Chris Dobie (North York, Ont.).”
My greatest day on the ball field: “On the Toronto Mets college trip when I was 15, I knew that the West Virginia Mountaineers had a great reputation for their program. I got the opportunity to pitch against them. I came in out of the bullpen and threw two scoreless with a pair of strikeouts, including one against an All American. After the game I was pulled aside and was told I was going to be offered a scholarship. It was a pivotal moment for me.”
Favourite player: “I do not have a favourite player but I admire many pitchers, specifically lefties like Sandy Koufax and Max Fried who have nasty curve balls. They also happen to be Jewish like me.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I am not sure what I would want to pursue in a career other than baseball at the moment. However, I would potentially like to explore finance or becoming an entrepreneur.”
Most important life lesson I have learned on the field: “To learn from your mistakes while not getting caught up in the past. It helps me focus on the present.”
Ottawa-Nepean Canadians OF Preston Schwarz (Ottawa, Ont.)
OF Preston Schwarz
Team Navy
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Current team: Ottawa-Nepean Canadians.
Previous team: South Ottawa Blues.
Uncommitted
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My mom (Denise) and my father (Chris). Every day my mom supports me. My father used to be the strength and conditioning coach for the Ottawa Senators for about 13 years. Before that he had the same job for the New York Islanders for two seasons. When I was about six we lived on Long Island. My father trains me tough, but the right way. He played pro volleyball in Belgium and France -- as an outside hitter.”
Who is the most influential person who is not a relative and why? “Probably my coach Brad Fairholm. He helped me a lot. I played for Brad and coach Eugenio Matos (now a PR whiz with Baseball Canada). Yes, Carleton basketball coach Dave Smart did come to our workout and speak to the team. He and my father are friends. Yes, coach Smart did say ‘I should be playing hoops.’ He knows I’m on a basketball scholarship at Ashbury College. Marks? I have a 3.9 GPA and taking some advanced courses. I’m going to stay with baseball.”
Greatest day on the ball field? “Every day. I mean every day you have an opportunity to do something. One game? Well, I didn’t make the Ontario Youth Team last year. Jean-Gillies Larocque (Azilda, Ont.) didn’t pick me, so the first game back we played his Sudbury Voyageurs when they came to Hamilton Yards in Nepean, I hit a home run on the first pitch. The first pitch. That felt good. Jean-Gillies is a good guy. (And Schwarz hit another in the second game of the doubleheader. He is still eligible for next year’s team.) We (the Canadians) had a real good year: we won the University of Michigan tournament and one in Philadelphia. Plus we lost in three finals: one in Ohio, another in New York State and one on Long Island -- right near where we used to live, I really wanted to win that. The fastest I’ve been clocked this year was a 6.16 60. (He ran a 6.45 as his team was the first of six teams to run the 60 on scout day and he was quickest man on his team, so his name was on the big board atop the leaders). I went to eat and I’d sneak my head around the corner to a peak to see if I was still No. 1. I was. It was kind of cool ... surreal ... to see my name atop the times on the centre field scoreboard for the whole day ... any time they showed the times.”
Favourite player and why? “Xander Boegarts. I know we don’t play the same position. It was sad to see him leave the Red Sox. When I was six or seven, we took a trip to Boston. That’s why I am a Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “I’m really interested in law. Our debate team was 3-0 in debates (one subject was ‘should parents limit a child’s time texting on the phone?’).”
The most important life lesson you’ve learned playing ball? “Be the same person every day. Some days will go good, some days won’t go well. You have to stay with the same approach.”