September 21, 2022

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

OTTAWA - For the 146 players arriving at the Canadian Futures Showcase, it was a chance to make memories and impress college recruiters on hand.

For a few of the coaches working the week-long event, they already had reminders of playing in the yard now known as Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park.

Matt Stairs (Fredericton, NB) played 34 games for the Ottawa Lynx, when they were a triple-A affiliate of the Montreal Expos. He had three homers and 20 RBIs as he split his season with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan.

“Was that when you were playing shortstop?” another coach asked jokingly.

Stairs did play shortstop for the 1988 Junior National Team at the World Cup, but he filled in the exact post-tourney title.

“You mean All-World shortstop?” asked Stairs who made the all-star team as he hit .362 with a .978 OPS.

That’s something another former Junior National Team shortstop -- Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, BC) does not have on his resume. Neither did Team USA shortstop Dave Silvestri from 1988.

After being signed as a free agent by the Expos, Stairs went on to have 6,024 plate appearances in 19 years. He had 265 homers -- and 899 RBIs. A second-round pick of the Houston Astros, Silvestri played eight seasons, combining for 401 plate appearances in 181 games with six homers and 36 RBIs.

Stairs’ picture hangs on the third level of the stadium, along with LHP Mike Kusiewicz (Nepean, Ont.) who pitched for the 2008 Ottawa Rapides of the Independent Canadian-American Association league.

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Lefty Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.), who is doubling here as a coach and a New York Yankees scout, spent parts of four seasons pitching for Ottawa (1993-96).

In 1993, under manager Mike Quade, in the Lynx’s first year, Boucher had a 6-0 record before being promoted to the Expos. And on Sept. 6 of that year manager Felipe Alou penciled in the eighth all-Canadian battery with Joe Siddall (Windsor, Ont.). Yes, the same handsome devil under the lights with Jamie Campbell (Oakville, Ont.).

Boucher awoke to TV cameras in front of his house the morning of his start as the Quebec native made his first start for his hometown team. He pitched with guile allowing one run in six innings allowing a home run to Colorado Rockies’ Andres Galarraga, leaving with a 2-1 lead. An outfielder named Dante Bichette homered off reliever Tim Scott and Montreal won as Siddall doubled in the tying run and Marquis Grissom singled home the winner off Bruce Ruffin for a 4-3 decision.

“When I pitched here, there was nothing around except the RCMP building on the Vanier Parkway ,” Boucher said. “There wasn’t a Best Buy or a Canadian Tire or the National Defence buildings. They drew like crazy.

Now, much to the chagrin of ball fans, a lot of the parking lot has been sold off, although it did manage to be a secondary holding position for the truckers when they invaded downtown Ottawa.

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Adam Stern (London, Ont.) played in Ottawa but as a visiting player with the Norfolk Tides, a Baltimore Orioles’ affiliate in 2007.

“One night we played and there was a fire at the Canadian Tire Store beyond the right field fence,” said Stern who triples as a coach here, a coach with the Great Lake Canadians and a Kansas City Royals scout. “The game is going on and there is this billowing smoke behind the fence.

“And they had about 25 fans or so, but they had this one heckler. When I heard the showcase was coming to Ottawa, I had chills remembering coming here as a player.”

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

Name: RHP-1B Jackson Kornylo (Whitby, Ont. 2024).

Team: Ontario Yankees/Canes Canada Scout Team.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “Nigel Wilson, my coach with the Ontario Yankees. Nigel told us how he ‘came from nothing,’ and to become what he became ... playing in the majors (22 games with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland) and then to have a standout career in Japan too.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “Playing for the Whitby Chiefs (13U) we were beat out in the eliminations but I was picked up by the Cambridge Cubs -- we went 6-0 to win the national championships in Repentigny, Que. In the semifinal, we were losing 8-6 to Nova Scotia and I was fortunate enough to hit a three-run homer and then I pitched the seventh with three strikeouts. It was a surreal experience.”

Your favourite player and why? “Either Ronald Acuna or Jacob deGrom. I’m a pitcher so I try to watch every game deGrom starts. He’s the pitcher that for me is the most fun to watch. Acuna has some swag. He is very confident. I’m not like that, but he is fun to watch.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “In university, I’ll probably take sports management. I’d like to be an agent or run a sports club.”

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “Body language. To act in a kind manner and have good composure. To be respectful and don’t trash talk the other team.”

Name: INF Lucas Laukkaen (Nanaimo, BC)

Team: Mid-Island Pirates.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My brother Josh, who went to Cloud County and just graduated New Mexico State University. He was a two-way player. He taught always to lead with the hips ... you win the race with the hips in the hitting game.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “This year I had a walk-off homer against UBC Thunder at Serauxmen Stadium. It’s probably 325 feet down the line, the ball maybe travelled 360 feet.”

Your favourite player and why? “Mike Trout because of the energy he brings to the game. He won the AL MVP but said he should have lost it because he struck out too many times.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A teacher. I have a lot of patience. I really like school. It’s fun. My favouite is probably my English teacher Sidaddou.”

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “Leave it all out there on the field ... my brother taught me that when I was playing 10U because you never know who is watching whether it is in a game or at practice.”

Name: OF-3B Remi Lemay (Ste-Martine, Que.)

Team: Acadmie de Baseball du Canada.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My father Olivier. I didn’t start to play until I was 10. From four years to 10 years old I played ball with kids ... my father gave me his passion for the game.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, beside your father and why? “Max Hockhoussen (Laval, Que.) my coach with the ABC. I was real young and he taught me not to be afraid and to believe in myself.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “Today. What more can you ask. We’re in a stadium like this with the Toronto Blue Jays.”

Your favourite player and why? “Ronald Acuna. He’s young and I like how he dresses. He’s having fun. I like watching him ... just like I liked watching Jose Bautista’s bat flip against the Texas Rangers.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “Anything involving sport.”

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “Never give up. Always believe in yourself.”

Name: RHP Lucas Webber-Kitching (Calgary, Alta.)

Team: Webber Wildcats.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My grandpa (Dr. Neil Webber). He has loved baseball his whole life. He loved baseball before I was born.”

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life, beside your father and why? “Chris Reitsma (Calgary, Alta.). He changed my perspective on how to attack hitters. He helped me learn how to attack hitters. Plus he taught me how to pitch with confidence.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “In the Best of the West tournament we faced Parksville. I had all my pitches and was able to locate in and out. I wasn’t getting too many close calls from the ump, but I kept my composure. In four innings, I allowed two unearned runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out six. We won 10-3.”

Your favourite player and why? “Josh Donaldson was my favourite when I was younger. I watched him with my grandpa and my father (Brian Kitching). He was entertaining. He’s kind of faded, but I don’t think I have found a new favourite player yet.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “Probably engineering. I received a text from the University of British Columbia coach and I’ll answer it as soon as I leave here. UBC is my main focus.”

What’s the most important life rule you’ve learned playing ball? “To be respectful to your opponents and umpires. It never helps to get upset.”

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Numbers ... from the eighth Canadian Futures Showcase.

0 _ Players from the Ottawa-Nepean Canadians wore the uniform and went pro in their 53-year history -- OF-1B Doug Frobel (Nepean, Ont.), RHP Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.), LHP Mike Kusiewicz (Nepean, Ont.), RHP Dave MacQuarrie (Ottawa, Ont.), INF Luc Bisson (Orleans, Ont.), SS Phil Franko (Nepean, Ont.) and OF Matt McCarney (Kanata, Ont.) -- named to the showcase rosters.

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

21 _ Pro scouts representing 15 teams on hand: Toronto Blue Jays (five), Atlanta Braves (two), Cincinnati Reds (two), 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.

24 _ coaches in Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.), Cole Armstrong (Surrey, BC), Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.), Jim Baba (Ottawa, Ont.), Chris Begg (Uxbridge, Ont.), Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.), Sebastien Boucher (Gatineau, Que.), Darren Doucette (Dartmouth, NS), Corey Eckstein (Ancaster, Ont.), Jeff Francis (London, Ont.), Glen Hunter (Winnipeg, Man.), Rick Johnston (The Mecca, Ont.), Rich Leitch (Whitby, Ont.), Brooks McNiven (Terrace, BC), Les McTavish (Settler, Alta.), Dustin Molleken (Regina, Sask.), Chris Robinson (Dorchester, Ont.), Tim Smith (Toronto, Ont.), Matt Stairs (Fredericton, NB), Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, Ont.), Adam Stern (London, Ont.), Rene Tosoni (Coquitlam, BC), Tanner Watson (Arnprior, Ont.) and Nigel Wilson (Ajax, Ont.).