Former Ontario Terriers Brigden, Seabrooke chasing Olympic dream

Former Ontario Terriers left-hander Travis Seabrooke (Peterborough, Ont.) started the third game of the Americas Olympic qualifier for Canada. Photo: Baseball Canada

June 4, 2021

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

The last time baseball was played at the Olympics was 2008.

Former Ontario Terriers right hander Trevor Brigden (North York, Ont.) and southpaw Travis Seabrooke (Peterborough, Ont.) were both 12 years old.

Fast forward to present day and the two hurlers are currently in West Palm Beach, Florida with Team Canada for the 2021 World Baseball Softball Confederation Baseball Americas Olympic Qualifier.

The paths they took to get there are as different as the arms they throw with.

Brigden went the college route following his time with the blue and gold. First attending Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa., before transferring back to Canada to play at Okanagan College in Kelowna, BC. From there he was drafted in the 17th round, 518th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Seabrooke, on the other hand, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth round, 159th overall out of Crestwood Secondary in Peterborough, Ont. He went on to play six seasons in the Orioles system. The 6-foot-6 left hander now takes the mound for the independent Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Professional Baseball.

Currently sitting at 2-1 heading into Super Round play with the Dominican Republic, the United States and Venezuela, Canada needs to win the tournament to punch their ticket to Tokyo next month. If they finish second or third, they head to the final qualification tournament being played in Puebla, Mexico later in June.