Logan hopes to catch the eye of scouts at T12
Right-hander Brendan Logan (Okotoks, Alta.), of the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Academy, allowed just one run in three innings in his T12 debut for Alberta on Thursday.. Photo Credit: Melissa Verge
By Melissa Verge
Canadian Baseball Network
It’s Brendan Logan’s first time in Toronto, and the 17-year-old is here to play baseball.
The 6-foot-2 pitcher, who resides in Okotoks, Alta., is attending Tournament 12 this weekend with hopes of catching the eye of scouts. The tournament showcases the best amateur baseball talent in Canada.
Logan says he was feeling a little anxious when he walked through the doors of the Rogers Centre before his first game on Thursday.
“I was nervous, but it’s just such a good experience to be out here and playing at this stadium, I just try to have fun with it,” he said. “This is my first time here, it's crazy like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
His morning started off with some familiarity though, a sausage breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons, and of course, baseball. Logan took the mound to start the game for Alberta when they faced off against Ontario Green.
“It’s unbelievable to watch them [the Blue Jays] play here and then be on the same mound as Marcus Stroman was, it's incredible,” said Logan.
The right-hander pitched three innings and gave up just one run on 33 pitches and hit 85 mph on the radar gun in Thursday's game. In high pressure situations on the mound, he says he just has to remember to breathe.
His coach Allen Cox thinks that in a couple of years the 17-year-old will be a Division 1 guy, whether he goes out of high school or junior college, and maybe pitch pro one day.
“He’s tall, he’s lanky, he’s going to throw hard,” said Cox.
Off the field, Cox says Logan is just an all-around great kid.
“He’s one of the best I’ve coached,” he said. “Character-wise he’s one of our best guys, he’s a very quiet kid but works hard. He goes about his business, he smiles a lot, doesn’t get into trouble. He’s just one of those kids you wish your daughter would date."
Logan currently plays for the Okotoks Dawgs in Alta., and he helped his provincial squad capture a bronze medal at the Canada Games in Winnipeg this summer, which he says was a great experience.
Now, the tall right-hander has his eye on another win, this time at T12.
“Well, obviously we want to win as a team and take home the championship,” he said. “I’ll throw as best as I can and do what I can to help the team win.”
His parents and his aunts and uncles will be in the stands watching, win or lose. Logan is happy to have them here for such an important tournament.
“It’s a lot easier to know they’re here and just to have their support in case things go wrong,” he said.
As for his near future, Logan already knows what he wants to accomplish with baseball.
“I want to go south to play college ball and see where that takes me,” he said.