September 22, 2023

By Trevor Fitzpatrick

Canadian Baseball Network

Young baseball players could be seen smiling and laughing as the Winnipeg Wolves of the Winnipeg South Minor Baseball Association hosted their 2020 U13 baseball tryouts.

The weather was clear, but a little colder than anyone was expecting from a June day. As Nate Lodewyks (La Salle, Man.) ran down the first base line, friends and family cheered him on.

The noise quickly turned from cheers to stunned silence however as Lodewyks went down.

“I heard a pop from my hip. It turned out I pulled the bone off my pelvis. In the moment, I don’t even really remember the pain, I was just so mad about it.”

As Lodewyks sat in the local children’s hospital that night, the orthopedic surgeon confirmed his worst fears. He had indeed fractured his pelvis. His season was over.

It was a devastating blow for the young player in more ways than one. He would not only be kept off the field, but off the ice as well.

Lodewyks grew up a multi-sport athlete and still is to this day. When he’s not playing baseball, you can generally find him on his skates. After recovering from his injury, he returned to hockey and found himself drafted to the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League only a few seasons later.

“I’ve played for the Pembina Valley Hawks AAA team, most recently their 18U squad. It’s awesome being a dual sport athlete,” said Lodewyks, “I think I would still pick baseball as my favourite though.”

Now at the Canadian Futures Showcase, Lodewyks has had the privilege of being the only representative from Manitoba at the event.

Playing primarily at third base, he’s been able to show off his dual-sport athleticism in front of the scouts and fans present. As his Team Black took on Team Grey Thursday, he went 1-for-3 with a single and a stolen base in a 7-3 loss.

Following that game, Lodewyks wasn’t in the starting lineup Friday against Team New Blue but did come in during the fifth inning as a defensive substitution in the 9-2 loss. He had a strikeout in his only plate appearance but did have a clean game in the field at third base.

“The competition in Manitoba has been really good. Obviously, it’s a smaller province than Ontario so we have a little less in the way of resources, but that makes it all the better to come out [to the Canadian Futures Showcase] and show what I can do.”

A part of the 2025 class, Lodewyks is still uncommitted to a college. His performance at the showcase should get more eyes on him.

“I’ve been told to soak it all in and just enjoy it. I’ve been staying aggressive as well, whether it’s in the box, on the bases, or on the field,” said Lodewyks, “There’s so much high-level baseball being played here and I’ve been able to meet so many people that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s been high-intensity this week for sure.”

Aside from the Canadian Futures Showcase, Lodewyks also appeared at the 2023 Baseball Canada Cup Championships for Manitoba. There, he batted .353 through 22 plate appearances, collecting three RBIs.

While he continues to be a multi-sport athlete, decision time is fast approaching for the soon-to-be 16-year-old infielder and forward who will likely have to pick only one sport to play after high school as 2025 continues to get closer.