By Anthony Amador

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- Leaving one sport to focus on another isn’t always an easy decision, but for Keegan Pulford-Thorpe it wasn’t that hard.

The Newmarket, Ont., native grew up playing many sports, but ultimately cut it down to just two: baseball and hockey. It wasn’t until last year that Pulford-Thorpe made his mind up on what sport he wants to take more seriously.

“Going into my last summer I was playing 15U, and we had a great season and won our nationals, and just kind of evolved a love for the sport,” said Pulford-Thorpe, while smiling after a 6-1 win by his Ontario Black team over Alberta Red on the first night of this year’s Tournament 12. “I was able to understand the game more.”

A big reason the decision may have been a little bit more difficult for the pitcher, is he’s just as talented on the ice as he is on the field. Last year he was drafted by the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League, but felt like his heart was more with baseball.

The hard-throwing lefty credits his dad for providing him with knowledge and guidance through his baseball career. Pulford-Thorpe’s father, Paul Thorpe, played a total of seven season in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system, and has helped his son progress into the player he is today.

“The bond me and my dad have playing this sport is something special, and it took over hockey,” said Pulford-Thorpe. “He’s helped me with some tips on throwing the perfect curveball, setting up the batter, and other stuff.

“I can’t put it into words, he’s been there so much for me.”

The 17-year-old pitched for Ontario Black in the annual T12 Tournament, held at the Rogers Centre from September 13 to 17. This gave him the opportunity to showcase his skills in front of the many scouts from MLB clubs and NCAA programs that were present at the event.

Pulford-Thorpe has already committed to the University of Central Florida. He’s excited to be given the chance to play for a Division 1 school, and show everyone what he has to offer in his first year.

“I just hope to get some chances to start, and show them what I’ve got,” said Pulford-Thorpe, while chuckling a little bit. “I’m super excited to be able to throw all year long. Being able to develop a ton, and kind of see where I go from there.

“I feel like I have a really good chance to come in early, and kind of help right away.”

Coming into Tournament 12, Pulford-Thorpe knew he had to work on some pitches if he wanted to truly show off his talent.

“I’m really excited to show off my new two-seamer. It’s kind of a slervy curveball now, we’ve really worked on throwing the curveball hard,” said Pulford-Thorpe. “I feel like I’m comfortable with throwing it at any count I have.”

“I’m really excited to attack hitters with the 1-1 count and get ahead with the fastball, and then put them away with the curveball.”

This was the 6-foot-4 lefty’s first time pitching for Ontario Black at the tournament, but he quickly made a memorable impression on head coach Rick Johnston with his leadership on and off the field.

“I’ve seen him on the national team and saw the leadership there,” said coach Johnston. “He’s got that leadership blood in him 100 per cent.”

It’s not just the leadership that makes Pulford-Thorpe a great teammate. It’s his competitiveness that keeps him going every time he steps on that mound.

“He’s a great kid, and has a bright future ahead of him,” added Johnson. “There’s numerous factors that make him a great player, there’s so many intangibles, so many you can’t name them all.”