January 16, 2020

By Elisabeth Rositsan

Canadian Baseball Network

Scott Richmond is a highly accomplished Canadian baseball player who won back-to-back gold medals at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games.

In 2008, the Vancouver native was pegged to be a key pitcher on the Canadian squad at the Olympics in Beijing when he was called up by the Toronto Blue Jays to make his major league debut which made him unavailable to compete in the Olympics.

But at the press conference prior to Baseball Canada’s National Teams Awards Banquet on Saturday, the Canuck right-hander said he has no regrets about how that season turned out. Richmond had not been drafted out of high school or college and in the prior season, he had been pitching for the independent Northern League’s Edmonton Cracker-Cats.

“From the path that I came from I was just so flabbergasted that I had a chance to be on a major league roaster so quickly. Obviously, it would have been nice to do both, but it wasn’t in my cards,” said Richmond.

Most athletes consider the Olympic games as the culmination of their careers. However, it is different for baseball players. Playing in the majors is their pinnacle.

“The big leagues is just first-class everything,” said Richmond. “Private jets, warm cookies with ice cream on the airplane, people carrying your bags for you, playing in the most amazing parks, and it gives you the opportunity to play with the guys you grew up watching. It’s a very big wow moment in the major leagues.”

Nonetheless, Richmond would like to finish off his career with another wow moment. His goal is to compete for the Canadian national team in the Olympics in Tokyo this summer. But the veteran right-hander knows the road there won’t be easy. The Canadian national team failed to qualify in its initial attempt at the WBSC Premier12 Tournament in November. They will have a second chance at the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier that will take place in Arizona from March 22 to 26.

“First and foremost, to get into the Olympics is very difficult. Back in 2008, there were eight teams allowed and now only six teams are allowed to compete, which makes it very difficult to get in,” explained Richmond.

“Now it’s just about giving ourselves a good chance and putting a good team together to come and play in Arizona in March. There will be tons of competition when the Olympics are on the line. Teams really bring their top talent to be represented in the Olympics. It’s going to be a tall task. The U.S team knows that when they play us it’s not an easy game. We beat them in big tournaments before so we can’t wait to get started. If we don’t make it there, then there’s one more opportunity in Taiwan a week later. That’s our goal.”

If the team is looking for inspiration they can look to Richmond’s career path. Though undrafted, he has still managed to enjoy a successful 15-year professional career that has seen him pitch in Canada, the U.S., Taiwan, Italy, and Australia.

With this in mind, there couldn’t have been a more deserving recipient of Baseball Canada’s Stubby Clapp Award on Saturday night. This award is known as organization’s “grinder award” and it was created to recognize a national team player for their hard work, perseverance, positive attitude and strong performance on the field. Richmond has consistently set an excellent example for up and coming players and it is a testament to the success that can be achieved through hard work and love of the sport.

“I was never a superstar. I never threw hard, ran very fast or hit big home runs. I was steady and consistent and just kept pushing,” said Richmond. “It wasn’t an easy road but the positive encouragement from my friends and family really motivated me. Whether it’s work or baseball you just have to love what you’re doing. I really loved every aspect of baseball.”

Richmond feels its important to come back to Baseball Canada’s National Teams Awards Banquet each year to support the organization.

“This is where it all began for me. To come back and see the up and coming players coming through, the current players that are in the big leagues and the guys that I’ve known for the last 12 years is special,” said Richmond. “It’s really great to see the support that Baseball Canada gets and see the direction it’s headed in. To be a part of that and to be able to trailblaze [for the] next up and comers, it’s an honour. I’m very fortunate to be able to come back.”