Tyson Gomm showcases versatility, strong bat in Team Navy win

Ontario Terriers Tyson Gomm (Mississauga, Ont.) sprints to first base in one of his three hits in Team Navy’s game. Photo: (Christiana Qesko)

September 19, 2019

By Caio Miari

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- Team Navy’s Tyson Gomm showed on Thursday he’s up to the challenge of playing multiple positions.

The catcher, who played second base in his team’s 6-2 win over Team Black Thursday morning at the Tournament 12 held by the Toronto Blue Jays, was named Player Of The Game despite playing in a spot different from his regular office.

“I’ve caught for a quite while now,” said Gomm, on the field afterwards. “This year, my team needed me in the infield, and I just adapted to that.”

Even though the Mississauga, Ont., native prefers catching, his three hits in four at-bats, and a run batted in Day 3 of Tournament 12 at the Rogers Centre show a type of versatility expected from a talented, young prospect at the age of 16.

Gomm sees similarities between the two positions.

“I definitely compared them,” he said. “There are things that are definitely similar, like foot-work, fielding a ground ball, throwing down to second. And when you play in the infield your arm slot is pretty similar to catching.”

Team Navy’s coach Jeff Francis is impressed by Gomm’s performances thus far.

“Anytime you can stick out it’s a positive,” said the 11-year Major League veteran. “He (Gomm) plays with intensity, it’s impressive to see. He’s been a guy who grinds out the at-bat, he’s a progressive swinger.”

Outfielder Alexis Gravel, from Repentigny, Que., recorded a run, a hit, and two RBIs in four at-bats, and Riley Silva (Cambridge, Ont.) who finished with one run, two hits, and an RBI in three at-bats, posted solid performances as well.

For Team Black, Joshua Jones (Blainville, Que.) had one hit, one RBI, and a walk.

Considering Tournament 12 creates an opportunity for young Canadian prospects to stand out in front of collegiate and professional baseball scouts, great showdowns at the tournament can create a life-time opportunity for some of them.

“It’s not every day that we can come out here and play here (at the Rogers Centre),” said Gomm. “I just want to play my best and show the Scots and everyone here what I can do.”

Giving a great impression to the scouts in the stands might be the ultimate goal for the young Canadian baseball players and the most experienced people behind them know which type of mentality they should carry with on the field.

“As a player, you want them just to go and play baseball,” said Francis. “You show them (scouts) what you have to offer, if it’s for them, great. If not, you move on.

“For me, as a coach or for him as a player, to worry about that stuff, you get ahead of yourself a little too much. I think you just go out and you play.”