Verge: Evan James ready to represent Canada at MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run Finals at Dodger Stadium

Evan James (London, Ont.) will represent Canada in the Age 11-12 age group at MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run Finals at Dodger Stadium. Photo supplied

October 26, 2024

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

Don’t underestimate the young rookie making his debut at Dodger Stadium this weekend, just because he has yet to hit his 13th birthday.

Evan James hits more doubles, triples and home runs than he does singles. And that’s not a guess, it’s a fact.

The smooth swing and good mechanics that lead to those extra-base hits have been observed first-hand by his coach with the London West Tincaps, Chris Devlin.

“He has the ability to hit the ball out of most parks that we play in that have a fence,” Devlin said. “He’s a strong kid, lots of power.”

That’s a big reason why James has left his home in London, Ont. for Dodger Stadium to take the field during this year’s World Series. But not the only one. The lefty also pitches, plays some first base and occasionally right field.

Although the Los Angeles Dodgers will have left to take on the New York Yankees for Game 3 in the Big Apple, the talented multi-position player will be taking part in MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run Finals the day after Game 2 wraps up. The event gives skilled young athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents on the biggest stage.

How does he feel about making such a big debut?

“It's going to be nerve wracking but I need to overcome some of these fears,” James said. “Because they might happen more and I can't be living with it forever.”

If life goes the way he’s planning, a high-pressure situation like this will.

Baseball is more than just a game to him, it’s a future career he wants to build his life around. His passion started early, practicing hitting wiffle balls with his dad, Norman James.

Evan James with his father, Norm, who has coached his son. Photo supplied.

And now, he has his goals lined up.

Step one? Get a scholarship and cover his education. Step two (with some in-between) fulfill his dream of playing MLB.

Although making it to the biggest stage in baseball is a challenging goal, he’s already here. The odds of him making it here, to the World Series, were slim, and he persevered.

And, he has remained honest and transparent despite his success, with where he is and where he still needs to go.

“I’d say I hit for power, I strikeout a little bit but usually I get a good pitch, I hit it, like really hard,” he said.

Advancement in the Pitch, Hit and Run competition was based on a point system, where the young athletes were scored based on their performances in hitting, pitching and fielding.

Evan James (London, Ont.) was a local champion in MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition. Photo supplied.

James first won a local event in Strathroy that they attended on a whim for something to do, said his mom, Melissa Yee-James. From there he advanced to the Rogers Centre for the Team Championship, where he placed on the top of the leaderboard to advance to the finals in LA.

“We were pretty shocked and pretty happy,” Yee-James said, when they received the email confirming he was one of the players selected.

It sounds more straightforward than it was. James was one of thousands of participants from the US and Canada, all showing off their skills and vying for a ticket to this year’s World Series.

His ticket will be punched October 26, when he takes his seat at Dodger Stadium for Game 2 among other Hit, Pitch and Run winners. From his vantage point, he’ll be able to scout out the field before he takes it on October 27 for the finals.

And when he does, he’ll have a lot of hometown support.

“The whole team is thrilled for him,” Devlin, his London coach, said,

“Just to have any of the kids get an opportunity, but to have somebody you coach and somebody from your community go [is] pretty special obviously.”

For James, he also recognizes the magnitude of attending such an event.

“I’m excited for everything,” he said. “There’s so many opportunities that most kids will never have, and I’m grateful to have it.”

As for making baseball his future career, he’s on the right track, already taking the field where the pros play.

First it was at Rogers Centre, and on October 27, he’ll be able to cross off Dodger Stadium.

“I think it’s step one of big things,” James said.