Ontario Royals alum Braeden Biggar (Georgetown, Ont.) has rebounded from a dreadful grade 10 tryout at Christ the King High School to become a successful college player for the Dordt University Defenders. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with him.
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Now in his sophomore season with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Ty Doucette (Dartmouth, N.S.) says he has been inspired by fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with the young slugger.
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In celebration of International Women’s Day, we wanted to rerun this story by our supremely talented writer Melissa Verge about the supremely talented Amanda Asay. This was written after Asay was elected posthumously to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in February.
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“It was a two-hour round trip to the Mississauga Tigers facility for aspiring player Lachlan Maude.
First the subway, then a GO bus, then a 15-minute walk.
But Maude, then 17, made it without complaint. His work ethic has been consistent, unquestionable throughout his life where baseball is concerned. “
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“An all-girls baseball division coming to Manitoba this summer will provide young athletes in the province a new opportunity.
In the past three years, the number of girls playing baseball in the province has grown each year, with 500 more girls picking up baseball in 2024 than 2022. There were approximately 1,300 girls registered in the province then, and that's up to 1800, said Baseball Manitoba program director James Zamko.
They want to continue to see that number grow, which is one of the goals behind the new 12U Division.”
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A new turf field set to open in Woodstock, PEI this August will be named after Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer and Charlottetown, PEI native Don McDougall. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge has the story.
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It was at his grandparents’ cottage in Bala, Ont., that Liam Hicks, who was recently selected in the Rule 5 by the Miami Marlins, fell in love with baseball. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with the 25-year-old catcher.
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Mississauga Tigers and Junior National Team infielder Tommy Hanger (Toronto, Ont.) is “super stoked” to start his collegiate career at Texas Tech this year. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with the speedy young Canuck.
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“He identified a gap in Canadian baseball.
Then, he turned it into an opportunity and ran with it.
With his new franchise coming to St. Catharines this summer, Mal Romanin, the former Blue Jays director of communications, is bringing something different to the Canadian baseball scene.
Coming to the city in June 2025, his team will be the first Canadian franchise to join the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL).”
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Michel Laplante, the outgoing president of the Quebec Capitales, recently told Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge that one of the most memorable teams he was involved with was the 2009 Capitales, who won a championship and had eight Quebec-born players.
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“He developed it. He supported it. He helped it flourish.
And in October, Michel Laplante said goodbye to his Quebec Capitales, an organization that has been near and dear to the 54-year-old for 25 years.
Who the Capitales are - the winning culture, the sense of family the organization embodies, the relaxed atmosphere. That’s largely been created by LaPlante, who has been front and center with the Capitales since he was 29-years-old.”
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One fateful trip to a baseball tryout in Virginia when he was 18 was the start of long and rewarding coaching career for Chris Nakashima (Mississauga, Ont.). It also led him to his future wife. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge shares Nakashima’s story.
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Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with right-hander James Bradwell (Gibsons, B.C.), whose outstanding season with the Quebec Capitales in 2024, earned him CBN’s Claude Pelletier Award, as top pitcher in the unaffiliated ranks.
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Langley Blaze alum Justin Thorsteinson (Langley, BC) will be focused on taking his game to the next level in his senior season with the University of Minnesota. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with the young left-hander.
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“One of MLB’s most dominant relievers this season started each game the same as he did as when he was in middle school.
It was a part of Cade Smith’s routine prior to signing with the Cleveland Guardians, before he had a 2024 rookie season where he shut down the opposing team consistently with a 1.91 ERA.
On car rides to the field with his dad, Tim Smith, as a youngster, and after, when Smith started driving himself, before he left their home in British Columbia. And now, separated by a border, it comes through text.
Sometimes, he plays coach dad, the older Smith said, with a “Pitch like you can,” to his son, but always, it’s “Honour God with your effort, attitude and ability.”
No matter what stadium Smith is warming up at that afternoon or evening, every outing before he takes the field, he reads that text from his dad.”
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“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.”
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It was Moncton, N.B., native Gail Johnson’s father, Gord, who instilled a deep love for the Los Angeles Dodgers in her. They bonded over the team. Gord passed away in September, so for the first time Gail will be cheering on the Dodgers in the World Series without him. His spirit will be with her though. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with Gail.
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"The black and gold of Nashville's prestigious private university was a part of Sean Duncan’s attire long before he accepted an offer there.
Growing up a B.C. boy with a dream of playing a high level of baseball, he had a Vanderbilt sweater in his closet as early as nine-years-old, he said.
Now, he’ll be able to put on a jersey and represent the Commodores not as a fan, but as a recently committed member of their baseball team. "
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"Crushing dingers out of the park at Rogers Centre isn’t your average after school activity.
Nor is having scouts inquire and colleges texting.
But life flows a bit differently as a high school student when you’re Kieran Cutler, one of the best young baseball players in the country.
Cutler was one of 161 - but the only one from Newfoundland - selected to perform at the Canadian Futures Showcase earlier this month, which displays the best amateur talent in Canada. "
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Beloved Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association coach Marco Bianchi was recently awarded an Ontario Coaching Excellence Award from the Coaching Association of Ontario. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge spoke with him about the honour.
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