“Excitement swirls around the infield of Shell Place in Fort McMurray, Alta. like the dirt on a windy day.
It’s supposed to be short sleeved, but the maroon jersey, with “BADGERS” across the front in white lettering, is so big on Xavier Maccagno it’s more like three quarter sleeved. Probably because it’s meant for someone triple his age. There’s no time to manufacture another one for the smiley six-year-old, a last minute addition to the London Badgers 18U dugout. It’s game time.”
Read MoreAt 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Brampton Royals alum Lucas Wepf (Georgetown, Ont.) is a towering presence on the mound. He just finished his first professional season in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and recently spoke with Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge.
Read MoreLongtime Oshawa Legionaires coach Dave Sheridan helped instill a passion for baseball in many of the players he coached, including Sportsnet producer Chris Black and highly respected San Diego Padres scout Chris Kemlo. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with Sheridan.
Read MoreSudbury Voyageurs catcher Gabriel Larocque (Sudbury, Ont.) has been coached by his father, Jean-Gilles, since he was four, but the young prospect found himself on another team, facing off against his father, at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre last week. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge has the story.
Read MoreCanadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge shares why she loves baseball.
Read MoreParksville Royals two-way player Hayden Robbins (Comox, B.C.) has a deep passion for baseball and he is making a name for himself on the fields in his home province. He is hoping to land an opportunity to play at a U.S. college and then play professionally. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with Robbins.
Read MoreFormer Toronto Blue Jays All-Star left-hander Ricky Romero is headed back to school to complete a Sociology degree at Cal State Fullerton. The now 38-year-old, who threw his last MLB pitch 10 years ago, is doing it largely to serve as an example for his three children. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with Romero.
Read MoreVauxhall Academy left-hander Jack Baxter (Quispamsis, N.B.) will pitch in his second Canadian Futures Showcase this week, hoping to make a strong impression on the college recruiters and big league scouts in attendance.
Read More“Athletic, with a body built for baseball.
Those are two things that you can’t teach, said Muskoka Outlaws head coach Jeff Amos, that Aaron Hicks (Fredericton, N.B.) brings to shortstop every time he takes the field.”
Read MoreRight-hander Brennan Doyle started and allowed just one run in six innings to propel the PEI Eastern Express to victory in the 13U Atlantic Championship game on Sunday. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge shares that the victory is another for a province in which baseball is growing in popularity.
Read MoreToronto Blue Jays reliever Jay Jackson and his fiancée Sam Bautista have been celebrating milestones of their strong, newborn son, JR, who was born at under 25 weeks and remains in a Salt Lake City hospital. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke to Jackson about his son.
Read MoreStrong family support has been one of the keys to right-hander Matt Duffy’s success. It’s also a key reason why Duffy was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. He has since signed with the club. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with Duffy about his baseball odyssey so far.
Read MoreOntario Blue Jays and Junior National Team alum Myles Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) became the third Naylor in professional baseball after he was selected 39th overall by the Oakland A’s in the 2023 MLB draft and quickly signed with the club. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with the youngest Naylor about what it was like growing up with two very competitive older brothers.
Read MoreWe thought we would resurrect this article that Melissa Verge wrote about Sem Robberse back in April. Robberse, who was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, has had an interesting baseball odyssey.
Read More“Pluck. Pluck.
The outfield sprinkled with bright pops of yellow dandelions is too tempting for Kate Psota’s young teammates.
The batter, the ball, and baseball is forgotten, as little hands become weed eaters during a summer game at the diamond.
But it’s short-lived. Not on Psota’s watch. Although she’s just as young as her counterparts, she’s not here for the dandelion picking.
“You'd be turning around be like ‘hey, pay attention you've got to move over here or throw the ball there,’” Psota recalls her mom telling her of her concentration on the diamond.
And so the days of saving dandelions (and base hits) began.”
Read MoreThe National Women’s Team is preparing to compete in the World Cup in Thunder Bay, Ont., in August. Melissa Verge recently caught up with two of the team’s key pitchers - Alli Schroder (Fruitvale, BC) and Mena Florio (Woodbridge, Ont.) - to talk about their careers and their preparation for the tournament.
Read MoreA young Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) once contemplated a career in architecture, or as a hockey player, until a local teacher and scout named Gene Dziadura steered him towards baseball. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently caught up with Jenkins to talk about his Hall of Fame career on the diamond.
Read MoreCanadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently caught up with former big leaguer and legendary Canadian baseball coach John Upham (Windsor, Ont.) to talk about his long and influential career in the sport.
Read More“In his personal life, Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Hayden Juenger is quiet, reserved. He keeps to himself.
A lot of time spent with family. A little bit of hunting, a little bit of fishing.
That’s who he is.
Only baseball changes that. When the 6-foot right-hander steps on the mound at Sahlen Field in New York for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, his disposition shifts.”
Read MoreCatcher Ella Matteucci (Fruitvale, BC) has become an inspirational leader on and off the field for the Women’s National Team. She recently spoke with Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge.
Read More
