Posts by Melissa Verge
Verge: OCAA players scrambling to find new teams after three baseball programs scrapped
Verge: OCAA players scrambling to find new teams after three baseball programs scrapped

“The inbox of Durham College’s head baseball coach has been especially flooded over the past couple of months.

Players from three Ontario Colleges Athletic Association baseball programs — Centennial College, George Brown and Seneca — that were scrapped have reached out to Scott Cawker looking for a new place to finish out their collegiate career.

He’s had at least 10 players reach out, Cawker said, since the cuts were made a couple of months ago, due to financial constraints brought about by a cap on international students.”

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SandlotsMelissa VergeComment
Verge: Baseball Manitoba launches new 12U girls division
Verge: Baseball Manitoba launches new 12U girls division

“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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SandlotsMelissa Verge
Verge: Romanin starting first Canadian Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League franchise in St. Catharines
Verge: Romanin starting first Canadian Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League franchise in St. Catharines

“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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SandlotsMelissa Verge
Verge: Laplante moving on after establishing championship-winning culture with Capitales
Verge: Laplante moving on after establishing championship-winning culture with Capitales

“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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Minor leagues, Canadians in the Majors, Canadians in the MinorsMelissa Verge
Verge: Humble Smith focused on what he could control in outstanding rookie season
Verge: Humble Smith focused on what he could control in outstanding rookie season

“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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Canadians in MLB, Canadians in the Majors, Major Leagues (MLB)Melissa Verge
Verge: Evan James ready to represent Canada at MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run Finals at Dodger Stadium
Verge: Evan James ready to represent Canada at MLB’s Pitch, Hit and Run Finals at Dodger Stadium

“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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SandlotsMelissa Verge
Verge: Diehard East Coast Dodgers fan to cheer them on in WS for first time without dad
Verge: Diehard East Coast Dodgers fan to cheer them on in WS for first time without dad

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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Major Leagues (MLB)Melissa Verge
Verge: Top prospect Duncan headed to Vanderbilt, his “dream school”
Verge: Top prospect Duncan headed to Vanderbilt, his “dream school”

"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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Canadians in CollegeMelissa Verge