By Jeff D'Andrea

Team Canada’s put in the work before hosting worlds

Jul 6, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Even before the nine-day XII WBSC Junior Men’s Softball World Championship, Team Canada has already played a ton of pre-tournament games.

The Canadians played 19 games in total since May, seven in a May tournament in Ontario and another 12 in Saskatchewan since June 26. Team Canada put together an 8-11 record despite playing primarily against senior men’s teams, some of which have former Team Canada players on them. They capped off their pre-tournament competition on Thursday with a doubleheader against the defending junior men’s world champs, Team Japan, losing 8-0 and 11-7.

That can seem like a lot of games, especially considering Canada is only scheduled to play five group games in the world tournament (not including the playoffs). But hitting the diamond hard over the last two months is very much by design, to develop adhesiveness in the team.

“They come from all over the country and they never play together,” Canada assistant coach Jean-Yves Doucet said. “So it’s very important before the championship that the players play together to adjust.

“The team spirit was very good. The guys, whatever the score, stay positive. I think we will be ready for the starting of the tournament Saturday.”

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

10h ago

Liquor stores must change hours

Prince Albert limits liquor store hours

13h ago

skin care +

LUXE22 Clinic : Elevating Beauty with Expert Treatments

14h ago

The players that are on Team Canada have been in their process for at least two years. That includes tryouts and selection camps, as well as personal training and pre-tournament games.

The players have certainly put in the work to get to the tournament. In fact, Doucet and the rest of the coaching staff headed by Jeff Ellsworth, have used that as a motivational tool heading into the tournament.

“We let them know what they have done in the last two years at home, at training, as a team,” Doucet said. “They’ve worked hard. It’s a ball game, so let’s play the game and do what you can do.”

Team Canada comes into the tournament as the second ranked team, but still find themselves in a group with first place New Zealand.

They will begin their tournament on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. against the sixth ranked U.S.A. Canada will play 8 p.m. games for the rest of the group stages, facing seventh seeded Czech Republic on Sunday, 15^th placed Guatemala on Monday, top-ranked New Zealand on Tuesday and 17^th spot Hong Kong on Thursday. Canada has a bye on Wednesday. The playoffs will go from July 13-15, with the medal rounds happening at noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW