Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Some of Canada’s best under-19 baseball players will compete in a first-of-its-kind national championship in Okotoks this week.
Baseball Canada has brought more than 350 up-and-coming baseball players to the Calgary-area town for The Road to Okotoks tournament, which runs through Sunday.
Those players reached the championship after regional qualifiers in May, with 29 teams from across the country competing and the best 16 making it to this week’s national championship in Okotoks, Alta.
They’ll be competing for the inaugural Morneau Cup, named after Canadian former MLB star Justin Morneau.
Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C., pictured playing for the Minnesota Twins on June 18, 2006. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)
Greg Hamilton, coach and director of national teams with Baseball Canada, said this is an opportunity to crown a national champion every year “and make it uniquely Canadian.”
“We’ve got a great environment in Canada to showcase the best players in Canada, the best programs in Canada,” Hamilton said, adding that professional and collegiate scouts will be in attendance. “What a kid does under pressure competitively matters.
“It’ll be passionate, [it] will be competitive, and when you can put fans into that environment, it’s going to be really special.”
A view of Seaman Stadium in Okotoks from the 2022 Western Canadian Baseball League all-star game. (Submitted by Okotoks Dawgs)
The tournament is being held at Seaman Stadium — home of the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Okotoks Dawgs — and the adjacent Tourmaline Field. The under-18 Okotoks Dawgs Black team is hosting and competing in the inaugural championship.
Tyler Hollick, president of baseball operations with the Okotoks Dawgs, said his team’s hosting of the new tournament is an opportunity for fans to see “the next generation of Canadian stars” compete in Okotoks.
“You’re going to see the top youth players in the country,” he said. “You’re going to see a preview of what’s to come in Canadian baseball for the next decade or so.”
Under-19 baseball players will compete for the inaugural Morneau Cup during “The Road to Okotoks” championship being held at Seaman Stadium — home of the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Okotoks Dawgs — and the adjacent Tourmaline Field. (Dave Gilson/CBC)
Hollick said professional organizations are realizing there are “really good baseball players in Canada,” pointing to Dawgs alumni like Tristan Peters, Matt Wilkinson and Matt Lloyd, who were drafted to MLB teams.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for [under-19 players] to showcase their individual skills and move on to the next level,” Hollick said.
He said “it’s a celebration of Canadian baseball,” comparing the Morneau Cup to the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup.
Hollick said the championship also shines a light on the town of Okotoks, providing a tourism boost to the town of about 33,000.
Hamilton said Baseball Canada partnered with the Okotoks Dawgs to leverage the community’s passionate baseball fanbase.
“We wanted these kids to play in front of fans and experience what it’s like to play in NCAA regional and collegiate baseball, or to play in the minor leagues in front of fans,” he said.
“Where winning matters and playing for your teammates matters, but there’s energy in the ballpark and there’s a lot at stake in terms of winning a national championship and raising the Morneau Cup.”
Jake Trask said he’s ready to meet the moment.
“I’m expecting high competition,” the Atlantic Frontier third baseman and pitcher said. “The boys are ready for it. We’ve been training all year and yeah, we’re ready to go.”
Jake Trask of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley plays third base and pitcher for the Atlantic Frontier baseball team. (Dave Gilson/CBC)
Trask, who’s played baseball since he was five, said he’s excited to compete in the tournament.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase my talent and just get to the next level,” he said.
The championship features five teams from Ontario, four each from Alberta and British Columbia, and one each from Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
“I’m just excited,” Trask said. “I’m excited to be here. I’m happy. I’m glad. I’m grateful. It’s going to be a great experience for the boys.”