TEAM CANADA REPRESENTATIVES FROM ONTARIO

Tyson Zehr

There is no other feeling like playing for your country. This past summer was both humbling and an honour. This experience has changed my life and I am extremely grateful to the coaches and softball Canada for giving me this opportunity. I have made countless friendships over the past summer, and hope to see them often over the rest of my career in fastball. I will never forget my journey with team Canada and I hope to make members of this team proud in the future. I wish all the best to all future teams and players. 
 

Tyler Pauli

As for comments about the tournament, I have to say that being a part of this team truly was a once in a lifetime experience and it was the most fun I have ever had playing this sport.  The facilities in Whitehorse were the best I have ever been to and the diamonds were in perfect condition; we were spoiled.  It was quite something to be treated like celebrities while we were in Whitehorse.  We went from playing local ball with the same small crowd each game to playing in front of thousands of people who were all chanting our name and numbers when you went up to bat or onto the field.  It was a surreal feeling at times when little kids were trying to imitate our batting stances or trying to play like us and wanting our autographs.  I remember being one of those kids going up to my idols in the sport and asking for their autographs.  I was extremely fortunate to be able to stay healthy throughout the entire tournament and that allowed me to play to best of my ability.  Being a part of this team and going through everything we went through together out west and up north was something that I will remember and cherish forever.  I met a lot of people this summer and I have made a lot of friends and some of which I am very close to now.  It would have been special to win a medal but the experience to me meant so much more than that, it gave me a sense of pride and confidence moving forward in this game.
 

Nick Penner
It’s been quite the busy summer but I can proudly say this has been the best summer of my life. Wearing my country’s name across my chest was an honour and a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was an amazing experience playing with the best ball players in the country and making lifetime memories on and off the field.  Also playing against the top teams in the world just shows where I am in my softball career. I would like to thank Softball Canada, OASA, Coaches, Teammates, Family and friends for making this journey an experience greater then ever before.

 

Johnathan Baker

 Playing for team Canada was an unbelievable experience and dream come true. Ever since I was young it was my goal to play on this team.  Words can’t describe what an honour it was to play alongside the best athletes and to be coached by the best coaches from across this country.  I learned so much from playing with this team and it reinforced just how much I love the game of softball.  The friendships I made, the memories we shared and the ball we played will be something I carry with me for the rest of my life.  I want to thank Softball Canada, the Coaching Staff and my fellow Teammates for making this the best ball-playing experience I have ever been apart of.
 

Tyler Randerson

For my comments on the ISF tournament in the Yukon, being on the team was a very special and unique experience. From the first class treatment from Softball Canada and the coaching staff and the organization committee to the best ball facility and atmosphere I've ever played at, I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to be apart of an event like that. And it being at home made the overall experience even better with having thousands of fans at all your games and being on your side was very cool and humbling as a player. Possibly the best thing I will take away from the three week trip was the life long friendships I will now share with the other boys on the team. The Team Canada experience is one I will never forget and other than winning a gold medal the trip couldn't have been any better.

 

Matt Wardrop 

 

Playing on Team Canada was a dream come true for me to be able to represent my country playing the game I love. Over the course of this experience I built so many new friendships and learned so much! It was an honour to be coached by such great coaches and play alongside each and every player on the team
 

George Ryder

I can’t say enough words of praise to express how proud I am of Tyson ,Tyler, Nick, Johnathon, Tyler, Matt and their families. Their respect for the other athletes in the final pool that came very close to being selected for the Junior Men’s National Team really meant a lot to me as a coach. They really appreciated the opportunity and represented themselves well throughout the event. All of the athletes that competed for a spot on Team Canada deserve a huge amount of credit. These athletes are not only great ballplayers they are quality individuals.

All the players and coaches motivated me with their great navigation skills, ambassadorship and Canadian spirit. When you put 6 players in an overloaded van all from Ontario on various trips to find ballparks in every urban corner of Vancouver you really appreciate your travel mates. They deserve a medal for this feat alone directing  their driver Coach Ryder which way to go.