Can Canada go two-for-two?

July 12, 2015

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ORIGINAL STORY by Brendan McCarthy - The Telegram

Can Canada go two-for-two?

Recent world champs, with seven Newfoundlanders on the roster, looking to win back-to-back titles

“I don’t think it’s a big concern, but it’s definitely something we’re paying attention to,” said John Hill of St. John’s, an assistant coach with the Canadian team.

“We know they’re going to be up for this, but the thing is to make sure we rally the team so they’re up for it right off the bat, especially coming off Saskatoon.”

The latter is in reference to Canada’s gold-medal win at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) championship, topped off by a come-from-behind 10-5 win over New Zealand in Sunday’s gold-medal final.

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“There’s not much time in between, so that’s the thing,” said Hill. “There’s always going to be a little letdown after a big win. After all, you need to be able to enjoy it, too. We just need to make sure we get back to where we were and do it quickly, because we can’t afford to fall behind (in the standings). “That will be the toughest part.”

However, pitcher Sean Cleary of Harbour Main, one of five players from this province on Canada’s Pan Am roster, doesn’t believe it will be too tough.

“It shouldn’t be a problem. I know it’s only a few days, but I think we’ll actually be able to bring momentum (from the world championship),” said Cleary.

“Don’t worry. We’ll be ready.”

Besides Cleary, catcher Ryan Boland of Goulds, utility player Jason Hill (John Hill’s son) and outfielders Brad Ezekiel of Harbour Main and Steve Mullaley, a native of Freshwater (Placentia) who lives in Toronto, are on Team Canada’s playing roster. Les Howey of C.B.S. joins Hill as an assistant on the coaching staff.

The Pan Am softball competition is being held in the Toronto suburb of Ajax, and Canada’s first game of the preliminary round is Sunday night against Mexico, with a game every day after that — vs. the United States on Monday, Argentina on Tuesday, the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and Venezuela on Thursday —  leading into the medal round next Friday and Saturday.

With the Pan Ams only involving countries in the Western Hemisphere, just half of the teams that participated in the WBSC championship in Saskatoon — eight of 16 — are competing in softball at the Pan Am Games. That means fastpitch powerhouses New Zealand, Australia and Japan won’t be opponents this week.

But while the quick turnaround after the high of last Sunday’s big win might be a factor that needs addressing, underestimating the potency of the teams Canada will face this week won’t be.

“Of course Australia, New Zealand and Japan are always in medal contention at world championships and have always played us hard, but there are still lots of quality teams here,” said Jason Hill, who led Canada with a .667 batting average in the preliminary round in Saskatoon.

“We shouldn’t be taking anyone for granted, and we’re not going to.”

John Hill points out Argentina and Venezuela were in the WBSC championship round last weekend, with the latter team claiming the bronze medal.

“And even though the U.S. only went 4-3 (in the preliminary round) in Saskatoon and didn’t make the medal round, you know they’re going to be there most of the time, especially on a big stage,” he said.

As for what the Canadians may be facing in the coming week, the Hills point out the emergence of a player like Venezuelan pitcher Ramon Jones, a workhorse fireballer who went 6-1, striking out 62 batters in 41-plus innings of work, at the worlds.

Both say Jones may be the hardest thrower in the world and judge him to be — when all aspects are considered — among the world’s top three fastpitch chuckers.

“He’s really come into his own in the last couple of years and you have to put him up there with (Australia’s Adam) Folkard and of course, Sean Cleary,” said Jason Hill.

Cleary went 5-0 for Canada at the world championship, striking out 47 batters in 33 innings of work.

John Hill said there was some consideration given to bringing the Canadian team directly from Saskatoon to Toronto, but eventually decided it was best to let the players disperse for a few days before gathering again Thursday.

They held their first Pan Am practice Friday morning.

“It was the right thing to. I was fortunate because my family was in Saskatoon last week,” said 30-year-old Cleary, the father of two — Madeline, 3 1/2, and six-month-old Nolan.

“But for everyone, it’s good to get back home to see all your family and friends, if only for a short visit.

“Sometimes, you need to get away from the game to be ready for the game.”

And in this case, the Games.

 

bmcc@thetelegram.com