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Off the field

Members of Team Canada’s junior baseball team made waves Monday afternoon, but not on the baseball field. The junior team boarded a few boats and went for a ride with the Thunder Bay navy reserve HMCS Griffon.
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Canada’s national junior baseball team took a break from the action for a quick ride around Lake Superior Monday morning. (Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com)
Members of Team Canada’s junior baseball team made waves Monday afternoon, but not on the baseball field.

The junior team boarded a few boats and went for a ride with the Thunder Bay navy reserve HMCS Griffon. The young men, who had the day off after defeating Korea Sunday afternoon, said they wanted time to relax and sightsee in Thunder Bay.

Montreal native and left-handed pitcher Brian Bardis said he had never travelled this far north into Ontario but had enjoyed what he’d seen so far.

While there weren’t many sites to see on the water, he said he wanted to look at the natural beauty the city and its Great Lake had to offer.

"We had fun visiting the city that is representing our country," Bardis said. "Everyone here had been treating us pretty well. Lakehead University has been taking great care of us and the fans at the games are great. We really appreciate it."

Centre fielder Dalton Pompey, of Mississauga, said he respected the work the navy had to do and said he would enjoy working in the reserve.

"What we experienced today was fun and I will never forget it," Pompey said. "I like the city. It’s a small town but they really support their sports here, especially baseball and Canada."

HMCS Griffon Lt.-Cmdr. John Bell said they invited the team on their day off to show them the harbour and capitalize on the nice weather.

"We really wanted to connect with these young Canadians who are representing our country," Bell said. "We thought we had a lot in common with them because I employ a lot of young Canadians who represent Canada as well."

Team Canada’s next game is on Tuesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at Port Arthur Stadium against Panama.





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