Canada in tough at world juniors

Canada’s road to World Junior Baseball Championship gold will have to pass through the tournament’s past five champions.

Team Canada on Friday learned it will play out of Pool B alongside two-time defending champion Korea, winner of three titles since 2000, two-time winner Cuba, Panama, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands when the 10-day event kicks off in Thunder Bay on July 23.

Despite the formidable challenged being faced by the host Canadians, Thunder Bay International Baseball Association director Warren Philp said the competition should set up plenty of highlights at Port Arthur Stadium.

“I guess there’s going to be people that are disappointed that Canada and the U.S. aren’t in the same pool, but look who we do have,” Philp said in a phone interview Friday morning.
“But look who we do have. That first weekend is going to be absolutely amazing, starting with the opener against the Netherlands on Friday night after the opening ceremonies.” Then on Saturday things start really cooking with Cuba and Canada playing. And that’s after a game between the U.S. and Australia at Port Arthur Stadium.”

The Canucks play a matinee against Korea on July 25, take the next day off and return on the 27^th to face Panama in the 7 p.m. showcase. They wrap up round-robin play on July 28, with a 7 p.m. start against the Czech Republic.

Philp said the games against Korea and Cuba will be a good barometer of Canada’s talent level.

“Those two games are going to give us a real good indication about how our Canadian team stacks up against the best in the world,” Philp said. “When you look at Korea’s record over the 2000s, they won three of the five world juniors played, and Cuba won the other two.
“Those two games are going to be key for (coach) Greg Hamilton’s team.”

Philp was quick to point out things don’t get any easier in the 12-team tournament once the Korean and Cuban games are behind Team Canada.

“Panama will be a challenge, no doubt about it,” he said. “It’s those types of games that make coaches nervous, undoubtedly. You just have to look back at the World Baseball Classic, with Canada losing to Italy. And let me underline that Friday night against the Netherlands is no sure thing either, with the Netherlands having beat the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic.”

Pool A will consist of Chinese Taipei, the United States, Venezuela, Italy, France and Australia.

The 46-game World Junior Baseball Championship is held every second year and features the best under-18 players on the planet It kicks off on July 23 with a morning match between Panama and Cuba at Port Arthur Stadium. Playoffs are slated to begin on Friday, July 30. All 12 teams will advance and play in a cross-over format for the title.

A dozen games will be played at Baseball Centrals two diamonds.

Past participants in the tournament include Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, MVP Joe Mauer and J.J. Hardy.
 
Round robin schedule
Friday, July 23
Panama vs. Cuba, 10 a.m. (Port Arthur Stadium)
Australia vs. Venezuela, 2 p.m. (PAS)
Opening ceremonies, 6:15 p.m. (PAS)
Canada vs. Netherlands, 7:30 p.m. (PAS)
 
Saturday, July 24
France vs. Chinese Taipei, 9 a.m. (Central)
Venezuela vs. Italy, 9:30 a.m. (PAS)
Netherlands vs. Korea, 12:30 p.m. (Cen.)
U.S.A. vs. Australia 2 p.m. (PAS)
Czech Republic vs. Panama 4:30 p.m. (Cen.)
Cuba vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (PAS)
 
Sunday, July 25
Cuba vs. Czech Republic 9 a.m. (Cen.)
France vs. Venezuela 9:30 (PAS)
Netherlands vs. Panama, 12:30 p.m. (Cen.)
Canada vs. Korea, 2 p.m. (PAS)
Australia vs. Chinese Taipei,  4:30 p.m. (Cen.)
Italy vs. U.S.A. 7 p.m. (PAS)
 
Monday, July 26
Czech Republic vs. Korea, 11 a.m. (PAS)
Italy vs. France, 3 p.m. (PAS)
Chinese Taipei vs. U.S.A. (PAS)
 
Tuesday, July 27
Netherlands vs. Czech Republic, 9 a.m. (Central 2)
Venezuela vs. U.S.A., 9:30 a.m. (PAS)
Chinese Taipei vs. Italy 12:30 p.m. (Cen.)
Korea vs. Cuba, 2 p.m. (PAS)
France vs. Australia, 4:30 p.m. (Cen.)
Panama vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (PAS)
 
Wednesday, July 28
Italy vs. Australia, 9 a.m. (Cen. 2)
U.S.A. vs. France, 9:30 a.m. (PAS)
Cuba vs. Netherlands, 12:30 p.m. (Cen.)
Korea vs. Panama, 2 p.m. (PAS)
Venezuela vs. Chinese Taipei, 4:30 p.m. (Cen.)
Czech Republic vs. Canada, 7 p.m. (PAS)