Giving back

Paul Quantrill and Brian McRae could be enjoying their retirement years at home, the game of baseball fading from their memories into the mists of time.

But the game is in their blood, and though neither man is looking for a path back to the big leagues in a coaching capacity, helping the next generation take those first steps toward a possible career in the game is why the two former major leaguers have signed on as assistants with their respective junior national teams at the World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay.

Quantrill, a 16-year veteran best known in Canada for his years with the Toronto Blue Jays, said Monday the game has given him too much not to want to pass some of that hard-earned knowledge along.

"I think, to be honest, that I owe something back to the game. One way of doing that is to help with our young national program, which is a fantastic program and good for the kids and I get enjoyment out of it."

McRae, a 10-year veteran who followed his father Hal into a Kansas City Royals uniform, where he enjoyed several seasons of modest success, has been coaching high school baseball in the Kansas City area.

The 43-year-old jumped at the opportunity to join U.S. manager Garye LaFevers’ staff.

"There was a need there and I had some free time for five weeks over the summer, so it worked out," said McRae, who finished his career in 1999 with the Blue Jays and is acting as the hitting and first-base coach for the high-powered Americans.

"I’m enjoying myself and I’ve had fun with the kids. I haven’t been involved in any international baseball at any level ... Being as hands on as I have been with this club is kind of nice and refreshing."

Fans can’t miss the bearded McRae, as vocal as they come on the field, perched in the first-base box when the Americans are at the plate.

"Nothing you can’t handle," he bellows, boosting the confidence of his hitters.

"Keep your hands up," he tells another.

His players are buying in to what McRae is selling

"He’s really good," said shortstop Francisco Lindor. "I like him as a hitting coach. He’s great. He’s always on us, telling us to hit a line drive or get on top of the ball, hit it hard, go the opposite way. That’s why he made it to MLB."

For Quantrill it was a chance to reconnect, if ever so briefly, with the game – although the London, Ont. native admitted it’s not easy being away from his family, acknowledging he’s probably missing between 15 to 20 little league games, a fact he doesn’t like.

"But it’s always great to be at the yard. The camaraderie is there, even with the kids. These are great young men. They’re very motivated and have big dreams and big things ahead of them. Just being a small part of that is very rewarding," Quantrill said, taking a break during Canada’s off-day practice at the WJBC.

"I think a lot of players that don’t come back and give something back to some extent are missing out on something that’s a wonderful time."

Like McRae, his young Canadian pitching staff seems to enjoy having a fountain of knowledge at their fingertips.

Count St. Constance, Que. native Brian Bardis among his disciples. Bardis said he’s a lot like Quantrill was on the mound, meaning he’s learned that much more from his teacher.

"For me he did a great job. But for everyone he’s helped us improve. We’ve been known as the best pitching staff Team Canada has had. But Paul brought us to another level. It shows in the game and it shows in practice."

Both Canada and the U.S. have advanced to Friday’s quarterfinal round.