Thunder Bay Selects’ centre fielder Ryan Nason is taking a game-by-game approach to this year’s Canadian Senior Little League Championship.
The 16-years-old attended the first game at Baseball Centre Wednesday between British Columbia and Quebec. He made sure to notice how the other teams pitched and kept a sharp eye out for any possible weaknesses.
Nason believes Quebec, BC and Alberta are the teams to beat at this year’s championship.
Quebec has taken the Canadian championship for the last two years. But Thunder Bay has championships in its history too, having won its most recent title in 2005.
Although his team is going up against top-notch players, he said they’re feeling confident that the Selects can hold its own.
“We have a decent chance to get to the finals,” he said. “All that matters is getting to the final four. Anything could happen then. Going to the world championship would be a once and a lifetime experience. But we have to get there first. We have to worry about today not tomorrow.”
Nason sees one of the big advantages of having the championships in Thunder Bay is being able to sleep in his own bed.
He said his team is able to keep a routine and are able to keep more relaxed.
But he suspects the fans will do a lot to bring up the Selects’ energy.
“Baseball isn’t too popular right now but I’m hoping having the Canadians here gets more people involved,” he said.
Team manager Mike McAllister said the team is still energized from winning the district tournaments despite having a long break. All the team needed was some fine-tuning such as working on holding runners.
McAllister added they’re honoured to be representing Thunder Bay this year.
“Obviously you want to come here and compete and we want to show Thunder Bay and the rest of the teams that traveled here what we’re made of,” he said. “Everyone in Thunder Bay obviously wants us to do well.”
