By Pat Healey Marketing and Media Consultant
ISF 2005 JR. MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP http://www.2005worldsoftball.com

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. The Canadian Junior Men’s softball team is looking for ‘balance’ when it selects the 17 players to represent Canada at the ISF 2005 Jr. Men’s World Softball Championship June 24 to July 3 in Summerside. Coach Kelly McGiffin of Port Alberni, British Columbia, said the 30 players selected to the team’s five day tryout camp in Kitchener, Ontario starting June 10 was based on evaluations from each province’s Canada Games coaches. “We’ll select the 17 that we’re going to take to the Worlds then fly to CFB Greenwood, N.S. and train there,” McGiffin said. “We’ll be playing a number of exhibition games in St. Croix.” The father of three boys, Aaron, Morgan and Rob, said the team has 10 pitchers trying out, and hopes to take four or five top performers from camp with the team to the Worlds. “We’re trying to get the best balance possible with strong defense and pitching,” he added during a phone interview recently. “The team will really have a balanced approach.”

The team will be holding a selection camp June 10-15 in Kitchener, Ont., and then the trimmed roster of 17 will head to Greenwood, N.S. for a five-day training camp from June 16-21 before driving over to P.E.I. He noted the team would be playing an exhibition doubleheader against the Charlottetown Razzy’s Roadhouse Fawcetts June 21 at Central Field in Charlottetown at 7 and 9 p.m. They will then watch the Fawcetts play a doubleheader June 22 against New Zealand in Charlottetown. “We’ll see how one of our competitors play and take the day off,” McGiffin added.

When asked why Team Canada is late picking their team, considering teams such as Denmark, Australia and U.S.A have been together for the past year, McGiffin said it was hard with 2005 being a Canada Games year as well. “It’s a tough question, but mainly because of timing,” McGiffin explained. “The players play with their club teams and tryout for their respective Canada Games squads so it’s difficult to put together a schedule where you’re not doing a pick and play.” McGiffin said the Canadian coaching staff was poised at having a team last year, but the Canada Games factor played into their plans. “We had a choice to pick the team last year and have them playing in the spring, but they (the players) grow,” he added. “It was really hard to choose, so we decided to compact it all into one camp.

There’s pros and cons to doing the selection last year and now.” He said the 30 players trying out go in knowing nobody is a lock to make the team, meaning each and every player will have to work hard just to make the team. A factor adding to the decision-making is the early date for a softball championship on the East Coast. “It’s different to with the early date as the season is just getting going in late June,” McGiffin said. “I think you will see a really competitive camp as all players will have to make the team and there’s no givens.” He said Canadian management scouted players and went on recommendations from the players’ Canada Games coaches. They then compared the players to fellow competitors at the 2004 Canadian Midget Boys Fast Pitch Nationals co-hosted by the City of Summerside and Town of Alberton. “When it comes down to it, it will be a tough decision for us the coaching staff, which is good,” said McGiffin. “I believe all the players have a real legitimate chance to make the team. “The first day or two they’ll be nervous, but then they should settle down and get mentally focused and by the end of the week should have had a good camp.”

P.E.I.’s Jeremy MacKinnon is the lone Islander trying out for the team. —–

Pat Healey MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS mailto:phealey@2005worldsoftball.com