Eight baseball teams from around Canada will go head-to-head at Baseball Canada’s U21 Junior National Baseball Championship in Regina. The national tournament runs August 18 to 21.
“Regina is a city that loves baseball, and players that participated in the 2015 championship saw ample evidence of that,” said Michael Fougere, Mayor of Regina. “Our facilities, our volunteer and hosting expertise, and ample accommodations mean our growing city is a perfect host to teams from across the country.”
Throughout the championship, the teams will be hitting the diamonds at Optimist Baseball Park and Currie Field. Spectators are encouraged to join the fun and cheer on their favourite teams. A kickoff barbecue will take place at Regina Optimist Baseball Park on August18 from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m., as well as the opening ceremonies which will include RCMP on horseback.
“We wish to welcome the athletes and spectators travelling to Regina for the U21 Junior National Championship Baseball tournament. It is great privilege to welcome this tournament back to our community for a second straight year and thanks to the hard work of Regina Optimist Baseball, it is sure to be yet another successful event,” said John Lee, President and CEO of Tourism Regina.
The Regina Optimist Baseball Association feels it is vital to foster players when they’re young to help provide them with skills and opportunities to succeed, as well as experiences to remember.
An example of this is seen with MLB player Dustin Molleken, who has climbed to the top since setting his goals out during his young career playing at Optimist Park.
“Our mission is to promote minor baseball and hosting the Baseball Canada U21 Junior National Championship is a perfect opportunity to showcase the great talent from across Saskatchewan and Canada,” said Rod Palanuik president of the Regina Optimist Baseball Association.
An example of this can be seen in the 2015 championship in Regina when 11-year-old Ethan Perron was asked to be a bat boy for Team Québec /Les Aigles De Trois Rivières.
“When I first showed up I was extremely nervous, and the team welcomed me with open arms. After explaining what was going to happen on the field, the first thing the coach did was give me my own uniform for the tournament. There was not a day that went by where I didn’t feel like I was part of the team,” said Perron.
“Before this tournament I was thinking of quitting baseball to play football instead, but this opportunity changed that. I saw what it was like to be part of a true team in those few days and someday I want to experience that with the baseball team I play for.”
