Canada national baseball team

The Canadian national baseball team is the baseball team that represents Canada in international tournaments. It is currently ranked thirteenth in the world.[1] Its manager is Ernie Whitt, a former Major League Baseball catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. The team will try to qualify for the 2020 Olympics at the eight-team Americas Qualifying Event.

Canada national baseball team
Information
CountryCanada
FederationBaseball Canada
ConfederationCOPABE
ManagerErnie Whitt
World Baseball Classic
Appearances4 (First in 2006)
Best result9 (2006)
Olympic Games
Appearances2 (First in 2004)
Best result4 (2004)
World Cup
Appearances17 (First in 1970)
Best result Bronze: 2 – (2009, 2011)
Intercontinental Cup
Appearances? (First in 1973)
Best result?
Pan American Games
Best result Gold: 2 – (2011), (2015)

Current roster

2019 WBSC Premier12 roster
PlayersCoaches
Pitchers
Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches

Tournament record

World Baseball Classic

 Canada
World Baseball Classic
Tournament Results
United States 20069th
Canada 200913th
United States 201312th
United States 201715th
Medal Tally
Gold
-
Silver
-
Bronze
-
World Baseball Classic record Qualification record
Year Round Position W L RS RA W L RS RA
2006 Round 1 9th 2 1 20 23 No qualifiers held
2009 Round 1 13th 0 2 7 12 No qualifiers held
2013 Round 1 12th 1 2 18 26 3 0 38 9
2017 Round 1 15th 0 3 3 21 Automatically qualified
Total 4/4 3 8 48 82 3 0 38 9
Team Canada plays at the 2009 WBC as hosting fans cheer the players on

2006 WBC

In June 2005, Major League Baseball announced the formation of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), an international competition to be held in March 2006 for the first time. Canada was one of the sixteen teams invited to play in the inaugural classic. Because the event will be held in March, before the North American baseball season traditionally starts, players active in Major League Baseball or any minor league affiliates are eligible to play in the WBC, making the team markedly different from the teams which represented Canada in the 2005 World Cup or the 2004 Olympics.

Several high-profile Canadian players declined the opportunity to participate, including Ryan Dempster, Shawn Hill, Danny Klassen, Éric Gagné and Rich Harden, who were injured. Los Angeles Dodgers' prospect Russell Martin was named to the team, but pulled out in favor of reporting to Spring training. In addition, Larry Walker, who retired after the 2005 season, opted not to participate, choosing instead to serve in a coaching capacity.

Before being eliminated after the first round, Canada played in Pool B of the tournament with Mexico, South Africa and the United States.

vs. South Africa

Team Canada was heavily favoured to win their first game against South Africa, a team made up almost entirely by amateurs. However, South Africa put up a tough challenge to the Canadian team. South African starter, Carl Michaels pitched outstandingly; Canada could not get a run until the 5th inning, when they scored 3. However, the South Africans shockingly scored 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the 5th against Paul Quantrill. It was back and forth from then on. It looked like South Africa might pull off a monumental upset as they went into the 9th with an 8-7 lead. However, in the top of the 9th, the Canadians scored 4 times to win the game 11-8.

vs. the United States

After almost being upset by a surprising South African team, Canada pulled off an upset of its own with an 8-6 victory over the star-studded United States team. Scoring in each of the first five innings, the Canadians built an 8-0 lead using a combination of timely, patient hitting, steady pitching and clutch fielding. In the bottom of the fifth, the United States threatened a comeback, exploding for 6 runs, capped off by a Jason Varitek grand slam. The Canadian team held off the US the rest of the way, as neither team crossed the plate again in the game. Adam Stern had a strong outing, going 3 for 4, a double shy of the cycle, with an inside-the-park home run, as well as making several spectacular plays in center field to keep his team ahead.

vs. Mexico

After Canada's victory over the United States, they got shocked by the Mexican team in a 9-1 resounding defeat. Unfortunately for the Canadian side, this victory would eventually cost them the trip to the 2nd round of the tournament after the United States beat South Africa 17-0 and clinched the second place in Pool B. Canada, USA, and Mexico each finished with a 2-1 record in the pool, but Canada lost the tie-breaker based on runs allowed.

Results

Round One

  • March 7
    • Canada 11, South Africa 8
  • March 8
    • Canada 8, USA 6
  • March 9
    • Canada 1, Mexico 9

2009 WBC

Canada also competed in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, hosting the Pool C games at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The Canadians lost a close game against the United States by a 6-5 score in the Pool C opener. Canada was eliminated from the tournament after losing 6-2 to underdog Italy. Canada exited the WBC with an 0-2 record and 6.35 runs allowed per 9 innings, to secure thirteenth place overall.

2013 WBC

Canada won a qualifying tournament in Armin-Wolf-Arena in Regensburg, Germany, in September 2012, that also featured the Czech Republic, Germany and Great Britain. Canada moved on to the 1st Round.[2]

The Canadian team was placed in 2013 World Baseball Classic – Pool D against Italy, Mexico and the United States. On March 8, Canada lost to the Italian baseball team 14-4 after the game ended in the 8th inning due to the mercy rule in place after Italy scored five additional runs during the bottom of the 8th inning.

On March 9, Canada faced off against Mexico. With Canada already leading the game, third baseman Luis Cruz motioned the pitcher Arnold Leon to bean the next batter, Rene Tosoni, which resulted in a bench clearing brawl. Seven players from both teams ejected from the game. Despite this, they clinched a 10-3 win over Mexico. They lost the final game against the United States 9-4, thus eliminating Canada from the tournament. The Canadian team missed out on advancing to the next round for the third time, but still managed to claim their automatic qualification for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

2017 WBC

In the 2017 World Baseball Classic, their performance were abysmal, even having lost to surprising debutants Colombia. After losing all three of its matches, they are forced to go through qualifiers for the 2021 World Baseball Classic.

Olympic Games

 Canada
Baseball at the Olympics
Medal Event
Athens, 20044th
Beijing, 20086th
Medal Tally
Gold
-
Silver
-
Bronze
-
Summer Olympics record Qualification
Year Host Round Position W L RS RA
1984 United States Preliminary 5th (tied) [lower-alpha 1] 1 2 10 11
1988 South Korea Preliminary 5th (tied) [lower-alpha 1] 1 2 17 19
1992 Spain Did not qualify
1996 United States Did not qualify
2000 Australia Did not qualify 1999 Pan American Games
2004 Greece Finals 4th 5 4 46 36 2004 Americas Olympic Baseball Qualifying Tournament
2008 China Preliminary 6th 2 5 26 23 4th, American Qualifying Tournament
Final Qualifying Tournament
Total [lower-alpha 2] 2/5 7 9 72 59
  1. No medals awarded; tournament was a demonstration sport only
  2. Totals only include years 1992 to 2008, during which baseball was an official medal sport.

Canada has qualified for two Olympic Games, in 2004 and 2008. Canadian teams also competed twice when baseball was a demonstration sport, in 1984 and 1988.

1984 Summer Olympics

In the 1984 Summer Olympics, the team finished third in their pool, the equivalent of a tie for fifth overall.

1988 Summer Olympics

In the 1988 Summer Olympics, the team finished seventh.

2004 Summer Olympics

In the 2004 Summer Olympics, the team finished fourth.

2008 Summer Olympics

Canada qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics by finishing 1st place in the final qualifying tournament. They finished the tournament in 6th.

World Cup

 Canada
Baseball World Cup
Amateur World Series
Colombia, 19709th (tie)
Cuba, 19716th (tie)
Nicaragua, 19729th
Nicaragua, 19736th (tie)
United States, 19744th (tie)
Italy, 19789th
Japan, 19805th
South Korea, 19825th
World Cup
Italy, 19885th
Canada, 19908th
Nicaragua, 199414th
Italy, 19986th in Pool B
Taiwan, 20016th in Pool B
Cuba, 20035th in Pool A
Netherlands, 20055th in Pool A
Taiwan, 20079th
Europe, 20093rd
Panama, 20113rd
Medal Tally
Gold
-
Silver
-
Bronze
2
Rank
14th

Canada has competed at 9 World Cups and 8 more times in its predecessor the Amateur World series. Their best finish was a bronze at the 2009 World Cup and at the 2011 World Cup.

Pan American Games

At the 2011 Pan American Games, Canada beat the USA 2-1 to win Canada's first ever baseball gold medal. Canada won their second consecutive gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games, defeating the USA 7-6 (10 innings) in the final.

Players

Manager
Ernie Whitt
Coaches
Larry Walker, Denis Boucher, Stubby Clapp, Greg Hamilton, Tim Leiper, Paul Quantrill
Player No. Pos. DOB and age Team League
Andrew Albers27P (1985-10-06) October 6, 1985Minnesota Twins (minors)Major League Baseball
Phillippe Aumont17P (1989-01-07) January 7, 1989Philadelphia PhilliesMajor League Baseball
John Axford59P (1983-04-01) April 1, 1983Oakland AthleticsMajor League Baseball
Jesse Crain28P (1981-07-05) July 5, 1981Chicago White SoxMajor League Baseball
Mark Hardy26P (1988-05-03) May 3, 1988San Diego Padres (minors)Major League Baseball
Jim Henderson51P (1982-10-21) October 21, 1982New York MetsMajor League Baseball
Shawn Hill45P (1981-04-28) April 28, 1981Detroit TigersMajor League Baseball
Jay Johnson57P (1989-12-21) December 21, 1989Philadelphia Phillies (minors)Major League Baseball
Chris Leroux63P (1984-04-14) April 14, 1984Pittsburgh PiratesMajor League Baseball
Trystan Magnuson38P (1985-06-06) June 6, 1985Toronto Blue Jays (minors)Major League Baseball
Scott Mathieson47P (1984-02-27) February 27, 1984Yomiuri GiantsNippon Professional Baseball
Dustin Molleken35P (1984-08-21) August 21, 1984Detroit TigersMajor League Baseball
Jameson Taillon18P (1991-11-18) November 18, 1991Pittsburgh PiratesMajor League Baseball
Chris Robinson30C (1984-05-12) May 12, 1984Baltimore Orioles (minors)Major League Baseball
John Suomi55C (1980-10-05) October 5, 1980Kansas City Royals (minors)Major League Baseball
Taylor Green5IF (1986-11-02) November 2, 1986Milwaukee BrewersMajor League Baseball
Cale Iorg16IF (1985-09-06) September 6, 1985Detroit Tigers (minors)Major League Baseball
Brett Lawrie13IF (1990-01-18) January 18, 1990Chicago White SoxMajor League Baseball
Jonathan Malo11IF (1983-09-29) September 29, 1983Québec CapitalesCan-Am League
Justin Morneau33IF (1981-05-15) May 15, 1981Chicago White SoxMajor League Baseball
Pete Orr4IF (1979-06-08) June 8, 1979Philadelphia PhilliesMajor League Baseball
Jimmy Van Ostrand29IF (1984-08-07) August 7, 1984Washington Nationals (minors)Major League Baseball
Joey Votto19IF (1983-09-10) September 10, 1983Cincinnati RedsMajor League Baseball
Tyson Gillies24OF (1988-10-31) October 31, 1988Philadelphia Phillies (minors)Major League Baseball
Adam Loewen21OF (1984-04-09) April 9, 1984Arizona Diamondbacks (minors)Major League Baseball
Michael Saunders20OF (1986-11-19) November 19, 1986Toronto Blue JaysMajor League Baseball
Rene Tosoni9OF (1986-07-02) July 2, 1986Milwaukee Brewers (minors)Major League Baseball
Tim Smith14DH (1986-06-14) June 14, 1986Atlanta Braves (minors)Major League Baseball

Uniforms

Home

Away

See also

References

  1. https://rankings.wbsc.org/
  2. World Baseball Classic. "Schedule" Accessed October 3, 2012. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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