Team Canada, with a roster that includes seven Newfoundlanders, went 6-0 in a softball tournament in British Columbia over the weekend as a tune-up for the upcoming world men’s softball championship.
Ryan Boland, Shane Boland and Jason Hill of St. John’s, Sean Cleary and Bradley Ezekiel of Harbour Main, Kyle Ezekiel of Holyrood and Placentia native Steve Mullaley are among the 17 players on the national team. John Hill of St. John’s and Les Howey of Conception Bay South are assistants on head coach John Stuart’s staff.
The WSBC worlds are being held particularly early this year, June 13-23 in the Czech Republic. To put that in perspective, that’s only about two weeks after the local St. John’s senior league’s 2019 season gets underway; the St. John’s league has its first games set for this coming Sunday.
The 2017 worlds (they’re held every two years), were July 7-16 in Whitehorse, where Canada finished third.
The two Bolands, Cleary, Brad Ezekiel, Mullaley, John Hill and Howey all were with Team Canada in Whitehorse.
With the earlier start to this year’s worlds, it is imperative teams set to play in the Czech Republic get as much on-field action as possible. Hence Canada’s entry in the eight-team Kelowna May Days Fastpitch Tournament, with the national tam’s opposition coming from western Canadian club teams.
Team Canada defeated the Lumberjack Giants Monday after romping through its three preliminary and first two playoff games, outscoring the opposition 55-2 in the process. The Canadian men had also played three exhibition games prior to event, winning all three by a combined score of 39-2.
Team Canada will hold its training camp June 6-9 in Innerkip, Ont., prior to leaving for Europe.
