Tim Smith’s Blog, Day 1
* OF Tim Smith (Toronto, Ont.) is back in a Team Canada uniform again as he tries to help Canada qualify for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Smith split 2012 between class-A Lynchburg and double-A Mississippi in the Atlanta Braves system ….
2013 Canadians Projected Draft list
Letters of Intent
2012 Canadians in the Minors
2012 Canadians in College
2012 Canadians Drafted
ADAM MORISSETTE — Mark Hardy works 3 scoreless in 12-0 win over SPC
BASEBALL AMERICA — Germany, France release rosters
International vet, Shawn Hill, starts opener for Canada
Adam Morissette — Canada sets roster for WBC qualifier
By Tim Smith
Twitter: @tsmitty9
TAMPA, Fla. — When the minor league season finishes up, most players are in shut down mode.
Thoughts of a mid-season slump turn to fantasy football, hitting the links, and returning home all are about to become a reality.
To sum it up, it’s almost a relief to some players that the offseason has arrived.
The hard work and minor league grind can be put on the shelf for a short period of time before training routines kick in … a partial break.
If you are lucky enough to have your name announced for your country’s roster, you can disregard all the above, because your mentality is elsewhere, especially if that country just so happens to bear the colours red and white, possibly sporting a maple leaf.
The Team Canada senior team is at it again.
Fresh off medalling in it’s previous three tournies which included an absolute beauty piece of hardware from the Pan Am Games in Mexico, a fat medallion that screams gold, Baseball Canada’s first gold medal placing in international history.
Fortunately for me, I was lucky enough to be a part of all this history. I was that guy high stepping in from left field when that last out took place … the fastest sprint of my career,
I wish the Perfect Game Scouting Service could have had me on the clock to be honest.
So take it from me, there’s no way to describe in words what it’s like to play for your country and on top of that … succeed!
So do you think I’m ready for the off season to kick in? I can answer that question for each member of the 2012 Canadian baseball team … absolutely not.
I’m ready to strap ‘em on and play all out for our country.
The 2013 World Baseball Classic is just around the corner.
Unfortunately, the gents don’t get a free entry, we have to earn a spot into the tournament. That brings me here today to give you readers the inside scoop over the next few weeks.
We’re off to Germany in a couple days to play in the qualifying tournament. I write to you today from Tampa where we have just arrived. We’re getting our feet back under us with some exhibition games and practice before the Euro trip kicks in.
I look forward to sharing our daily routines, funny stories, sight seeing, player personalities, the whole shebang.
Stay tuned, I will try to “blog” as much as time allows. If anyone has any questions or ideas, feel free to comment or contribute.
Follow me on twitter @tsmitty9 and feel free to give your opinions about this or that.
Cheers!
(Tim Smith, Toronto, Ont., 26, was drafted by the New York Mets in the 21st round in 2004 from Team Ontario, by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 17th round in 2005 from Midland Jr. College and the Texas Rangers in the seventh round in 2007 from Arizona State University. He’ll be writing a blog during the WBC qualifier.)
