Dawgs' Machej savoring opportunity to play in Showcase at Rogers Centre
Okotoks Dawgs infielder Eric Machej (Edmonton, Alta.) bats during a game at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre. Photo: John Milton
September 23, 2023
By John Milton
Canadian Baseball Network
This past month has been a whirlwind of excitement and accomplishments for Illinois State commit Eric Machej of the Okotoks Dawgs Academy.
In what should be a timeframe to start ramping down, Machej (Edmonton, Alta.) saw himself called up to play with the Okotoks Dawgs Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) team in the playoffs. The Dawgs would go on to win their second consecutive WCBL championship and Machej played a role, by pitching in with some timely offence in the final against Medicine Hat.
Just after clinching the WCBL championship, Machej received another honour by being selected to the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre. The annual event hosts the top 160 players with college and draft eligibility from across Canada.
“My reaction to being selected to this was a lot of excitement,” said Machej. “Last year with the showcase in Ottawa, I know a lot of guys wanted the chance to play at Rogers and be in Toronto and have a better opportunity of taking in the big league experience and getting to enjoy the event with the help of the Blue Jays organization. That being said, being selected meant the shot to play under the lights and be able to play in a big league ballpark while in high-school is something I’ll be able to cherish for a long, long time.”
Playing at the Canadian Futures Showcase, the players will have an opportunity to compete on a major league field in front of college coaches and scouts from every major league team. The significance of this opportunity is not lost on Machej.
“It means a lot to me to be a part of this event and be able to play and perform with some of the top kids in the country and be a part of this elite group,” said Machej. “It shows all the work being put into your game has paid off and [is being] recognized by people other than your peers and gives me an opportunity to impress scouts and schools while I’m at the event.”
While all of this can be overwhelming for young players, Machej credits the Okotoks Dawgs Academy and his coaches for preparing him for events like this.
“The Dawgs do an unbelievable job at training and polishing talent in their program and the role they’ve played in my baseball career is massive,” said Machej. “Before moving to Okotoks, I never would’ve guessed I’d have the opportunity to play NCAA Division 1 baseball and the opportunity to partake in events like this and the coaching staff and culture at the academy has shaped me into not only a better ball player but a better young man as well.
“Coach Tyler Hollick and coach Lou Pote have moulded me into the player and person that I am now and given me countless opportunities to succeed and fail and grow and learn from those experiences and hold me to a high standard and to always strive and push for more and never be satisfied. Always want to work harder, move quicker, throw harder, run faster — all these things that don’t only affect my baseball career but how I go about work in the classroom and strive to try and work the hardest I can to achieve the best possible.”
Upon arriving to the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Machej was given his jersey to wear for the event. As a student of the history of baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays, the significance of getting to wear No. 32 isn’t lost on Machej.
“Wearing the number has a huge significance with not only the Jays, but also the baseball world and being able to wear the number and compete in the event is a massive honour,” said Machej.
After his first game at the Showcase, Machej said, “Playing under the lights at the Rogers Centre with the retractable roof, the big league playing surface, and the five decks of bleachers is a surreal experience. The event doesn’t compare to anything else I’ve ever been a part of and the opportunity the Jays organization have given me and other kids is truly incredible. It really makes you feel like you’ve made it to the show and you’re a big league player even though there’s still plenty of steps ahead until any of us are able to get there.”
No matter how the week plays out for Machej, he’ll take away some things from this event.
“I’ll take away shared experiences with my teammates, meeting new guys and competing against top guys in the country and being able to say I competed and did everything I could to represent me, my school, my family, and the Dawgs,” said Machej. “Another takeaway would be the opportunity for my family to watch me and spend time with them and enjoy the experience with the people closest to me”.