Betts: Ward ready to represent Great Britain at World Baseball Classic

Terriers and Niagara Purple Eagles alum Matt Ward (Mississauga, Ont.) will be a bullpen catcher for Great Britain at the World Baseball Classic. Photo: Niagara University Athletics

March 4, 2026

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Catcher Matt Ward had no idea why Niagara University assistant coach Matt Spatafora was calling to ask if he still had his British passport.

It was winter break of his senior year at Niagara when Ward’s phone rang. On the other end was Spatafora (Scarborough, Ont.).

“I was confused as to why that would be necessary,” Ward (Mississauga, Ont.) said.

“It ended up being that there was the U23 (World Cup) tournament going on that year. There was a coach on the (Great Britain) staff trying to build a player pool for it.”

Ward, a former Terrier, has British citizenship thanks to his father Peter.

He went on to represent the country at that U23 World Cup where Great Britain would finish 2-6 and in 11th place in the 12-team tournament.

But more important were the relationships he built along the way.

Last September, he once again represented the nation, this time in the European championship, helping the team to a 3-3 record and a sixth-place finish.

He clearly made an impression because when Great Britain was selecting its 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, the national federation named Ward a bullpen catcher.

Ward will join Washington Nationals’ backstop Harry Ford and Toronto Blue Jays prospect Will Cresswell behind the plate. If there were to be an injury or one of them is unable to play for some reason, Ward could be activated, he said.

Great Britain is in Pool B in Houston with the United States, Mexico, Italy and Brazil. Clearly the underdogs, but Ward doesn’t care.

“To be surrounded by the best players in the world, you get a front row seat,” Ward said of what he’s excited about.

“I’m just going to try and pick everyone’s brain as much as I can and enjoy the moment. Learn as much as I can. I’m going to be the happiest person there and I don’t even know if I’m going to play. It’s going to be amazing.”

With experience with the national team under his belt, Ward understands the pride and passion that goes into representing a country. It’s something he’s looking forward to being part of again.

“International baseball is awesome,” Ward said.

“They told me that the first time, how it’s a different game. The emotions are really quite different. The passion guys leave on the field, it goes beyond who they’re there with. It’s representing everybody and it’s quite remarkable.”

Great Britain opens the tournament on Friday against Mexico. Games against the United States, Italy and Brazil round out pool play.

While he’ll relish every game, facing the United States on Saturday certainly stands out.

“It’s going to be beyond words,” he said.

“For someone who’s unlikely to make it to the big leagues, to share the field with them is going to be quite the moment I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”