McFarland: Trask making Nova Scotia proud at Canadian Futures Showcase
Okotoks Dawgs Academy right-hander Jake Trask (New Minas, N.S.) struck out five batters in two scoreless innings to record the save for Team Royal in their 4-3 win over Team Black on Friday.
*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories. You can read it here.
September 19, 2026
By Joe McFarland
Alberta Dugout Stories
Stepping onto the mound at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Park in Vancouver, Jake Trask had two things on his mind.
Throw strikes and do it for his home province.
The New Minas, Nova Scotia native proceeded to make his competition uncomfortable in the batter’s box on Friday night at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.
Brought in to protect Team Royal’s 4-3 lead over Team Black, Trask walked Clark Heimbecker before striking out the side.
In his second inning of work, he got a strikeout and ground out, then allowed a single before striking out Daril Rodriguez to pick up the save.
It was about as efficient of an outing as anyone could have asked of Trask, who threw 22 of his 36 pitches over two innings for strikes.
“I’m feeling great,” he said after the game. “I just remembered where I came from and did it for the boys back home and kept my Nova Scotia pride.”
It’s another step in the journey for a young man who has made a big move across the country in hopes of taking his game to the next level.
EAST COAST CONFIDENCE
Ever since Trask was a young boy, his father and grandfather played big roles in instilling confidence.
“They always gave me keywords to say, like ‘you’re good enough’ or ‘you can do it,’ and just keep repeating it,” Trask said. “So I just sit back, take a breath, take a second to myself, and say it out loud.”
The approach has treated him well as he ascended through Kentville Minor Baseball, eventually earning several big opportunities over the last year, including representing Prep Baseball Canada at the Best of the West tournament in Kamloops this past spring.
Trask was also a member of the Atlantic Fronter team that made its way to The Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup, where the utilityman hit a three-run home run during the Ontario Qualifiers and pitched in one game in the main event in Okotoks this past July.
Despite going winless in Alberta, the right-hander was grateful to spend one more summer with his childhood friends.
“Just hanging out with the guys back home, be on a bit of a break from baseball and be with my family,” Trask said. “Just the Nova Scotia summers – they’re nice, yeah.”
CROSS-COUNTRY MOVE
As it turns out, it wasn’t the last Okotoks would see of Trask, as he was planning to join Dawgs Academy at the end of the summer.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound two-way player had caught the coaches’ attention and he was determined to find a way to grow his game.
He admits it was a big move but, after numerous conversations with family, friends and those in the baseball world, it was a necessary one.
“The first couple of weeks were a bit hard, but I’m starting to get into the rhythm of knowing the routine,” Trask said. “It’s a lot out there as you’re there (at the facilities) every day, but I’m loving it now.”
He gives credit to the players and coaching staff for making the transition much easier.
CHASING HIS DREAMS
And now the goal is to get on the radar of college coaches and recruiters.
He certainly did his part with his performance at the Canadian Futures Showcase, and the already-confident young man believes he can build on it.
“Just gaining confidence in knowing who you are and what you’re capable of,” Trask said. “Everybody is here for a reason, so you just have to showcase the skills that brought you here.”
He hopes young players in Nova Scotia are inspired to pursue baseball by watching players like him and fellow Dawg Reid MacDonald, who hails from Long Point and is also at the Canadian Futures Showcase.
“Just chase your dreams,” Trask said. “No dream is ever too big. Just work as hard as you can, work your butt off, and God always has a plan.”
The plan, at least for now, is to keep building off his experiences in Vancouver while training in Okotoks to potentially head to a post-secondary program after high school graduation in 2027.