McFarland: No ordinary Zoe, Women's National Team MVP also a softball star
“She filled up two passport pages in 2023, and if Zoe Hicks has anything to say about it, she wouldn’t mind doing it all again in 2024.
Representing both Softball Canada and Baseball Canada during the year, she often found herself flying from one event to the next with little rest in between.
Hicks wouldn’t have it any other way though, as her passion and energy around the diamond is evident when we sit down for a Zoom chat in December.
She had just received the news that she was named the Baseball Canada Women’s National Team Most Valuable Player in just her second season with the team.”
Read More
Paying tribute to Ashley Stephenson on International Women's Day
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew pays tribute to the trailblazing and inspirational Ashley Stephenson on International Women’s Day.
Read More
McFarland: Playing in Women’s World Cup would be “dream come true” for Johnson
“Baseball’s offseason always feels far too long for Amy Johnson, but it’s felt even longer heading into the 2024 season.
The Saskatoon product has been champing at the bit to get back onto the field and get ready for the possibility of representing Canada at the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Even though the 21-year-old has been on Baseball Canada’s Women’s National Team roster for the last two seasons, Johnson isn’t assuming anything yet.
“Playing in the World Cup would be a dream come true,” she told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. “It’s the highest level in the sport I love and it would be such a great opportunity that I would remember forever.”
Read More
Schedule announced for WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals
Canada will open play at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) IX Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals against Mexico on July 28 at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ont., before taking on Japan, USA, Venezuela and Chinese Taipei in the event that is set to take place from July 28 to August 3.
Read More
Fitzpatrick: National team pitching legend Heisler elected to the Canadian ball hall
On the international stage, no one has represented Canadian baseball more than Rod Heisler. The left-handed hurler from Moose Jaw, Sask., made a record 14 appearances in international competitions for Canada, dating back to his first Amateur World Series in 1978. For his efforts, Heisler was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Read More
Shushkewich: Martin savors Canadian ball hall honour
“Sitting in a golf cart fielding questions from numerous journalists via a conference call, newly elected Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Russell Martin was in good spirits as he reflected on his career.
He answered questions about all aspects of his playing career, from competing in youth baseball in Montreal to catching Greg Maddux in his early days with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The four-time major league All-Star even discussed his post-career coaching aspirations.
“I have loved my experiences with the coaching at the recent World Baseball Classic and with the Blue Jays, although I haven’t coached too much since my playing days,” reflected Martin from his cart. “I have three little girls at home that need their dad but once they get older, I definitely can see myself getting into coaching more.”
Read More
Verge: Stephenson becomes first Women's National Team player elected to Canadian ball hall
“Her impact on Canada every time she took the field was so profound, one Ashley Stephenson gracing the lineup card wasn’t enough.
A roster full of Stephenson’s — that’s what you hoped for, said former longtime Women’s National Team Manager Andre Lachance. Her competitiveness, reliability, and passion x9. (Or 20.)
“She was the type of player that you wish you had 20 of them on your team,” said Lachance, who managed the Women’s National team for 15 years.”
Read More
Verge: Trailblazing Stephenson preparing for second season as pro coach, World Cup
“I like to think that I was always going to be someone who really tries to push boundaries and tries to make things happen in whatever I want to do,” Women’s National Team great and Vancouver Canadians coach Ashley Stephenson (Mississauga, Ont.) recently told Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge. “I don’t want to be mediocre at things, I want to be exceptional at things. And sometimes to do that you’ve got to take scary steps.”
Read More
McFarland: Whitt sees bright future for Canada at WBC
“The 2026 World Baseball Classic can’t come fast enough for Ernie Whitt.
The Baseball Canada manager believes his team is on the cusp of getting into the championship bracket of the tournament if all of the stars align – literally.”
Read More
Glew: Saunders humbled by Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence honour
On Saturday night, national team alum and former big league slugger Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) became the 12th member of Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence. Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew caught up with Saunders earlier on Saturday.
Read More
Fitzpatrick: Axford couldn’t woo Ohtani to Jays, but deserves credit for impacting Canucks
National Team alum and former big league closer John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) jokingly took credit for the success of the young Canadian players on the national team at the Baseball Canada Awards Banquet & Fundraiser on Saturday night. It was all for fun then, but with all that he has done for Canadian baseball, his statement wasn’t too far off the mark. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick caught up with Axford to talk about the ex-closer’s career and his Shohei Ohtani tweet that went viral.
Read More
Shushkewich: From WBC to (both) Twin Cities, Julien barrelled up
After an outstanding performance batting leadoff for Canada at the World Baseball Classic, followed by a standout rookie big league campaign with the Minnesota Twins, Edouard Julien (Quebec, Que.) received a Special Recognition Award from Baseball Canada at their annual Awards Banquet & Fundraiser on Saturday night. Canadian Baseball Network writer Tyson Shushkewich caught up with Julien on Saturday.
Read More
Davidi presented with Baseball Canada’s Media Recognition Award
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi was presented with Baseball Canada’s Bob Elliott Media Recognition Award on Saturday.
Read More
Shushkewich: Quantrill and healthy shoulder head to Colorado Rockies
National team alum Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) was honoured with the Larry J. Pearson Alumni Award at Baseball Canada’s National Teams Awards Banquet & Fundraiser on Saturday. Canadian Baseball Network writer Tyson Shushkewich caught up with Quantrill prior to the banquet to talk about his career and his new role as a starter with the Colorado Rockies.
Read More
BWDIK: Baseball Canada Awards - Caissie, Julien, Naylors, Palmegiani, Quantrill, Saunders
Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew’s weekly “But What Do I Know?” column is devoted to the award winners at Baseball Canada’s annual Awards Banquet & Fundraiser.
Read More
Glew: 10 things you might not know about Michael Saunders
National team alum and former big league outfielder Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) will be inducted onto Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence on Saturday. Canadian Baseball Network editor Kevin Glew shares 10 things you might not know about Saunders.
Read More
Baseball Canada announces Women in Coaching Program participants
Baseball Canada has announced the participants in its Women in Coaching Program, an initiative that works towards fostering a more inclusive environment for female coaches in the world of baseball.
Read More
Heisler, Clapp, Robinson contributed most for Canada internationally -- Updated
Heisler, Clapp, Robinson contributed most for Canada internationally
Read More
Canadian finishes 2023 seventh in Women's WBSC/KONAMI World baseball rankings
Canada finished 2023 seventh in the Women’s WBSC/KONAMI World Rankings for Baseball, Softball and Baseball5. The men are ranked 16th.
Read More
Shi Davidi named recipient of Baseball Canada's Media Recognition award
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi has been named the winner of Baseball Canada’s Bob Elliott Media Recognition Award.
Read More