2018 Future Games - Team Canada Recap
August 8, 2018
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2018 FUTURE GAMES - Team Canada Recap
A Year of Firsts...
For the fourth year, Canadians set foot at the Future Games, but for the first time, Team Canada Futures rolled in with authority.
Aside from a 3-0 record - the first time we’ve accomplished the feat - Canada sent out the top 2020 and 2021 prospects from Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. With three days’ worth of depth on the mound, and plenty of ammo at the plate, Team Canada banged out 22 runs in three games, nearly doubling the runs earned, including a first-time win over PBR Michigan. But that’s not the most exciting part.
What’s exciting is that this is only the beginning.
As the years go on, Team Canada Futures will have representation from all across the country, with just a fraction of players coming from specific provinces. The Future Games has served as a breeding ground for alumni that eventually joined the Team Canada Junior National Program - 17 over our first three years - and more to be named in 2018.
For the first time, we had three Quebec players from Academie Baseball Canada join us in right-hander Simon Lusignan, catcher Raphael Pelletier, and outfielder Simon Menier. Pelletier also became the first Canadian ever to commit on site at the Future Games when he verballed to TCU on Day 3.
🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS FROM PBR FUTURE GAMES🚨🚨
— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) August 4, 2018
2020 C Raphael Pelletier (@RaphPelletier2) out of @ABCacademie commits to @TCU_Baseball!!
Pelletier, who attended our ProCase in June, is the first Canadian ever to commit at this event.
Congrats to Raph and his family! #PBRCanada pic.twitter.com/SvT64RmkeJ
Jumping across the country, Alberta-native Levi Abbott, the top-ranked player in their 2020 class, also became the first player from Alberta to suit up at the Future Games. Abbott, who hails from powerhouse program Vauxhall Academy, paved the way for future west coast players with standout performances on the mound, notching wins on Day 2 and Day 4.
While it was an extremely successful year of firsts, our players understood that showing up in Indianapolis meant representing an entire country, a chip on their shoulder they had no problem carrying.
So coaches, thank you for keeping your eyes on our guys, for providing them opportunity, and for giving them a shot - we’re certain it won’t be the last time you notice us down here.