Coquitlam was up bright and early yesterday morning for their US cross-over game against New Jersey on the senior diamond at Herritage Park. A 9am start meant the boys were up for breakfast at 7 and at the park for warm up by 7:30. Representing Coquitlam in our home greens, Team Canada took the field at 8:30 for infield-outfield fist pumping to DJ Pauly D and the Jersey Shore soundtrack. Their opponents finally showed up to the park at 8:49 and the first pitch was delivered at 9:05am. In switch-it-up game, Team Canada's coaching staff started this year's rookies and the boys got to play in positions they wanted to play, but would not normally play in.
'The Dealer' Jonathan Keltie got the start and his curveball dominated the New Jersey offence in his 2 innings pitched. Keltie was followed up by Hayden Jaco who also limited runs by serving up a steady diet of junk. Cameron Williams closed it out and picked up the save.
On offence the A's were patient at the plate, taking advantage of limited warm-up time by the East's pitching staff. Walks were aplenty and Canada had runners on base in every inning. Timely hits plated 7 runs over 5 innings and the game was called at the 2 hour time limit. The A's won their first game of the JLWS 7-5!!!!
Finishing the tourny at 1-4 the boys from Team Canada had the time of their lives as the World Series. They played against some world class teams, watched some GREAT baseball, and bought a TON of souveniers. They made some friends (and some enemies), took in the sights of Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, and got to go to Hooters for lunch! Pictures, videos, pranks, wrestling matches, water slides, and fist pumping car rides all capped off a 3 week road trip that was an absolute blur. Tonight we head to Herritage Park to watch the Championship game, Texas vs Chinese Taipei, and will participate in closing ceremonies. We board our bus for Toronto at 1am, and are scheduled to arrive back in Vancouver between 12:30 and 1:00pm PT.
