C's Program #11

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SCOREKEEPING 101 HOW TO SCORE A BASEBALL GAME LAVALLEEBRENT A SPECIAL HOMECOMING SEASON FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY TEAM ROSTERS VANCOUVER CANADIANS VS EUGENE EMERALDS A CHAT WITH STEWARD BERROA A CHAT WITH ANDRESMEETSOSAOUR MASCOTS OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 SEASON - ISSUE 11

2 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 APRIL 24 UmbrellaGiveaway FIRST 500 FANS MAY 8 Mother's Day Hat Giveaway FIRST 500 MOMS (WITH A CHILD PRESENT) MAY 22 AutographBookGiveaway FIRST 500 KIDS 12 AND UNDER JUNE 5 GiveawayPennant FIRST 500 KIDS 12 AND UNDER JUNE 19 Father's Day Hat Giveaway FIRST 500 DADS (WITH A CHILD PRESENT) JULY 3 Mini GiveawayBat FIRST 500 KIDS 12 AND UNDER JULY 17 GiveawayMascotSocks FIRST 500 KIDS 12 AND UNDER JULY 31 ReplicaGiveawayJersey FIRST 500 KIDS 12 AND UNDER AUGUST 7 lunchjerseybagGiveaway FIRST 500 KIDS 12 AND UNDER AUGUST 28 BackpackGiveaway FIRST 500 KIDS 12 AND UNDER SEPTEMBER 11 GiveawayBlanket FIRST 500 FANS ENJOY $2 A&W ROOT WITHFLOATS!BEER®ALLPROCEEDSDONATEDTOLOCALCHARITIES And DON’T MISS A&W FAMILY FUN GATES OPEN AT NOON. FIRST PITCH 1:05

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STEINER STORIES: BRENT LAVALLEE

Climbing through the Blue Jays system. TEAM ROSTERS 27 MEET THE 2022 VANCOUVER CANADIANS

The Souvenir Program is published by the Vancouver Canadians Professional Baseball Club. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission of Vancouver Canadians Professional Baseball Club is prohibited. Copyright 2022 Vancouver Canadians Professional Baseball Club. 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, BC Canada V5V 3H4. Phone: 604-872-5232 Fax: 604-872-1714 Email: staff@canadiansbaseball.com Web: www.canadiansbaseball.com

A letter from owners Jake Kerr & Jeff Mooney. GET TO KNOW YOUR CANADIANS FRONT OFFICE STAFF Meet the team behind our team as we feature those who work around the clock to ensure your best ballpark experience. 2022 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

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Each week, our own Ben Steiner sits down with a C’s player or coach to find out more about the path that brought them to The Nat. This week: manager Brent Lavallee

MESSAGE FROM VANCOUVER CANADIANS

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32 CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES

ROAD TO THE SHOW

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VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 3

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This year’s squad is looking to bring home Northwest League Championship #5! Let’s meet this year’s ‘Boys of Summer’!

This is your chance to map out the entire summer using our vibrant and colourful Promo Sked that shows you every single moment this season. A great tool to plan out the games you absolutely HAVE to see this season.

Check out the complete list of every Canadians player (20002021) to have made it to the bright lights of MLB 34 HOW TO SCORE THE BASEBALL GAME A Scorekeeping 101. 36 C’S CHAT – STEWARD BERROA

Niall caught up with outfielder Steward Berroa to find out more about his past, what he’s working on this season and how his first Nat Bailey Stadium experiences have been. 46 C’S CHAT – ANDRES SOSA Niall caught up with catcher Andres Sosa to find out more about his past, what he’s working on this season and how his first Nat Bailey Stadium experiences have been. 52 MEET OUR MASCOTS! The Canadians feature not one, not two, but seven amazing mascots all with their own claim to fame! Take a look at the colourful characters that keeps fans smiling all summer long. 53 KIDS FUN PAGE Fun kids activities 54 2022 BROADCAST SCHEDULE With more games on radio than ever before and a MiLB.TV broadcast package as well – the Canadians and Sportsnet 650 have baseball in Vancouver covered like never before!

CONTENTS

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We have continued our important work through the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation. Over 300 local children will join our program this year and we look forward to getting back out in the local community through a multitude of commitments that we proudly honour. We hope that you will continue to support our team and our community alongside us.

Here’s to many, many more years of fun and memories here at historic Nat Bailey Stadium. Go JakeC’s!Kerr & Jeff Mooney

Welcome to Nat Bailey Stadium.

2022 is set to be a remarkable year in many ways. First and foremost, C’s baseball is back at The Nat for the first time since August 2019. So much has happened between now and then; the global pandemic wiped out the 2020 season and we spent all of 2021 playing away from home. There were times when we were not sure what the future would hold, but as caretakers of your professional baseball team we remain steadfast in our commitment to the ballclub, to you, the fans, and to this wonderful community. We cannot tell you just how excited and grateful we are to be back home.

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Through it all, we strive to create what we feel is the best sports experience not just in Vancouver, but in all of Minor League Baseball. We hope by the end of today’s game, you’ll agree with us.

Team president Andy Dunn and his staff have been working tirelessly to ensure that our return to Nat Bailey Stadium gives you any number of opportunities to create new and lasting memories with your colleagues, friends, and loved ones.

Enjoy the game and thank you for choosing to spend your time with us. We are proud to showcase the future stars of the Toronto Blue Jays for you and hope that today is another chance for you to create a memory with us all summer long.

This season we are celebrating 44 years of Vancouver Canadians Baseball as we welcome both you and our “Boys of Summer” back once again to historic Nat Bailey Stadium.

A MESSAGE FROM JAKE KERR & JEFF MOONEY 2017

GLACIER MEDIA IS PART OF THE LARGEST LOCAL NEWS NETWORK IN CANADA Are you an advertiser looking to reach the hometown crowd? Ask us about audience targeting. Visit g goteam.glaciermedia.c com With over 220 million page views every month, our content hits home with readers. We’re the trusted source for community news, award-winning stories and local flavour.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 77 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2019

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JAKE MAJORITYKERROWNER, MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER Born and raised in Vancouver, Jake Kerr attended the University of Brit ish Columbia before completing his MBA in Economics and Finance at the University of California at Berke ley. A Canadian business icon, Mr. Kerr has been the recipient of the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia for his remarkable contri butions to both our country and province. Taking ownership of the Canadians back in 2007, Mr. Kerr has led the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club to eight (8) fran chise attendance records, multiple Larry McPhail Awards for excellence within the Northwest League, and Minor League Baseball’s most coveted accolade - the John H. Johnson Presi dent’s Trophy, awarded to MiLB’s most complete franchise.

Andy Dunn has been with the Van couver Canadians since 2007, helping guide Canada's only affiliated Minor League Baseball franchise to a num ber of national accolades including the coveted John H. Johnson Presi dent's Trophy (2013) presented to the most complete franchise in MiLB - marking the first time in the award's 40-year history that a Canadian-based organization received the Knownhonour. by many in the baseball world, Andy has twice been named Florida State League Executive of the Year (1999, 2000) and also Northwest League Executive of the Year (2008), and has helped the Canadians reach new heights with 10 Northwest League awards during his tenure in Vancouver including multi ple John H. Johnson & Larry MacPhail Awards

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 9

Tom, who most recently served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Lancaster Jethawks 2014-2021. The Jethawks were the sister organization to the Vancou ver Canadians held under the same ownership group of Jake Kerr and Jeff TheMooney.native of Lincoln, Nebraska has a vast background in Minor League Baseball as prior to his arrival in Lancaster, Backemeyer helped develop franchises in Nashville, Rancho Cucamonga, Fresno, and Everett. He is a graduate of Col orado State University (BA) with an MBA from the University of Denver.

JEFF CO-OWNERMOONEY

TOM EXECUTIVEBACKEMEYERVICEPRESIDENT

In addition to his valuable contribu tions to the Vancouver Canadians, Jeff Mooney is Chairman Emeritus and a major shareholder of A&W Food Ser vices of Canadians Inc. Today, A&W is a strategy-driven organization that has grown to over 1,000 locations across Canada. A&W has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada for the past 10 consecutive years, and in 2008, it was honoured to become an official mem ber of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Platinum Club. Mr. Mooney is an alumnus of both the University of Saskatch ewan and Harvard University Graduate School of Business. In 2003, Mr. Mooney received Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Jubi lee Medal and three years later was inducted into the Restaurant Hall of Fame(2006). In 2016, Mr. Mooney was inducted into the B.C. Business Laureates Hall of Fame and this year received the Order of Canada ANDY PRESIDENTDUNN

FRONT STAFF

OFFICE

Returning for her seventh sea son with the Vancouver Canadians Stephani handles a wide variety of key organizational elements includ ing Group Sales as well as the C's social media platforms. She was pro moted to Assistant General Manager role prior to the 2019 season and was the recipient of the 2019 Northwest League Female Executive of the Year for her work with the C's.

Allan Bailey has been with the Van couver Canadians since 2007 and was appointed General Manager on September 5th, 2018, after spending the previous seven seasons as the or ganization's Assistant General Man ager. Allan has led several depart ments during his tenure with the C's including the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office and its ticket operations as well as his more recent efforts in Team Operations handling everything from player housing and travel right through to Information Technology (IT). Born in Victoria, B.C., and raised on the Lower Mainland's Sunshine Coast, Allan completed his education at McGill University while playing five seasons with the McGill Redbirds baseball program. Prior to university, Allan played for the NorthShore Twins of the B.C. Premier League WALTER COSMAN VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING

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ALLAN GENERALBAILEYMANAGER

With more than 20 years of Sales& Marketing experience here in Vancou ver, Walter decided to put those skills to work in the sport he's most pas sionate about, baseball. With a B.A. from the University of New Brunswick, Walter has worked with Proctor & Gamble, Molson Canda, Granville Island Brewing and Steamworks Brewing. Walter was also General Manager of Pet curean leading a staff of more than70 people. With a longstand ing corporate partnership with the Canadians prior to his arrival in May of 2019, Walter joins our club fully aware of the standard that has put the C's among the best in Minor League Baseball

CHARLENE YAROSHUK ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR Charlene is excited to be entering her 4th season with the Vancouver Canadians as their Accounting Coor dinator. In 2020 she graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Business Administra tion in Accounting. Growing up in the Vancouver area she spent most of her free time practicing martial arts and currently has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

After a standout collegiate softball career at California University of PA where Stephani played for the Vulcans and was named a Regional All-American, the Prince of Wales Secondary graduate and former Team BC member began her marketing career with the StephaniCanadians.works in concert with group leaders who expect the Canadians to provide an excellent ballpark experience with each visit out at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Brenda is entering her 15th season out at Nat Bailey Stadium but her second as Financial Controller for the Vancouver Canadians. She spent the first 10 years with Aramark Food Services in the company's financial division, dividing her time between at Nat Bailey Stadium and Rogers Arena. Brenda is responsible for all aspects of the Vancouver Canadians financial operations. She is right at home here at Nat Bailey Stadium, as much of her childhood was spent playing baseball on the local fields in Kamloops

STEVEN MANAGERMAISEYOFTICKETING

Steven transitioned into his current role as Manager of Ticket Operations in January 2020, and looks to maintain the service standards that fans have come to expect of the Canadians. In the offseason, Steven volunteers his time as a skills coach for the Vancouver Thunderbirds Minor Hockey.

OPERATIONS

BRENDA CHMILIAR FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

STEPHANI ELLIS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Steven enters his third season with the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club, and his first as Manager of Tick et AfterOperations.graduating from Langara Col lege with a diploma in Recreation Leadership Management, and intern ing for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Ste ven began his career with the Canadi ans on the operations side of the club, spending the two seasons (2018 – 19) as a member of the A&B Tools Rental Grounds Crew.

KENDRA MARKETINGCHINCOORDINATOR

TYLER MANAGERZICKELOFBROADCASTING & MEDIA RELATIONS

CHARLES O'NEILL MANAGER OF STADIUM OPERATIONS

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 11

LEVI WEBER HEAD GROUNDSKEEPER

Charles joins the Canadians in 2022 after working for a variety for base ball clubs including the Long Island Ducks, and the New York Mets. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his prior experiences to Nat Bailey HeStadium.previously completed his Bach elors of Sports Management from Farmingdale State College in New York.

Levi is no stranger to the Northwest League, with prior experience with the Spokane Indians as their Head Groundskeeper at Avista Stadium. His talents have also allowed him to be the field manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Spring Training Facil ity in Arizona. The Colton, WA native graduated from Washington State University with a Double Major in Turfgrass Management and Fruit and Vegetable Management and two mi nors in Horticulture and Agricultural Systems. In his time away from the ballpark, you can find him on the golf course, weight training or enjoying time with family and friends.

Kendra joins the C’s Marketing de partment for her first full season of baseball. She has recently completed a Bachelor of Business Administra tion degree with specialization in Marketing and Human Resource Man Prioragement.tojoining the team at The Nat, she worked for several years in the health & fitness industry. Her goal is to intertwine her passion for sports with her business background. In her spare time, she is coaching basketball to inner city kids. This Vancouverite also likes spending her free time playing basketball, tennis, golf, and skiing.

Tyler joined the Canadians in 2021 for his fourth season in the Blue Jays organization and seventh in MiLB. Before the C's, Tyler served as the Di rector of Promotions & Entertainment and Road Radio Broadcaster for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Over the course of three seasons in Manchester, he oversaw the entire in-game presentation and promotions de partments while traveling throughout the Eastern League calling 'Cats games. He began his MiLB career in 2014 as a communica tions intern for the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm in Southern California and was promoted twice in three years. As Assistant Di rector of Marketing and Director of Digital Content, respectively, Tyler was heavily involved in growing the team's online presence. He earned his B.A. in English from Whittier College in Los Ange les, where he played on the Poets baseball team and was elected Student Body President.

BALLPARK

12 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 COOPER MISIC SALES ASSOCIATE

LANE DEPLAEDT SALES ASSOCIATE Lane joins the C’s for his first sea son in Minor League Baseball after recently working with the Coquit lam Express Junior A Hockey Club in Game Day Operations. He is recently graduated from Thompson Rivers University with a bachelor’s or Busi ness Administration with a Major in Marketing. While away from the ballpark he enjoys spending time in his hometown of Port Moody or playing golf.

Jacob returns for his sixth season with the C’s and his first as Sales Associate. Joining the club for the 2016 season, Jacob began his time with the C’s in the Box Office, first as a Ticket Sales Representative, then as Box Office Assistant, with his transition to sales coming at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Jacob graduated from the Edwards School of Business at the Uni versity of Saskatchewan in 2021 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. When Jacob’s away from the Nat, you can find him watching Blue Jays baseball, Seahawks football, or, if he’s lucky, ice fishing in Saskatchewan.

Cooper is a former Langley Blaze pitcher, took his talents south of the border to play for both Galveston Col lege and at Central Washington Uni versity. He graduated from CWU with a Sports Management degree with a specialization in Business. Prior to joining the Canadians, he was a member of the Ground Crew at Northview Golf & Country Club.

BROOKS PRIMO CHRISTIAN WILSON COLE WARKENTIN DREW HOWSON AND STADIUM OPERATIONS

OWEN SCURALLI SALES ASSOCIATE

Owen enters his first season with the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club as a Sales Associate. After graduating from Brock Univer sity in St. Catharines ON with a degree in Sport Management, Owen complet ed an internship for a local athlete representation company doing sales and marketing prior to the start of the Owenpandemic.moved here from Ontario in March 2021, working as a Tel us Sales Rep, and spent time as a waiter at Craft Brewery before joining the C’s this past January. He brings a great deal of passion for sports and customer service to the team. In his spare time, Owen loves reading books, working out, and spending his summertime at Kitsilano Beach, a 5 min walk from his apartment.

JACOB NAKHLEH SALES ASSOCIATE

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 13 Blackout and other restrictions may apply. Visit MiLB.TV ® for details. Data and usage rates may apply for First Pitch app download and use. Use promo code CANADIANS and save! CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE NAT? CATCH THE ACTION LIVE ON MILB.TV SUBSCRIBE NOW

SUN MON TUE SUNWED MON TUE WED THU FRI SA T APRIL JU LY JUNE MAY SPO EV EE VE EV E HIL HIL HIL SPO EV E EV EV SPO SPO SPO TRI TRI TRI TRI TRI TRI EUG EUG EUG EUG EUG EUG HIL HIL HIL HIL HIL EV EE VE EV E EV E EV E EV E EUG EUG EUG EUG TRI TRI TRI TRI TRI TRI HIL HIL HIL HIL HIL SPO SPO SPO TRI TRI EUG EUG HIL HIL SPO SPO 3 45 6 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 20 24 25 26 27 31 89 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 1 2 34 5 6 7 8 91011121314 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 31 1 5 67 89 14 15 21 22 27 28 29 1:05 7:05 4:05 7:05 1:05 6:35 7:05 6:35 5:09 1:05 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 1:30 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 1:05 1:05 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 1:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 1:05 1:05 7:35 7:35 7:35 6:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 1:05 1:05 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 7:05 1:05 6:30 7:05 7:05 7:05 Y HIL H HI I7 27 2 35 6:35 6 3 :35 : 1 12 2 MA GNETIC SCHED ULE GI VEAWAY FIRST 2,500 FANS TRAVEL MU G GI VEAWAY FIRST 500 FANS FAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDUMBRELLAGIVEAWAY FIRST 500 ANS FAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY FAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDMINIBATGIVEAWAY AUTOGRAPHFAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDBOOKGIVEAWAY FIRST 500 KIDS 12 & UNDE MASCOTFAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDSOCKSGIVEAWAY FIRST 500 KIDS 12 & UNDE FIRST 500 KIDS 12 & UNDE REPLICAFAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDJERSEYGIVEAWAY FIRST 500 KIDS 12 & UNDE 2 1:05 05 1 PRESENTED BY A&W TR T R RI I2 6:31 6:3 6::30 HIL H I L2 29 9 1:0530 1: PRESENTEDPRESENTEDSUPPORYMCAPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTEDSUPPOR BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTED BY RBC SUPPORTING BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION HOSPITBCSUPPORTINGCHILDREN’SALFOUNDATION PRESENTED BY VAN HOUTTE COFFEEPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTEDSUPPOR GREATER VANCOUVERPRESENTED BY BCLCPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTEDPRESENTED BY BCLCPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC WPRESENTED BY A&W PRESENTED BY A&W PRESENTED BY A&W PRESENTED BY A&WPRESENTED BY A&W PRESENTED BY RBC SUPPORTINGBIGSISTERS 2022 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE 14 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022

WED THU FRI SA T SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SA T AUGU ST SE PT EMBER SPO SPO VE EV EE VE EV E HIL HIL HIL HIL SPO SPO E EV E EV E EV E TRI TRI TR I TRI TRI TRI EUG EUG EUG EUG EUG EUG EV EE VE EV EE VE EV E EV E HIL HIL HI L HI L HI L HIL SPO SPO SPO SPO SPO SPO EUG EUG EUG EUG EUG SPO SPO SPO SPO TRI TRI TRI TRI EUG EUG EUG EUG HIL HIL HIL HIL SPO SPO EU G 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30 1 23 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 12 3 45 67 8 9 10 2 3 4 89 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30 11 1:05 7:05 12:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 6:35 6:35 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 1:05 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 5:05 4:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 4:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 1:05 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:35 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 6:30 6:30 6:306:30 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 BEER KO OZIE GI VEAWAY FIRST 500 FANS TRAVEL POUC H GI VEAWAY FIRST 500 FANS PET FOOD N’ MORE ndigenous PeoplNight YOUTH BASEBALL NIGHT FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA FAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDJERSEYLUNCHBAGGIVEAWAY FIRST 500 KIDS 12 UNDER FAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDBACKPACKGIVEAWAY FIRST 500 KIDS 12 UNDER FAMILYA&WFUNSUNDAY-ANDBLANKETGIVEAWAY FIRST 500 FANS 6: 55 PRESENTED BY RBC INDIGENOUS DAY PRESENTED BY ROGERS PRESENTED BY RBC SUPPORTING OUT ON SCREEN VIDEO & FILM SOCIETYPRESENTED BY PHILLIPS BREWINGPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTED BY RBC PRESENTEDSUPPORTINGYMCABYRBCSUPPORTINGHOSPITALFOUNDATION PRESENTED BY RBC PRESENTED BY ROGERSPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTED BY RBC SUPPORTINGOUVERFOOD BANK PRESENTED BY ROGERS PRESENTEDSUPPORTINGBYRBCFOUNDRYBCPRESENTED BY BCLC PRESENTED BY RBC PRESENTED BY CLOVERDALE PAINT PRESENTED BY CLOVERDALEPRESENTEDPAINTBYRE/MAXPRESENTED BY PRESENTEDRETURN-ITBYSLEEMANBREWERIES PRESENTED BY TURNER CONSTRUCTION PRESENTED BY NÜTRL VODKA PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY FORTIS BC PRESENTED BY A&W PRESENTED BY A&W PRESENTED BY A&W VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 15

A SPECIAL HOMECOMING

BY BEN STEINER

It was just 2017 when Brent Lavallee and his son took pictures in the stands of Nat Bailey Stadium. Brent, originally from North Delta, BC, hadn’t been named the manager of the Vancouver Canadians, and he had brought his family up to his hometown for a holiday. It was just 2017 when Brent Lavallee and his son took pictures in the stands of Nat Bailey Stadium. Brent, originally from North Delta, BC, hadn’t been named the manager of the Vancouver Canadians, and he had brought his family up to his hometown for a holiday. In 2020, the Toronto Blue Jays named Brent the manager of the Canadians, only for the chance to evaporate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

BRENT

Yet, on the evening of April 18, 2022, the rain covered Vancouver, as it so often does, but as the hours ticked down to the C’s home opener on April 19, blue skies emerged, and MiLB baseball returned north of the border for the first time since 2019. “Welcome inside the Nat Bailey. Last night, there was lots of rain, but overnight the field withstood the deluge,” C’s broadcaster Tyler Zickel said over the Sportsnet 650 airwaves, his first broadcast in Vancouver. “After some terrific work from the grounds crew, the diamond is shining, and the boys are ready to take it to the Eugene Emeralds.”

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While Lavallee and the C's were already ten games into the season, North Delta’s own was getting his first chance to manage at The Nat, the opportunity which eluded him two years earlier. Although getting to Vancouver isn’t the end goal, it is undoubtedly a special stop for someone who spent 15 years as a player and coach with Louisiana State University Shreveport, especially given the affiliation with Toronto.

HOMECOMING SEASON FOR AND HIS FAMILY BRENT LAVALLEE

18 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 BC GAMING LICENSE #132781 KNOW YOUR LIMIT, PLAY WITH IN IT. 19+ SUPER 50/50 JACKPOT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

“It was amazing, just to stand and hear our national anthem for the first time,” he recalls of the first home game, a 6-5 loss to Eugene. “It gave me goosebumps, and it still does every game.”

“We’re a pretty relaxed group, and the players know what is required of them,” Lavallee said. “As a staff, we try to let the players play their game and be who they are. Sure, sometimes we take our lumps, but I think the consistency of work from staff and player and support staff has been terrific.”

“At the end of the day, though, Vancouver isn’t the deal breaker with the Blue Jays; it’s the whole package and being home in Vancouver was the icing on the cake.”

“We’ve got a lot of coaches and team calls in the morning, and in the late morning, I’ve got Spanish lesions,” Lavallee said. “Then we drive in, the beautiful drive through the Lower Mainland, and we get to the Nat Bailey and start the work for the day before the game.” Every day in minor league baseball looks similar, but each one is different at the same time. For a team on the precipice of a final, each day is critical as well.

Really, the C’s have had an abundance of standout moments this season, such as Damiano Palmegiani and his three grandslams or when the 6,413 fans on Ontario Street chanted “Sosa, Sosa, Sosa!” for Andres Sosa’s hot streak. Can’t forget about packed ‘Nooner Fridays to see Ricky Tiedemann or PK Morris consistently dialing in it for walk-off wins.

C’s group, the mood has stayed level and relativity positive.

Even with the highs, lows and repetition of gameday six days of seven, a few moments stand out for the first-year manager.

“SEEING THE SUNSET OR A ‘NOONER HERE AT THE NAT, IT’S SOMETHING THAT JUST BRINGS ME BACK TO CHILDHOOD.”MY

After missing out on Vancouver in 2020, he spent his 2021 summer managing in the Florida Complex League. Before returning to Vancouver in 2022, the first High-A season in British Columbia. However, it wasn’t just the pandemic that sent ripples throughout the minor leagues and the world; baseball starred down the contraction of 40 minor league teams. For the C’s, rumours swirled about losing minor league status or moving to a different organization.

“There's been a lot of great moments. You know, and many great situations for our players to be a part of in their career,” Lavallee Still,said.

“I was a little worried that time about the team being eliminated or the C’s moving to a different organization, but after we signed the 10year [professional development deal], I was pretty confident I could get back here,” Lavallee said.

While most of the team makes their home in the University of British Columbia dormitories, Lavallee has returned to the Fraser Valley, living in White Rock near family, where he welcomed his wife and kids during the summer.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 19

After a rollercoaster couple of years, Lavallee is back in his old surroundings, on the hallowed grounds of Nat Bailey Stadium, where he and his family used to watch the Triple-A Canadians, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angles.

“He loves baseball, but he never really got to come to the yard much with me, especially in the last two years,” Lavallee said. “It was really memorable to have him come out here to see the guys, even take some BP and throw some bullpens; he definitely Whileimproved.”theLittle

“We appreciate the support from everyone; our players and staff are getting what they deserve with the backing and the community from the Canadians fans, so we are incredibly grateful for all of that support.”

As the season draws to a close and the C’s battle for a playoff spot, Lavallee grabs some water and sits in the dugout to get out of the blazing sun. Baseball bat across his lap, he has nearly managed Vancouver through the season and to the precipice of the Northwest League Final.

In 2022, though, the 35-year-old manager isn’t in the crowd as a kid or with his kid but on the field leading the team amidst a run for the NWL pennant.

amid it all, no moment shines brighter for him as when his 10-year-old son was in town, taking batting practice and seeing the professional level, even though he may be a long way away from the pro game.

League evaluators in Florida are impressed by [SON’S NAME]’s progress, it's been a big summer for Lavallee and his family. After missing out on the opportunity to manage at his home ballpark two years ago, he’s comfortable now. He has the C’s on the edge of a playoff spot in a year that saw a former Nat Bailey manager take over the MLB club in Toronto.

As a team, though, it has been paramount for the group to keep their heads level and on the grind each day. “WFG,” the workout shirts say; “We Freaking Grind.”

Throughout the season, Vancouver has enjoyed a 10-game win streak that saw the club boast the hottest record in professional baseball. Still, there have also been low moments in losing streaks, close losses and Forinjuries.this

FINDING THE SPECIAL MOMENTS EVERY DAY

The daily routine is slightly different from the manager's chair and onwards through the baseball club. Although most of the team live just footsteps from each other, there are many Zoom calls and meetings to keep the group's cohesiveness, even when they’re apart.

“Seeing the sunset or a ‘Nooner here at The Nat, it’s something that just brings me back to my childhood.”

20 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 LIKE HITTING A HOMERUN EVERY TIME YOU’RE UP TO BAT. YOUR UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. Each o ce is independently owned and operated.

FRIDAYS Gates Open at Noon. First Pitch 1:05 BUY TICKETS

22 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 CRAFT CORNERICE COLD - FRESH BEER - LOCATED IN THE3RD BASE FOOD COURT PROUDLY SERVING

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (MLB) | TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (416) 341-1000 | BLUEJAYS.COM NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHERCATS (AA) | MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 641-2005 | NHFISHERCATS.COM BUFFALO BISONS (AAA) | BUFFALO, NEW YORK (716) 846-2000 | BISONS.COM DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS (LOW A) | DUNEDIN, FLORIDA (727) 733-9302 | DUNEDINBLUEJAYS.COM VANCOUVER CANADIANS (HIGH A) | VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (604) 872-5232 | CANADIANSBASEBALL.COM GULF COAST BLUE JAYS GULF COAST LEAGUE (ROOKIE) | DUNEDIN, FLORIDA (727) 734-8007 DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE BLUE JAYS DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (DSL) | BOCA CHICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ROAD TO THE SHOW The Canadians are a part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. The C’s are a High A affiliate of the Blue Jays. That means they are in the middle of the Toronto farm system, slightly higher than the Dunedin Blue Jays (Low A) and the Gulf Coast Blue Jays (Rookie). Baseball players work their way up through the organization in hopes of getting to the big leagues. Toronto is in the American League and pulls its talent from these teams. CASEY CANDAELE MANAGER JEFF WARE PITCHING COACH COREY HART HITTING COACH DEVON WHITE POSITION COACH JAKE McGUIGGAN DEVELOPMENT COACH CHARLIE MONTOYO MANAGER JOHN SCHNEIDER BENCH COACH GUILLERMO MARTINEZ HITTING COACH HUNTER MENSE ASSISTANT HITTING COACH PETER WALKER PITCHING COACH CALEB DANIEL ATHLETIC TRAINER JUSTIN BATCHER S&C COACH KARA TERRY DIETITIAN ROB DiBERNARDO MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH BRIAN SHERIDAN TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT MARK BUDZINSKI FIRST BASE COACH LUIS RIVERA THIRD BASE COACH MATT BUSCHMANN BULLPEN COACH DAVID HOWELL PITCHING STRATEGIST DAVE HUDGENS HITTING STRATEGIST ALEX ANDREOPOULOS BULLPEN CATCHER LUIS HURTADO BULLPEN CATCHER GIL KIM FIELD COORDINATOR CESAR MARTIN MANAGER JIM CZAJKOWSKI PITCHING COACH MATT HAGUE HITTING COACH CHRIS SCHAEFFER POSITION COACH MATT VON ROEMER DEVELOPMENT COACH DANIEL TUCKER BULLPEN COACH LUKE GREENE ATHLETIC TRAINER CASEY CALLISON S&C COACH GEOFF STALLMAN DIETITIAN RAUL PIMENTEL MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH KEVIN MCCARTHY TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT BRENT LAVALLEE MANAGER PHIL CUNDARI PITCHING COACH RYAN WRIGHT HITTING COACH ASHLEY PONCE POSITION COACH JOEL BONNETT BULLPEN COACH ROELVIS VARGAS ATHLETIC TRAINER TOMMY LABRIOLA S&C COACH YUKA SANUI DIETITIAN RAUL PIMENTEL MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH AJ ARIAS TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT DONNIE MURPHY MANAGER DREW HAYES PITCHING COACH MATT YOUNG HITTING COACH DANNY CANELLAS POSITION COACH TAYLOR HILL BULLPEN COACH MAX GLASSER COACHING ASSISTANT JOSE MAYORGA MANAGER GEORGE CARROLL BENCH COACH ANTONIO CACERES PITCHING COACH CORY RIORDAN PITCHING COACH JUSTIN ECHEVARRIA HITTING COACH PAUL ELLIOTT HITTING COACH ANDY FERMIN MANAGER YOEL HERNANDEZ PITCHING COACH FRED LANDERS HITTING COACH DEIFERSON BARRETO POSITION COACH JOSE MATEO POSITION COACH JAIR MORELOS COACHING ASSISTANT BRANDON HAMMERSTROM ATHLETIC TRAINER ROSWELL DEL ROSARIO S&C COACH GEOFF STALLMAN DIETITIAN ERIKA MONSALVE MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH CARLOS POLANCO TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT JAIME VIEIRA HITTING COACH DENNIS HOLMBERG POSITION COACH PETR STRIBRCKY DEVELOPMENT COACH ADRIAN MARTIN COMPLEX PITCHING COACH JON WOODWORTH ATHLETIC TRAINER ALAIN PACHECO ATHLETIC TRAINER YSIDRO REYES ATHLETIC TRAINER IMBEWER ALVAREZ S&C COACH JOSEPH CARDONA S&C COACH BRYAN ROSALES DIETITIAN ERIKA MONSALVE MENTAL COACHPERFORMANCE ISIDRO LOPEZ TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT FRANK ESPOSITO ATHLETIC TRAINER SYDNEY JENKINS S&C COACH EDWIN ORTIZ S&C COACH BRYAN ROSALES DIETITIAN ERIKA MONSALVE MENTAL COACHPERFORMANCE STEVEN CARDONA TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

7-day Steward Berroa 7-day Hunter Gregory 7-day Roither Hernandez 7-day Leo Jimenez 7-day Conor Larkin 7-day Riley Tirotta 60-day Cobi Johnson 60-day Alex Nolan 60-day Donnie Sellers 60-day CJ Van Eyk

OUTFIELDERS HT WT B/T DOB HOMETOWN ‘21 CLUBS ACQUIRED 19 Steward Berroa 5-10 178 S/R 6/05/99 Santo Domingo, DR New Hampshire INT FA, 7/4/16

22 Michael Dominguez 5-10 180 R/R 8/17/00 Tampa, FL FCL, Dunedin INT FA, 8/31/16

HT WT B/T DOB HOMETOWN ‘21 CLUBS ACQUIRED

CATCHERS HT WT B/T DOB HOMETOWN ‘21 CLUBS ACQUIRED 31 Jommer Hernandez 5-11 185 R/R 10/20/00 Puerto Plata, DR DSL MiLB FA, 9/8/21 20 Anthony Morales 6-0 190 S/R 11/13/98 Aibonito, PR DUN, VAN, NH, BUF ND FA, 2/12/21 21 Andres Sosa 6-0 215 R/R 11/7/97 Hermosillo, MX FCL, Dunedin INT FA. 8/16/21

30 Nathanael Perez 6-1 175 R/R 6/5/98 Azua, DR Dunedin INT FA 7/11/16

44 Sam Ryan 6-3 205 R/R 9/22/98 Clifton, VA Vancouver, New Hampshire 12th Rd, ’19, VCU 15 Dahian Santos 5-11 170 R/R 2/26/03 Acarigua, VZ FCL, Dunedin INT FA, 7/2/19 24 Matt Svanson 6-5 235 R/R 1/31/99 Hawthorn Woods, IL Dunedin 13th Rd, ’21, Lehigh 32 Trenton Wallace 6-1 200 L/L 3/31/99 Rock Island, IL Dunedin 11th Rd,'21, Iowa 14 Troy Watson 6-2 180 R/R 6/11/97 Gunter, TX Vancouver 15th Rd, ’18, Northern Colorado

EVERETT AQUASOX SPOKANE INDIANS VANCOUVER CANADIANS * 40-Man Roster

17

INJURED

Jol Concepcion – Yol con-sep-see-YONE | Fluharty – flew-hardy | Abdiel – AWB-d-yell | Pardinho – par-DEEN-yo | Dahian – dye-in | Svanson – rhymes with “Swanson” | Jommer – Jaw-murr | Rainer – rain-er | Damiano Palmegiani – dom-ee-AWN-oh pal-meh-jeeAWN-ee | Tirotta – tir-AW-tuh | Turconi – turk-oh-knee | Dasan – duh-sawn | Lavallee – luh-VALLEY | Cundari – cun-dare-ee | Ponce – PAWN-say | Roelvis – row-ELVIS | Labriola – LAB-ree-ola | Yuka Sanui – yoo-kah sa-NEW-ee | Pimental - pim-en-TELL | Arias – AIR-ree-us

26 Chad Dallas 6-0 205 R/R 6/6/00 Orange, TX Pro debut 4th Rd, ’21, Tennessee

Garrett Farmer 5-11 190 R/R 5/14/97 Huntsville, AL Aberdeen (BAL A+) MiLB FA, 4/12/22

MANAGER: 35 Brent Lavallee BULLPEN COACH: 38 Joel Bonnett MENTAL COACH: Raul Pimental PITCHING COACH: 13 Phil Cundari ATHLETIC TRAINER: Roelvis Vargas TECH ASSISTANT: AJ Arias HITTING COACH: 10 Ryan Wright STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Tommy LaBriola POS. PLAYER COACH: 11 Ashley Ponce DIETITIAN: Yuka Sanui

2 Gabby Martinez 6-0 175 R/R 7/24/02 Maracaibo, VZ FCL, Dunedin INT FA, 7/24/18

19 TJ Brock 6-1 200 R/R 8/10/99 Cincinnati, OH College 6th Rd, ’22, Ohio State 18 Connor Cooke 6-1 205 R/R 11/02/99 Sulphur, LA FCL, Dunedin 10th Rd, ’21, Louisiana-Lafayette

16 Eric Pardinho 5-10 190 R/R 1/05/01 Bastos, Sao Paulo, Brazil FCL INT FA, 7/2/17 4 Naswell Paulino 5-11 205 L/L 4/17/00 San Cristobal, DR Dunedin INT FA, 7/4/16

40 Justin Kelly 6-1 195 R/R 12/2/98 West Jordan, UT Dunedin ND FA, 7/21/21 34 Conor Larkin 6-1 205 R/R 3/17/99 Royersford, PA Dunedin 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State 23 Abdiel Mendoza 5-11 195 R/R 9/19/98 Chitre, PAN Down East (TEX A-) Waivers, 12/8/21

24 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 PITCHERS

28 Garrett Spain 6-0 185 L/R 9/21/00 Clarksville, TN FCL, Dunedin 15th Rd, ’21, Austin Peay State

PRONUNCIATIONSLIST

INFIELDERS HT WT B/T DOB HOMETOWN ‘21 CLUBS ACQUIRED 27 Alex De Jesus 6-2 175 R/R 3/22/02 Santo Domingo, DR Rancho Cucamonga (LAD) Trade, 8/2/22 5 Miguel Hiraldo 6-0 190 R/R 9/5/00 Santiago, DR Dunedin INT FA, 7/2/17 8 Leo Jimenez* 6-0 200 R/R 5/17/01 Las Tablas, PAN FCL, Dunedin INT FA, 7/2/17 12 P.K. Morris 6-1 195 L/L 11/30/98 Tampa, FL Dunedin, Vancouver 14th Rd, ’17, Steinbrenner HS (FL) 37 Rainer Nuñez 6-3 180 R/R 12/4/00 La Romana, DR FCL, Dunedin INT FA, 7/5/17 7 Damiano Palmegiani 6-1 195 R/R 1/24/00 Caracas, VZ FCL 14th Rd, ’21, College of S. Nevada 1 Glenn Santiago 6-0 175 R/R 12/14/00 Yauco, PR Bluefield, Dunedin 10th Rd, ’19, Lazaro HS (PR) 29 Riley Tirotta 6-3 215 R/R 8/21/98 South Bend, IN Dunedin 12th Rd, ’21, Dayton 29 Michael Turconi 5-11 185 L/R 6/24/99 Beaver Falls, PA College 15th Rd, ’22, Wake Forest

25 Mason Fluharty 6-2 215 R/L 8/13/01 Milton, DE College 5th Rd, ’22, Liberty 32 Hunter Gregory 6-3 220 R/R 11/16/98 Chesapeake, VA Dunedin 8th Rd, ’21, Old Dominion 36 Devereaux Harrison6-0 190 R/R 11/8/00 Vacaville, CA College 9th Rd, ’22, Long Beach State Roither Hernandez 6-4 185 R/R 03/05/98 Bonao, DR Dunedin, Vancouver INT FA, 7/4/16

18 Dasan Brown 6-10 185 R/R 9/25/01 Oakville, ON Dunedin INT FA, 7/4/16

CATCHERS B/T HT WT DOB BIRTHPLACE RESIDES SCHOOL ACQUIRED

HITTING COACH:

STRENGTH COACH:

FUNDAMENTALS COACH:

49 Tanner Andrews RHP 6'3 220 11/15/95 Rochester, IN Tippecanoe Valley (IN) Purdue Trade 12/8/22 (ATL) 35 Mason Black RHP 6'3" 230 12/10/99 Scranton, PA Valley View (PA) Lehigh 3rd Rd, 2021 48 Brooks Crawford RHP 6'4 215 8/19/96 Athens, GA Oconee County (GA) Clemson 29th Rd, 2019 16 Hunter Dula RHP 6'1 195 3/8/99 Troutman, NC South Iredell (NC) Wingate University 18th Rd, 2021 40 Trevor McDonald RHP 6'2 180 2/26/01 Mobile, AL George County (MS) 11th Rd, 2019 45 Nick Morreale RHP 6'5 220 7/27/97 Minneapolis, MN St. Thomas (MN) Georgetown 14th Rd, 2019 29 Tyler Myrick RHP 6'0 205 6/25/98 Gainesville, FL Columbia (FL) Florida Intl 14th Rd, 2021 17 Mat Olsen RHP 5'11" 185 07/08/00 Florence, AZ Florence (AZ) Central Arizona JC 9th Rd, 2021 37 Juan Sanchez LHP 6'2 165 11/12/00 Valencia, VZ IFA, 7/2/17 19 Carson Seymour RHP 6'6 260 12/16/98 Poway, CA Great Oak (CA) Kansas St. Trade 8/2/22 (NYM) 49 Brett Standlee RHP 6'4 223 9/14/98 Tulsa, OK Jenks (OK) Oklahoma State 17th Rd, 2021 31 Nick Swiney LHP 6’3 185 2/12/99 Nashville, TN Hough (NC) NC State 2nd Rd, 2020 34 Ty Weber RHP 6'4 220 3/19/98 Menomonee Falls, WI Menomonee Falls (WI) Illinois UFA, 6/14/20 23 Jake Wong RHP 6'2 218 9/3/96 Chandler, AZ Chandler (AZ) Grand Canyon 3rd Rd, 2018 28 Nick Zwack LHP 6'3 230 8/1/98 Minneapolis, MN Monticello (MN) Xavier Trade 8/2/22 (NYM)

13 Andy Thomas L/R 6'2 210 6/17/98 San Diego, CA Murrieta Mesa (CA) Baylor Trade 8/2/22 (SEA) 14 Max Wright L/R 6'3 215 1/8/1998 Toronto, ON Lawrence Park (ON) Indiana State UFA, 5/21/21

6 Jimmy Glowenke R/R 5'10 200 6/5/97 Chicago, IL Lewisville, TX Dallas Baptist 2nd Rd, 2020 10 Marco Luciano R/R 6'2 178 9/10/01 San Francisco de Macoris, DR IFA, 7/2/18 33 Luis Toribio L/R 6'1 185 9/28/00 San Francisco de Macoris, DR IFA, 7/2/17 5 Simon Whiteman R/R 5'10 165 1/28/97 Trumbull, CT Fairfield Coll. Prep (CT) Yale 9th Rd, 2019 OUTFIELDERS B/T HT WT DOB BIRTHPLACE RESIDES SCHOOL ACQUIRED 9 Hunter Bishop L/R 6'5 210 6/25/98 San Carlos, CA Palo Alto, CA Arizona State 1st Rd, 2019 32 Jared Dupere L/R 5'11 200 1/23/99 Amesbury, MA Amesbury (MA) Northeastern 13th Rd, 2021 1 Luis Matos R/R 5'11 160 1/28/02 Valera, VZ IFA, 7/2/18 7 Grant McCray L/R 6'2 170 12/7/00 Billings, MT Lakewood Ranch (FL) 3rd Rd, 2019 14 Carter Williams L/R 6'3" 210 01/14/98 Brown Summit, NC Northeast Guilford (NC) NC Central UFA, 6/18/20

TRAINER:

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 25 PITCHERS

T HT WT DOB BIRTHPLACE HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL ACQUIRED

39 Abel Adames RHP 6’5 190 12/8/95 Fantino, DR IFA, 7/2/15

INFIELDERS B/T HT WT DOB BIRTHPLACE RESIDES SCHOOL ACQUIRED 15 Hayden Cantrelle S/R 5'11 175 11/25/98 Lafayette, LA Teurlings Catholic (LA) LA-Lafayette Trade 5/26/22 (MIL)

12 Patrick Bailey S/R 6'1 210 5/29/99 Greensboro, NC Greensboro, NC NC State 1st Rd, 2020 8 Robert Emery R/R 6'0 210 10/22/96 San Francisco, CA St. Ignatius (CA) Univ. of San Francisco UFA, 6/24/20

PRONUNCIATIONS Nick Morreale (more-ee-al-ee), Nick Swiney (Swin-ee), Ty Weber (web-er), Jimmy Glowenke (Glow-en-key), Jared Dupere (Dup-ree) , Luis Toribio (Tor-ee-bee-oh) MANAGER: 21 Carlos Valderrama PITCHING COACH: 43 Alain Quijano 46 Cory Elasik 2 Eliezer Zambrano Tim Vigue Nick Fajardo

TRI-CITY DUST DEVILS EVERETT AQUASOX SPOKANE INDIANS VANCOUVER CANADIANS HILLSBORO HOPS EUGENE EMERALDS

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26 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022

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VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 27 inS:9.75 inT:10.75 2022 ROSTER FLUHARTYMASON 25 HT: 6-2 WT: 215 B/T: R/L DOB: 8/13/01 HOMETOWN: Milton, DE ’21 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: 5th Rd, ’22, Liberty BONNETTJOEL 38 BULLPEN COACH PONCEASHLEY 11 POSITION PLAYER COACH CONORLARKIN 34 PITCHER HT: 6-1 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 3/17/99 HOMETOWN: Royersford, PA ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State DOMINGUEZMICHAEL 22 PITCHER HT: 5-10 WT: 180 B/T: R/R DOB: 8/17/00 HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: ND FA 1/27/22 CUNDARIPHIL 13 PITCHING COACH DEVEREAUXHARRISON 36 PITCHER HT: 6-0 WT: 190 B/T: R/R DOB: 11/8/00 HOMETOWN: Vacaville, CA ’21 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: 9th Rd, ’22, Long Beach State COOKECONNOR 19 HT: 6-1 WT: 1205 B/T: R/R DOB: 11/02/99 HOMETOWN: Sulphur, LA ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: 10th Rd, ’21, Louisiana-Lafayette WRIGHTRYAN 10 HITTING COACH KELLYJUSTIN 40 PITCHER HT: 6-1 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 12/2/98 HOMETOWN: West Jordan, UT ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: ND FA, 7/21/21 DALLASCHAD 26 PITCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 206 B/T: R/R DOB: 6/6/00 HOMETOWN: Orange, TX ’21 CLUBS: Pro Debut ACQUIRED: 4th Rd, ’21, Tennessee LAVALLEEBRENT 35 MANAGER GREGORYHUNTER 32 PITCHER HT: 6-3 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 11/16/98 HOMETOWN: Chesapeake, VA ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 8th Rd, ’21, Old Dominion BROCKT.J. 19 HT: 6-1 WT: 1200 B/T: R/R DOB: 8/10/99 HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, OH ’21 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: 6th Rd, ’22, Ohio State FARMERGARRETT 17 PITCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 5/14/97 HOMETOWN: Huntsville, AL ’21 CLUBS: Aberdeen (BAL A+) ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 4/12/22

28 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 MENDOZAABDIEL 23 PITCHER HT: 5-10 WT: 160 B/T: R/R DOB: 9/19/98 HOMETOWN: Chitre, PAN ’21 CLUBS: Down East ACQUIRED: (TEX) Waivers, 12/8/21 DEALEXJESUS 27 INFIELDER HT: 6-2 WT: 175 B/T: R/R DOB: 3/22/02 HOMETOWN: Santo Domingo, DR ’21 CLUBS: Rancho Cucamonga ACQUIRED: Trade, 8/2/22 SVANSONMATT 24 PITCHER HT: 6-5 WT: 235 B/T: R/R DOB: 1/31/99 HOMETOWN: Hawthorn Woods, IL ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 13th Rd, ’21, Lehigh PAULINONASWELL 4 PITCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 170 B/T: L/L DOB: 4/17/00 HOMETOWN: San Cristobal, DR ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/4/16 JIMENEZLEO 8 INFIELDER HT: 5-11 WT: 160 B/T: R/R DOB: 5/17/01 HOMETOWN: Las Tablas, PAN ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/17 HERNANDEZJOMMER 31 CATCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 185 B/T: R/R DOB: 10/20/00 HOMETOWN: Puerto Plata, DR ’21 CLUBS: DSL ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 9/8/21 RYANSAM 44 PITCHER HT: 6-3 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 9/22/98 HOMETOWN: Clifton, VA ’21 CLUBS: Vancouver, New Hampshire ACQUIRED: 12th Rd, ’19, VCU PARDINHOERIC 16 PITCHER HT: 5-10 WT: 190 B/T: R/R DOB: 1/05/01 HOMETOWN: Sao Paulo, Brazil ’21 CLUBS: FCL ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/17 HIRALDOMIGUEL 5 INFIELDER HT: 5-11 WT: 170 B/T: R/R DOB: 9/5/00 HOMETOWN: Santiago, DR ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/17 WALLACETRENTON 32 PITCHER HT: 6-1 WT: 200 B/T: L/L DOB: 3/31/99 HOMETOWN: Rock Island, IL ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 11th Rd, '21, Iowa PEREZNATHANAEL 30 PITCHER HT: 6-1 WT: 160 B/T: R/R DOB: 6/05/98 HOMETOWN: Azua, DR ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/11/16 WATSONTROY 14 PITCHER HT: 6-2 WT: 180 B/T: R/R DOB: 6/11/97 HOMETOWN: Gunter, TX ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 15th Rd, '18, Northern Colorado SOSAANDRES 21 CATCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 210 B/T: R/R DOB: 11/7/97 HOMETOWN: Hermosillo, MX ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA 8/16/21 MORALESANTHONY 20 CATCHER HT: 6-0 WT: 175 B/T: S/R DOB: 11/13/98 HOMETOWN: Aibonito, PR ’21 CLUBS: DUN, VAN, NH, BUF ACQUIRED: ND FA, 2/12/21 SANTOSDAHIAN 15 PITCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 170 B/T: R/R DOB: 2/26/03 HOMETOWN: Acarigua, VZ ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/19

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 29 NURANIERÑEZ 27 INFIELDER HT: 6-3 WT: 180 B/T: R/R DOB: 12/4/00 HOMETOWN: La Romana, DR ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/5/17 MORRISP.K. 12 INFIELDER HT: 6-1 WT: 195 B/T: L/L DOB: 11/30/98 HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver ACQUIRED: 14th Rd, ’17, Steinbrenner HS (FL) STRENGTHLTOMMYaBRIOLA& CONDITIONING BROWNDASAN 6 OUTFIELDER HT: 6-0 WT: 185 B/T: R/R DOB: 9/25/01 HOMETOWN: Oakville, ON ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 3rd Rd, '19, Abbey Park HS(ON) ATHLETICVARGASROELVIS TRAINER TIROTTARILEY 24 INFIELDER HT: 6-3 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 8/21/98 HOMETOWN: South Bend, IN ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 12th Rd, ’21, Dayton CLUBHOUSEMENDEZJESSE MANAGER SPAINGARRETT 28 OUTFIELDER HT: 5-11 WT: 180 B/T: L/R DOB: 9/21/00 HOMETOWN: Clarksville, TN ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: 15th Rd, ’21, Austin Peay State TECHNOLOGYARIASAJ ASSISTANT SANTIAGOGLENN 1 HT: 6-0 WT: 165 B/T: R/R DOB: 12/14/20 HOMETOWN: Yauco, Puerto Rico ’21 CLUBS: GCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: 10th Rd, '19, PALMEGIANIDAMIANO 7 INFIELDER HT: 6-1 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 1/24/00 HOMETOWN: Caracas, VZ ’21 CLUBS: FCLr ACQUIRED: 14th Rd, ’21, College of Southern Nevada DIETITIANSANUIYUKA GABBYMARTINEZ 2 OUTFIELDER HT: 6-0 WT: 175 B/T: R/R DOB: 7/24/02 HOMETOWN: Maracaibo, VZ ’21 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/24/18 BERROASTEWARD 19 OUTFIELDER HT: 5-10 WT: 178 B/T: S/R DOB: 6/05/99 HOMETOWN: La Sabana, VZ ’21 CLUBS: Dunedin, NH ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/4/16 TURCONIMICHAEL 29 INFIELDER HT: 5-11 WT: 185 B/T: L/R DOB: 6/24/99 HOMETOWN: Beaver Falls, PA ’21 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: I15th Rd, ’22, Wake Forest

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 31 604 736 www.carterhonda.com28218th&Burrard PROUDLY SPONSORING THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS FROM THE CORNER OF 8TH AVENUE AND BURRARD ST. Honda Odyssey

Justin Shafer P 2014 18-Aug Toronto Murphy Smith P 2009 27-Aug Toronto Dawel Lugo INF 2013 30-Aug Detroit Jose Fernandez P 2014 01-Sep Toronto Jonathan Davis OF 2014 05-Sep Toronto Jon Berti INF 2011 26-Sep Toronto

Patrick Murhpy P 2016 18-Sep Toronto Ángel Perdomo P 2015 18-Aug Milwaukee

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club has welcomed more than 800 players onto its rosters since 2000. That’s a lot of guys all striving to one day reach the bright lights of the Major Leagues. Here is a list of every one of our players who has arrived at the game’s highest stage and play in Major League Baseball.

THE ROAD TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES CAN BE SEEN FROM VANCOUVER

Tim Mayza P 2014 15-Aug Toronto Jairo Labourt P 2014 01-Sep Detroit Carlos Ramirez P 2012 01-Sep Toronto Richard Urena INF 2014 01-Sep Toronto

Seth Frankoff P 2010 09-Jun Chicago (NL) Ian Parmley OF 2013 23-Jun Toronto Franklin Barreto INF 2014 24-Jun Oakland Taylor Cole P 2012 09-Aug Toronto

2003 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Rich Harden P 2001 21-Jul Oakland Neal Cotts P 2001 12-Aug Chicago (AL)

2018 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Ryan Borucki P 2014 26-Jun Toronto

2013 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Ian Krol P 2009 05-Jun Washington Kevin Pillar OF 2011 14-Aug Toronto Max Stassi C 2009 20-Aug Houston Michael Choice OF 2010 02-Sep Oakland 2014 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Bo Schultz P 2009 23-Mar Arizona Marcus Stroman P 2012 04-May Toronto Aaron Sanchez P 2011 23-Jul Toronto Dalton Pompey OF 2012 02-Sep Toronto Daniel Norris P 2012 05-Sep Toronto

Travis Bergen P 2015-17 29-Mar San Francisco Cavan Biggio INF 2016 25-May Toronto T.J. Zeuch 2016 03-Sep Toronto Lane Thomas OF 2015 17-Apr St. Louis Ryan McBroom INF/OF 2014 03-Sep Kansas City

2020 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Nate Pearson P 2017 29-Jul Toronto Dany Jiménez P 2017 23-Jul San Francisco

32 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022

2016 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Andy Burns INF 2011 09-May Toronto Matt Dermody P 2013 03-Sep Toronto

Tim Locastro INF 2014 29-Sep Los Angeles (NL)

2017 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Dwight Smith Jr. OF 2012 18-May Toronto

Mike Wood P 2001 21-Aug Oakland 2004 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Santiago Casilla P 2002 09-Aug Oakland Nick Swisher OF 2002 03-Sep Oakland Joe Blanton P 2002 24-Sep Oakland 2005 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Mark Teahen INF 2002 04-Apr Kansas City Dan Johnson INF 2001 27-May Oakland Omar Quintanilla INF 2003 31-Jul Colorado Freddie Bynum INF 2000 30-Aug Oakland Nelson Cruz OF 2002 17-Sep Milwaukee 2006 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT John Rheinecker P 2001 22-Apr Texas Andre Either OF 2003 02-May Los Angeles (NL) Chris Mabeus P 2001 29-May Milwaukee Kurt Suzuki C 2004 12-Jun Oakland Jason Windsor P 2004 17-Jul Oakland Jeremy Brown C 2002 03-Sep Oakland Mark Kiger INF 2002 13-Oct Oakland 2007 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Travis Buck OF 2005 02-Apr Oakland Jared Burton P 2002 04-Apr Cincinnati Danny Putman OF 2004 23-Apr Oakland Dallas Braden P 2004 24-Apr Oakland Connor Robertson P 2004 17-May Oakland Marshal McDougall INF 2000 05-Jun Texas Kevin Melillo INF 2004 24-Jun Oakland Bill Murphy P 2002 03-Sep Arizona 2008 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Gregorio Petit INF 2004 18-May Oakland John Baker C 2002 09-Jul Florida Jeff Gray P 2005 08-Sep Oakland 2009 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Andrew Bailey P 2006 06-Apr Oakland Landon Powell C 2004 11-Apr Oakland Tommy Everidge INF 2004 28-Jul Oakland Brad Kilby P 2005 02-Sep Oakland Jeff Baisley INF 2005 09-Sep Oakland 2010 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT A.J. Griffin P 2010 24-Jun Oakland Alexi Ogando P 2004 15-Jul Texas 2011 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Justin Sellers INF 2005 12-Aug Los Angeles (NL) Anthony Recker C 2005 25-Aug Oakland Corey Brown OF 2007 06-Sep Washington 2012 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Pedro Figueroa P 2007 21-Apr Oakland Sean Doolittle P 2007 05-Jun Oakland Dan Straily P 2009 30-Aug Oakland

2019 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT John Schneider MGR 2011/14-15 28-Mar Toronto

2021 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Josh Palacios OF 2016 09-Apr Toronto Alek Manoah P 2019 27-May Toronto Riley Adams C 2018 08-Jun Toronto Tayler Saucedo P 2015 17-Jun Toronto Nick Allgeyer P 2018 02-Jul Toronto Otto Lopez INF 2018 17-Aug Toronto 2022 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Vinny Capra INF 2018 1-May Toronto Danny Young P 2015 9-May Seattle Jake Fishman P 2017 31-July Marlins

2015 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT Miguel Castro P 2014 06-Apr Toronto Roberto Osuna P 2012 08-Apr Toronto Noah Syndergaard P 2011 12-May New York (NL) Justin Nicolino P 2011 20-Jun Miami Dusty Coleman INF 2008 03-Jul Kansas City David Rollins P 2011 04-Jul Seattle

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 33 Supporting local charities in our community APRIL 20 BC HOSPITALCHILDREN’SFOUNDATION MAY 4 BC HOSPITALCHILDREN’SFOUNDATION MAY 20 BIG SISTERS JUNE 1 UNITED WAY BC JUNE 15 YMCA JUNE 29 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENTOFBC JULY 13 GREATERFOODVANCOUVERBANK JULY 27 CHALLENGER BASEBALL AUGUST 3 OUT ON SCREEN VIDEO & FILM SOCIETY AUGUST 24 BOYS & SOCIETYGIRLS SEPT 7 FOUNDRY BC

34 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 1ST INNING 1. SINGLED, ADVANCED ON NEXT BATTER'S WALK, TOOK 3RD ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, SCOREO ON NO. 4 BATTER'S DOUBLE 2. WALKED, LATER FORCED OUT, SHORTSTOP TO SECOND BASE 3. REACHED ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, ADVANCED TO 3RD ON NEXT BATTER'S DOUBLE, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE 4. DOUBLED, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE 5. SINGLED, ADVANCED TO 2ND ON NEXT BATTER'S SINGLE, STOLE 3RD BASE, THROWN OUT ON GROUNDER, SHORTSTOP TO CATCHER 6. SINGLED, STOLE 2ND BASE 7. REACHED 1ST ON FIELDER’S CHOICE 8. POPPED OUT TO 2ND BASE 2ND INNING 9. LEADOFF WITH DOUBLE 1. FLIED OUT TO CENTERFIELD 2. POPPED OUT TO SHORTSTOP 3. STRUCKOUT SWINGING 1. CENTER FIELDER 2. SHORTSTOP 3. 1ST BASEMAN 4. 3RD BASEMAN 5. RIGHT FIELDER 6. LEFT FIELDER 7. DESIGNATED HITTER 8. 2ND BASEMAN 9. TOTALSCATCHER R H TEAM BATTING ORDER 1 2 3 2 4 6-4 BB 3 5 FC 8 6 K = 5 SB 2 6-2 SB FC 4 = 3 4 0 1 / EXAMPLE SCOREBOARD Homerun:Double:Single:Triple:Sacrifice:Walk:Strikeout: Called Out on Strikes:Balk: Fielder’s Choice: Hit by Pitch: Wild Pitch: Passed Ball: Stolen IntentionalDoubleBase:Play:Error:SacrificeFly:Walk:FoulFly:ForceOut:LineDrive:Bunt:Unassisted: S or D or = T or = HR or = SH or SAC WPHPFCBKKKBB UBLFOFIBBSFEDPSBPB SYMBOLS FOR PLAY 864321579 RIGHTCENTERLEFTSHORTSTOP3RD2ND1STCATCHERPITCHERBASEMANBASEMANBASEMANFIELDERFIELDERFIELDER DEFENSIVE PLAYERS BY THE NUMBERS 15 3 4 7 9 8 6 HOW TO SCORE A BASEBALL GAME

Umpires use a number of signals. Some of these are familiar and are associated with the Rules of Baseball, like safe, out, foul, etc. These are a few you are likely to see when scoring a game.

Different fans have different methods of keeping a scorecard, and many use their own notations. But here's a simple method: For example, If the hitter grounds out to shortstop, for example, write in "6-3," which shows the shortstop threw him out at first base. If the hitter flies out to left field, write a "7." If the batter gets a hit, write in the hit according to which base he reached. Each corner of the box represents a base, with the lowerright corner being first.

If a runner scores, put a circle at the bottom of the box, and inside the circle put the symbol of the play and/or the player that drove him in. For example, if the No. 5 hitter drives in two runs with a single, mark his single in the bottom right of his box and mark a circle with the number "5" in the boxes of the runners who score (Some people like to use uniform numbers here, so you can tell who did what, even after lineup changes). At the end of each inning, total the hits and runs for that inning only. At the end of the game you'll be able to add the innings total to get the game score. FOUL TIP STRIKE

HOMEDOUBLERUN PLAY BALL INFIELD FLY FAIR BALL DELAYED DEAD BALLTRAPPED BALL/SAFE HOLD UP PLAYCOUNTTIME/DEAD BALL FOUL BALL

BASIC UMPIRE SIGNS FOR THE PLAYERS AND FANS

If he singles, put a "-" in the lower right. If he doubles, write a "=" in the upper right, and so on. For a walk, use "BB" in the lower right. As the runner advances, mark the appropriate symbol in the appropriate corner.

OUT

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STEWARD

STEWARD BERROA

Each week, we’ll feature a conversation between Niall O’Donohoe of C’s Plus Baseball and one member of the Canadians roster. Niall caught up with outfielder Steward Berroa to find out more about his past, what he’s working on this season and how his first Nat Bailey Stadium experiences have been.

BY NIALL O’DONOHOE

Berroa’scontests.

The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as a 17 year-old on July 4, 2016 and received a $10,000 signing bonus. The switch-hitting Berroa made his pro debut with the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays in 2017 and collected his first professional hit in his first game against the DSL Orioles June 3. He got on base twice June 5 with a single, a walk and stole his first professional base. His first multi-hit games came against the DSL Diamondbacks1 with two hits June 8 and had three hits, a walk and two stolen bases June 9. Berroa ran off a nine-game hitting streak from July 20 – August 5. His first professional homer was against the DSL Reds August 16. He finished the year with a batting line of .261/.352/.367 with 20 stolen bases in 54 games.

The first mid-season promotion of Berroa’s career came September but it was not to Vancouver/Hillsboro. Instead, he went to Double-A New Hampshire and recorded a hit in three straight games to end his season and stole three bases. Berroa had a sacrifice fly in his first Double-A plate appearance and would later single, steal two bases and score a run against Harrisburg September 17.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 37

The 2018 season saw Berroa make his U.S. debut by reporting to the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays where he improved his batting average and on-base percentage to .282 and .386 respectively and stole 17 bases in 23 attempts in 39 games. He was assigned to Bluefield in 2019 and batted .236 with a .349 OBP with his first two homers on American soil and stole 14 bases in 19 tries in 50

full-season debut was in 2021 with the Dunedin Blue Jays and he set career highs with seven home runs and 55 stolen bases as he slashed .245/.361/.399. His best game was a 3-for-3 effort against Palm Beach July 23 where he finished a triple shy of the cycle. He had 15 multi-stolen base games, including four in Clearwater July 16.

SB – in my family, I’m the only one who played baseball. When I started, I was like five years old. The guy who really like inspired me to play ball was my Dad because my Dad started playing softball and he got some friends on the softball team who saw me being on the baseball field and the softball field every time. And he had a Little League team. He told my Dad like, ‘Oh, you can bring him. ‘ And the league was Los Gigantes. And that guy’s nickname is Poncho. That was something that was really fun.

CPB – You start your professional caree in your home country with the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays. What was that experience like? SB – That’s something that I can’t describe because it was a lot of feelings at the same moment. First year as a professional. And then a couple times my family see me play. That was one of the best things ever. The way that we play, the effort that we put in every day, the coaches that we have, the staff that we have down there, it was incredible with us. And yeah, the first year you’re excited to see how that is going and you’re excited to put your best effort to keep going. It was something really fun and really excited to be a part of. CPB – I understand they played the games (in the Dominican) really early in the morning. What was that like, those morning ball games? SB – For me at that moment, it was something like when I wake up to practice at 6:00 or 5:00 a.m. But now I’m up here, I play at night. So thinking about that, it makes you tired a little bit but yeah, at that moment, that was something that I was used to. And it was something like I told you, it was something that I wanted. It was something that I was excited about. Even in the hard times in the past, at that moment, it was beautiful because, you know, it was a big experience. My first year ever as a pro. So that’s something that you have to enjoy.

After ending 2021 in Manchester, Berroa began his 2022 campaign back with New Hampshire FC. His first Double-A homer came on Opening Day with the Fisher Cats as he hit a three-run shot that turned out to be the difference in a win over Hartford April 12. That was the start of a five-game hitting streak which stretched to April 20 when he singled twice, walked and stole three baes in Altoona. Berroa’s batting average was up to .318 at that point but Double-A hurlers made the adjustment to Berroa as the BA plummeted to .182. Though he was successful on the basepaths by going 7-for-7 in stolen bases, Berroa was reassigned to Vancouver May 12. In his second game with the C’s, Berroa had a double, a single and a stolen base in a win over Eugene at P.K. Park May 14. In his Nat Bailey Stadium debut, he singled, stole two bases and scored a run in a win over Tri-City May 17. Berroa hit a leadoff homer against the Dust Devils May 19 as part of a three-hit night that included two stolen bases. He would hit his second roundtripper against Spokane May 31 that held up as the game winner and added a single and a stolen base. That was also the night Berroa cemented his fan favourite status by becoming a Nat Bailey Stadium dancing Afterlegend.an eight-game hitting streak from June 23 – July 1, Berroa’s best game with the bat and legs was July 13 against Hillsboro when he had three hits and four stolen bases. In the series finale against the Hops, Berroa doubled home two runs including the game winner to help the C’s complete a six-game sweep at the Nat July 17. Berroa had two hits and reached the 40-stolen base mark against Everett July 27 but his season would come to a tragic end July 29. He was picked off at first and jammed his right hand into the foot of AquaSox first baseman Dariel Gomez while trying to dive back headfirst into the bag. During his 60 games with Vancouver, Berroa racked up 11 doubles, six triples and six homers and stole bases in 47 attempts. His OBP was a respectable .331 and he slugged a career-best .409.

He and Addison Barger (currently with New Hampshire) remain tied for the team lead in runs scored with 46.

CPB – You make your way to Bluefield in 2019. What was that experience like? SB – It was a big year mentally away for me because it wasn’t like that good year, you know, with numbers and all the stats. But at the same time, it was a year where I learned a lot about baseball, like I mentally grew up. That change from early games, from morning games to night games. It was something to get familiar

C’s Plus Baseball caught up with the 22 year-old Berroa just after he injured his hand during the homestand against Everett. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – You joined the Blue Jays in 2016. How did you wind up with them? Steward Berroa – Hi, man. Thank you for the opportunity first of all. Glad to be here talking with you about life and about how everything’s been going. I was a little kid with a big dream.

CPB – How did you get started playing baseball?

I think they found me. I was just trying to work hard and do my best. I got Sandy Rosario who was the guy who really impacted me. And I really appreciate the opportunity that he gave to me. As soon as I signed, that really changed my life.

I tried to play for a big league organization. I was down in the D.R working hard and I was like 14, 15 years old when I started to think about signing as a professional. I think at some point, because of my skill that I have with my feet, the speed skill that I have, I figured out that I can be a pro with all the hard work that I put in. And in the D.R., they have like a complex where they have scouts too, in Latin America, when they are around the country, around the Caribbean, They go to Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia looking for some good players that can impact the organization.

CPB – How did it feel signing that contract knowing that, ‘Hey, you’re gonna be in professional baseball?’ That must have been really an incredible feeling for you. SB – Oh yeah. It is an incredible feeling especially when you don’t have that big talent, when you have to earn and work hard for every opportunity that you’re going to get. I trust a lot in God and when God has something for you and you work for it, I think you’re going to get it. It was a really special feeling because as a kid, I saw a lot of professionals. That was cool seeing them playing baseball, being young and having the opportunity to change the life of the family, the parents, that was a big experience for me. It was really cool. Trying out as a professional, it was really cool. To be young and do what you love to do and get paid for it, you know, that’s really awesome.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 39

CPB – What did the organization tell you when they said, ‘Look, we’re going to send you to Vancouver.’ I’m sure it might have been a disappointment at first, but things are working out here so far. What did they tell you to work on here in Vancouver?

CPB – In Dunedin last year, you had a really good year especially as far as stolen bases went. How was that year for you?

CPB – The Mercer Cup.

Each game with them is something that you have to put like more focus on because we wanted (to win). That’s something that helped the Blue Jays and helped us because they want to develop winners. So that was something that we were proud of. And that was something really cool. It was really cool.

CPB – How did you get through COVID first of all with no baseball in 2020 at least as far as the minor leagues go? How did you stay prepared?

SB – Dunedin was a special year for me because I saw what kind of player I can be. That year showed me like all the effort and all the work that I put in the pandemic year, in the COVID year, I put in all the effort and it come out in the season. I couldn’t be able to have that year without the staff. I have a really good staff down there who helped me a lot. Some of them teach me how hard I can be, because you never know like how hard you can be until somebody shows you. And that was something big for me. I was doing bad a couple times. My body hurt a lot. (Hitting coach) Matt Young was just like pushing me every day, every single time. And at the moment I was like, ‘Hey, I think that’s too much.’ But now I understand that he just pushed me to be the best man I can be. And yeah, that was something really fun. And I figured out like what can I do on the field. It was a cool year. I really enjoyed that. Stealing the bags, playing good defence, being the man when I have to be for the team. That was a really cool year for me.

SB – That was something cool because we have a mini series between us.

SB – Honestly that was a big job for me too. I took a couple months, just at home, tried to be healhy and take care. The COVID didn’t get me yet so I’m thinking I’m blessed because of that. As soon as I figured out how to go out and practice and do my gym and do my stuff, I never stopped. I just put my mask on and I was on the field every single day to prepare myself because I knew that at some point when we get back, something’s going to change. And that was what happened, everything to affiliate (ball and) up, they have to cut off the roster. So I was trying to be the best player that I can be to try to get that opportunity to stay in the game and I did. God blessed me with the opportunity to be here. And that’s something that every single day I appreciate it. And I just try to be the best that I can every single day.

CPB – This year, you start off with New Hampshire. What was that like? SB – New Hampshire, that was huge. You know, Double-A is another level. It’s the same baseball but like mentally you gotta be ready for it. And the experience was really fun, really good. We have a good staff up there too. And we have good teammates up there too that help us, like we support each other. It was the same thing, trying to do my best. Things didn’t go my in my way, but l just try to (make) the best work and the best effort I can do every single day.

with because now you got to go to bed late, wake up late, do kind of different things, practice in the afternoon. But it’s something that you can be familiar with in a couple days. It’s nothing crazy, but yeah, the city was a good city, good people down there, beautiful people down there and something that I really enjoyed too.

SB – Yeah, the Mercer Cup. And that was something that each game with them, it was more than just a regular season (game).

40 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022

SB – We got to be able to have a good routine. So that is something that I’m doing right here, right now. I try to have a good routine either in defensive ways, hitting ways and base running ways too

CPB – You got to play against the Princeton Rays. What was that like playing Princeton with the two cities basically right next door to each other?

SB – (Laughs) Honestly, I was just trying to have fun that day. I think I had like one or two hits, so it was kind of a fun game and I just go out there and I saw them walking into the position to dance and I didn’t know what they were about to do but I just followed them, followed their lead and, I don’t know, that worked. That was funny, that was funny. That was awesome. That was funny. That was funny.

SB – That’s something that is great for me, especially the type of player I am and the play here in Vancouver is different. This is like really serious. The play here in Vancouver is really different because we play for a country. We play for a city and the good thing about that, like the fans just come here, every single game to support us. And that gives me an extra energy. That gives me the extra piece that I need to click. And even if I don’t feel good that day, the fans, the crowd bring me that last push that I need to, to be out there and do my best. But yeah, it’s something that don’t scare me. That’s something that just like push me to try to do my best every single time because I love that. I love it.

CPB – One game this year, you stole four bases. I guess the legs must have been feeling really good that night. What you remember about that night?.

CPB – Hitting here at Nat Bailey Stadium. You’ve hit a couple of home runs here, What’s it like hitting here?

SB – Oh yeah. I do remember. And it’s something that you really enjoy,. It’s not something that I’m surprised about because like I told you earlier, I know what I can and what I can’t do. This year, the hardest part is to being on base. And I know it’s something that I know if I’m on base, I know I can do cool stuff on the bags. And that night I just get on base a couple times and I just did my work, you know? But yeah, it was something fun, especially when those numbers go up. That’s something that you really enjoy.

SB – You have to have the focus. You have to have the approach. And I’m never looking for a homer. It’s just something that happened because the focus that you have, sometimes you just find the right pitch and you make the right swing and the ball goes out. And I think that’s a skill that I’ve been developing. The hitting for power is something that I didn’t have it but now I kind of have it. I have a couple homers here. And yeah, the left field here is kind of short as you can see. Right field, right-center, center field, it’s kind of regular dimensions but you have a big wall where you can have the right exit velocity and right height to go out. But yeah, it’s something that you really enjoy, especially when you hit bombs and you are like, ‘Man, I got some juice, you know?’ Yeah, it’s something that is really fun too.

I’m sure you weren’t disappointed that (MLB) decided to increase the size of the bases. Has that made a big difference for you as far as stealing bases go? SB – Honestly, maybe for some guys it’s going to have some difference but like for me, it was something like, ‘Okay, they want to speed up the game.’ Right? And that’s something that we understand. But at the same time, like it’s going to be easier if every time that I’m on base, the (pitchers) try to pick me off two times and they can’t do it anymore but like, they always try the pick off one time. They have one left so for me mentally, it’s nothing different because I know like every time that I try to go still, they always have at least two chances or one chance to try the pick off, you know? But I think a huge part is the work that I put in with the staff. I put in the hard work trying to see what can I get off the pitcher, try to know the situation of the game, where I can run, where I can’t run, you know? And that’s something that has been huge for me. But yeah, at some point that rules helped some guys and maybe help me one day, one time. But I don’t know. I maybe don’t see it that way but yeah, it maybe does.

CPB – I want to ask you about the rule changes, the bigger bases.

CPB – How are you able to be as so successful as a base stealer? I know it’s not just pure speed. You have to know when to go, when to anticipate but what makes you a successful base stealer?

SB – I’m not scared. Do not be scared. That’s something that helps me because like if you got the right information, you got the speed but if you are scared of going, you’re not helping yourself. So that was a switch that I make for myself. Instead of thinking, ‘Oh, I want do it.’ Now it’s ‘I’m going to do it and I do it.’ And that’s something that works for me. And of course, you got to have the speed. You got to have to know where I’m going, when I’m not going. But at the same time, you have to have the action and that’s something that I’m doing right now. I’m not scared to play the game, I just go out, have fun, try to get my best chance and just go out and do it.

CPB – It was great. That was awesome. Playing here in Vancouver, playing in front of big crowds. What’s it been like for you?

SB – Oh yeah. The Blue Jays in general, we have good athletic players. We have good outfielders where they can play defense. My final goal is win the game so I’m a type of player, whatever it takes to win the game., that’s what I do. When it is my turn. I just try to catch the ball and make the play. And at the same time, if I’m in center, I know I’m the boss, but if I’m in right or left, I know that somebody else is the boss. So I got to find and try to play my role that day. And that’s something that I do. I don’t really care if the manager go out and catch the ball. As long as there is an out, I’m okay with that.

SB – When I was young, I loved to see Derek Jeter and José Reyes play. I respect the game like Derek Jeter did when he played the game. I enjoy the game with the same intensity as José Reyes did. On deck, having fun, talking with the fans. And I think that’s something that I take from them. And I think that’s what I’m doing right now.

42 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 because this is what it is all about. Sometimes things don’t still work right but if you stick to your routine, it’s something that you know you can improve on. And that’s something that they sent me down here for. But it was a good move because I wasn’t like going good but now, like I have a good routine. I found myself back like who I am right here. You know, man, I have a great staff, great players, great city, great crowd. And that’s something that, you know, reminds me who I am and brings me back to the cool stuff that I can do on the field.

CPB – I have to ask you about dancing with the grounds crew. How did that all develop?

CPB – Final question. Growing up, did you have a favorite player or favorite major league team?

CPB – Defensively you’ve been in left, center and right field. And now Dasan Brown is here. You certainly have a lot of guys who can go out and get the ball for sure.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 43

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VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 45

ANDRES

Right handed hitter, big hand load with good rhythm, looks to keep hands tight and short to the ball, explodes his hands at contact, has very good bat speed and looks to pull and drive the ball, has power and can get the ball in the air, ball jumps hard when squared, solid overall approach that will play quickly at the next level. 7.41 runner, easy and athletic actions defensively, stays balanced well, arm strength has improved, long and loose arm action, third base tools defensively down the road but is comfortable in the middle infield at present. Good student, verbal commitment to Texas.” BaseballFactory.com saw potential for Sosa to be a two-way player back in 2015 during the Under Armour All-America PreSeason Tournament. “Sosa showed at SS and on the mound for the first time with a promising future on the diamond, possibly as a two-way guy. In

After signing with the Blue Jays on August 16, 2021, Sosa made his professional debut two days later in the Florida Complex League and got his first professional hit in his second game against the FCL Phillies August 19. After a nine-game introduction at the FCL in which he batted .333 in nine at-bats, Sosa was promoted to Dunedin and saw action in five games to close out the year.

The journey to professional baseball began to take shape for Sosa at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio where he lettered in all four years. He was a First Team Underclass All-American in 2015 as a junior and an Honorable Mention All-American by Perfect Game in 2016 as a senior. Perfect Game rated Sosa as the third best shortstop in Texas and No. 21 in the nation. “Andres P. Sosa is a 2016 SS/RHP with a 6-0 185 lb. frame from San Antonio, TX who attends Reagan HS. Strong athletic build, fairly mature physically.

Each week, we’ll feature a conversation between Niall O’Donohoe of C’s Plus Baseball and one member of the Canadians roster. Niall caught up with catcher Andres Sosa to find out more about his past, what he’s working on this season and how his first Nat Bailey Stadium experiences have been. It was just over a year ago that Sosa joined the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent signing from the Tri-City Valley Cats of the independent Frontier League. The Hermosillo, Mexico-born backstop got the Blue Jays attention by putting up a batting line of .387/.406/.710 with four doubles, two home runs and eight runs batted in over 10 games with the Valley Cats.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 47 BY NIALL O’DONOHOE

ANDRES SOSA

In 2022, Sosa is making strides in his first full season as a professional. He collected his first home run against Eugene at Nat Bailey Stadium April 24. The 24 year-old finished a triple shy of the cycle in Spokane July 23 and homered again at the Nat August 16 in a charged atmosphere against the Hillsboro Hops in which a near bench-clearing brawl took place. Sosa also helped the C’s pick up a road win in Everett August 18 with his legs as he walked, stole second and third and scored the winning run in the ninth as part of a 2-for-3 day with two walks. The heroics continued August 23 against Hillsboro when he threw out two runners trying to steal and had a three-hit night, including a tworun home run to help the C’s get a come from behind win over the Hops the Nat. Heading into the final week of August, Sosa has batted .400 in 12 games and has inflated his OBP to .399 on the season. The 5-foot11, 210-pound backstop is also tied for second in hit by pitches with 15, trailing Northwest League leader and teammate Leo Jiménez who has 17.

AS – Kacy Clemens was actually the senior captain that year so he was my senior captain my freshman year and I got to interact with him a lot. One of the best teammates I’ve had, he was a great guy on and off the field. Great family, obviously great baseball family, but really awesome. Just a group of guys that really love to play the game. The Clemens family is awesome. I actually got to play with Kody, (current Detroit Tiger Kody Clemens) his younger brother throughout high school. So that was one of those connections where once I got into Texas, they really helped me out. And even now after I left Texas, they’re still good friends and I’m sure that if I ever need anything, they would help me out.

AS – It was awesome. Once I went to San Jac, it was one of those things where every single guy there kind of had a similar background where the first school that they went to wasn’t necessarily a great fit for them. So they had to go somewhere else to play. And San Jac was one of those programs where they took in every D-1 (Division 1) bounce back that needed a place to go back to play. The team was full of just really, really good players that wanted to work hard. And eventually that year, every single player on our team got to Division 1. And then the other guys went to NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) . We ended up finishing that year third in the JuCo World Series so it was a great year. It was a great time where I got to learn a lot and also play the game so it was really fun.

48 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 the MIF, he moves well laterally, displaying range and shows soft / sure hands. Feet / hands work well through the fielding actions, displaying smooth / fluid actions. Athletic abilities are shown off in his feeds / turn of the double play and has big play potential in the MIF. At the plate, he shows an athletic setup. Hands are quick, generating plus bat speed through a level swing path. He shows a feel for the barrel and makes consistent contact as he works to keep hands inside the ball to utilize all fields. On the mound, arm strength is outstanding as indicated by his top velocity of 86 mph. Fastball showed a range of 84-86 mph with arm side run. Breaking ball is dirty displaying 11/5 shape with late / sharp break. Control is outstanding as he pounds the zone with a lot of Sosastrikes.”went to the University of Texas for his freshman season in 2017 where he was teammates with Detroit Tigers infielder Kody Clemens and 2017 C’s first baseman Kacy Clemens. After playing just 11 games with the Longhorns, Sosa opted to take the junior college route by joining San Jacinto in 2018 where 2019 C’s pitcher Mike Pascoe and 2019 and 2021 hurler Luis Quiñones also played. With the Gators, Sosa posted a .333 on-base percentage in 49 games while hitting four home runs and driving in 14. He also stole five bases in six attempts. After the juco season, Sosa played for the Cowlitz Black Bears of the West Coast League and got on base at a .351 clip with 14 doubles, four homers and 26 RBI.

The 2020 season saw Sosa play in just five games with Dallas Baptist due to injury where he hit .286 with one home run and five RBI. He returned to DBU for 2021 and put up an OBP of .427 with a slugging percentage of .467. The Patriots won the MVC Tournament title and the Fort Worth regional to reach to the NCAA Super Regional for the first time since 2011.

C’s Plus Baseball – Talk about how you wound up with the Blue Jays? Andrés Sosa – First off, thanks for having me. I signed as a free agent last August out of independent ball. I signed out of the Frontier League with the Tri-City Valley Cats where I spent about three weeks with them once I concluded my career at Dallas Baptist. I went down to rookie ball down in Dunedin. And later that year I got promoted to Low-A and then this year out of spring training, I got promoted up here to High-A Vancouver.

CPB – Dallas Baptist, you spent three years there. What would you say was your best memory there?

CPB – You began your college career with Texas where 2017 Vancouver Canadian Kacy Clemens was on the roster. What was the beginning of your college days like?

AS – There are a couple. In 2020, right before the season, we had an exhibition series in Cuba where we went to Cuba for about a week and we played three exhibition games against three professional teams down there. And not only did I get to play

CPB – You spent some time at San Jacinto College, which is a very good JuCo college. What was your experience like there?

In 2019, Sosa returned to Division I baseball with Dallas Baptist University, the same institution attended by 2016 C’s infielder Nash Knight. Sosa slashed .262/.365/.468 with the Patriots and belted eight home runs, 34 runs batted in and seven stolen bases to help them win the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title. Sosa was named to the Lubbock Regional and MVC All-Tournament teams. In the summer, Sosa did another tour of duty with Cowlitz and batted .311 with a .426 OBP and a .464 SLG while racking up eight doubles, five homers and 22 RBI.

CPB – Who was the one who made contact with you?

AS – He was an area scout out of Dallas (Max Semler). Charlie Wilson, our director (of minor league operations), he’s the one that eventually called me. So yeah, I didn’t really have anybody that like was the set guy but it was one of those things where the Blue Jays called and they asked me if I wanted to sign as a free agent. And that was really a no-brainer for me since I went undrafted. I wanted a place to play and I got that opportunity here.

C’s Plus Baseball had a chat with Sosa during the team’s homestand against Everett in July. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

CPB – Talk about what it’s like to prepare for a game when you know, you’re goning to be behind the plate. What’s the routine like?

CPB – When you look back at your time, how did you develop as a player at Dallas Baptist?

AS – I think our motto at DBU instilled in me since the first day I got there is ‘1% better every day.’ So just that mindset of coming to the ballpark and getting better every single day definitely helped me develop as a baseball player but also off the field as a man and really just being able to catch. I got to learn how to catch while I was at Dallas Baptist. Coach Heefner (Danny Heefner) did a great job with me where he really taught me the basics but then he taught me how to really think the game between the game where it’s in between pitches, reading a batter, calling the baseball game and just controlling the running game so I got really good at that while just learning the game there. And then DBU is known as powerhouse hitting school so I got to develop hitting wise a lot there.

CPB – As far as your drills go, what are they?

CPB – I know there’s always a lot of information on the other team. You have the scouting reports and all that. How are you able just to handle dealing with all the scouting reports, how to pitch to certain guys and all that?

AS – I like to keep my energy because I’m a high energy player when I play. So I try to mostly just get my body loose, go through a series of mobility work where I’m fully ready to go with my body and then really just go over the game plan with the pitcher. That’s a big one. And then just really do everything that I need to do to get the pitcher ready. I have some individual catching work that I do with my catching coach here with Brent (C’s manager Brent Lavallee) but nothing really crazy, man. I just really prepare on the days that I’m not playing. So the days that I do play, I can go through my routine and just get after it.

AS – Do your homework prior to the test. And I think it’s also remembering we play the same five teams in the league. So being able to keep a good notebook on each and every team that we play and also ask questions, you know. We have a lot of resources, like our pitching staff, our pitching coach and also our hitting coaches that we could talk to that just come up with a game plan to pitch to.

50 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 baseball in Cuba but I got to serve in the community. So as one of my favorite memories, that was definitely the Cuba trip. And then my last season there, my fifth year, we won the Fort Worth Regional. And that was really big because we got to advance to the Super Regional. Winning that regional and then going up to the Super Regionals was one of my best memories too.

AS – Basically I split up my routines with blocking, throwing and receiving. Just really the three physical aspects of the game of catching. I try to break it up with different days, different schedules, but just fundamentals, keep it simple and just get ready for that night.

CPB – When did you start being a catcher? AS – Originally I was a shortstop all my life. Shortstop, second base, third base but once I got to Texas, my coaches asked me if I’ve ever wanted to catch. And honestly, I didn’t like it. I said, ‘No,, I don’t think that’s the position for me.’ But, you know, the game really knows a way to like really humble you and be able to show you like, ‘No, really, that is what was best for me.’ So even though I didn’t see it at the beginning, once I got to Dallas Baptist, it was towards my senior year where I first started to really play the position in a real game. So I’ve been catching since my senior year of college and got to really play a lot last year as a catcher. But yeah, this year has been one of full time catcher, part-time first base.

CPB – What is your favorite part about catching? What is it that you’ve grown to like about the position?

AS – Everything. I think when you watch me catch, you really try to see me control the game. It’s one of those things for me, it’s like I take pride in my defense and I take pride in being able to call a shutout, you know, for the other team to not even touch first base. I take pride in that and I like to study the hitters. I like to study the other team. So even before I’m out, I kind of want to know what my game plan is. So if there’s anything that I’ve love about that is my preparation for catching.

CPB – The hockey mask, yeah. AS – I used the traditional mask in college. It was kind of hard for me to see a little bit and getting the hockey-style mask kind of just protects me a little bit more with foul balls. I feel like it’s better with my eyesight. It’s better at night whenever there’s a lot of glare from the lights. It’s almost like it works as a visor, you know, it just kind of zones into like what you’re looking at. Almost like a football helmet if you ever put one on, but I felt uncomfortable with the other one. So I kind of just go with that and I think it’s cool beacuse it’s unique. It’s my own version. And also Yadier Molina wears one so that was one of the things where I kind of look up to him as a catcher.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 51

CPB – You’ve had a couple of homers here at Nat Bailey Stadium. There was the one on the Sunday afternoon and there’s also the one against Hillsboro. It was such a charged atmosphere that night with a near bench clearing ball. What do you remember about that night against Hillsboro?

AS – It’s one of those things where it’s like, the ball never lies, you know. It was one of those things where the Hillsboro pitcher (Gerald Ogando) was trying to throw at our guy and he made it pretty clear that he was doing it intentionally. So when those things happened, I definitely didn’t want to get hit in that situation. But once I saw that he was over the plate with the first couple of pitches, I saw it pretty well. And really it was about just being ready for the situation and letting it happen, you know, and making it happen. But I remember it was exciting. I remember it was loud, defintely. The fans here were great that night and yeah, it was fun. It was just an overall really fun night.

AS – It’s fun. This is what minor league baseball should be like. We all want to make it to the big leagues. We all know that those stadiums fill up 30, 40 K so 4,000 (people) or 5,000, 6,000. It does get really loud so it’s definitely preparing us for the bigger stages, but man, it’s really fun playing here. The fans are great. All the workers here are amazing. They treat us really good. The city of Vancouver itself is just unbelievable. I’m definitely having a great time here.

CPB – You play first base, you look pretty comfortable over there and really showed some good footwork to handle the throws. What’s it been like playing at first base? AS – It’s fun. I always say first base is one of the most exciting positions because a lot of people think it’s boring, but in reality it’s very important. I feel great out there. I played there in college. I played there in 2019 and then a little bit in ’21. I’m comfortable around the bag. I’m comfortable with taking ground balls there. So it’s one of those things when I see my name at first base, I get excited because it’s light on my legs and I get to hit, you know. I get to just go out there and have fun and help the team win.

AS – I have to say my parents (Andrés and Lydia Sosa). They’ve always supported me every single step of the way. My grandfather (Miguel Sotelo), he really taught me the game. Just the little things about processing what’s about to happen on the next pitch and things like that. He really taught me like the mental side of the game physically. I’ve had a lot of great coaches, my high school coach Chans Chapman helped me a lot. Just being able to have that confidence in myself where no matter who you’re playing, treat yourself like that underdog that people may think (you are). That has always helped me playing with that chip on my shoulder. So definitely those four people in my life have had a great impact in my baseball career.

AS – Just continue to have a great season where I stay healthy and help the team win. I think that’s a big one. Three goals that I had at the beginning of the year was being the hardest worker in the Blue Jays organization, being the best teammate and also winning in everything that I do. Like no matter what it is, taking ownership of my competitive level and no matter if I do win or lose, like at the end of the day, I know I won based on my effort level. So yeah, those are definitely my three personal goals.

AS – The goalie style mask?

CPB – Off the wall question here. Your facemask, have you always caught with that?

CPB – Who would you say has helped you the most in your baseball career?

CPB – Final question. What are your goals for 2022?

CPB – How much do you enjoy playing here at Vancouver?

MEET OUR MASCOTS

52 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022

BY LINA SETAGHIAN

MR. KAPPA MAKI Debut: 2008

CHEF WASABI Debut: 2008 Occupation: Chef, professional racer Favourite Pastime: Running, cooking Make-Up: Whether you buy wasabi in root form or as a green powder, there is one thing that is for sure - Chef Wasabi is one spicy addition to our Sushi Race!

MS. BC ROLL Debut: 2008 Occupation: Pageant queen, professional racer Favourite Pastime: Beating Chef Wasabi in Sushi Races and hanging out at the ballpark Make-Up: Combination of barbecue BC smoked salmon and fresh cucumber with a little mayonnaise to keep her rollin'.

BOB BROWN BEAR Debut: 2007 Occupation: Canadians’ official mascot Favourite Pastime: Meeting fans, giving high fives and hugs, posing for photos About BBB: Makes more than 150 local community appearances every year and named after Vancouver’s Mr. Baseball, Bob Brown who dedicated his whole life to the game we love so dearly.

The Vancouver Canadians have an army of mascots that are all designed with one common goal – ensure everyone out at historic Nat Bailey Stadium has fun! From a loveable bear to a trio of sushi that are ready to rock – not to mention a condiment and utensil? The Canadians mascots are truly one of a kind!

SADAHARU SOY Debut: 2015 Occupation: Pot Stirrer, Professional Racer Favourite Pastime: Cooking, meeting fans, running Make-Up: Known to add a little saltiness to any meal, Sadaharu Soy was named after the legendary baseball slugger Sadaharu Oh who’s legend is global. Sadaharu is both physical and a little trickly during the sushi races!

CHOP N’ STIX Debut: 2018 Occupation: Hand Tools, Professional Racers

Favourite Pastimes: Helping people, racing Make-Up: Renewable, reusable and environmentally friendly! Chop & Stix come to the ballpark to keep the peace between the super competitive sushi and sauce. Connected at the top, Chop & Stix have a few challenges to iron out during the race – but they always get an A for effort.

Occupation: Staying cool, Professional Racer Favourite Pastime: Attending birthday parties, winning races Make-Up: Few slices of cucumber wrapped in rice and then rolled in a piece of dried seaweed. Sleek and light - Mr. Kappa Maki is always a tough competitor.

BASEBALL CROSSWORD PUZZLE KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL! WHICH TWO ARE EXACTLY ALIKE? BASEBALL WORD JUMBLE 1. LALBSEAB 2. EOBULD 4. TARETB 4. ELVGO 5. ICADAANSN 6. LTESA 7. ORROWABBNBBE 8. OMCPHNAIS 9. HIPTRCE 10. DILESR ANSWERS:JUMBLE Slider10.Pitcher9.Champions8.BearBrownBob7.Steal6.Canadians5.Glove4.Batter3.Double2.Baseball1. MATCHBASEBALL: 6&2 (L-R):ANSWERSLOGO BlueMariners;Athletics;Astros;Royals;Yankees;Braves;Cubs;Reds;Angels;Tigers;Phillies;Mets;Brewers;Orioles; RangersDodgers;Diamondbacks;Nationals;Marlins;Rays;Padres;Giants;Pirates;Cardinals;Rockies;Indians;Sox;WhiteSox;RedTwins;Jays; ANSWERSCROSSWROD Catcher3.Inning2.Baseball1.(Down)Diamond13.Pitcher10.Foul8.Cap7.Bat6.5.MittBase1.(Across) Homerun12.Team11.Umpire9.Outfield4. NAME THE MLB TEAM CAN YOU NAME THE TEAM BY ONLY SEEING A PART OF THEIR LOGO? CAN YOU SPOT 5 DIFFERENCES 26 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 35 34 33 30 29 3128 27 36 37 1516 14 17 12 19 1318 20 38 39 40 25 24 22 23 21 32 41 52 63 61 89410 11 12 13 5 2 73 KIDS FUN PAGE

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 / 53 CATCH THE FLY BALL FINISH START CONNECT THE DOTS BASEBALL WORD SEARCH DUGOUTDRIVEDOUBLEDIAMONDDECKCURVECOUNCLEANUPCHARGEBUNTBULLPEBENCHBEANBATTERBALLBAGNT POPUPLATEPITCHOUMOUNDLINEDHOMEHIGROUNDERGLOVEFOULFORCFLFIRSFIELERRORDTYETTP WINDUPWILDWALTHIRDSTRIKESTRETCHSPLITFINGESPITBALLSLIDESINKERSECONDSCORESAVESACRIFICRURBINERK

ACROSS 1. Baseball players are usually safe here 5. Leather object worn on hand to catch baseballs 6. Metal or wooden object used to hit the ball 7. Hat worn by baseball players 8. A ball hit out of bounds 10. Player who throws the ball over homeplate 13. The area between the three bases and home plate DOWN 1. A game played on a diamond 2. A baseball game has nine such divisions 3. Catches the ball thrown by the pitcher 4. The area of the field furthest from the batter and outside the diamond 9. Calls strikes and balls 11. Group of people playing a game 12. When a player can run around all the bases on just one hit

54 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2022 2022 CANADIANS BROADCAST SCHEDULE SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SUNSAT MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT APRIL JULY AUGU ST SEPT EMBER JUNE MAY RADIOCANADIANS Live games canadiansbaseball.comat LIVE ON MILB.TV Watch on MiLB.TV RequiredSubscription PRE-GAMECANADIANSSHOW Before games ONCANADIANSDECK Most Sundays on Sportsnet AM650 GET A HALF HOUR OF BASEBALL TALK EVERY SUNDAY FROM 9-9:30AM LIVE ON SPORTSNET 650 WITH HOST TYLER ZICKEL PRESENTED BY A&W

GET TICKETS GET TICKETS GET JULYSATURDAYTICKETS30 GET TICKETS GETAUGSATURDAYTICKETS6 GET TICKETS GET AUGSATURDAYTICKETS27 GET TICKETS GET SEPTSATURDAYTICKETS10 JUNESATURDAY4 JUNESATURDAY18 JUNETHURSDAY30 JULYSATURDAY2 JUNESATURDAY16

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball League is looking for your help this season. Your assistance will help more than 300 local children between the ages of 6-11 learn a number of life skills on the diamond including teamwork, fair play and how to develop confidence and pride.

If you would like to make a donation to Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation, please go to www.vancouverfoundation.ca/vancouvercanadians and click on the donate button.

THANK YOU for supporting the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and Vancouver Canadians Baseball League. Because of your generosity, we can move forward and bring a summer of fun and memories to children from right here in our own neighbourhoods.

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C's Program #11 by vancanadians - Issuu