2023 #9 Program

MEET OUR MASCOTS

Q&A WITH KEKAI RIOS

SUPERSTAR SERIES

RON CEY - AUGUST 22

DEVONTE BROWN PROVING TO BE A FINE FIND FOR BLUE JAYS SCOUTS

TEAM ROSTERS

9 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.

14 2023 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

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

17 ROAD TO THE SHOW

Climbing through the Blue Jays system.

18 TEAM ROSTERS

22 MEET THE 2023 VANCOUVER CANADIANS

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

34 OUTFIELDER DEVONTE BROWN PROVING TO BE A FINE FIND FOR TORONTO BLUE JAYS SCOUTS

Devonte Brown is making a scout or two with the Toronto Blue Jays look especially astute right now.

32 HOW TO SCORE THE BASEBALL GAME

A Scorekeeping 101.

40 Q&A WITH KEKAI RIOS

2023 Vancouver Canadians catcher Kekai Rios steps up to the plate in the latest instalment of C’s Chat.

48 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.

50 KIDS FUN PAGE

Fun kids activities

MARK STEFFENS/FOTOGUY PHOTOGRAPHY

Our content hits home with readers. We’re the trusted source for community news, award-winning stories and local flavour.

Glacier Media is part of the largest local news network in Canada Ask us about audience targeting. Visit goteam.glaciermedia.com

FRIDAYS Gates Open at Noon. First Pitch 1:05

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.

FRONT OFFICE STAFF

JAKE KERR CHAIR OF VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jake Kerr attended the University of British Columbia before completing his MBA in Economics and Finance at the University of California at Berkeley. A Canadian business icon, Mr. Kerr has been the recipient of the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia for his remarkable contributions 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) franchise attendance records, multiple Larry McPhail Awards for excellence within the Northwest League, and Minor League Baseball’s most coveted accolade - the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy, awarded to MiLB’s most complete franchise.

ANDY DUNN PRESIDENT

Andy Dunn has been with the Vancouver Canadians since 2007, helping guide Canada's only affiliated Minor League Baseball franchise to a number of national accolades including the coveted John H. Johnson President'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 honour.

Known 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 multiple John H. Johnson & Larry MacPhail Awards

JEFF MOONEY CHAIR OF THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL FOUNDATION

In addition to his valuable contributions to the Vancouver Canadians, Jeff Mooney is Chairman Emeritus and a major shareholder of A&W Food Services 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 member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Platinum Club.

Mr. Mooney is an alumnus of both the University of Saskatchewan and Harvard University Graduate School of Business. In 2003, Mr. Mooney received Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee 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

ALLAN BAILEY GENERAL MANAGER

Allan Bailey has been with the Vancouver Canadians since 2007 and was appointed General Manager on September 5th, 2018, after spending the previous seven seasons as the organization's Assistant General Manager. Allan has led several departments 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 North Shore Twins of the B.C. Premier League

STEPHANI ELLIS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

Returning for her ninth season with the Vancouver Canadians Stephani handles a wide variety of key organizational elements including Group Sales as well as the C's social media platforms. She was promoted 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.

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 Canadians.

Stephani 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 CHMILIAR FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Brenda is entering her 16th 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 MAISEY MANAGER OF TICKETING OPERATIONS

Steven enters his fourth season with the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club, and his first as Manager of Ticket Operations.

After graduating from Langara College with a diploma in Recreation Leadership Management, and interning for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Steven began his career with the Canadians on the operations side of the club, spending the two seasons (2018 –19) as a member of the A&B Tools Rental Grounds Crew. 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.

WALTER COSMAN VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING

With more than 20 years of Sales & Marketing experience here in Vancouver, Walter decided to put those skills to work in the sport he's most passionate about, baseball. With a B.A. from the University of New Brunswick, Walter has worked with Proctor & Gamble, Molson Canada, Granville Island Brewing and Steamworks Brewing. Walter was also General Manager of Petcurean leading a staff of more than 70 people. With a long-standing 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 fifth season with the Vancouver Canadians as their Accounting Coordinator. In 2020 she graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Business Administration 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.

TYLER ZICKEL MANAGER OF BROADCASTING & MEDIA RELATIONS

Tyler joined the Canadians in 2021 and is now in his sixth season in the Blue Jays organization and ninth in MiLB. Before the C's, Tyler served as the Director 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 departments while traveling throughout the Eastern League calling 'Cats games. Tyler began his MiLB career in 2014 as a communications intern for the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm in Southern California and was promoted twice in three years.

The San Diego native earned his B.A. in English from Whittier College in Los Angeles, where he played on the Poets baseball team and was elected Student Body President. He and his fiancée Kate make their offseason home in Portland, OR with their dog Rosie.

Proud to support the

AVAILABLE ON THE CONCOURSE AND at THE 3RD BASE CRAFT ZONE

KENDRA CHIN MARKETING COORDINATOR

Kendra joins the C’s Marketing department for her first full season of baseball. She has recently completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with specialization in Marketing and Human Resource Management. Prior to joining 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 coaches basketball to inner city kids. This Vancouverite also likes spending her free time playing basketball, tennis, golf, and skiing.

JACOB NAKHLEH SALES COORDINATOR

Jacob returns for his eighth season with the C’s and his second 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 University 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.

OTHON DIAZ SALES ASSOCIATE

Othon is originally from Mexico and moved to Canada to earn his MBA. He has experience working in the marketing department of the Diablos Rojos del Mexico professional baseball team in the Mexican Baseball League.

Throughout his life, Othon has been involved in sports. He spent many years training and competing on an international level in sprint kayak where he won three Pan-American medals in 2014 and 2017.

In his free time, Othon helps coach the U16 & U18 canoe and kayak sprint team at False Creek Racing Canoe Club. He loves watching baseball games at Nat Bailey Stadium while enjoying some good tacos.

LEVI WEBER HEAD GROUNDSKEEPER

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 Facility 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 minors 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.

COOPER MISIC SALES COORDINATOR

Cooper is a former Langley Blaze pitcher, took his talents south of the border to play for both Galveston College and at Central Washington University. 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.

LIAM GUERRIERO SALES ASSOCIATE

2023 is Liam’s first season with the C’s as a Sales Associate. The 23-yearold graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from their four-year program.

A native of Waterloo, Ontario, Liam grew up playing competitive hockey for the Waterloo Wolves. He loves playing and watching hockey, baseball, golf and football. He’s a fan of the Boston Bruins, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Browns and Rory McIlroy.

BOX OFFICE ASSISTANT BALLPARK AND STADIUM OPERATIONS

ZACH MAHAFFY BROOKS PRIMO CHRISTIAN WILSON TRAVIS PORTER

2023 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

CRAFT CORNER ICE COLD - FRESH BEER - LOCATED

IN THE -

3RD BASE FOOD COURT

PROUDLY SERVING

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

MATT HAGUE HITTING COACH TIM NORTON PITCHING COACH

CARSON PHILLIPS BULLPEN COACH

JUSTIN ECHEVARRIA COACH JAKE MCGUIGGAN DEVELOPMENT COACH

JOHN SCHNEIDER MANAGER

DON MATTINGLY BENCH COACH

PETE WALKER PITCHING COACH

GUILLERMO MARTINEZ HITTING COACH

CALEB DANIEL ATHLETIC TRAINER JUSTIN BATCHER STRENGTH COACH ROSWELL DEL ROSARIO ASST. STRENGTH COACH

KARA TERRY DIETITIAN ROB DiBERNARDO MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

RYAN MORETTI TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

MARK BUDZINSKI FIRST BASE COACH

LUIS RIVERA THIRD BASE COACH HUNTER MENSE ASSISTANT HITTING COACH JEFF WARE ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, BULLPEN DAVID HOWELL ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, STRATEGY GIL KIM FIELD COORDINATOR DAVE HUDGENS MAJOR LEAGUE HITTING STRATEGIST ADAM YUDELMAN MAJOR LEAGUE COACH ALEX ANDREOPOULOS BULLPEN CATCHER LUIS HURTADO BULLPEN CATCHER

CESAR MARTIN MANAGER MITCH HUCKABAY HITTING COACH

DREW HAYES PITCHING COACH

CHRIS SCHAEFFER COACH

MATT VON ROEMER DEVELOPMENT COACH

LUKE GREENE ATHLETIC TRAINER

CASEY CALLISON STRENGTH COACH

GEOFF STALLMAN DIETITIAN

RAUL PIMENTEL MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

KEVIN MCCARTHY TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

BRENT LAVALLEE MANAGER

DANIEL CANELLAS BENCH COACH

RYAN WRIGHT HITTING COACH

JOEL BONNETT PITCHING COACH

ASHLEY STEPHENSON POSITION COACH

AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX BULLPEN COACH ROELVIS VARGAS ATHLETIC TRAINER

TOMMY LABRIOLA STRENGTH COACH

YUKA SANUI DIETITIAN

RAUL PIMENTEL MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

LUKE STATLER TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

DONNIE MURPHY MANAGER

GEORGE CARROLL BENCH COACH

MATT YOUNG HITTING COACH

CORY RIORDAN PITCHING COACH

YOEL HERNANDEZ BULLPEN COACH PETR STRIBRCKY DEVELOPMENT COACH

JJOSE MAYORGA MANAGER

PAUL ELLIOTT HITTING COACH

COREY HART HITTING COACH

FRED LANDERS HITTING COACH

JAIME LEVER HITTING COACH

ANTONIO CACERES PITCHING COACH

ANDY FERMIN MANAGER

DEIFERSON BARRETO COACH RICARDO NANITA HITTING COACH

ROBELIN BAUTISTA PITCHING COACH

JOSE MATEO COACH JAIR MORELOS COACH LUIS SILVA COACH

BRANDON HAMMERSTROM ATHLETIC TRAINER

ROSWELL DEL ROSARIO S&C COACH

GEOFF STALLMAN DIETITIAN ERIKA MONSALVE MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

CARLOS POLANCO TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT BRENDAN KELLY PITCHING COACH

DELTA CLEARY JR. COACH

ASHLEY PONCE COACH

DANIEL TUCKER ASSISTANT COACH JON WOODWORTH ATHLETIC TRAINER FRANK ESPOSITO ATHLETIC TRAINER

ALAIN PACHECO ATHLETIC TRAINER YSIDRO REYES ATHLETIC TRAINER

IMBEWER ALVAREZ STRENGTH COACH JOSEPH CARDONA STRENGTH COACH

BRYAN ROSALES DIETITIAN

ERIKA MONSALVE MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

ISIDRO LOPEZ TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

SYDNEY JENKINS S&C COACH

EDWIN ORTIZ STRENGTH COACH

BRYAN ROSALES DIETITIAN ERIKA MONSALVE MENTAL PERFORMANCE

COACH STEVEN CARDONA TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

MANAGER: 33 Brent Lavallee

BENCH COACH: 24 Danny Canellas

PITCHING COACH: 34 Joel Bonnett

HITTING COACH: 12 Ryan Wright

PRONUNCIATIONS

POS. PLAYER COACH: 2 Ashley Stephenson

BULLPEN COACH: 38 Austin Bibens-Dirkx

ATHLETIC TRAINER: Roelvis Vargas

ATHLETIC THERAPIST Katie Reyes

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Tommy LaBriola

DIETITIAN: Yuka Sanui

MENTAL COACH: Raul Pimentel

TECH ASSISTANT: Luke Statler

Devereaux – dev-er-row | Abdiel – AWB-d-yell | Pardinho – par-DEEN-yo | Naswell – NAZ-well | Dahian – dye-ANNE | Svanson – pronounce the v

Anders – rhymes with flanders | Jommer – YOE-murr | Kekai – KAY-kai | Doughty – dough-dee | Kasevich – KASS-uh-vitch | Estiven – es-STEVEN Turconi – turk-OH-knee | Wehler – WHALE-er | Dasan – duh-SAWN | Lavallee – luh-VALLEY | Cañellas – kuh-NYAY-us | Stephenson - Stevenson Bibens-Dirkx – BIB-ins DURKS | Roelvis – row-ELVIS | Labriola – LAB-riola | Yuka Sanui – YOO-kah sa-NEW-ee

FIELD STAFF

BRENT LAVALLEE 33 MANAGER

• Entering his second year as Manager in Vancouver, coming off a 67-62 campaign... Served as a Manager for the first time in 2021 while with the FCL Blue Jays... Played at LSU Shreveport until 2009 and joined their coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant in 2010...Started as a full-time assistant in 2012 and was named the Head Coach in 2016...In three years, his teams produced with an overall record of 12657 and claimed the last two conference championships.

• The North Delta, British Columbia, native played for LSU for five seaons, including a medical redshirt campaign...Played a total of 200 games and earned 2009 1st Team All-Canada while runner up for Canadian College Baseball Player of the Year.

DANNY CANELLAS 24 BENCH COACH

• The 28-year-old is taking on a Bench Coach position for the first time...Entering his fourth season as a coach...Spent 2022 with Single-A Dunedin as a Position Coach...Served in the same capacity for Vancouver from 2019-2021.

• The former catcher and relief pitcher played Rookie-level baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 and 2015...He also signed as a free agent with the Blue Jays on October 9, 2017 and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League, Lansing, and Dunedin at various parts during the 2018 season.

JOEL BONNETT 20 PITCHING COACH

• Entering his second year in professional baseball and his first as a Pitching Coach, having spent the 2022 season as Bullpen Coach with High-A Vancouver...Started as a Pitching Coach at The University of Illinois Springfield and worked in the same role at Southwest Minnesota State University, Hendrix College, and Benedictine University.

• The native of Springfield, IL, played four seasons at NCAA III North Park University, spending time as both a starter and a closer...Finished his career 7th all-time in appearances (23) and 4th all-time in saves (7)...Was an all-conference second team honoree as a senior 2012, while in 2010 he earned the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Central Region Gold Glove Award.

RYAN WRIGHT 12 HITTING COACH

• Made his Minor League coaching debut in 2021, in his current role, after his debut with Class-A Lansing was cancelled in 2020...Began his coaching career at Capital High School in Boise, ID, from 2015-2016... Was a Graduate Assistant at California State University Northridge in 2016... Joined the organization from Montana State University Billings where he was on staff since 2017... Served as the Hitting Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at MSUB... Has also managed the Spearfish Sasquatch Baseball Club in Spearfish, SD (20182019), and the Kelowna Falcons Baseball Club in Kelowna, BC (2019).

• Played collegiately at the University of Utah, Treasure Valley Community College, and Oklahoma City University.

ASHLEY STEPHENSON

POSITION COACH

• 2023 is Ashley’s first season with the Blue Jays...Follows Jaime (Vieira) Lever as the second female coach in the organization...Coached with the Canadian Women’s National Team since 2018, leading to a Bronze medal at the COPABE Women’s Pan-American Championships in 2019, and was the first woman to manage the Women’s National Team when Canada played against USA in Thunder Bay in 2022...Was also the first woman to coach in the Canadian Futures Showcase, hosted by the Blue Jays baseball academy in Ottawa last year...Made history in November as she became the first woman to capture Baseball Canada’s Lionel Ruhr Elite Coach of the Year Award.

• Was an original member of the Women’s National Team in 2004 and played for 15 years...Won four Women’s Baseball World Cup medals (three bronze, one silver), and a silver at the Pan American Games in 2015.

AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX 38 BULLPEN COACH

• Officially retired in January and is entering his first year in professional baseball as a coach, taking on Bullpen Coach for Vancouver.

• The native of Salem, OR, was selected out of the University of Portland by the Seattle Mariners in the 16th round of the 2006 draft...Eventually reached the Majors for 37 games while with Texas in 2017 and 2018...Has also pitched in the Venezuelan Winter League, the Dominican Winter League, the Mexican League, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

2023 ROSTER

COOPER BENSON 15

PITCHER

HT: 6-0 WT: 210

B/T: L/L

DOB: 8/3/00

HOMETOWN: San Luis Obispo, CA

’22 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin

ACQUIRED: 17th, ’21, Arizona State

HUNTER GREGORY 16

PITCHER

HT: 6-3 WT: 220

B/T: R/R

DOB: 11/16/98

HOMETOWN: Chesapeake, VA ’22 CLUBS: Vancouver

ACQUIRED: 8th Rd, ’21, Old Dominion

DEVEREAUX HARRISON 26

PITCHER

HT: 6-0 WT: 190

B/T: R/R

DOB: 11/8/00

HOMETOWN: Vacaville, CA

’22 CLUBS: College, DUN, VAN

ACQUIRED: 9th Rd, ’22, Long Beach State

ADAM MACKO 30

PITCHER

HT: 6-0 WT: 180

B/T: L/L

DOB: 12/30/00

HOMETOWN: Vauxhall, AB

’22 CLUBS: Everett (SEA)

ACQUIRED: Trade (SEA), 11/16/22

KEVIN MIRNADA 17

PITCHER

HT: 5-10 WT: 180

B/T: R/R

DOB: 11/14/98

HOMETOWN: Dolega, PAN ’22 CLUBS: Did Not Play

ACQUIRED: INT FA, 8/4/22

RYAN

BOYER 21

PITCHER

HT: 6-2 WT: 225

B/T: R/R

DOB: 5/4/97

HOMETOWN: Bradford, PA ’22 CLUBS: College, DUN, VAN, NH ACQUIRED: FA, 1/27/22

IAN CHRUCHILL 35

PITCHER

HT: 6-2 WT: 190

B/T: L/L

DOB: 2/28/99

HOMETOWN: Santa Barbara,CA

’22 CLUBS: Dunedin

ACQUIRED: 10th Rd, 22, San Diego

RYAN JENNINGS 32

PITCHER

HT: 6-0 WT: 190

B/T: R/R

DOB: 6/23/99

HOMETOWN: San Antonio, TX ’22 CLUBS: Dunedin

ACQUIRED: 4th Rd, ’22, Louisiana Tech

ERIC PARDINHO 43

PITCHER

HT: 5-10 WT: 190

B/T: R/R

DOB: 1/5/01

HOMETOWN: Bastos, Sao Paulo, BR ’22 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/17

JUSTIN KELLY 9

PITCHER

HT: 6-1 WT: 195

B/T: R/R

DOB: 12/2/98

HOMETOWN: West Jordan, UT

’22 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

ACQUIRED: ND FA, 7/21/21

NASWELL PAULINO 4

PITCHER

HT: 5-11 WT: 205

B/T: L/L

DOB: 4/17/00

HOMETOWN: San Cristobal, DR ’22 CLUBS: Vancouver

ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/4/16

PAT

GALLAGHER 29

PITCHER

HT: 6-0 WT: 200

B/T: R/R

DOB: 6/30/00

HOMETOWN: Leoiminster, MA ’22 CLUBS: UConnr

ACQUIRED: 11th Rd, ’22, UConn

CONOR LARKIN 25

PITCHER

HT: 6-1 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 3/17/99

HOMETOWN: Royersford, PA

’22 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

ACQUIRED: 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State

SAM RYAN

PITCHER

HT: 6-3 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 9/22/98

31

HOMETOWN: Clifton, VA ’22 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

ACQUIRED: 12th Rd, ’19, VCU

RAFAEL SANCHEZ 18

DAHIAN

ANDERS

HOMETOWN: Acarigua, VZ

Dunedin, Vancouver

INT FA, 7/2/19

JOMMER HERNANDEZ 19

CATCHER

HT: 5-11 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 10/20/00

HOMETOWN: Puerto Plata, DR ’22 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 9/8/21

LYLE LIN 10

HT: 6-1 WT: 200

B/T: R/R

DOB: 6/26/97

HOMETOWN: Taipei, Taiwan ’22 CLUBS: Hillsboro, Amarillo, Reno

ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 4/10/23

DOB: 09/13/99

HOMETOWN: Santee, CA

’22 CLUBS: Dunedin

ACQUIRED: 23rd Rd, ’19, Grossmont College

ESTIVEN MACHADO 14

INFIELDER

HT: 5-10 WT: 180

B/T: S/R

DOB: 10/4/02

HOMETOWN: Barlovento, VZ ’22 CLUBS: Dunedin

ACQUIRED: INT FA, 7/3/19

KEKAI RIOS 20

CATCHER

HT: 5-10 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 6/06/97

HOMETOWN: Kaneohe, HI ’22 CLUBS: Great Lakes, Tulsa

ACQUIRED: Waivers 03/27/2003

ALEX DE JESUS

INFIELDER

HT: 6-2 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 3/22/02

27

CADE DOUGHTY 7

INFIELDER

HT: 6-1 WT: 200

B/T: R/R

DOB: 3/26/01

HOMETOWN: Santo Domingo, DR ’22 CLUBS: Great Lakes (LAD), Vancouver

ACQUIRED: Trade (LAD), 8/2/22

MICHAEL TURCONI 28

INFIELDER

HT: 5-11 WT: 185

B/T: L/R

DOB: 6/24/99

HOMETOWN: Beaver Falls, PA ’22 CLUBS: College, Dunedin, Vancouver

ACQUIRED: 15th Rd, ’22, Wake Forest

HOMETOWN: Denham Springs, LA ’22 CLUBS: College, Dunedin

ACQUIRED: 2nd (CB), ’22, Louisiana State

PEYTON WILLIAMS 40

DASAN BROWN 6

HOMETOWN: Des Moines, IA

Dunedin

7th Rd, ’22, Iowa

DEVONTE BROWN 5

HOMETOWN: Oakville, ON

Dunedin, Vancouver

3rd Rd, ’19, Abbey Park HS (ON)

GABBY MARTINEZ 11

GARRETT SPAIN 13

HOMETOWN: Maracaibo, VZ

ROELVIS VARGAS

KATIE REYES ATHLETIC THERAPIST

TOMMY LaBRIOLA STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

YUKA SANUI DIETITIAN

RAUL PIMENTEL MENTAL COACH

LUKE STATLER TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

JESSE MENDEZ CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES

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.

Supporting local charities in our community

APRIL 12 SUPPORTING

APRIL 26 SUPPORTING

MAY 10 SUPPORTING

MAY 31 SUPPORTING

JUNE 14 SUPPORTING

JUNE 28 SUPPORTING

JULY 26 SUPPORTING

AUGUST 9 SUPPORTING

AUGUST 23 SUPPORTING

AUGUST 30 SUPPORTING

HOW TO SCORE A BASEBALL 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 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.

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

BASIC UMPIRE SIGNS FOR THE PLAYERS AND FANS

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.

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.

1. CENTER FIELDER

2. SHORTSTOP

3. 1ST BASEMAN

4. 3RD BASEMAN

5. RIGHT FIELDER

6. LEFT FIELDER

7. DESIGNATED HITTER

8. 2ND BASEMAN

9. CATCHER

DOUBLE

HOME RUN PLAY BALL INFIELD FLY FAIR BALL

DELAYED DEAD BALL TRAPPED BALL/SAFE HOLD UP PLAY COUNT TIME/DEAD BALL

FOUL BALL

FOUL TIP STRIKE OUT

DEVONTE PROVING TO BE

BY STEVE EWEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK STEFFENS

Devonte Brown is making a scout or two with the Toronto Blue Jays look especially astute right now.

DEVONTE BROWN

BE A FINE FIND FOR BLUE JAYS SCOUTS

Brown has been one of the standouts of what’s been a strong season so far for the Vancouver Canadians, Toronto’s affiliate in the high-A Northwest League. He has been carrying a heavy load offensively of late in particular, with six home runs, 16 runs batted, a .344 average, and 15 runs in his past 18 games heading into a Wednesday visit by the Everett AquaSox to Nat Bailey Stadium. Vancouver is already guaranteed a playoff spot thanks to winning the first-half pennant, and they were leading the second half by four games with their 18-7 mark as of Wednesday morning.

Brown was passed over in the 2022 Major League Baseball amateur draft following his senior season with the the North Carolina State Wolfpack. What’s more, he says the Blue Jays were the lone team that called afterward with a free-agent offer. Brown hit .308, with two homers and 15 RBI, in 27 games last summer with the single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. He was batting .263, with 10 homers and 40 RBI, through 57 games with the C’s going into Wednesday.

“They called in the last round, with a couple of picks left, and said they were interested. They called again 10 minutes after that last pick was taken and gave me the offer,” Brown, 23, said of the Blue Jays. “My agent and I talked about it. All we wanted was an opportunity. We got that opportunity, and we just kind of went with it.”

The 5-foot-9, 207-pound, right-handed hitting Brown was passed over in the draft three times at NC State. He received that fifth year in 2022 because his junior season in 2020 was held to 17 games due to COVID.

He realized this season that teams might not be keen on using a draft pick on an older player. He performed well, hitting .304, with 15 homers and 44 RBI, in 57 games with the Wolfpack. For his collegiate career, he hit .281, with 33 homers and 109 RBI, in 192 games.

“Was I mad? A little bit,” explained Brown, who is from Newnan, Ga., an Atlanta suburb. “At the same time, I knew it was going to be risky, being that fifth year, being an older guy. I knew there was a chance that I didn’t get taken.

“I was mad, but at the same time I couldn’t be mad. It ended up working out in the end. I’m happy about that.”

He says that he doesn’t feel any added pressure because he wasn’t drafted and doesn’t have the commitment from the Blue Jays attached to him.

“I’ve always felt like the underdog, I guess. At the end of the day, I try to play the game that I know how to play. Playing that game still got me here to this position now,” he

said.

He credits hitting coach Ryan Wright for getting him into a good head space this season.

Brown’s been especially good in clutch situations. Going into Wednesday, he was hitting .316 (18-of-57) with runners in scoring position. Going into Wednesday, he was hitting .462 (6-of-13) in the ninth inning, with six RBI.

Brown belted a three-run walk-off homer July 16 in a 5-3 triumph over the Eugene Emeralds at the Nat. He had smacked a two-run homer the night before against the Emeralds in the fifth inning that provided the margin of a victory in 4-2 victory.

“It’s been clicking for a lot of guys and we’re just feeding off each other,” Brown said. “It’s very contagious.

“This is a good group of guys. Good hitters. Good pitchers. We talk to the pitchers about how they’d pitch guys in certain situations, and us hitters are constantly talking to each other, saying what we’re seeing. That helps us all a lot.

“We all get along. We’re very passionate about each other. We’re very passionate about game. It’s really fun playing with each other.”

Brown bounced the around the diamond defensively at NC State, spending time as a starter at third base, right field and centre field. There is a school of thought that may have hurt him draft-wise, casting him as a bat without a position.

That versatility is more like a benefit now, especially with a Toronto organization that covets players who can see time at multiple spots. Brown has played all three outfield posts for C’s manager Brent Lavallee, and also seen time in the second half at first base.

“I just have to keep doing me,” Brown said when asked about what it will take for him to progress through the system. “I have to keep playing the game that I know how to. Hopefully, when they need somebody, it’s my name they say.”

CELEBRATE WITH CANADA’S MVP

Canadians’ baseball and Keg Caesars. There’s nothing more synonymous with summer. All season long, you can enjoy our famous cocktail at The Keg Caesar Bar, located along the third-base line at Scotiabank Field. And once the game ends, you can enjoy a Caesar and mouth-watering steak at one of 13 locations in the Lower Mainland area.

Proud Partner of the Vancouver Canadians

2023 Canadians catcher

Kekai Rios steps up to the plate in the latest instalment of C’s Chat.

A native of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Rios prepped at Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama and lettered two years in baseball by hitting .324 and .355 in his junior and senior seasons of 2014 and 2015. He received 2014-15 Interscholastic League of Hawaii (ILH) baseball all-star first-team honours and was a 2015 Perfect Game All-American West honourable mention.

Rios went to the University of Hawaii and enjoyed a successful freshman season in 2016 by hitting .331 with a .391 on-base percentage. That performance resulted in a Big West honourable mention and a shout-out on the Johnny Bench Award watch list as college baseball’s top catcher. Rios got some summer exposure by heading to the Cape Cod League and putting up a .295/.403 BAVG/OBP with the Brewster Whitecaps. With the Rainbow Warriors in 2017, Rios batted .282 with a .388 on-base mark and made the Johnny Bench watch list for a second straight year after throwing out a combined 33 potential base stealers over his freshman and sophomore campaigns. He then hooked up with the Victoria HarbourCats for another tour of summer college ball and was on base nearly half the time with a .491 mark in a dozen games in the West Coast League to go along with a .308 batting average. Rios was a teammate of Chicago White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn and the skipper there was former major leaguer and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Brian McRae.

BY NIALL O’DONOHOE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK STEFFENS

KEKAI RIOS

The 2018 season with Hawaii saw Rios bat .270 with a .383 OBP and was a first-team All-Big West as a utility player. after appearing in 13 games at third base along with 24 appearances behind the dish.

The Kansas City Royals were interested in Rios according to The Standard Advertiser in Honolulu but the two sides could not come to an agreement during the 2018 MLB Draft. Instead, he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 28th round.

Rios reported to the Arizona League for his first professional assignment and batted .333 in 19 games. He was then assigned to the Midwest League in 2019 to join the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and only suited up for 29 games but he did collect his first professional home run against Peoria on August 4.

When minor league baseball resumed again after the pandemic, Rios was back in the Badger State with the Timber Rattlers for the 2021 season. In 43 games, he batted .270 with a .357 OBP and added 11 extra-base hits and 20 runs batted in. That led to a sixgame trial with the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers.

Rios’ tenure with the Brew Crew came to an end after he was claimed in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 8, 2021.

A return to the Midwest League awaited Rios in 2022 as he suited up for the Great Lakes Loons. He drew a walk over 10 percent of the time with four homers and 24 RBI in 68 games before earning another taste of Double-A ball where he had two hits in three games with the Tulsa Drillers.

Once again, Rios’ services were in demand at the Rule 5 minor league draft as he was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays on December 7, 2022.

In his first game in the Blue Jays system, Rios had two hits and a walk for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Altoona on April 7. He also had three hits at Somerset on April 21 and a

two-hit effort against Harrisburg on May 4 but playing time was sporadic as he appeared in just four games in May and four in June. As a result, Rios spent two stints on the Development List before he was assigned to Vancouver on June 27.

Rios made an immediate impact in his debut with the Canadians. His first hit was a game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the ninth and that helped the C’s walk off Spokane in 10 innings on June 28. After serving as the designated hitter that night, Rios had two more hits after his first start behind the plate in another win against Spokane June 29. His first home run on Canadian soil came in a victory against Eugene on July 15 as part of a three-hit performance and he went deep again for a three-run shot to open the scoring in a win at Spokane on July 20.

C’s Plus Baseball caught up with the 26-year-old Rios just before the finale of the weekend series against Eugene. This interview has been edited for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – Your got your first home run (with the Canadians on July 15). Did you know the ball was gone as soon as it left the bat?

Kekai Rios – Oh, it felt good definitely to get the first one out of the way. When I hit it, I knew I hit it good, but I mean, the way this field plays, I never really knew if it was going to get out. So I just kept going hard and lucky enough, it got out.

CPB – When did you realize it did go out because it went off the video board?

KR – Yeah, it was kind of like when I was rounding second. I had seen the ball in the outfield and I was honestly going for a triple because I was like, ‘Damn, I don’t know the last time I hit a triple.’ And the guys (the Spokane outfielders) weren’t going for the ball (which was back on the field) so I was a little confused but yeah, I’m glad that thing got out.

CPB – You had a three-hit game, are you feeling good at the plate right now?

KR – Yeah, I feel pretty good. Working with the hitting coach (Ryan Wright) here, he’s been kind of helping me out a lot. It’s always easier when you’re seeing pitching more consistently compared to earlier in the year when I was getting like two games a week, maybe a Wednesday and a Sunday or a Thursday and a Sunday. I mean, it’s no excuse because there’s a job for that in the big leagues. You’re a backup catcher where you play random days in a week but I don’t think people realize it’s definitely harder to just play random days and you’re always trying to do a little too much. Definitely, when you know you’re going to get consistent at-bats, it kind of eases off on some pressure and you can kind of take better at-bats and be more yourself. I think just getting more consistent at-bats has really helped me get going at the plate.

CPB – Let’s go back to your very first hit with the team when you got here. It was a big game-tying hit in a game that the team went on to win in extra innings. That was a good way to introduce yourself to your new teammates.

KR – Oh, yeah, it definitely felt good, especially to get the first hit out of the way in the first game. I mean, it felt good to do that for the team and come up clutch in the ninth.

CPB – How has it been getting used to your new set of teammates?

KR – It was actually pretty easy. I mean, the team chemistry and the vibe here, the way these guys go about their business, it’s really easy to fit in. And I really like it here. The environment’s easy to kind of fit in and go with the flow.

CPB – It’s not the first time you played here in B.C. You were a member of the Victoria HarbourCats playing summer college ball there and (Chicago White Sox first baseman) Andrew Vaughn was one of your teammates. How did you like playing in Victoria?

KR – Oh, it’s beautiful. I love this part of Canada. I mean, it’s the

only part of Canada I’ve ever been. But this place is beautiful, especially hot during the summer, nice and green with beautiful trees. I can’t complain. This is beautiful.

CPB – I hear they get good crowds out in Victoria. Is it pretty similar to what you’re experiencing here as well?

KR – Yeah, I think it’s probably a little more here but the stadium in Victoria is just as packed, it fills up just as it does here. The environment they got over here at this stadium is definitely different from the minor leagues and it’s a good place to play.

CPB – Your manager at Victoria was Brian McRae. What was it like playing under him?

KR – He was a former big leaguer so he had a lot of feel. Just learning from him, kind of picking his brain, hearing a lot of stories about his past experience, kind of like he went through what we were going through at the time. Just a guy to kind of lean on and go to if we ever needed anything, which was really nice going through college.

CPB – You had another summer college stint out in the Cape Cod League. What was your experience like there playing in the Cape?

KR – Oh, it was great. I went there after my freshman year, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Being from Hawaii, I had no clue about summer college baseball until the end of my college freshman season, so it was a good experience. I lived with two really good people that I still talk to, to this day and it was a good level of competition. Being around different guys from higherlevel colleges, SEC, and kind of like being able to show that you can hang with them and be like, ‘Oh, okay. I can really do this at a high level.’ It was a really good vibe and a good experience out there. I love the Cape.

CPB – I want to talk to you about your time in Hawaii with the Rainbow Warriors. Was that a dream come true to be able to play for your hometown university?

KR – Oh, yeah. That experience was like nothing I could ever redo because it was just crazy playing in front of a lot of fans and always playing in front of your family. Over there, there’s no pro team so they treat the college like professional players and I think it really helped me set up connections for later in life on the island, definitely.

CPB – How did you get started in baseball?

KR – I kind of grew up playing baseball and football. I have two older brothers, kind of just watching them going to the park as a younger kid. My brothers are 10 and 11 years older than me. They were a big influence on me growing up, seeing them play sports. I played baseball, football, basketball, and baseball was the one that I was the best at so I kind of rode with it and it’s taken me here.

CPB – In football, what position did you play?

KR – I started off in junior peewees, I was a running back and linebacker. And then as I got to high school, I just became strictly a linebacker.

CPB – When did you begin catching?

KR – I was a shortstop my whole life pretty much until I was going to the varsity in 10th grade. The only spot open was catching. So the coach asked me if I would feel comfortable trying to make the transition to get a starting opportunity. And I mean, any kid just wants to play, you know what I mean? Any way to get on the field, I don’t care. In 10th grade, I caught and then I didn’t catch for the next two years. Then I kind of went back to catching in my freshman year of college. And ever since then, it’s kind of been my main position.

CPB – What is it that you like about catching?

KR – You’re in the play every game. You got a lot more control of the game than just your offence. You’re almost like a quarterback out there. You’re looking at the field, you’re controlling the tempo.

You got to be the leader out there and have energy, you know what I mean? That’s what the team feeds off of. So I think the biggest thing I like about catching is just being able to go out there and have a different kind of control of the game from a different aspect.

CPB – How do you feel about your defense behind the plate right now?

KR – It’s definitely a work in progress. When you’re in the minor leagues, there’s always stuff to work on, you know what I mean? Just kind of keep working on the little things that my coaches are preaching over here and hopefully find confidence and hopefully everything clicks.

CPB – You were a draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers. Where were you when you got drafted by the Brewers?

KR – I was actually at home in Waikiki. I was at the beach with my Dad’s brother. My uncles were visiting. It was my birthday so we were just out kind of having a barbecue on the beach, and then all of a sudden I got a call that I got drafted. Yeah, and then we started celebrating.

CPB – Happy birthday. That’s a heck of a gift. You were then picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers. What was that like being with the Dodgers organization last season?

KR – I really liked it there. It was definitely a good place to be. They treated me good. I feel like they know what they’re doing. It opened my eyes a little bit on how to be a pro and some more steps on what I’ve got to do to get to the next level. I really liked it there.

CPB – The minor league draft rolls around again, and once again you’re on the move, but with the Blue Jays. How did you find out about being picked up by Toronto?

KR – I was taking a nap and I had a bunch of missed calls, three missed calls from the Dodgers farm director. And then I got a text

message saying that the Blue Jays have selected me in the Rule 5 and to give the farm director a call back when I get a chance. I basically called him and he thanked me for everything. Then the Blue Jays called me, welcomed me and it kind of all happened pretty quick. It kind of caught me off guard.

CPB – Who had talked to you from the Blue Jays?

KR – I’m sure it was (director of player development) Joe Sclafani, I want to say, but the first real coach that I was talking to in the offseason was (Canadians manager) Brent Lavallee. Going into spring training, he was really the only guy I knew going to the Blue Jays so if I had any questions, I would always ask him, or if I was wondering anything, I would ask him. I’m just glad it was him because there’s no better guy, such a great guy.

CPB – You were with New Hampshire to begin the year, and now you’re starting with a new set of pitchers. But what’s the learning process like in getting familiar with the different pitchers that you have to catch?

KR – That’s been probably the biggest challenge for me is getting used to catching different guys, seeing how their pitches move, where they miss. That’s been pretty much the biggest challenge, but so far the coaches and staff have been helping me out a lot on speeding up that process for me so it hasn’t been too bad.

CPB – You started off the year in New Hampshire and you had a couple of stints on the development list. Take us through what happens when you’re assigned to the development list? What do you work on?

KR – You’re just basically a practice player, so you can really only practice but they kind of had a plan for me, things they didn’t like that I was doing catching-wise, things that they thought I could do better. Same with my swing. They’d seen some things that they felt like I could clean up and get a little better, so I was on it for

about four weeks, trying to clean up some things, and basically just a lot of different catching drills, a lot of different early work hitting, early work catching. Just going about it almost like a spring training type of day because at the end of the day, that’s my time of work. I don’t have to be ready for the game. So, yeah, that’s basically it.

CPB – When (the Jays) said, ‘Look, we’re going to send you to Vancouver’. I guess you had to look at it as an opportunity to at least get some at-bats and some playing time?

KR – Well, my opportunity is either go back on the development list or come to Vancouver. I figure no one can see you if you’re on the development list so I figure come over here to Vancouver and see what I can do.

CPB – If you had to give a scouting report on yourself, how would you describe yourself as a player?

KR – Just hard-working with some grit, willing to do what it takes. You know what I mean? Nothing that stands out but I’m just able to go out there and get the job done and compete at a high level. CPB – Did you have a favourite major league team or player growing up?

KR – My Dad’s from San Diego so I grew up a San Diego Padres fan but my favourite player growing up was definitely Pudge Rodriguez and Yadier Molina. I really looked up to those guys, and as I got older, Yadier Molina. I always told myself I want to be like that guy so that’s my guy.

CPB – Final question, a bit off the wall. The Canadians have five different uniforms, red, black, white, gray, and the retro blues. Do you have a favourite?

KR – Right now, it’s the black. I got three hits in the black (Saturday, July 15) so I’m riding with the black for now.

Home Field Advantage

RON CEY

PACIFIC TOYOTA DEALERS

BY LINA SETAGHIAN

MEET OUR MASCOTS

The Vancouver Canadians have an army of mascots that are all designed with one common goal – ensure everyone out at historic Scotiabank Field at 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!

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.

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'.

MR. KAPPA MAKI

Debut: 2008

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.

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.

Lunch Bag Giveaway

FIRST 500 KIDS 12 & UNDER

KIDS FUN PAGE

CATCH THE FLY BALL

START

BASEBALL WORD SEARCH

BASEBALL CROSSWORD PUZZLE

FINISH

CONNECT THE DOTS

BAG BALL BATTER BEAN

BENCH BULLPEN BUNT CHARGE CLEANUP COUNT CURVE DECK

DIAMOND DOUBLE DRIVE DUGOUT

ERROR FIELD FIRST FLY FORCE FOUL GLOVE GROUNDER HIT HOME LINED MOUND OUT PITCH PLATE POPUP

RUN SACRIFICE SAVE SCORE

SECOND SINKER SLIDE

SPITBALL SPLITFINGER STRETCH STRIKE

THIRD WALK WILD WINDUP WORLDSERIES

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

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL!

BASEBALL WORD JUMBLE

WHICH TWO ARE EXACTLY ALIKE?

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FRIDAY, AUG 11

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