2024 Program 3

Q&A WITH C’S RIGHT HANDER

RAFAEL OHASHI

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 2024 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 2024 VANCOUVER CANADIANS

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

30 CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES

A list of alumni who have gone to 'The Show'

32 HOW TO SCORE THE BASEBALL GAME

A Scorekeeping 101.

34 Q& A WITH RAFAEL OHASHI

Each week, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium PA announcer and de facto team historian Niall O’Donohoe catches up with a different C’s player. The latest C’s Chat is with 2024 Vancouver Canadians pitcher Rafael Ohashi.

40 A HALF-CENTURY LATER, ATHLETICS’ DYNASTY REMAINS UNIQUE

The Oakland Athletics won the 1972 World Series, taking down the Reds in seven games. A year later, they beat the Mets in seven. Then, on Oct. 17, 1974, the A’s defeated the Dodgers in Game 5 to secure their third consecutive World Series title. They remain one of only two franchises to enjoy such profound success in a three-year span.

46 BIRMINGHAM’S RICKWOOD FIELD FEATURES BASEBALL’S PAST AND PRESENT

Negro Leagues baseball endured a serious decline in the 1950s and completely died out by the 1960s. Given the passage of time – more than 55 years – it’s not surprising that few of the Negro Leagues ballparks remain in existence.

54 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.

56 KIDS FUN PAGE

Fun kids activities

8,000,000+ Kilometers | 500,000+ Passengers Every year | We're going your way

Whatever the event, no matter how large, Universal has the experience and the fleet to make it happen in comfort and style. From customer shuttles, team buses, student transportation, to major conventions and multi-departure tour programs, we do it all.

FRIDAYS

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

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.

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 the Team Operations handling everything from player housing and travel right through to Information Technology (IT).

Born in Victoria, B.C., Allan was raised on the North Shore and up on the 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 2024 is Stephani’s tenth season with the Vancouver Canadians. She was promoted to the role of Assistant General Manager in 2019 and was the recipient of the 2019 Northwest League Female Executive of the Year for her work with the C's.

Stephani has led the Canadians Group Sales, Social Media, and Community platforms during her time out at historic Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

After a standout collegiate softball career at California University of PA where Stephani played for the Vulcans, 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 to The Nat. Even with the demands that come with that responsibility alone, Stephani still lends her time to the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and its fundraising efforts.

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.

With a longstanding corporate partnership with the Canadians prior to his arrival in May of 2019, Walter joined the organization fully aware of the standard that has put the C's among the best in Minor League Baseball.

BRENDA

CHMILIAR FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Brenda enters her 16th season at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and her sixth as Financial Controller for the Canadians. She spent the first 10 of those years with Aramark Food Services in the company's financial division, dividing her time between the ballpark and Rogers Arena. Her knowledge of stadium operations thanks to her time with both Aramark and the Canadians have proven to be invaluable during her tenure.

Brenda is responsible for all aspects of the financial operations and is right at home here at The Nat; much of her childhood was spent on local baseball fields up in Kamloops.

JACOB NAKHLEH

MANAGER,

TICKET OPERATIONS

Jacob returns for his eighth season with the C’s and his first as Manager, Ticket Operations.

He first joined the club for the 2016 season, when he began his time with the C’s in the Box Office. Jacob was first hired as a member of the game day staff, then promoted to Box Office Assistant before joining the sales team at the conclusion of the 2021 season. After spending the last couple of years working in sales and community relations, Jacob is excited to be back at home in the Box Office.

Prior to joining the C’s in a full-time role, Jacob graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance).

When Jacob’s away from The Nat, you can find him watching Blue Jays baseball, Seahawks football, or dreaming about ice fishing in Saskatchewan.

ROSEMARY ALBERTS COORDINATOR, MARKETING SERVICES

Rosemary enters her first year with the Canadians as a Marketing Services Coordinator. She recently graduated from the University of British Columbia with her Bachelor of Arts in May 2023 and her Master of Management in December 2023.

Born in Richmond, Rosemary was raised in Victoria, B.C. where she grew up playing volleyball. Her previous work experience includes being the Communications & Administrative Coordinator for Athletics for Kids and a Varsity Game Day Statistician for UBC Athletics. She is excited to help the C’s organization in any way she can.

When Rosemary is not at the Nat, she enjoys her time watching the Canucks, kickboxing, or spending time with family and friends.

CHARLENE YAROSHUK ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR

Charlene is excited to be entering her sixth 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

2024 is Tyler’s fourth with the Canadians, seventh within the Toronto Blue Jays organization and 10th in Minor League Baseball.

Before the C's, Tyler served as the Director of Promotions & Entertainment and Radio Broadcaster for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Over the course of three seasons in Manchester, he oversaw the entire ingame presentation and promotions departments while traveling throughout the Eastern League calling 'Cats games. He has especially fond memories of the 2018 campaign, when he worked alongside current Jays (and former C’s) skipper John Schneider and the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Jordan Romano. He began his MiLB career in 2014 as a communications intern for the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm in the California League. He made his professional baseball radio debut with the Storm in 2015 and handled the middle innings of road games for the rest of his tenure. Tyler, his wife Kate and dog Rosie make their offseason home in Portland, OR, where they play copious amounts of pickleball and obsess over the University of Texas Longhorns football season each fall. Born and raised in San Diego, Tyler is a lifelong Padres fan and will always “Keep The Faith.

Proud to support the

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

LEVI WEBER HEAD GROUNDSKEEPER

Levi―the 2023 Northwest League Groundskeeper of the Year―is no stranger to this circuit, with prior experience as the Head Groundskeeper for the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium. His talents have also taken him to the desert, where he was 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 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 CO-ORDINATOR, SALES

Cooper enters his third season with the Canadians and his second season as Coordinator, Sales. He is excited to take on more responsibilities during the 2024 season.

A former Langley Blaze star pitcher who took his talents south of the border to play for both Galveston College and Central Washington University, Cooper graduated from CWU with a degree in Sports Management with a Specialization in Business.

When Cooper’s away from The Nat, you can find him enjoying even more baseball, playing golf, or trying out every new restaurant in town.

DREW HOWSON SALES ASSOCIATE

2024 marks Drew’s third season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and second full season in Vancouver. This season will be his first in an office role as a Sales Associate.

After graduating St. Clair College with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management and interning with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Drew began his career in professional baseball as a member of the Canadians Grounds Crew. He would go on to gain experience with the Toronto Blue Jays Facility Department, assisting with the renovation and clean-up of Rogers Centre before returning to Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Drew is a baseball junkie. He played and coached at many levels in his hometown community of Windsor, Ontario, most notably with the Tecumseh Rangers. In his off time, you’ll usually find him hiking, playing his guitar, or cheering on the Detroit Tigers and his beloved Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!

LIAM GUERRIERO

CO-ORDINATOR, SALES

2024 is Liam’s second season with the C’s, and first as a Sales Coordinator. The 24-year old 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.

IZZY DINO SALES ASSOCIATE

Izzy joins the C’s as a Sales Associate for the 2024 season. She recently graduated from Seattle University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Media Studies. A native of North Vancouver, Izzy grew up playing competitive softball in both Vancouver and Richmond. She went on to log five NCAA Division I seasons between the University of Hawaii and Seattle University. In her spare time, she coaches youth softball pitchers on the North Shore. Izzy’s hobbies include watching and playing softball, yoga, going to the beach, and travelling to new places.

ZACH MAHAFFY SALES ASSOCIATE

Zachary returns to The Nat for his third season with the Canadians and his first in sales. He spent the previous two seasons as Box Office Assistant for the club.

In April 2023, Zachary graduated with a BBA from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, concentrating in Marketing and Strategic Analysis.

A native of Surrey, Zachary played rep hockey with Semiahmoo MHA from U15 to U18, while also playing one season in the Pacific Junior Hockey League with the White Rock Whalers and Port Moody Panthers. During the baseball offseason, Zachary officiates hockey, from U15 all the way up to the Pacific Junior Hockey League. He achieved his Member High Performance certification with Hockey Canada in December 2023.

STADIUM OPERATIONS

GROUNDS CREW

BROOKS PRIMO TRAVIS PORTER CAMERON CARELSE

ADAM HAUXWELL

2024 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

CRAFT CORNER ICE COLD - FRESH BEER -

LOCATED IN THE -

3RD BASE FOOD COURT

PROUDLY SERVING

ROAD TO THE SHOW

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.

JOHN SCHNEIDER MANAGER

MARK BUDZINSKI FIRST BASE COACH

GIL KIM FIELD COORDINATOR

LUIS RIVERA THIRD BASE COACH

DON MATTINGLY BENCH COACH

HUNTER MENSE ASSISTANT HITTING COACH

PETE WALKER PITCHING COACH

DAVE HUDGENS MAJOR LEAGUE HITTING STRATEGIST

MANAGER CASEY CANDAELE BENCH COACH DONNIE MURPHY HITTING COACH RYAN LONG

GUILLERMO MARTINEZ HITTING COACH

JEFF WARE ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, BULLPEN

ADAM YUDELMAN MAJOR LEAGUE COACH ALEX ANDREOPOULOS BULLPEN CATCHER

PITCHING COACH DREW HAYES

POSITION COACH JUSTIN ECHEVARRIA

DAVID HOWELL ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH, STRATEGY

HURTADO BULLPEN CATCHER

BULLPEN COACH ANTHONY GOMEZ

MANAGER CESAR MARTIN BENCH COACH JAKE MCGUIGGAN

HITTING COACH MITCH HUCKABAY

PITCHING COACH JOEL BONNETT

BRENT LAVALLEE MANAGER

BARRETO BENCH COACH

WRIGHT HITTING COACH

PITCHERS HT WT B/T AGE DOB HOMETOWN ‘22 CLUBS ACQUIRED

30 Alex Amalfi 6-1 185 R/R 23 02/18/01 Ashland, MA Dunedin MiLB FA, 07/26/22

35 Lazaro Estrada 6-0 200 R/R 25 04/24/99 Havana, CUB Dunedin INT FA, 01/04/18

11 Pat Gallagher 6-0 200 R/R 23 06/30/00 Leominster, MA Dunedin, Vancouver 11th, ’22, Connecticut

3 Ryan Jennings 6-0 190 R/R 24 06/23/99 New Braunfels, TX Dunedin, Vancouver 4th Rd, ’22, Louisiana Tech

9 Justin Kelly 6-1 210 R/R 25 12/02/98 Salt Lake City, UT Vancouver ND FA, 07/21/21

25 Conor Larkin 6-1 215 R/R 25 03/17/99 Royersford, PA Vancouver 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State

28 Johnathan Lavallee 6-4 240 R/R 24 08/11/99 Simi Valley, CA Fort Myers (MIN) MiLB FA, 02/02/24

26 Chris McElvain 6-0 205 R/R 23 09/15/00 Thompson Station, TN Daytona, Dayton (CIN) Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24

17 Kevin Miranda 5-10 180 R/R 25 11/14/98 Dolega, PAN Dunedin, Vancouver INT FA, 08/04/22

40 Josh Mollerus 6-3 215 R/R 24 10/06/99 Campbell, CA Dunedin 10th, ’23, Oregon

32 Rafael Ohashi 6-1 185 R/R 21 10/08/02 Mogi Guacu, BR Dunedin INT FA, 07/02/19

4 Naswell Paulino 5-11 205 L/L 23 4/17/00 San Cristobal, DOM Vancouver INT FA, 07/04/16

16 Kendry Rojas 6-2 190 L/L 21 11/26/02 Ciego De Avila, CU Dunedin INT FA, 10/14/20

23 Rafael Sanchez 6-1 215 R/R 24 08/22/99 Antilla, CUB Dunedin, Vancouver INT FA, 05/13/22

34 Grayson Thurman 6-3 205 R/R 25 12/27/98 Lynch Station, VA Dunedin, New Hampshire MiLB FA, 03/24/23

10 Anders Tolhurst 6-4 190 R/R 24 09/13/99 Santee, CA FCL, DUN, VAN 23rd Rd, ’19, Grossmont

36 Geison Urbaez 6-1 185 R/R 23 07/05/00 Cabral, DOM DNP INT FA, 10/14/20

20 Chay Yeager 5-11 180 S/R 21 09/11/02 Fort Wayne, IN FCL, Dunedin 12th, ’23, Pasco-Hernando State JC

CATCHERS (3) HT WT B/T AGE DOB HOMETOWN ‘23 CLUBS ACQUIRED

19 Jommer Hernandez 5-11 205 R/R 23 10/20/00 Puerto Plata, DOM Vancouver MiLB FA, 09/08/21

31 Jackson Hornung 6-2 215 R/R 23 02/06/01 Ashland, MA College, Dunedin 16th, ’23, Skidmore

INFIELDERS (6) HT WT B/T AGE DOB HOMETOWN ’23 CLUBS ACQUIRED

21 Jean Arnaez 5-10 175 R/R 21 08/22/02 Aguadulce, PAN Dunedin INT FA, 7/2/19

1 Nick Goodwin 6-1 205 R/R 22 09/06/01 Overland Park, KS College, DUN, VAN 7th Rd, ’23, Kansas State

14 Estiven Machado 5-10 190 S/R 21 10/04/02 Barlovento, VEN Dunedin INT FA, 7/3/19

22 Ryan McCarty 5-9 185 R/R 25 04/22/99 Yardley, PA Dunedin ND FA, 7/26/22

15 Brennan Orf 6-4 230 L/R 22 09/06/01 Wildwood, MO College, Dunedin 13th, ’23, So. Illinois-Edwardsville

5 Glenn Santiago 5-11 185 R/R 23 - 12/14/00 Guanica, PR Vancouver, Dunedin 10th, ’19, Lazaro HS (PR)

7 Jeff Wehler 6-0 195 R/R 25 01/10/99 St. Marys, PA College ND FA, 6/9/23

OUTFIELDERS (4) HT WT B/TAGE – DOB HOMETOWN ’23 CLUBS ACQUIRED

8 Jace Bohrofen 6-2 205 L/R 22 10/19/01 Oklahoma City, OK College, FCL, Dunedin 6th, ’23, Arkansas

6 Dasan Brown 6-0 195 R/R 22 9/25/01 Oakville, ON Dunedin, Vancouver 3rd Rd, ’19, Abbey Park HS (ON)

27 Dylan Rock 6-0 210 R/R 25 08/21/98 Sugar Land, TX FCL, DUN, NH 8th, ’22, Texas A&M

24 Jaden Rudd 5-11 190 L/L 21 08/16/02 Panama City, FL Dunedin 7th, ’21, Mosley HS (FL)

TOR SYSTEM: BUF – AAA | NH – AA | VAN – A+ | DUN – A | FCL – R

PRONUNCIATIONS: Devereaux – dev-er-row | Leam – Liam | Pardinho – par-DEEN-yo | Naswell – NAZ-well | Anders – AND-ers Jommer – YOE-murr | Kekai – KAY-kai | Doughty – dough-dee | Kasevich – KASS-uh-vitch | Estiven – es-STEVEN | Wehler – WHALE-er Dasan – duh-SAWN | Angel – awn-hell | B. Lavallee – luh-VALLEY | Deiferson – DAY-fer-son | Bibens-Dirkx – BIB-ins DURKS | Stephenson – Stevenson

MANAGER: 33 Brent Lavallee

BENCH COACH: 13 Deiferson Barreto

PITCHING COACH: 29 Austin Bibens-Dirkx

HITTING COACH: 12 Ryan Wright

POS. PLAYER COACH: 2 Ashley Stephenson

BULLPEN COACH: XX Carson Phillips

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Bailey Forst

ASSISTANT S&C: Zane Hunt

ATHLETIC TRAINER: Rob Shifrin

MENTAL COACH: Raul Pimentel

ATHLETIC THERAPIST: Katie Reyes

TECH ASSISTANT: Cristian Cordova

# PITCHERS POS HT WT D.O.B HOMETOWN

20 Burgos, Juan RHP 6-0 185 12/22/99 Santiago, DR

13 Cummings, Ty RHP 6-2 190 11/01/01 Clayton, NC

28 Davila, Nick RHP 6-3 215 11/21/98 Pembroke Pines, FL

32 Garcia, Brandyn LHP 6-4 235 05/27/00 Granby, CT

15 Hawks, Ryan RHP 6-2 230 11/24/00 Bowling Green, KY

14 Jefferson, Chris RHP 6-2 205 01/24/97 Pearland, TX

10 Kingsbury, Jimmy RHP 6-1 190 02/13/99 Phoenixville, PA

25 Laws, Holden LHP 6-2 205 12/08/99 Creedmore, NC

9 Morales, Michael RHP 6-2 205 08/13/02 Enola, PA

40 Peavyhouse, Shaddon RHP 6-3 215 08/18/98 Jonesborough, TN

17 Perez, Marcelo RHP 5-10 195 11/16/99 Laredo, TX

30 Pope, Bryan RHP 6-2 215 01/27/99 San Juan Capistrano, CA

37 Raeth, Stefan RHP 6-1 195 08/31/00 Lafayette, CA

33 Ruffcorn, Jason RHP 6-2 225 07/27/98 Cedar Park, TX

46 Saathoff, Allan RHP 6-1 210 09/18/99 Ridgely, MD

18 Taylor, Troy RHP 6-0 205 09/09/01 Fontana, CA

21 Townsend, Blake LHP 6-4 245 04/05/01 Traralgon, Australia

# CATCHERS B-T HT WT D.O.B HOMETOWN

PREVIOUS TEAM(S) ACQUIRED YEAR

Modesto (A) – 2023 NDFA 2019

Campbell University 7th Round 2023

Everett (A+) – 2023 MiLB Free Agent 2023

Modesto (A) – 2023 11th Round 2023

Modesto (A) – 2023 8th Round 2023

Modesto (A) – 2023 NDFA 2021

Everett (A+) – 2023 17th Round 2021

Modesto (A) – 2023 16th Round 2019

Modesto (A) – 2023 3rd Round 2021

Modesto (A) – 2023 NDFA 2023

Everett (A+) – 2023 11th Round 2022

Springfield (AA) – 2023 MiLB Free Agent 2024

Modesto (A) – 2023 17th Round 2022

Jersey Shore (A+) – 2023 TRADE (PHI) 2024

Arkansas (AA) – 2023 NDFA 2023

Everett (A+) – 2023 12th Round 2022

Modesto (A) – 2023 NDFA 2018

PREVIOUS TEAM(S) ACQUIRED YEAR

19 Batista, Freuddy R-R 6-0 225 12/12/99 Santo Domingo, DR Modesto (A) – 2023 NDFA 2017

27 Miller, Andrew R-R 6-2 230 09/02/97 Frisco, TX Modesto (A) – 2023 NDFA 2021

# INFIELDERS B-T HT WT D.O.B HOMETOWN PREVIOUS TEAM(S) ACQUIRED YEAR

29 Fitz-Gerald, Hunter L-R 6-5 230 12/09/00 Margate, FL ACL Mariners (R) – 2023

11 Hood, Josh R-R 6-2 200 07/21/00 Vineland, NJ Everett (A+) – 2023 6th Round 2022

38 Moncada, Gabriel L-L 6-2 215 12/17/01 Caracas, Venezuela Modesto (A) – 2023 NDFA 2018

8 Rodden, Brock S-R 5-9 170 05/25/00 Oktaha, OK Modesto (A) – 2023 5th Round 2023

5 Sanchez, Axel R-R 6-0 185 12/10/02 Navarette, DR

16 Williamson, Ben R-R 6-0 210 11/05/00 Fairfax, VA

# OUTFIELDERS B-T HT WT D.O.B HOMETOWN

7 Knight, Bill R-R 6-1 195 08/24/99 Perkins, GA

1 Labrada, Victor L-L 5-9 195 01/16/00 Havana, Cuba

(A+) – 2023

(A) – 2023 2nd Round 2023

TEAM(S) ACQUIRED YEAR

(A+) – 2023 10th Round 2022

(A+) – 2023 INT’L FA 2021

12 Schreck, Rj L-R 6-1 205 07/12/00 Los Angeles, CA Modesto (A) – 2023 9th Round 2023

4 Sundstrom, Jared R-R 6-3 230 06/21/01 Gualala, CA

6 Washington, Jr., Curtis S-R 6-2 180 05/22/00 West Memphis, AR

NO. FIELD STAFF

MANAGER: 22 Ryan Scott BENCH COACH: 2 Sergio Plasencia HITTING COACH: 31 Seth Mejias-Brean PITCHING COACH: 56 Cameron Ming HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER: Stephanie McLain TRAINER: Brooke Giltner

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH: Jose Alcantara Beas PLAYER DEVELOPMENT INTERN: Ted Stephenson

Modesto (A) – 2023 10th Round 2023

PRONUNCIATIONS: Freuddy Batista (fre-YOU-dee); Nick Davila (DAH-VEE-luh); Seth Mejias-Brean (meh-HE-iss BREEN); Shaddon Peavyhouse (SHAD-un PEE-VEE-house); Stefan Raeth (stef-AWN RAY-th), Brock Rodden (ROD-en); Allan Saathoff (SAT-off).

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 126-57 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.

DEIFERSON BARRETO 13 BENCH COACH

• Moving up to Bench Coach after spending the last two seasons as Position Coach for the DSL Blue Jays...Started his coaching career in 2018 with Advanced-A Dunedin by assisting the coaching staff...In 2019, was assigned as Assistant Pitching Coach at The Toronto Blue Jays Dominican Academy...That July, he transitioned to the infield coach for the J2 signed players...In 2020, served as Infield Coach for the Dominican Academy and was instrumental in assisting the club with the Venezuelan players who were unable to get back home because of the pandemic.

• Signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in September of 2011....Played as an infielder in the Blue Jays system from 2012-2017, reaching as high as Triple-A Buffalo..

AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX 29 PITCHING 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.

RYAN WRIGHT

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 (2018-2019), 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 2 POSITION COACH

• 2024 is Ashley’s second 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.

• 2024 Inductee into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

CARSON PHILLIPS 35 BULLPEN COACH

• Joins the Vancouver Canadians for his first season in the organization...Was working at the University of Arizona as a Graduate Assistant Pitching Coach.

• Played at Dixie State University where he completed a Bachelors in Exercise Science... Also attended the University of Arizona.

ROSTER

ALEX AMALFI

HT: 6-1 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 02/18/01

HOMETOWN: Ashland, MA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 07/26/22

HT: 6-1 WT: 210

B/T: R/R

DOB: 12/02/98

HOMETOWN: Salt Lake City, UT

23 CLUBS: Vancouver

AQUIRED: ND FA, 07/21/21

LAZARO ESTRADA

HT: 6-0 WT: 200

B/T: R/R

DOB: 04/24/99

HOMETOWN: Havana, CUB

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 01/04/18

PAT GALLAGHER 11

HT: 6-0 WT: 200

B/T: R/R

DOB: 06/30/00

HOMETOWN: Leominster, MA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

AQUIRED: 11th, ’22, Connecticut

RYAN JENNINGS 3

HT: 6-0 WT: 190

B/T: R/R

DOB: 06/23/99

HOMETOWN: New Braunfels, TX

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 4th Rd, ’22, Louisiana Tech

CONOR LARKIN

HT: 6-1 WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 03/17/99

HOMETOWN: Royersford, PA

23 CLUBS: Vancouver AQUIRED: 9th Rd, ’21, Penn State

JOSH MOLLERUS

HT: 6-3 WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 10/06/99

HOMETOWN: Campbell, CA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: 10th, ’23, Oregon JUSTIN KELLY 9

R/R

10/08/02

HOMETOWN: Mogi Guacu, BR

23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: INT FA, 07/02/19

JOHNATHAN LAVALLEE

HT: 6-4 WT: 240

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/11/99

HOMETOWN: Simi Valley, CA

23 CLUBS: Fort Myers (MIN) AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 02/02/24

HT: 5-11 WT: 205

B/T: L/L

DOB: 4/17/00

HOMETOWN: San Cristobal, DOM

23 CLUBS: Vancouver

AQUIRED: INT FA, 07/04/16

CHRIS McELVAIN

HT: 6-0 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/15/00

HOMETOWN: Thompson Station, TN

23 CLUBS: Daytona, Dayton (CIN)

AQUIRED: Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24

KENDRY ROJAS

HT: 6-2 WT: 190

B/T: L/L

DOB: 11/26/02

HOMETOWN: Ciego De Avila, CU

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 10/14/20

KEVIN MIRANDA 17

HT: 5-10 WT: 180

B/T: R/R

DOB: 11/14/98

HOMETOWN: Dolega, PAN

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: INT FA, 08/04/22

RAFAEL SANCHEZ

HT: 6-1 WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/22/99

HOMETOWN: Antilla, CUB

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

AQUIRED: INT FA, 05/13/22

GRAYSON THURMAN 34

HT: 6-3 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 12/27/98

HOMETOWN: Lynch Station, VA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, New Hampshire

AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 03/24/23

JACKSON HORNUNG 31

HT: WT: 215

B/T: R/R

DOB: 02/06/01

HOMETOWN: Ashland, MA

23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 16th, ’23, Skidmore

RYAN McCARTY 22

HT: 5-9 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 04/22/99

HOMETOWN: Yardley, PA

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: ND FA, 7/26/22

ANDERS TOLHURST 10

HT: 6-4 WT: 190

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/13/99

HOMETOWN: Santee, CA

23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin, Vancouver

AQUIRED: 23rd Rd, ’19, Grossmont

KEKAI RIOS

HT: 5-10 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 06/06/97

HOMETOWN: Kaneohe, HI 23 CLUBS: New Hampshire, Vancouver

5

GEISON URBAEZ 36

HT: 6-1 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 07/05/00

HOMETOWN: Cabral, DOM

23 CLUBS: DNP

AQUIRED: INT FA, 10/14/20

JEAN

ARNAEZ 21

HT: 5-10 WT: 175

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/22/02

HOMETOWN: Aguadulce, PAN 23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 7/2/19

AQUIRED: Waivers (LAD), 12/7/22

BRENNAN ORF 15

HT: 6-4 WT: 230

B/T: L/R

DOB: 09/06/01

HOMETOWN: Wildwood, MO

23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 13th, ’23, So. IllinoisEdwardsville

CHAY YEAGER 20

HT: 5-11 WT: 180

B/T: S/R

DOB: 09/11/02

HOMETOWN: Fort Wayne, IN

23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 12th, ’23, PascoHernando State JC

NICK GOODWIN 1

HT: 6-1 WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/06/01

HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS

23 CLUBS: College, Dunedin, Vancouver AQUIRED: 7th Rd, ’23, Kansas State

GLENN SANTIAGO 5

HT: 5-11 WT: 185

B/T: R/R

DOB: 12/14/00

HOMETOWN: Guanica, PR

23 CLUBS: Vancouver, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 0th, ’19, Lazaro HS (PR)

JOMMER HERNANDEZ 19

HT: WT: 205

B/T: R/R

DOB: 10/20/00

HOMETOWN: Puerto Plata, DOM

23 CLUBS: Vancouver

AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 09/08/21

ESTIVEN MACHADO 14

HT: 5-10 WT: 190

B/T: S/R

DOB: 10/04/02

HOMETOWN: Barlovento, VEN

23 CLUBS: Dunedin

AQUIRED: INT FA, 7/3/19

JEFF WEHLER 7

HT: 6-0 WT: 195

B/T: R/R

DOB: 01/10/99

HOMETOWN: St. Marys, PA

23 CLUBS: College

AQUIRED: ND FA, 6/9/23

JACE

BOHROFEN 8

HT: 6-2 WT: 205

B/T: L/R

DOB: 10/19/01

HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, OK

23 CLUBS: College, FCL, Dunedin

AQUIRED: 6th, ’23, Arkansas

DASAN BROWN 6

HT: 6-0 WT: 195

B/T: R/R

DOB: 09/25/01

HOMETOWN: Oakville, ON

23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver

AQUIRED: 3rd Rd, ’19, Abbey Park HS (ON)

FORST HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

DYLAN ROCK 27

HT: 6-0 WT: 210

B/T: R/R

DOB: 08/21/98

HOMETOWN: Sugar Land, TX

23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin, New Hampshire AQUIRED: 8th, ’22, Texas A&M

HUNT ASSISTANT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JADEN RUDD 24

HT: 5-11 WT: 190

B/T: L/L

DOB: 08/16/02

HOMETOWN: Panama City, FL

23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: 7th, ’21, Mosley HS (FL)

ROB

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

REYES ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER

TECH ASSISTANT

SHIFRIN

KATIE

BAILEY

ZANE

STEPHANIE BOVILLE DIETICIAN

RAUL PIMENTEL MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

CRISTIAN CORDOVA

GLENN HALL HOME CLUBHOUSE MANAGER

COLE HOWES VISITOR 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.

2003 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Rich Harden P 2001 21-Jul Oakland

Neal Cotts P 2001 12-Aug Chicago (AL)

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

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

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

2016 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Andy Burns INF 2011 09-May Toronto

Matt Dermody P 2013 03-Sep Toronto

2017 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Dwight Smith Jr. OF 2012 18-May 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

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

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

2018 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Ryan Borucki P 2014 26-Jun Toronto

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

2019 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

John Schneider MGR 2011/14-15 28-Mar 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

Patrick Murhpy P 2016 18-Sep Toronto

Ángel Perdomo P 2015 18-Aug Milwaukee

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 López INF 2018 17-Aug Toronto

2022 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Zach Jackson P 2016 9-April Oakland

Zach Logue P 2017 19-April Oakland

Christian Lopes INF 2012 20-April Oakland

Vinny Capra INF 2018 1-May Toronto

Danny Young P 2015 9-May Seattle

Josh Winckowski P 2018 28-May Boston

Jake Fishman P 2017 31-July Marlins

2023 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Samad Taylor INF 2017 18-Jun Kansas City

Spencer Horwitz OF 2021 19-Jun Toronto

Davis Schneider INF/OF 2022 4-Aug Toronto

Hagen Danner P 2021 11-Aug Toronto

Cam Eden OF 2021 21-Sep Toronto

Jose Espada P 2018 24-Sep San Diego

2024 POS C'S MLB TEAM ALUMNI DEBUT

Addison Barger INF/OF 2021 24-Apr Blue Jays

APRIL 10 SUPPORTING

APRIL 24 SUPPORTING

MAY 8 SUPPORTING

MAY 29 SUPPORTING

JUNE 12 SUPPORTING

JUNE 26 SUPPORTING

AUGUST 7 SUPPORTING

AUGUST 21 SUPPORTING

JULY 3 SUPPORTING

SEPT 4 SUPPORTING

JULY 31 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.

If a runner scores, put a circle at the bottom of the box, and inside the

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

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.

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

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.

SYMBOLS FOR PLAY

Double: Triple: Homerun: Sacrifice: Walk: Strikeout: Called Out on Strikes: Balk: Fielder’s Choice: Hit by Pitch: Wild Pitch:

LEFT FIELDER CENTER FIELDER RIGHT FIELDER

FOUL BALL

FOUL TIP STRIKE OUT

BASIC UMPIRE SIGNS FOR THE PLAYERS AND FANS

Each week, Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium PA announcer and de facto team historian Niall O’Donohoe catches up with a

different C’s player. The latest C’s Chat is with 2024 Vancouver Canadians pitcher Rafael Ohashi.

RAFAEL

Rafael Ohashi joined the Blue Jays as a free agent signing from Brazil on July 2, 2019, out of CT Yakut Academy for $10,000 when he was known as Rafael Viana.

In an Instagram post translated into English at the time of his signing with the Blue Jays, Ohashi thanked Armando Yoshida “who taught me how to play baseball, to Zé Horiguchi who taught me a lot about how to prepare myself psychologically and to a great coach and a friend, Mario Kikuchi who helped me every step up to the contract.”

Half Japanese and half Brazilian, Ohashi told TBNWeekly.com his father got him involved in baseball in Sao Paolo where the Japanese people introduced baseball to the kids.

BY NIALL O’DONOHOE OF C’S PLUS BASEBALL

OHASHI

After playing third base and catcher, Ohashi became a pitcher and went on to represent the Brazilian National Team as a 14-year-old. He was also named to the Brazilian roster for the 2021 World Baseball Classic qualifier.

The pandemic delayed Ohashi’s professional debut until May 9, 2021, when he struck out four over three perfect innings at Tampa. Baseball America had this to say about Ohashi’s outing.

“Working against Tampa, which had scored 77 runs in its previous five games, and pitching with an automated strike zone that so far has led to skyrocketing walk totals in the league, Ohashi spun three perfect innings with four strikeouts. His fastball sat in the low 90s, and was accentuated by the roughly 7.5 feet of extension in his delivery. He paired the heater with a curveball and a splitter. Ohashi impressed Blue Jays officials with a combination of skills and makeup—he emerged from the pandemic in excellent shape—and the team rewarded him with a stateside debut.”

Ohashi was assigned to the Florida Complex League in August and recorded his first professional win against the FCL Phillies on August 25 in which he struck out six and walked two batters while not surrendering a hit over three shutout innings. He racked up seven strikeouts over 3-2/3 innings in a return engagement with Dunedin at Tampa on September 7.

In 2022, Ohashi was back with the Dunedin Blue Jays and had a season debut to remember by striking out 10 batters and walking two over four no-hit innings against Bradenton on April 10. In his next home start on April 24, he struck out seven while allowing just one run over 4-2/3 innings against Fort Myers. His most dominant stretch came in late May and early June. Ohashi won back-to-back starts on May 22 and May 28 with five innings of two-run ball and seven strikeouts at Daytona before blanking St. Lucie over five frames while striking out six. He won another start against Lakeland on June 11 with an unearned run allowed over five entradas in which he struck out five batters. Ohashi was then placed on the injured list on June 24 and did not pitch again until September. He finished the year with a 3-2 record, a 2.96 earned run average and a strikeout/ walk total of 54-15 over 45-2/3 innings.

The 2023 season saw Ohashi complete a third tour of duty with Dunedin and it was a season full of ups and downs. He won his first start of the season with five goose eggs of two-hit ball against Tampa on April 11. After five innings of one-run ball at Palm Beach on April 18, Ohashi posted five more zeros of one-hit ball and struck out five against Bradenton on April 25. After a rough patch in the middle of May, he had a better month of June with a 2.70 ERA which included a five-inning, one-run victory at Bradenton on June 7 and five shutout frames with four punchouts against Lakeland on June 14. There was more turbulence as the season carried on but he picked up a win at Lakeland with five innings of one-run ball on August 13. His final win of the year came on September 3 at Dayton when he yielded three runs and struck out five over five stanzas. The big positive for Ohashi was more than doubling his innings total from 2022 to 94-1/3 in which he struck out 77 batters.

Ohashi has now made his way north of the border and is the

second youngest player on the C’s 2024 Opening Day roster next to lefthander Kendry Rojas. So far, Ohashi has been in the bullpen and it’s been so far, so good for the 21-year-old. His C’s debut came on April 12 when he rolled a perfect frame with one strikeout against Hillsboro at Nat Bailey Stadium. His first win in a Canadians uniform came on April 14 with a scoreless ninth and he was the beneficiary of a C’s five-run rally to walk off Hillsboro. Ohashi put together two more scoreless appearances totalling 1-2/3 innings that included a shutout stanza in an April 18 victory at Eugene. He put together his best and longest outing to date with three shutout innings in which he picked off a runner to face the minimum nine batters while striking out six versus Spokane on April 23.

C’s Plus Baseball spoke to Ohashi prior to the series finale of the opening homestand against Hillsboro. This interview has been edited for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – Let’s just take it back from the beginning. How did your career get started?

Rafael Ohashi – Well, thanks a lot for having me. I started when I think at 10 years old back in Brazil playing not much. Because Brazil’s not that big into baseball. But my father used to play, too. So, that’s why I got into baseball. And first time I touched the field was love at first sight. I love it so much. I was 14 when I moved to another city in Brazil. The name is Ibiúna. They have a big baseball academy there. So I went there and stayed for two years. And luckily, I got signed by the Blue Jays in a tournament. One scout saw me pitching and he liked me and he signed me in 2019 on July 2.

CPB – You said your father played the game. Was he a pitcher as well?

RO – Actually, no, he was a catcher. Since I was little, he was the one who caught my bullpens and everything. So that’s pretty cool.

CPB – Do you remember who scouted you from the Blue Jays?

RO – Oh, yeah. It was Francisco Placencia. He’s a Venezuelan scout. He’s pretty good.

CPB – Were you always a pitcher starting out or did you play the field first?

RO – At first, I was at third base and I was a catcher, but then growing up when I was, like, 12, I think, I moved to pitcher. And I was doing good and I fell in love (with it) too because it was a competition with me against the hitter. So, I stuck to that since I was 12.

CPB – How did it feel being signed by the Blue Jays? When did it become real that you were a professional ballplayer?

RO – Well, it was a blessing, for real. It became a blessing. It was a reality, like, it was my job and my first year back in Dunedin, in Florida, when I was playing. I don’t remember against who but I think it was July 4. The stadium was packed and I’d never seen that in Brazil. We do have some fans, but it’s not big. We don’t have that crowd. So, it was fantastic. Then when I noticed, it was like, ‘Oh, that’s pro ball. I’m really into that.’

CPB – Your time with Dunedin, what stands out for you when you to look back at your time there?

RO – I have two special memories. It was my first start as a pro. We played against the Yankees. I threw three perfect innings in a start. And it was a good memory because I pitched against two (future) big leaguers, Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells, the catcher. I remember I struck out Wells and Volpe hit a fly ball on me. So, that was a pretty good memory. Also, my second year in Dunedin in 2022, I broke my strikeout record in my first start. I pitched four innings and I struck

out 10. So, it was an awesome feeling.

CPB – Is this the first time you’ve been in Canada?

RO – Canada is awesome. It’s my first time here. I mean, I never see some fans like that. The crowd here is different. Everyone’s noticed that. It’s amazing to pitch in front of everyone. And also, I never felt that cold before. That’s new for me.

CPB – You got your first experience in the cold during the first weekend of the year in Spokane. What is it like pitching in the cold weather?

RO – Well, it’s kind of rough right now coming from the bullpen. But I think I’m getting used to it. It feels good. I mean, after spending three years in Florida, I’m enjoying a little bit of the cold, I guess. For now, I’m in the bullpen, so I’m a reliever, of course. I will pitch whenever they need me And I came to attack the hitters. I gave it my best to make sure the team wins.

CPB – Do you have a preference as far as starting or relieving?

RO – I mean, growing up, of course, I was dreaming of being a starter. But like, at the pro (level), whatever it takes to make it to the bigs and have more success, I don’t care too much (about the role). I just want to have the opportunity to pitch as a pro.

CPB – Eric Pardinho, a fellow Brazilian, he’s been here (in Vancouver) the last couple of years. Did you know Eric from before?

RO – Yeah. I’ve known him since we were little. We went to the same baseball academies. So it’s been like, I guess, seven years we’ve known each other.

CPB – Did he give you any advice when you signed with the Blue Jays?

RO – Oh, yeah. Every time that I need some help, someone to talk to, I think he’s the first one that I talked to because he’s been here a lot so I feel like he knows a lot. I always talk with him, and get advice on how to pitch, of course, and how to get better every day.

CPB – The pitches you throw, what is it that you do throw?

RO – I do throw a fastball, cutter, and slider, and change-ups. And that’s it.

CPB – A four-seam fastball, I guess?

RO – Yeah, four-seam fastball.

CPB – If you had to rate your pitches right now, or rank your pitches, what do you say is your best?

RO – Well, I would say my best right now, I mean, it’s pretty good but kind of rough. The coaches told me my cutter is good but I really like my slider. I think it’s my primary pitch. I throw it a lot. And, of course, I got my fastball, and the last one’s my change-up. I mean, I don’t use it too much, but I’m trying to get better with that, to have one more weapon against the hitters.

CPB – The slider, did anyone teach you that, or was it something you picked up on your own?

RO – I mean, they tried to teach me the slider. I don’t know why, but they never get the movement I’m supposed to. So like, specifically in this offseason, I try to mess around, like a throwing program and have some different grips, and I found one that I like and I’m sticking to that. It’s not that good yet, like, as I want in metric size. But I feel comfortable throwing it, and I feel I can land (it for) strikes.

CPB – And the cutter, did somebody teach you that?

RO – Oh, no, actually, it was an accident. I was throwing fastballs. I grabbed the ball kind of weird, and when I threw a cut, I’ll say, ‘Oh, that’s cool.’ I started messing around in the throwing program, too. It was doing the job.

CPB – You have this state-of-the-art Player Development Complex in Dunedin. How has that helped you as a pitcher?

RO – We have everything there. Everything we need. From practice to recovery, it helped me a lot. Also, I got injured a lot in the last couple of years. So having everything they had there in Florida helped me a lot to maintain my health last season. So I’m pretty grateful for that.

CPB – Did you have a favorite Major League team or Major League player growing up?

RO – Well, growing up, my favourite team was the Rangers, but it was specifically because of a pitcher. I used to love seeing Yu Darvish pitching. He was my favourite one growing up. And, of course, right now Shohei Ohtani but I feel like specifically for pitching, Darvish is the man. I really like the way he pitched and how he dealt with the game.

CPB – Is there anyone you you might compare yourself to?

RO – Oh, well, I would say. I don’t know, Masahiro Tanaka? My roommates and my teammates, they say I have similar mechanics to him. I do like the way he pitched when he was with the Yankees so it’s pretty cool.

CPB – What is it that you like to do away from the ballpark and kind of take your mind off the game?

RO – Oh, wow, that’s a good question. I do love fishing, at least in Brazil. That’s my to-go hobby. I go with my father every weekend.

CPB – Final question. What is your favorite uniform of the Canadians? You got the red, you got the white…

RO – Oh, that’s got to be red. It’s my favourite colour ever. When I saw the red jersey, it was amazing. I love that.

A HALF-CENTURY

ATHLETICS’ DYNASTY

Rollie Fingers pitched on each of the Athletics’ World Series-winning teams from 1972-74, earning Fall Classic Most Valuable Player honors in 1974.

(Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

BY JUSTIN ALPERT

The Oakland Athletics won the 1972 World Series, taking down the Reds in seven games. A year later, they beat the Mets in seven. Then, on Oct. 17, 1974, the A’s defeated the Dodgers in Game 5 to secure their third consecutive World Series title. They remain one of only two franchises to enjoy such profound success in a three-year span.

“Oh, how sweet it is! A third world championship in a row for our swinging baseball team,” read the front page of the Oakland Tribune. “The A’s are a great team of champions as their performance in the just concluded World Series so aptly proved. They are professional and entertaining in every sense of the word.”

Fans rejoiced as they had the previous fall, and the one before that, flooding Oakland’s streets to celebrate a string of championships so unprecedented it left writers at a loss for new words to praise the A’s.

HALF-CENTURY LATER,

REMAINS UNIQUE

“The A’s looked as fresh as ever in capturing the World Series once again,” wrote the Tribune’s Noel Lieberman. “But how do you capture the tumultuous celebration that followed — the third one in the last three years — without sounding trite?”

But the 1974 club didn’t feature all the same faces as champions past. Catcher/first baseman Gene Tenace, the 1972 World Series MVP who totaled 12 RBI in the previous two Fall Classics, tallied just two hits in the ‘74 postseason and was benched after Game 3 versus Los Angeles. Second baseman Dick Green hit .333 in the ‘72 Series but went 1-for-29 over the next two. Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams resigned after the ‘73 title. He, among others, clashed at times with team owner Charlie Finley.

One fan summarized his beloved ballclub on his way home from the Coliseum following the third championship. “The A’s represent individuality,” he told the Tribune. “They can fight with one another and still go out and win the big money. The A’s had it tonight. They had the poise and they had the style.”

Poise, style and, of course, stellar numbers aptly described the three future Hall of Fame players— Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers — whose October performances were instrumental to the trio of titles.

Jackson may have missed the 1972 Fall Classic due to a hamstring injury, but that hamstring went down a hero. In the Championship Series’ deciding Game 5 at Detroit, he drew a second-inning walk, stole second and reached third on a flyout. Then, Jackson and Mike Epstein flawlessly executed a double-steal to tie the game 1-1. Epstein drew a throw to second while Jackson scampered home, injuring himself in the process.

“When I had to hobble off the field, I cried,” Jackson told the Tribune. “Then I looked in the stands. And there, sitting next to our dugout, was Mr. Finley. And he was crying, too.”

The injury put Jackson on crutches and ended his postseason, but with a 2-1 win the A’s had seized their first pennant since 1931, when they called Philadelphia home.

“Reggie’s role in Oakland’s pennant victory did not go unnoticed,” wrote the Detroit Free Press, detailing the manager Williams’ clubhouse embrace of Jackson during the postgame celebration. “It had to be the most touching scene in the entire A’s celebration.”

Jackson got his chance in the World Series the following year –and to say he didn’t disappoint would be an understatement. After struggling — 3-for-21 with no walks, extra-base hits or RBI — in the 1973 ALCS, the soon-to-be American League MVP made himself a

World Series MVP as well. He went 4-for-6 with a double, a triple and two RBI in Game 2, but the Mets took that one in 12 innings to even the series.

Then, after his A’s dropped two of three at Shea Stadium, Jackson returned to the Coliseum with a vengeance. In Game 6, the All-Star doubled twice off Tom Seaver, drove in two of Oakland’s three runs and scored the third himself. The next night, Jackson’s third-inning home run turned a two-run lead to four in an eventual 5-2 victory, securing a title for the A’s.

“I had a horsemeat start in the Series and knew if I don’t get some hits I’m going to be the goat because they expect so much from me,” he told the Tribune after Game 7.

“There is no doubt the better team won,” the Tribune wrote. “All the A’s needed was for Reggie Jackson to get hot with the bat. He sizzled Saturday. He sizzled Sunday. And Oakland was unstoppable.”

“Two years in a row, and we’ll make it three with your help,” Finley told Jackson, who was named series MVP after hitting .310 with six RBI.

Sure enough, Jackson reached base at a .474 clip in the 1974 World Series, hitting a double and a home run in the five-game triumph.

“Mr. October” may not have been born until 1977, in pinstripes, but Jackson had already established himself a postseason legend in Oakland.

Hunter, meanwhile, built a remarkable postseason résumé during that three-year stretch. Through three starts in October of 1972, the righty allowed three runs across 24 innings. In his fourth outing, Game 5 of the World Series, he recorded just 14 outs and yielded three runs, squandering a chance to close out the series. Two days later, eight outs of relief work earned Hunter the winning decision in Game 7 as Oakland took down Cincinnati. His ERA that postseason? 2.01.

The future Hall of Famer was even better in 1973, posting a 1.82 across four starts and winning each of his three decisions. The second, a shutout in Game 5 of the ALCS, sent Oakland back to the World Series. The third, a 7.1-inning effort in Game 6 versus New York, saw Hunter hold the Mets to one run while Jackson led the offense.

“Catfish is the man you want pitching if you’ve got to win,” Jackson said.

Hunter was “the least famed of the great hurlers in the game,” the Tribune wrote. “It isn’t his fastball. It isn’t his curveball. It’s deep inside Catfish Hunter. He’s a competitor and that’s why he allowed just four hits and beat the Mets.”

That competitor made his mark again in 1974 — his Cy Young Awardwinning campaign. Facing Baltimore in the ALCS, he bounced back from a rough series opener to win another pennant clincher in Game 4 — Hunter didn’t complete the shutout, but he held the Orioles scoreless over seven frames. Come October, managers will use their most trusted arm in any situation. With two outs in the ninth and a 3-2 lead at Dodger Stadium in Game 1, Alvin Dark deployed Hunter to strike out Joe Ferguson and record his only career postseason save.

“I thought he was joking when he told me to warm up,” Hunter said of pitching coach Wes Stock, “but we don’t joke around on this club.”

The righty was back in a starting role for Game 3, yielding just one run as he pitched into the eighth and helped Oakland grab a 2-1 series lead. In all, across 80.1 innings of postseason work from 1972-74, Hunter went 7-1 with a 2.24 ERA. The future Hall of Famer appeared in 13 games and Oakland won 10 of them.

Fingers, whose combination of versatility, durability and dominance revolutionized relief pitching, entered 24 games during the threechampionship run and, with a 1.55 ERA, eight saves and three wins in 46.1 innings (recording a win or save in 52 percent of Oakland’s victories during those three postseasons), had few blemishes. Every reliever dreams of closing out the World Series. Fingers did it twice.

But he almost didn’t get the chance in 1972, in Game 7 versus Cincinnati. Oakland led 3-2 with two outs in the ninth when Fingers hit Darrel Chaney with a pitch. Pete Rose was coming up and Dick Williams emerged from the dugout to replace Fingers with lefty flamethrower Vida Blue. But catcher Dave Duncan convinced Williams to stick with Fingers. The decision paid off with a flyout to left as Fingers retired Rose and ended the World Series.

Then, in 1974, Fingers battled through the fatigue of pitching three straight days and recorded a two-inning save in Game 5. The Dodgers managed a couple baserunners in the eighth but Reggie Jackson’s outfield assist, while backing up center fielder Bill North’s error, helped extinguish the threat.

“I was OK for an inning or two,” Fingers told the Tribune. “I was tired. I couldn’t control my breaking pitch tonight.”

Lacking his best stuff, Fingers still had enough to finish off yet another Oakland A’s championship. He was named World Series MVP, having pitched in each of the four victories while allowing only two runs. The last relief pitcher to win World Series MVP had been the Dodgers’ Larry Sherry in 1959.

The A’s paraded through Oakland the morning of Oct. 18, 1974, and Fingers was one of many to receive a hero’s welcome.

“Oakland celebrated its baseball heroes this morning with a noisy parade down Broadway, toasting the third consecutive World Series victory with lots of cheering, paper, music, and applause,” wrote the Tribune. “The crowd bellowed its appreciation even more loudly for Fingers, who repeatedly smiled beneath what is probably the most famous handlebar moustache in the Western World and waved two fingers in the V-for-victory sign above his head.

“Even Reggie Jackson showed up for this parade, coming along towards its end and nearly causing a riot as his fans mobbed his fancy car — a brand new, very black Porsche in which he rode alone, instantly recognizable — quite beyond the power of the police, who tried and, after a while, succeeded in pushing the crowd back again.”

These three legendary A’s had built a collection of World Series rings, and they’d eventually add bronze Hall of Fame plaques — Hunter in 1987, Fingers in 1992, Jackson in 1993 and Williams in 2008 — to their long lists of accolades.

Justin Alpert was a digital content specialist at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Reprinted with permission from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum receive free admission to the Museum, as well as access to exclusive programs, such as the Voices of the Game Series. Additionally, members receive a subscription to the Hall of Fame's bi-monthly magazine, Memories and Dreams, the annual Hall of Fame yearbook and a 10% discount and free shipping on retail purchases. For information on becoming a member, please visit baseballhall.org/join or call 607-547-0397.

Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., is the oldest remaining Negro Leagues ballpark in the United States and continues to be used by high school and college teams. (Jason S. McCrory/The Rampant Lion Photography)

BIRMINGHAM’S RICKWOOD FIELD FEATURES BASEBALL’S PAST AND PRESENT

Negro Leagues baseball endured a serious decline in the 1950s and completely died out by the 1960s. Given the passage of time – more than 55 years – it’s not surprising that few of the Negro Leagues ballparks remain in existence.

Of the ballparks that served as the primary home parks for Negro Leagues team, only five remain. The short list includes Hamtramck Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich.; Hinchcliffe Stadium in Paterson, N.J.; J.P. Small Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.; and League Park in Cleveland, Ohio. There is just one other Negro Leagues park that remains standing– and it happens to be the oldest of the five. More remarkably, it is the oldest ballpark in the United States. Rickwood Field, located in Birmingham, Ala., continues to serve as a playing field for high school and college teams. First utilized as a Negro Leagues park in 1920, Rickwood dates all the way back to 1910, making it older than such venerable ballparks as Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Billed initially as “The Finest Minor League Ballpark Ever,” Rickwood Field became the first minor league ballpark constructed from concrete and steel. Modeled after Forbes Field, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, it played as a pitcher’s park, with initial dimensions that could best be described as canyonlike. With a distance of more than 500 feet to straightaway center field, 470 feet down the left field line, and 335 to right field, Rickwood proved extraordinarily difficult for home run hitters. Only left-handed power hitters with a tendency to pull could readily take advantage of Rickwood’s dimensions.

Expansive and stately (with its covered infield grandstand), Rickwood Field initially served as the home of the minor league Birmingham Barons. Like other ballparks of the era, the fences at Rickwood Field featured a variety of advertising. One sign promoted the Tutwiler Hotel, a place where some of the Barons players stayed. Another sign advertised Fatima Cigars, the favorite brand of the team’s owner and the builder of the ballpark, industrialist Rick Woodward. And along the left field line, a large, lettered sign reminded fans, “NO BETTING IN THIS PARK.”

In 1920, Rickwood Field took on a second tenant, the Birmingham Stars of the Negro Southern League, which operated as a minor league. The franchise was soon renamed the Birmingham Black Barons, who in 1924 earned the right to move up to the Negro National League, regarded as major league caliber.

The Black Barons found their first true star in the form of Mule Suttles, a hard-hitting first baseman and outfielder. Rickwood Park’s dimensions kept Suttles’ home run totals low (only 13 home runs combined for the two seasons), but didn’t stop him from hitting .318 and .331, respectively.

The mid-1920s brought improvements to Rickwood Field. The steel infield grandstand was extended to cover the right field bleachers, giving shade to more fans during the hot summer weather. And then in 1928, a Spanish mission-style façade was added to the park entrance, where picturesque arched openings and stucco walls welcomed fans to the games.

As a team, the Black Barons began to make their mark in 1927, winning the league’s second-half pennant on the strength of the pitching of a young Satchel Paige. The 20-year-old right-hander won seven of nine decisions, posted a 2.39 ERA and struck out nearly a batter per inning. Even though the renovations to the park made Rickwood Field somewhat more inviting to hitters, Paige and most of the other Black Barons pitchers still found Rickwood, with its lengthy distances to the outfield, most welcoming.

After a fourth consecutive dominant season in 1930, Paige left the confines of Rickwood, departing the Black Barons for a team known as the Cleveland Cubs. The Black Barons franchise soon fell back in status, demoted to the Negro Southern League. It was also during the mid-1930s that Rickwood Field added lights to its infrastructure.

Four monumental steel-frame light towers were erected around the park, allowing for night games, a welcome addition in a city known for its heat and humidity.

In 1937, the Black Barons moved up again and became part of the Negro American League, where they struggled for the next few seasons. But they became competitive in the early 1940s, setting the stage for a league championship in 1943 and an appearance in the Colored World Series. Despite a lack of big name or headlining stars, the Black Barons pushed the favored Homestead Grays – a team that featured a “who’s who” of stars that included Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, and Cool Papa Bell – to the brink before losing the Series, four games to three. The Black Barons would tack on another NAL title in 1944.

In 1948, the Black Barons added a player who would soon become an iconic figure. They signed a 17-year-old outfielder named Willie Mays, who was still in high school. Under an unusual arrangement, Mays played only at Rickwood Field and not in road games, presumably so that he could still attend school and play for the varsity team. Mays would appear in 17 games for Birmingham and bat just .233 while playing the outfield corners. That same year, Mays and the Black Barons advanced to the Colored World Series (being played for the final time), where they lost in five games to the powerhouse Homestead Grays.

Over the next three seasons, Mays emerged as a superstar. The large dimensions of Rickwood Field allowed him to show off his full arsenal of athleticism. With his quick jumps, blazing speed and remarkable range, Mays covered the Rickwood Field grass like no other outfielder in Black Barons history. Mays also drew the attention of several established major league teams, including the New York Giants, who signed him in June of 1950.

From 1949 to 1956, the Black Barons endured three changes in ownership. As with most Negro Leagues teams, Birmingham’s attendance suffered, with fan interest declining because of the departure of quality players to the American and National League. With the departure of Mays and their popular shortstop/manager, Piper Davis, who left the team in 1950, the Black Barons had seen the last of their truly legendary players come through Rickwood Field.

In 1960, the Black Barons played their final game at Rickwood Field. Even with the Black Barons ceasing operations, Rickwood Field still had its original tenant in the form of the Birmingham Barons, a minor league franchise in the Southern Association since 1910. But Rickwood suddenly lost the minor league Barons after the 1961 season, for reasons directly related to race and segregation. In November of 1961, Major League Baseball mandated that all minor leagues would have to integrate by 1962, including the Southern Association. That league featured teams in Birmingham and New Orleans, where local laws continued to enforce Jim Crow segregation and did not allow Blacks and whites to play against each other on the same field.

Citizens who favored segregation pressured Barons owner Albert Belcher to fold the team instead of allowing Blacks to play for Birmingham. Belcher wanted to retain the team, but ultimately gave in to the local pressure and ceased operations. Without a Birmingham team, considered one of the league’s bellwether franchises, the Southern Association also collapsed.

In large part, Belcher was influenced by legislation that existed within the city of Birmingham. At the time, the city lived by an ordinance

listed as Section 597, which was referred to as the “Checkers Rule.”

This local law prevented Blacks and whites from participating in the same sporting contests. The ordinance stated, “It shall be unlawful for a Negro and a white person to play together or in company with each other in any game of cards, dice, dominoes, baseball, softball, football, basketball or similar games.”

This law covered every sport, and yes, it even included the game of checkers.

One of the most fervent proponents of the Checkers Rule was Theophilus “Bull” Connor, who happened to be the longtime public address announcer for the Birmingham Barons. In his fulltime job, Connor worked as the commissioner of public safety for Birmingham. The city’s government structure featured a three-man commission, of which Connor was one. That gave Connor plenty of power, including administrative control over the Birmingham Police Department.

Given his prominent role in city management, Connor oversaw the enforcement of the Checkers ordinance. He was also vehemently against the integration of baseball in Birmingham, so much so that he led an effort called “Keep Birmingham Baseball White.” As Larry Colton, the author of the acclaimed book, Southern League, told National Public Radio, Birmingham’s baseball history had always involved segregation, even with regard to the fans. “Basically [with] the white Barons, the white people went to see them,” said Colton. “And the Black Barons, the Black people went to see them. And they had a chicken wire fence that separated [white from Black]. If somebody from the opposite race went, they had to sit on the far side of the chicken wire fence.”

Bull Connor opposed integration at the ballpark – and in all aspects of Birmingham society. When civil rights activists known as the “Freedom Riders” came to Birmingham in 1961, Connor intentionally allowed them to be beaten by members of the Ku Klux Klan for a full 15 minutes without any help or intervention. Later on, in one of his final acts as commissioner, he directed policemen to use fire hoses and attack dogs against peaceful civil rights protesters. Violent incidents like these proved so embarrassing for the city of Birmingham that voters changed the form of local government, eliminating the three-man commission, including Connor’s position. Birmingham adopted a new kind of government: it featured a mayor and a nine-man council. Connor then attempted to run for mayor, but lost the election. Even though the Checkers Rule would technically remain on the books for several more years, it would quickly become ignored and unenforced.

In the meantime, Albert Belcher wanted to see professional baseball restored to Birmingham. As the owner of the now defunct Barons, he had succumbed to the pressure of dissolving the team because of the Checkers Rule and local sentiment. But he was not a true opponent of integration – and saw the decline and fall of the Checkers Rule as an opportunity to restore baseball in Birmingham with a new Barons franchise in a newly proposed Southern League.

Belcher sought to own and operate the new team, but he faced stiff opposition, notably from the Ku Klux Klan. (In earlier years, the Klan had staged rallies at Rickwood Field.) Belcher received at least a dozen threats of violence over the phone. The callers all delivered a similar message: “If Blacks play at Rickwood Field, somebody’s gonna die.”

Even in the face of such threats of violence, Belcher remained steadfast. He also realized that he needed a major league owner to

go along with the plan, someone who would be willing to put his minor league affiliate in a racially charged city, supply the team with players, and incur the expenses of running a franchise.

Belcher found his man in Kansas City Athletics owner Charlie Finley, a native of the Birmingham area. Finley agreed to place the Athletics’ Double-A minor league affiliate at Rickwood Field. He would outfit the minor league Barons with green and gold uniforms, to reflect the colors of the parent Athletics. More importantly, he would supply the Barons with several Black players, including outfielder Tommie Reynolds and right-handed pitcher John “Blue Moon” Odom.

The 1964 Barons would also include a few Black Latinos, notably shortstops Bert Campaneris and Ossie Chavarria.

With that, professional baseball, in the form of the city’s first integrated team, was re-born in Birmingham. And in a decision that epitomized the new integrated era of baseball, Belcher removed the chicken wire fence that had separated Black baseball fans from white fans.

In 1967, Finley renamed the franchise the A’s, keeping the team at Rickwood Field until 1975. Finley then pulled up stakes, leaving Birmingham without a franchise for the next five seasons. In 1981, the Detroit Tigers placed their Double-A franchise in Birmingham, restored the Barons nickname, and remained there until 1986, when the Chicago White Sox took over the operation of the team. The following year, the White Sox moved out of Rickwood and into a suburb of Birmingham known as Hoover. And then in 2013, the Sox returned to the city confines with the opening of Regions Field, which has remained the Barons’ home ever since.

While Rickwood no longer has a fulltime minor league occupant, it retains a connection to the legacy of professional baseball, including Black baseball. The ballpark, which still has a sizeable capacity of over 10,000, has been used as a backdrop for baseball scenes in three films: Cobb, Soul of the Game, and 42. Soul of the Game centers on three legendary players from the Negro Leagues (Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson) while 42 tells the story of Robinson’s first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

More than 110 years after it first opened, the ballpark’s legacy remains vital to the city of Birmingham and a lasting reminder of the city’s racial history. A group called The Friends of Rickwood continues to put substantial money into the park, including renovations of the grandstand and the press box. Even with those changes, the park looks much like it did a century ago, with a feel that is reminiscent of the 1910s and twenties.

Rickwood Field continues to thrive as an active location. In 2023, it will play host to a busy schedule of events, including the Rickwood College Classic in early May, an appearance by the Savannah Bananas in June, and a full slate of games involving Miles College, area high school teams and wood-bat tournaments.

Bruce Markusen is the manager of digital and outreach learning at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Reprinted with permission from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum receive free admission to the Museum, as well as access to exclusive programs, such as the Voices of the Game Series. Additionally, members receive a subscription to the Hall of Fame's bi-monthly magazine, Memories and Dreams, the annual Hall of Fame yearbook and a 10% discount and free shipping on retail purchases. For information on becoming a member, please visit baseballhall.org/join or call 607-547-0397.

NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME Trivia

What player hit the famous “Shot Heard ’Round The World” in 1951?

A. Ralph Branca

B. Bobby Thomson

C. Joe Carter

D. Bill Mazeroski

Who was the first player to win Most Valuable Player honors in both leagues?

A. Roger Maris

B. Miguel Cabrera

C. Frank Robinson

D. Rogers Hornsby

Which of these Hall of Fame managers never played in the big leagues?

A. Jim Leyland

B. Whitey Herzog

C. Dick Williams

D. Tommy Lasorda

Who, in 1982, became the first baseball player to be depicted on a U.S. postage stamp?

A. Babe Ruth

B. Hank Aaron

C. Lou Gehrig

D. Jackie Robinson

Who was the first player to hit a pinch-hit home run in the World Series?

A. Ty Cobb

B. Johnny Mize

C. Yogi Berra

D. Bernie Carbo 1 2 3 4 5

Since 1939, the Hall of Fame has served as the keeper of baseball’s history, preserving the majesty of The Game for future generations.

MARCO ESTRADA

MAY 7

Fans looking to watch Minor League games during the upcoming season have access to additional features with an At Bat subscription. At Bat subscribers can stream more than 7,000 Minor League games LIVE or on-demand on MiLB.com or in the MiLB app, watch their favorite MLB team's affiliates on MLB.TV and listen to EVERY out-of-market MLB game LIVE or on-demand throughout the 2024 season.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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'.

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.

KIDS FUN PAGE

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