Meet the team behind our team as we feature those who work around the clock to ensure your best ballpark experience.
15 ROAD TO THE SHOW
Climbing through the Blue Jays system.
16 TEAM ROSTERS
20 MEET THE 2024 VANCOUVER CANADIANS
This year’s squad is looking to bring home Northwest League Championship #6! Let’s meet this year’s ‘Boys of Summer’!
28 Q & A WITH NIC DESCHAMPS
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 Vancouver Canadians catcher Nic Deschamps.
39 CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES
A list of alumni who have gone to 'The Show'
40 HOW TO SCORE THE BASEBALL GAME
A Scorekeeping 101.
42 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.
44 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.
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
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
30 Alex Amalfi 6-1 185 R/R 23 02/18/01 Ashland, MA Dunedin MiLB FA, 07/26/22
25 Bo Bonds 5-11 200 R/R 23 01/10/01 Live Oak, FL FCL, Dunedin 13th, ’22, Louisiana-Lafayette
28 Irv Carter 6-4 210 R/R 21 10/09/02 Fort Lauderdale, FL Dunedin 5th, ’21, Calvary Christian Academy (FL)
11 Pat Gallagher 6-0 200 R/R 23 06/30/00 Leominster, MA Dunedin, Vancouver 11th, ’22, Connecticut
PRONUNCIATIONS: Luis Amoroso (AM-uh-ROH-soh), Jesus Bugarin (Hey-soos Boo-guh-reen), Cole Carrigg (Care-igg), Dyan Jorge (Dee-on Hor-hey), Victor Juarez (Wahr-ez), Connor Staine (Stain), Albert Pacheco (Pa-check-o) Davis Palermo (Pa-lair-mo), Yujanyer (You-han-yehr) Herrera
NO. FIELD STAFF
MANAGER 37 Robinson Cancel
PITCHING COACH: 38 Blaine Beatty
HITTING COACH: 21 Tom Sutaris
BENCH COACH: 23 Joe Mikulik
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE: Jacob Mathis
TRAINER: Maranda Briney
CLUBHOUSE MANAGER: Joey Scott
VIDEO COORDINATOR: Connor Carroll
WATCH EVERY MiLB GAME FOR FREE
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
37 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.
’23 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver ACQUIRED: 7th Rd, ’22, Iowa
VICTOR ARIAS 22
HT: 5-11 WT: 170
B/T: L/L
DOB: 08/24/03
HOMETOWN: Maracay, VZ
23 CLUBS: Dunedin, New Hampshire
AQUIRED: INT FA, 08/24/19
ROB SHIFRIN HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER
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
KATIE REYES ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER
MARCOS DE LA ROSA 9
HT: 5-11 WT: 175
B/T: S/R
DOB: 10/25/1999
HOMETOWN: Santo Domingo, DR
23 CLUBS: FCL, Dunedin, Vancouver
AQUIRED: INT FA, 06/15/194
BAILEY FORST HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
RAUL PIMENTEL MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH
CRISTIAN CORDOVA TECH ASSISTANT
GLENN HALL HOME CLUBHOUSE MANAGER
JE'VON WARD
HT: 6-2 WT: 195
B/T: L/R
DOB: 10/25/1999
HOMETOWN: Cerritos, CA
23 CLUBS: Wisconsin (MIL)
AQUIRED: MiLB FA, 06/15/24
HUNT ASSISTANT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
HOWES VISITOR CLUBHOUSE MANAGER
BOVILLE DIETICIAN
ZANE
STEPHANIE
COLE
DESCHAMPS
BY NIALL O’DONOHOE OF C’S PLUS BASEBALL
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 Vancouver Canadians catcher Nic Deschamps.
NICK DESCHAMPS
The Quebec City, Quebec native added a fair bit of travelling on his baseball resume during his amateur days. Deschamps batted .717 and was a tournament all-star to help Team Quebec win the 15U Canadian Championship in 2017. He participated in the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association and was part of two winning clubs that won PG tournament titles in Fort Worth and Arlington. In 2018, Deschamps represented Team Quebec at the T12 Tournament at the SkyDome in Toronto. He was part of two more championship teams in the New England Baseball Complex (NEBC) and the Prep Baseball Report (PBR) in 2019 and participated in another T12 event. In 2018 and 2019, he also joined the Academy Baseball Canada which toured the U.S. to play several colleges.
In 2020, Deschamps played for a travel team called the Florida Hurricanes and joined TNXL Academy in Orlando in 2021. With TNXL, he batted. 307 with three doubles, two triples and five home runs and stole 10 bases. That performance helped Deschamps live up to the billing of Perfect Game pre-season All-American and All-Region Team honourable mentions for the Florida region.
Deschamps was set to attend Stetson University in 2021 but the Toronto Blue Jays came calling and signed him as a free agent on August 16 that year, giving him a signing bonus of $20,000. Scouted by Jasmin Roy, Deschamps got in three games and batted .333 with a walk in four plate appearances with the Florida Complex League Blue Jays.
The 2022 season saw Deschamps play just 24 games between the FCL and the Dunedin Blue Jays but he showed a good eye at the plate with a combined .447 on-base percentage in 76 plate appearances. He also belted his first professional home run in the FCL and was behind the plate to catch a no-hitter turned in by the quartet of Kendry Rojas (2024 Vancouver Canadian), Cooper Benson (2023), Sam Ryan (2022-2023) and Ian Churchill (2023) for Dunedin against Tampa on August 14. Deschamps also contributed a hit and two walks at the plate. Unfortunately, he wound up on the injured list and missed the latter part of August but returned to action with Dunedin in September.
In 2023, Deschamps was back with the Dunedin Blue Jays and posted a .341 on-base mark with four doubles, three homers and 17 RBI. He was also successful on all three stolen base attempts in 57 games. The injury bug got Deschamps again for the second straight August but managed to return late in the month.
The 2024 campaign began in Dunedin and Deschamps opened the year with a four-game hitting streak before being sidelined with a shoulder injury. He returned in May and reached base in all nine games he played with the FCL and Dunedin. In his first game back witht he D-Jays, Deschamps drilled a two-run homer and added an RBI triple and a walk in a victory against Jupiter on May 16. A .378 on-base percentage in the month of July and an overall slugging mark of .422 led to Deschamps getting promoted to Vancouver on July 28.
His C’s debut came on August 1 against Tri-City and his first hit was a double that nearly left the yard in the ninth inning, a game in which the C’s would walk it off in the 10th. That game saw the C’s feature three Canadian-born players in action for Monty’s Mounties with center fielder Dasan Brown from Oakville, Ontario and pitcher Connor O’Halloran from Mississauga, Ontario.
C’s Plus Baseball caught up with the 22-year-old Deschamps during the team’s homestand against Eugene.
C’s Plus Baseball – You signed as a free agent with the Blue Jays. How did that all happen?
Nic Deschamps – Basically, what happened was I was committed to go to Stetson to play D1 (Division I) baseball over there. Obviously, the COVID season, COVID just shut down Canada so I moved to the States. I didn’t get drafted because of the five-round draft that year. So I was going on campus, and one day before, one of the scouts from the Blue Jays called me the night before. And he was like, ‘Hey, we need a catcher. Are you willing to take X amount of money?’ My dream was to play pro ball obviously before going to college. I didn’t want to go to school so I just said yes and I’ve been here for now three years, up to my fourth year and enjoying every day.
CPB – How big a moment was that for you to sign? Did it seem surreal that you were joining a professional organization?
ND – It was cool and obviously being from Quebec and playing for a team from Canada, my hometown and home country. That was cool, that was a pretty good moment and I never looked back. Honestly just looking back over the years, should I have done this? I don’t regret a single thing. I’m just happy to be here and try to prove to these people I can play at a high level.
CPB – You’ve been with the organization since 2021. You spent some time in the Florida Complex League and Dunedin. When you look back on that, what stands out for you?
ND – Just seeing how good baseball players are. In Quebec we do have good baseball players but baseball in America is way way better so just like hitting that wall when signing and facing guys throwing 96, 97 (miles per hour) every day and seeing how the ball moves. It was a learning process. Last year I didn’t have a great year, which was like a learning year for me. I tried to use that for this year and obviously it paid off a little bit. I got the call up here, which is great. I’ve been waiting to play for Vancouver for a long time. Just learning from the older guys, like teammates, coaches, whoever speaks to you about baseball, just listening and trying to improve my game that way.
CPB – How did you find out about getting called up to Vancouver? I know the coaches sometimes like to mess around. What was your story?
ND – I wasn’t supposed to catch that day. I was supposed to play first. And I was just getting treatment, just getting stretched out. And the manager’s like, ‘Hey, I got some bad news. Come meet me in my office, right?’ And I was like, ‘All right, what did I do wrong? Is it bad news? What did I do wrong? And he’s like, ‘Well, it depends how you take it.’ So I was like, ‘All right.’ So then I go in the office and all the coaches sit down and he’s like, ‘Listen, we just got this catcher from the draft, so you don’t have a roster spot. You won’t be playing tonight. And I was like, ‘What do you mean I don’t have a roster spot?’ And he’s playing tonight and I was like, ‘Wait, I don’t have a roster spot.’ He’s like ‘Well you’re not gonna play the rest of the year. You’re not on the roster. Are you mad?’ I was like, ‘Well I mean it’s my third year and I’m not on the roster so I was kind of getting pissed.’ And then he’s like, ‘Yeah, you’ve been added to the Vancouver
Canadians roster.’ So then it was like just pure joy.
CPB – You hit with some power at Dunedin. What was the key to your success this year?
ND – Just kind of getting used to everything but mostly finding a swing that is simple and easy to do every at-bat. Mainly it was more approach-wise. People say it’s up in the brain, you’ve got to think. So just not getting out there without a plan. I get information on the pitcher in the dugout and then when I step up, I’ve got to plan what I want to do, what the pitches look like and stuff like that. I think that’s been a key. And now, obviously I’m facing new guys so it’s harder to try to know them really quick but I’m getting used to it pretty sure, things will click pretty soon.
CPB – Have you found it a really big step up in this level compared to Dunedin to this league?
ND – Obviously guys are better. Pitchers miss less. Fastballs are the same velo, just different shapes and stuff like that. Also, guys are older here so it’s more like baseball IQ than pure talent so that comes into play. Honestly, just having more fans here. The adrenaline is up, you got to calm yourself down a little bit and stuff like that. I mean, it’s the same game, right? I just gotta get used to it and I’ll be fine.
CPB – In your first game here, you nearly hit one out. What do you remember about your first game here at Nat Bailey Stadium?
ND – It was funny, though, because I remember this year just watching games on my phone and the field looked kind of small. I remember thinking, ‘Oh, putting a ball out would be pretty nice.’ And then I was hitting BP, and the guys were like, ‘No, this park is huge. It’s really hard to get one out.’ I had three strikeouts start the game, so I was like, ‘All right, this is going to be brutal. A brutal start to my career.’ And I don’t know, the guy (Tri-City pitcher Glenn Albanese Jr.) just left the slider up, put a good swing on it and I thought it was gone too. I was kind of not jogging, but like semi-sprinting. I was just watching it. It would have been cool (to hit one out) but when you get a base sit, you’ve done your job right. When you hit a ball hard, that’s all you can wish for no matter where it goes.
CPB – Did you allow yourself to kind of soak in the moment a little bit standing at second base with the fans cheering?
ND -Yeah, I honestly didn’t know how to react that second. I was kind if you look at the video, I’m just kind of standing like ‘This is cool. This is 6,000 people just cheering.’ We had to walk it off after that. So that was fun but it’s been a really fun two weeks just playing in front of crowds. The guys are obviously good friends and good teammates so it’s really cool to play baseball here.
CPB – Iit was an all-Canadian battery with Connor O’Halloran from Mississauga that night. That must be a source of pride for you guys and (manager) Brent Lavallee and (position coach) Ashley Stephenson but what was that like getting to work with handle Connor O’Halloran?
ND – Connor’s a great dude, really good pitcher too, easy to handle. He knows how to pitch. He knows his stuff. He’s a cool guy to catch, honestly, a really easy job for me. Obviously being
Canadian, it’s kind of fun to represent your country as a team and actually play in your home country too. I mean, I haven’t played home in like five years right? So just being here it’s pretty fun. The fans are electric. It’s just fun baseball all around. ND – Let’s take it back to the very beginning. How did you get started in baseball?
ND – So I obviously played hockey. My Mom (Sonia) was actually a softball player when she was younger. My Dad (Francois) never played baseball and was terrible at hockey too. But we all grew up playing hockey. My two brothers as well played hockey. And I don’t know, I’m thinking my parents put me up to baseball and kind of liked it. I was kind of good, not the best player ever but a decent baseball player throughout my years. I never made the Canadian national team. I made Team Quebec in my last year. I got cut two times and then I think I was at 17, 18 (years old) that I really took a step forward. I don’t know how but it’s probably training-wise and all this stuff I would do because I kind of really wanted to be a professional baseball player. I put in the extra hours and stuff like that. I think it really worked out for me. I had to stop playing hockey unfortunately at 15 because I had to choose one or the other. But I do miss hockey, though. I love playing that sport but I was definitely a better baseball player when I grew up. That’s how we made the choice.
CPB – You were signed out of TNXL Academy. How did you wind up there?
ND – COVID. COVID happened. And Canada basically shut down everything. I talked to my coach down in Quebec. I was like, ‘Hey, can I get the phone number for somebody in the States? I’m gonna move. I can’t not play one season. This is my draft year, I gotta play.’ So I reached out to Brian Martinez down at TNXL in Orlando. He’s like ‘Send me a couple videos of you.’ A week later, I took a flight, met him over there and started playing. A host family down in Orlando took me in really, really great people. Became a huge Bills fan so they got me into that. Great people honestly, I can’t say how grateful I am for them taking me in and allowing me to continue my dream. I don’t think I would be here honestly if they wouldn’t have taken me in because that would have been much harder to play ball. After that TNXL season, I went back home for a couple weeks and was ready to go to Stetson like I mentioned, and got the call and here we are.
CPB – When did you first become a catcher?
ND – I was a shortstop until i want to say 14-years-old and then this coach came up to me in high school and was like, ‘Hey, do you want to start catching?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know, not really, but I’ll give it a try.’ I would go to catching practice without any gear. I didn’t have a glove, I didn’t have nothing. They would just give me stuff. I started liking it a little bit but definitely I was terrible. I could not block a ball, could not frame it. I got videos. My coach in the off season was my catching coach back then and he always laughed at me by sending me videos of how bad I looked. So, yeah, I started catching and then went to TNXL as a catcher. So from like, 15 to 18 (years-old), I was a full-time catcher. I never played shortstop again. But now I love it. I love catching. I love being there for the pitchers. I love it. I love blocking balls. I love taking balls off the mask. So, honestly,
I kind of love it. It’s kind of my spot.
CPB – I noticed you wear the hockey-style mask. Is that something you have always had?
ND – No, it started last year. I always wore a two-piece. I don’t know, I guess I saw somebody use it in the bigs or like, spring training. I was like, ‘Hey, can I try it on?’ And it kind of felt easier, putting it on and off and stuff like that and just the way it’s made. I wasn’t a goalie when I played hockey. I played defense. So it has nothing to do with hockey either. Now I kind of like it, so I kind of just kept doing it.
CPB – How do you get ready for a game when you know you’re catching? Take us through the process of what your game day is like.
ND – Game days are usually more of a relaxed day for me before the game. I warm up hitting a bit, take big stretches, get the hips loose. Go out here, hit BP, no defensive work usually. Just take it easy, hydrate. And then an hour before the game, I stretch again. I would go in the bullpen, get my legs warm, get my framing, blocking and throwing in. And then it’s all with the pitcher. The pitcher gets loose, 30 minutes before the game. I’m there with them and the game starts. When I’m not playing, that’s where I would put in some work. For example, like today, we’re working on arm strength, long toss and throwing to the bases. Another day. I want to block, throw to bases, we’re going to block, like 100 balls today. We’re going to focus on that. But when I play, it’s really easy, cue the button, and play the game.
CPB – Did you have a favourte major league team or catcher growing up?
ND – I watched the Blue Jays. Honestly, I don’t watch baseball anymore really because I play every day which makes sense but I started watching when the Blue Jays were good like in 2015 and 2016. I always loved watching Russell (Russell Martin) obviously. I had the pleasure of meeting him when we went to play we went to Topgolf together two or three years ago so that was fun. I loved watching him, another Canadian, play for the Blue Jays. Awesome guy, that’s who I looked up to. I’m really a big football fan and sometimes playoff hockey.
CPB – You’ve mentioned you’re a Buffalo Bills fan. Are you a Montreal Canadiens fan as well?
ND – Yep, the Canadiens. I grew up an Ovechkin (Alexandher Ovechkin) fan. I think he’s a great athlete. But now Montreal, they’re kind of really bad right now so it’s really hard to be a fan. But obviously when they play, I watch and I love watching hockey.
CPB – Final question, the Canadians have five uniforms—white, red, black, blue and gray. Do you have a favourite?
ND – That’s tough. I just love the combinations of having different jerseys. In Dunedin, we always wore the same stuff so now it’s kind of different. But honestly, I like the blue, how the blue fits. I like the retro one. But honestly, I don’t really have to choose.
CPB – So you’re good with all of them.
ND – Yeah. Whatever jersey fits me, I’m good with that.
•
• Package includes 9 vouchers for April through June home games (36 games total)
• Vouchers
(subject to availability)
• Starting 9 package holders have an exclusive redemption week to exchange your vouchers for tickets and to purchase additional tickets prior to the general public
• No upgrades to Box or Premium seating permitted
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Rich Harden P 2001 21-Jul Oakland
Neal Cotts P 2001 12-Aug Chicago (AL)
Mike Wood P 2001 21-Aug Oakland
2004 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Santiago Casilla P 2002 09-Aug Oakland
Nick Swisher OF 2002 03-Sep Oakland
Joe Blanton P 2002 24-Sep Oakland
2005 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Gregorio Petit INF 2004 18-May Oakland
John Baker C 2002 09-Jul Florida
Jeff Gray P 2005 08-Sep Oakland
2009 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
A.J. Griffin P 2010 24-Jun Oakland
Alexi Ogando P 2004 15-Jul Texas
2011 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Pedro Figueroa P 2007 21-Apr Oakland
Sean Doolittle P 2007 05-Jun Oakland
Dan Straily P 2009 30-Aug Oakland
2013 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Andy Burns INF 2011 09-May Toronto
Matt Dermody P 2013 03-Sep Toronto
2017 POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
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 ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM
Addison Barger INF/OF 2021 24-Apr Blue Jays
Brandon Eisert P 2021 17-Jun Toronto
Adam Kloffenstein P 2022 20-Jun St.Louis
Orelvis Martinez INF 2021 21-Jun Toronto
Steward Berroa INF 2022 23-Jun Toronto
Yosver Zulueta P 2022 25-Jun Cincinnati
Leo Jimenez INF 2022 4-July Toronto
Luis De Los Santos INF 2021 31-July Toronto
Griffin Conine OF 2018 26-Aug Miami
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
INCLUDES:
• 11 Grandstand vouchers redeemable for Sunday games (max. 1 voucher per game)
• One (1) $10 White Spot Gift Card
• One (1) 15% off Team Store coupon
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 ROGERS 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.
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.
