Canada names baseball team that will go for 3rd straight gold at Pan Am Games

Baseball Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada's men's baseball team nominated to compete at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, July 26 to Aug.11.

"We are excited about our team for the 2019 Pan Am Games and look forward to representing Canada in Lima," manager Ernie Whitt said in a statement. "Anytime you represent your country it is truly an honour and we know that our team will compete knowing how truly special it is to play in such a prestigious event like the Pan Am Games."

"Competing and winning back-to-back Pan Am Games gold medals are among the highlights of my baseball career so I'm thrilled with the opportunity to represent Canada once again," said pitcher Scott Richmond. "International baseball makes for an incredible, competitive environment and I know our team will be ready when the games begin."

The Canadian men's baseball team is coming off back-to-back Pan Am Games gold medal performances, winning the 2015 event in Toronto and the 2011 tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, with victories over the United States in the final both times.

Six players named to the roster (pitchers Phillipe Aumont, Chris Leroux, Dustin Molleken, Scott Richmond, Adam Loewen, and outfielder Rene Tosoni) have Major League Baseball playing experience.

In addition to Canada, countries competing in the eight-team 2019 competition include Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and host Peru.

The Pan Am Games baseball competition does not have a direct impact on qualification for Tokyo 2020 but will serve as an important step in preparing for November's WBSC Premier 12, the first in a series of qualifiers for the Olympic Games.

PITCHERS:

• Ben Abram (Georgetown, Ont.)
• Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.)
• Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.)
• Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.)
• RJ Freure (Burlington, ON)
• Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, Ont.)
• Chris Leroux (Mississauga, Ont.)
• Adam Loewen (Surrey, B.C.)
• Dustin Molleken (Regina, Sask.)
• Jasvir Rakkar (Brampton, Ont.)
• Scott Richmond (North Vancouver, B.C.)
• Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, Ont.)r

CATCHERS:

• Kellin Deglan (Milton, B.C.)
• Dustin Houle (Penticton, B.C.)r

INFIELDERS:

• Wes Darvill (Langley, B.C.)
• Edouard Julien (Québec, Que.)
• Jordan Lennerton (Langley, B.C.)
• Jonathan Malo (Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que.)
• Eric Wood (Oshawa, Ont.)

OUTFIELDERS:

• Michael Crouse (Port Moody, B.C.)
• Tyson Gillies (North Vancouver, B.C.)
• Connor Panas (Etobicoke, Ont.)
• Tristan Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.)
• Rene Tosoni (Port Coquitlam, B.C.)

COACHING STAFF:

• Ernie Whitt (Clinton, Michigan) – Manager
• Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.)
• Paul Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.)
• Tim Leiper (Whittier, California)
• Greg Hamilton (Peterborough, Ont.)