Royals Celebrate Winning 1996 Canadian Championship
Jason Bailey looked almost human against the Red Deer Elmac Braves in the Manulife Canadian Midget Baseball Championship final Sunday afternoon. Pitching on two days rest, the 18 year old Fredericton Royals' lefthander didn't dominate the way he did in their initial meeting Thursday, but he was still good enough. Bailey's ability to get himself out of trouble when the need arose, coupled with a solid offensive performance, led the Royals to an 8-3 victory before 1,200 fans at Great Chief Park.
"I didn't have my best stuff today, but the guys did a great job behind me, and with the lead I was able to just put the ball on the ground and hope we won it," he said.
Royals grabbed a 6-0 lead after 4 1/2 innings, which proved to be too much for the Red Deer crew to overcome. They did try, scoring three times in the bottom of the fifth and missed a glorious opportunity to possibly knock Baily out of the game, when J.J. Escott and Nick Leswick both popped up with runners on second and third. Braves also got the first two men on in the sixth, but once again left them stranded.
"He's a tough competitor and bore down when it was needed," said Braves manager Rob Hamill. "We certainly battled him today. A couple breaks and you never know what could have happened. But he's a great pitcher . . . anytime a guy can beat you twice in a tournament of this calibre, it says something about him."
Bailey finished with a six-hitter, fanning seven, including two in the final frame.
"I felt coming in that pitching was our strength, and it turned out to be," said Royals manager Chris MacPherson. "We couldn't have asked for much more from Jason than he gave us in his two starts.
"He's not that big of a guy. But he has a lot of confidence, is a bit cocky, and that's good to have in a starting pitcher. He threw strikes and kept the hitters off balance."
Meanwhile, the Royals got to four Red Deer pitchers for 17 hits. Curtis Dionne started allowing just two runs, although he left in the fourth with the bases loaded and one away. Scott Hamel induced Robbie Murphy to hit into a line drive double play, but he wasn't the answer. He faced three batters in the fifth and gave up a pair of singles and a walk - all of whom scored - before leaving in favour of Kelsey Swidley. Swidley was touched up for three runs - including a long home run by the tournament's top hitter John Burns in the seventh - before giving way to Shane Stenerson.
"I felt we had good pitching going into the game, and the guys did the best they could," said Hamill.
"I was very proud of this team. They went a lot further than anyone expected them to go. They showed a lot of character coming back after that first loss to Fredericton and even today never said die.
"I know they don't feel very good right now, but a couple days from now they can look back and feel very satisfied at what they accomplished."
So can Hamill, who took over the team midway through the season when Butch Henry resigned. However, he won't be back.
"I came in in a tough situation and offered to help where I could," he explained. "However, I have three young kids and a business to run and just don't have the time right now. I do believe they have someone lined up for next year.
"I certainly love the game and loved working with these kids, and I hope they do well down the road."
Playing in the national final - the first of five straight years it will be held in Red Deer - was a major plus for the younger players, says Hamill.
"A big plus," he said. "The first time it's very tough on everyone. Now the guys who return can help the younger guys adjust and prepare for next year."
Danny White had a solid final game with three hits while Burns, Derek Whitlock, who was selected a top catcher, and Steve Yeomans had three hits each for the Royals.
Regina won the bronze with a 3-0 win over Kitchener, behind the four-hit pitching of Mike Gamble. Winnepeg downed Edmonton Sharks 10-5 for fifth place, and Surrey dumped Nova Scotia 5-3 in the seventh-place game.
First baseman Nate Read, second baseman Nick Leswick and outfielder Brad Muir were named to the tournament all-star team from the Braves while Whitlock, Bailey, third baseman Burns and shortstop Murphy represented the Royals. Outfielders Doug Dima of Kitchener and Ben Van Idenstine of Regina completed the team.
