Softball Canada is very pleased to release the list of players who have been invited to represent Canada at the second edition of the Men’s Slo-Pitch Border Battle, which will take place on July 24th in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (3:00pm CDT). The Canadian team will play Team USA in this one-game showdown.
At the inaugural Border Battle in Oklahoma City last summer, Canada took a 16-8 lead into the fourth inning but ended up losing by a score of 30-23. They will be looking to build on that experience at this year’s event.
The 2010 Invitational Team was selected by a panel of Slo-Pitch experts from across the country, and performance at Provincial, National and International events was used as one of the major contributors of the selections. While some objective criteria were used to invite the team, it was also recognized that there was a significant subjective element. These elements included such factors as performance, experience, positional requirements, leadership and team cohesion. To be eligible to be invited, the athletes had to be members in good standing of Softball Canada as well as being Canadian citizens, or have a Permanent Resident card.
Jeff Long (Amherstburg, Ontario) and Jeff Seguin (Windsor, Ontario) will be back to coach the team for the second consecutive year. Marc Turcotte (Laval, Quebec) will be the Manager.
‘Congratulations to the ten returning players and also to the five newcomers to the Invitational Team’ said Mike Branchaud, Manager of Canadian Championships and Domestic Services for Softball Canada. ‘The goal of the selection committee was to invite and create the best team possible for this special event. Building on last year’s success, with the players we have identified to play in the Border Battle, we feel we have a team that will not only compete with Team USA once again but potentially can win the big game.’
The following athletes have been identified to represent Canada at the 2010 Slo Pitch Border Battle:
1. Kevin Bergin (Quebec)
2. Dave Boldt (St. Thomas, Ontario)
3. Todd Cadenhead (Keswick, Ontario)
4. Ryan Caley (London, Ontario)
5. Jeff Falardeau (Welland, Ontario)
6. Jason Gallichen (Langley British Columbia)
7. Jeff Gare (London, Ontario)
8. Franck Henry (St.-Hyacinthe, Quebec)
9. Brian Higginbotham (Ottawa, Ontario)
10. Mike Hook (Milton, Ontario)
11. James Kelly (Amherstburg, Ontario)
12. Wayne Parent (Belle River, Ontario)
13. Shawn Wallace (Grande Prairie, Alberta)
14. Ryan Wood (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
15. Jeff Zanolli (Taber, Alberta)
