This year is no exception.
Three promising baseball players from the Corner Brook minor system — Braden Lockyer, Lucas Park and Brogan Walsh — have earned a spot on the provincial Under-15 male team that will play for the Ray Carter Cup at the 2017 15U national baseball championship being held next month in Summerside, P. E. I.
Lockyer has experience on his side as one of the team’s returnees, but his two buddies will experience the game at the national level for the first time so it’s the biggest stage they ever performed on.
Coach David Coates, a Conception Bay South native, is thrilled to have the Corner Brook trio on board for the journey because he’s been really impressed with the strong work ethic and refreshing attitude they bring to the diamond on a consistent basis.
Coach Coates provided The Star with a scouting report on the three players earlier this week and the players themselves shared their thoughts on wearing Newfoundland and Labrador’s colours at the national level.
Coach Coates
Brogan Walsh
— A control/location pitcher with good movement
— Expected to play some infield and outfield innings
— Has good footwork and hands with receiving the ball
— A good contact hitter
— Blessed with speed
— Works hard and has a great attitude
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage ?
It’s an honour really to be selected out of so many kids who went to the tryouts. I will be happy to represent Newfoundland the best I can.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
I would like to bring anything I can really, whether it’s they need a hit or need me to field or pitch, or whatever it may be because I like to fill in any spot really. I am looking forward to getting some knowledge from the experience.
Coach Coates
Lucas Park
— Expected to play shortstop and maybe some innings in the outfield
— Has a very strong and accurate arm throwing across the diamond
— Good footwork and good hands make him a defendable fielder
— Works hard and has a good attitude
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
Any time that you can represent your province for anything it’s just special. You just know that you are one of those people that get the opportunity. It makes me feel like all my hard work is being rewarded for all the time I spent practicing.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
Even if I don’t play I’m there to support everyone and cheer on the team, and at the end of the day that’s all that matters. I play shortstop and I’m a good contact hitter so that would be the strongest part of my game.
Coach Coates
Braden Lockyer
— Known as a power pitcher who throws hard
— A threat with the bat with the ability to hit the long ball
— Great reads on fly balls so he will see some time in the outfield
— Expected to provide leadership to the group as a second-year player
— Works hard and has a great attitude
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to represent your province on the national stage?
I’m looking forward mostly to the experience because of the great experience I had going last year. Watching some of the other teams out there you learn a lot from it. It means a lot to be going because growing up I always wanted to play for my province and it’s lots of fun going out playing against teams from other provinces.
How do you see yourself making a contribution to the team and what is it you hope to accomplish on a personal level?
I think I bring speed and a really good arm from the outfield to the team. At the end of the day I just hope I play well and enjoy the experience.
