Chatham teen hitting the field with Team Canada

By Aaron Hall – Daily Post Editor

With May not being the typical time of year when people flock to the Dominican, Larry Balkwill is heading south regardless.

The 17-year-old Chatham teen, and UCC student is not destined for a resort but rather the baseball field at the Dominican Summer League Camp. Balkwill was one of a handful of ball players from across the country chosen to compete with Team Canada’s Junior National Team.

Balkwill could not be reached immediately for comment, as he is set to fly to the Dominican Republic tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20).

A total of 32 players have been selected for the 10 day camp, which takes place from May 20 to May 29.

Balkwill and the Junior National Team are scheduled to play ten games against Major League affiliated teams, notably those of the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Anaheim Angels, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and a double-header against the Seattle Mariners.

13 players on the roster hail from British Columbia, while 12 are from Ontario. Both Québec and Alberta have three players on the roster with a representative of Manitoba taking up the final spot.

The Dominican Summer League Camp is part of a continual evaluation process for the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay, Ontario next summer.

Last year Balkwill signed a national letter of intent to Siena College, a Division 1 level school based out of Loudenville, New York. He is playing this season for the Windsor Midget Selects AAA team.

According to the Canadian Baseball Network, Balkwill is a “strong defensive catcher who prides himself on being a team leader.”

Last year Balkwill brought home two Windsor/Essex County Sports Persons of the Year Awards; one for Male Baseball Player of the Year and the other for Male Athlete of the Year, the first ever two-time winner.

Watch for a story on CKDP featuring Balkwill and how he makes out in the Dominican.