TORONTO - The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Baseball Canada are pleased to announce the twenty-four (24) Men’s National Baseball Team athletes who have been selected to represent Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games from July 11 to 19 in Ajax, Ontario.

The Canadian roster features eight players from the 2011 Guadalajara Pan Am Games team in Andrew Albers (North Battleford, SK), Shawn Hill (Georgetown, ON), Brock Kjeldgaard (London, ON), Kyle Lotzkar (Delta, BC), Dustin Molleken (Regina, SK), Chris Robinson (Dorchester, ON), Tim Smith (Toronto, ON) and Skyler Stromsmoe (Bow Island, AB). Nine players named to the roster (Albers, Phillippe Aumont, Jeff Francis, Hill, Chris Leroux, Adam Loewen, Pete Orr, Robinson, Rene Tosoni) have Major League Baseball playing experience.

The Canadian Men’s National Baseball Team is coming off a gold medal performance at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara after defeating the United States 2-1 in the deciding game. Prior to 2011, Canada last competed in the baseball competition at the Pan Am Games in 1999 when the event was held in Winnipeg and came away with a bronze medal. Other countries that have qualified for the 2015 Pan American Games are Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United States.

The coaching staff features a wealth of Major League Baseball experience in longtime Manager Ernie Whitt who led Canada to a gold medal performance in 2011, former National League MVP Larry Walker, Canadian baseball legend Stubby Clapp, former Toronto Blue Jay and Montréal Expo Denis Boucher and 14-year MLB veteran Paul Quantrill. Baseball Canada’s Director of National Teams, Greg Hamilton rounds out the staff.

The Canadian Men’s National Baseball Team will compete at the Americas Baseball Festival from July 5-8 in Cary, North Carolina leading up to the Pan American Games.

Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with over 700 athletes expected to be named to the Team at the Games in Toronto. With TORONTO 2015 providing a “Home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will provide a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.

QUOTES

“Our men’s baseball team will head into these Games defending their gold medal from Guadalajara and I have full confidence they have what it takes to achieve victory again. Congratulations to the team who made it today – Canada is so proud of you.”

Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee

“Canada’s baseball players have a reputation of always bringing their A-game and I have no doubt that these men will do just that. Congratulations to the athletes named to the team today, Canada will be behind you as you try to repeat as Pan Am Games champions.”

Curt Harnett, TORONTO 2015 Team Canada Chef de Mission

“We are excited about our group for the 2015 Pan Am Games and look forward to representing Canada in front of our own fans. It is an honour anytime you get to wear the Maple Leaf, and with the Games taking place on home soil it will truly be special.”

Ernie Whitt, Manager, Canadian Men’s National Baseball Team

“I am extremely honoured to represent Team Canada this year at the Pan American Games in Toronto. International baseball is always intense and with the Games taking place at home, in front of our own fans, the atmosphere will be electric at the ballpark.”

Shawn Hill, Men’s National Team Member

The Canadian Men’s National Baseball team that will represent Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Games includes:

Athletes:

Position First Last Hometown Pitcher Andrew Albers North Battleford, SK Pitcher Phillippe Aumont Gatineau, QC Pitcher Shane Dawson Drayton Valley, AB Catcher Kellin Deglan Langley, BC Pitcher Jeff Francis Delta, BC Outfielder Tyson Gillies Vancouver, BC Pitcher Shawn Hill Georgetown, ON Infielder Jesse Hodges Victoria, BC Infielder Sean Jamieson Kitchener, ON Outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard London, ON Pitcher Colin Kleven Kamloops, BC Infielder Jordan Lennerton Langley, BC Pitcher Chris Leroux Mississauga, ON Pitcher Adam Loewen Surrey, BC Pitcher Kyle Lotzkar Delta, BC Pitcher Dustin Molleken Regina, SK Pitcher Jared Mortensen Abbottsford, BC Outfielder Tyler O’Neill Maple Ridge, BC Infielder Pete Orr Newmarket, ON Catcher Chris Robinson Dorchester, ON Pitcher Evan Rutckyj Windsor, ON Outfielder Tim Smith Toronto, ON Infielder Skyler Stromsmoe Bow Island, AB Outfielder Rene Tosoni Port Coquitlam, BC

Coaches:

Position First Last Hometown Coach Denis Boucher Lachine, QC Therapist Dave Blatz Steinbach, MB Coach Stubby Clapp Windsor, ON Coach Greg Hamilton Peterborough, ON Coach Paul Quantrill Port Hope, ON Equipment Manager Keith Sanford Windsor, ON Team Leader Bernie Soulliere Windsor, ON Coach Larry Walker Maple Ridge, BC Manager Ernie Whitt Clinton, MI

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Pan American Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations towards the end of June 2015.