The Kingston Colts are galloping to Welland this weekend for the Under-16, Ferguson Jenkins Showcase championship baseball tournament.
They realize their chances of winning are slim but they believe they can compete against the best players and teams in the province.
“The Fergie league is an elite league. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy when we decided the join the provincial loop,” said Jim Hunt, the Colts field manager.
“I just want them to play competitive, clean baseball. If we can do that, I would consider the weekend a success. I can only ask the kids to compete and compete hard.”
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The Colts got off to a slow start this season but finished the season strong with a couple of wins heading into the championship tournament. They finished in eighth place in the 10-team league.
“I know we’re not going to win but we have to give it our best shot,” said infielder Hayden Kehoe.
“Our coach wants us to compete. If we can play some sound defence and get some clutch hits, we may be able to steal a game or two.”
The Ferguson Jenkins Showcase League was launched in 2012. It aims to give players the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain exposure to Canadian and American colleges and universities.
Numerous baseball scouts and coaches from the United States and Canada are expected to be on hand for the four-day tournament.
The league is named after the only Canadian player in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Jenkins won 284 games over an 18-year career, pitching with five different clubs. His number 31 jersey has been retired by the Chicago Cubs.
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