Hometown Players Help Canada Reach Olympics

March 14, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Ottawa Voyageurs News Release


Although the Ottawa Rapids' baseball club's roster is a work in progress, it's looking promising as two of its players helped Canada reach the Beijing Summer Olympics.

Mike Kusiewicz and Jeremy Ware, of the Ottawa Rapids, played for Canada in the Olympic qualifying series in Taiwan.

Kusiewicz stood on the mound in Taichung, Taiwan yesterday and did what needed to be done in order for Canada to qualify for a spot in the Summer Olympics. The final out in the game against Korea was due to a come-backer to the mound that Kusiewicz threw to first which resulted in a 4-3 win.

"I'm overwhelmed to have the opportunity to represent our country", says Mike Kusiewicz, Olympic veteran. "The team is a great bunch of guys and we've really strengthened and bonded together, especially since the bench-clearing brawl. It's just another example of how our hearts are really in this."

The scuffle began when Jimmy VanOstrand (from Richmond B.C.) was called out at the plate and the Taipei catcher, Chun-Chang Yeh flipped the ball at VanOstrand, who then confronted the pitcher and caused the benches to clear. Spectators began throwing debris at the Canadian team. The game was delayed while the police took control of the situation.

It's been more than 70 years since Canada has won a medal in a team sport at the Summer Olympics. With 4 veterans and a lot of young talent, the unexpected winners have a real shot at the gold.



Canadian American League Stories from March 14, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central