We are pleased to announce that 2013 is Sask Baseball’s turn in the rotation to send 5 players and 1 chaperone to Japan to attend the 2013 World Children’s Baseball Fair!
This event is held annually and the 10 Baseball Canada provinces rotate each year with a different province attending.
In 2000, Regina was fortunate to be the host and then in 2002 I was actually the chaperone and I took 5 players to Japan that was an exprerience of a lifetime!
The World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) is held every year to promote worldwide baseball expansion, and at the same time, to provide a tool for international exchange among the different nations around the world.
During the WCBF event, the children will have opportunity to learn the correct, BASIC SKILLS of baseball, with emphasis on fun, participation, teamwork and friendship. This is a time for the children to enjoy and share their love of baseball and learn worldwide culture.
Sask Baseball is sending 5 players and we used the following criteria to determine eligibility:
1) There are 8 Zones recognized by Sask Baseball and we did a random draw out of a hat to select 5 Zones.
2) The Zones that were drawn were Zone 2 (Regina), Zone 3 (South West), 5 (Prairie Central), Zone 7 (Rivers West) and Zone 8 (Lakeland). Therefore we will select 1 player out of each of those Zones to attend
3) Children’s Age Requirement: Child participants MUST be 10 or 11 years old as of August 18, 2013. That is, their birth date must be between August 19, 2001 and August 18, 2003.
4) Each player wishing to apply to be selected from their Zone must have been an active registered Sask Baseball member in 2012 and plan to be again in 2013.
5) Each player must also write a short essay detailing why they feel they should be selected to attend and represent Sask Baseball in Japan
6) This essay must be e-mailed / scanned to Mike Ramage (mike@saskbaseball.ca) no later than Friday, March 1, 2013! and include Date of birth, the players local Minor Ball Association name and team registered with in 2012.
7) References MUST be included for the players from people such as teachers, principals, coaches, etc confirming that they will be a wise selection to attend
8) The final decisions will be made from in consulation with the Sask Baseball President, Executive Director and Zone Governor
NOTE: All expenses are paid by the WCBF organization except for travel to and from the participants’ homes and their local airport or fees associated with getting a passport.
For more information on the WCBF visit the following website: http://www.wcbf.org/
If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at mike@saskbaseball.ca
Finally, after reviewing all of the details below and if you are from the 5 Zones selected and are of the required age group don’t wait any longer! This is your baseball oppportunity of a lifetime!
Mike Ramage
Sask Baseball
Executive Director
Information Summary for the 23rd annual
World Children’s Baseball Fair 2013 in Fukui, Japan
I. OBJECTIVE:
(1) The World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) is held every year to promote worldwide baseball expansion, and at the same time, to provide a tool for international exchange among the different nations around the world.
(2) During the WCBF event, the children will have opportunity to learn the correct, BASIC SKILLS of baseball, with emphasis on fun, participation, teamwork and friendship. This is a time for the children to enjoy and share their love of baseball and learn worldwide culture.
(3) The participants will attend morning baseball clinics instructed by coaches who are selected by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).
(4) Each afternoon and evening, the participants partake in cultural and recreational activities to further enhance cultural understanding and appreciation.
(5) Participants will be asked to perform something to introduce their respective country to the fair, such as singing, dancing or playing musical instruments at the goodwill party. There will also be formal Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
EVENT OUTLINE:
(1) Hosted by: The World Children’s Baseball Foundation of Japan, Fukui Prefectural Government, Tsuruga city, Obama city, Mihama town, Takamatsu town, Ohi town, Wakasa town, and The Japan Amateur Baseball Association.
(2) Associated with: International Baseball Federation (IBAF).
(3) Date : Sunday, August 18, 2013 – Monday, August 26, 2013
(4) Location: Baseball clinics are to be held in Tsuruga city in Fukui.
(Exchanging Games are to be held in several cities in Fukui prefecture. Children participating in the baseball clinics will not be attending the games.)
(5) Children’s Dormitory: Tsuruga City Youth Nature Center
(6) Participating Countries/Regions: fifteen (15)
(We will inform you the name of countries/regions after confirming attendance of every country.)
II. PARTICIPANTS’ (CHILDREN) QUALIFICATIONS:
(1) Passport: Participants must have valid passport with nationality of the country invited.
(2) Children’s Age Requirement: Child participants MUST be 10 or 11 years old as of August 18, 2013. That is, their birth date must be between August 19, 2001 and August 18, 2003.
(3) The WCBF event week lasts nine days which requires stamina and endurance. Thus, all participants must be in good health.
(4) Number of participants: Each federation will send five children, unless otherwise specified. It is recommended that at least one of the five children be female. Children who have attended the WCBF in the past are not eligible to participate in the 2013 event.
When you select children, please bear in mind that the WCBF is similar to a summer camp (shared accommodation, getting up early, attending baseball clinics, field trips, etc.). For many children, this
will be the first or perhaps the longest trip being apart from their parents for so long. While Japan is a friendly country, this will still be a new cultural experience to most of the children. All children will be expected to follow strict rules and must treat their respective chaperones and hosts with the respect of their own parents/guardians. Please be selective of participants, ones who are adaptable to this type of environment and who have a positive character to learn baseball.
III. SELECTION OF CHAPERONE : (Sask Baseball has already selected the Chaperone)
A chaperone (not a parent of participating children) must be chosen to accompany the children on behalf of your federation.
It would be highly appreciated if you could select a chaperone among the past fair’s participating players.
The chaperone MUST be an adult (over 21 years of age), and MUST BE FLUENT IN ENGLISH. He/she should have experience in dealing with groups of children of this age and be able to properly discipline children when necessary. Also, he/she has good knowledge of baseball.
Each chaperone will be expected to provide child supervision at all times. They eat and sleep together with the children (children of a different gender from that of the chaperone will actually sleep in a different room, and will be supervised by a chaperone or a host of the same gender as the child who is approved by your chaperone) and must enforce the rules and regulations set by the Host Committee. Each chaperone will be assigned to a group at the baseball clinics to help out in translation and to help the coaches instruct the children.
Although the gender of the chaperone does not matter, we recommend that the chaperone be male if your federation sends 4 or more male children. We also ask that the chaperone NOT be a parent or relative of the child participant(s).
IV. EXPENSES :
(1) All costs associated with children and chaperones participating in the WCBF 2013 event will be paid for by the WCBF, unless otherwise stipulated. These expenses include airfares, airport taxes, accommodation, meals, local transportations, equipments, uniforms, recreational activities, etc.
(2) The WCBF is NOT responsible for travel to and from the participants’ homes and their local airport.
(3) The WCBF is NOT responsible for any fees regarding the acquisition of passports and visas for the participants.
V. PERSONAL BELONGINGS:
(1) In addition to their travel clothes, each participant should bring 1 pair of running shoes (sneakers), leisure clothes, a light jacket, underwear, socks, towels, and toiletries. (Free laundry service will be provided)
(2) All clothing and belongings should be marked with the participant’s name.
(3) Use a large suitcase for these items. Any extra room will be helpful when the participants return home, as they will be leaving with much more than what they brought. It is strongly recommended that each participant check-in only one piece of luggage on their trip to Japan.
(4) The children will receive baseball equipment and a big bag for them as gifts. The bag must be checked at the airport on their trip home, which will count as their second allowed piece of checked luggage. WCBF will not be responsible for the cost of excess baggage or shipping of goods.
* More detailed information will be provided later.
VI. EQUIPMENT:
(1) The WCBF will provide each child participant the following items as gifts:
- Baseball uniform Shorts
- Baseball undershirt Baseball bat
- Baseball belt Baseball glove
- Baseball stockings/stirrups Baseball cap
- Baseball socks Baseball helmet
- Baseball cleats Baseball bag
- WCBF T-shirts
In order to provide proper sizing, etc., it is extremely important that the Form C be sent in on time!
VII. OTHERS:
(1) Airline tickets will be arranged and sent to the federation or the chaperone’s address at least two weeks before the actual departure date for the Fair. Please use Form F to let us know where you would like the tickets to be sent. (Note: P.O. Boxes are not acceptable.)
(2) If the participants have dietary restrictions because of the religious reasons, please so describe in detail in writing.
Sask Baseball is pleased to announce that Nathan Bourassa has committed to coach a Team Sask Women’s Team that will hopefully participate in the 2013 Senior Women’s Baseball Canada Championship in Granby, Quebec from July 11-14.
We will need to find at least 15 committed players to play on the team and we are hoping to create enough interest to have a selection camp.
All female athletes are welcome to tryout for this team, however, we would prefer athletes who have a background playing baseball, softball or fastball.
All teams competing at the Women’s Nationals will be scouted by Baseball Canada and will have the potential to be selected to the Baseball Canada Women’s National Team.
Sask Baseball will be providing a travel grant to help offset some of the costs associated with travelling to Quebec.
Tryout information will be available in a couple weeks depending on weather. In the meantime, if you are interested please e-mail Mike Ramage and we will keep you posted on any new information.
Sask Baseball would very much like to congratulate two members of our Team Sask Alumni, Andrew Albers (North Battleford) and Dustin Molleken (Regina) for being selected to Team Canada at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Both Albers and Molleken had strong performances over the three round robin games against Italy, Mexico and USA.
Albers pitched 3 innings against Mexico where he allowed 2 runs and struck out 3 batters, including MLB superstar Adrian Gonzalez.
Molleken pitched 4 innings over two games agaist Italy and USA. He allowed a total of 2 hits and had a 0.00 ERA. In his 2 innings against Team USA, Molleken retired in order Jimmy Rollins, Brandon Phillips and Ryan Braun and then the next inning he retired Joe Mauer, David Wright and Adam Jones only giving up an infield single to Ben Zobrist!
Albers now heads back to pitch in the Minnesota Twins farm system and Molleken will now go back to Japan to pitch for the Nippon Ham Fighters. Good luck this season guys!
Jordan Schulz (Strasbourg) and Jager Toffan (Regina) have signed on to attend college baseball programs in the Fall.
Schulz will be attending NCAA Division 1 Stetson University in Florida and Toffan will be attending Blinn Junior College in Texas.
Congratulations to both of you!
Sask Baseball is sending thoughts and prayers to the Brennan Luffman family in his tragic loss. Brennan was a talented and spirited outfielder and LHP with the Team Sask program. He was part of the 2005 Canada Cup team that lost a heartbreaking extra inning game to Team Alberta for the Bronze Medal. He played his midget baseball in Weyburn for the Beavers and will always be remembered for making the game look easy and having fun while playing as he was a great teammate.
In this tragic time, Charlene Luffman, the mother of Brennan, would like to let everyone know that in lieu of flowers people are welcome to donate in the memory of Brennan Luffman by donating to Sask Baseball’s Sport Legacy Fund. A cheque can be mailed to either the Regina office or Saskatoon office. Cheques can be made out to “Sport Legacy Fund” and please include a note saying in memory of Brennan Luffman. Once donations have come in Sask Baseball will meet with the Luffman family and decide how best they would like to have Brennan’s memory preserved through the sport and teammates he cherished and inspired. Please include your name and mailing address along with your cheque or money order in order to receive a tax deductible receipt. Thank you for your generosity and your thoughts and prayers for the Luffman family.