Yorkton R. Miller's Midget 'AA' Cardinals star first-year midget pitcher Tyson Black will not be joining fellow Cardinals hurlers Jordan Bieber and Caleb Bymak at the 2014 Senior Little League Championship in Victoriaville, Quebec, as a member of the Regina Angels.
Instead, the 16-year-old Black will be off to Saskatoon as a member of Team Saskatchewan for the 2014 edition of the Canada Cup from August 6-10. "I'm pretty excited for it (the tournament)," offered Black during an interview at Jubilee Park Monday afternoon. "I knew I had a shot but I didn't know if I would be close to making it or if I would actually make it."
Black knew he had a shot at making the team due to his past two excursions down to Arizona with the Saskatchewan Selects team where he took part in the Prospects Series, along with current Cardinals teammate Caleb Bymak.
But while Bymak wasn't named to the roster for the Canada Cup, Black was. So now that he's on the Canada Cup team, what are his expectations? Will he start? Or will he be a relief pitcher? "I'm not really sure what to expect," admitted the right-handed pitcher, who acknowledged that he'll accept any role given to him. "I'm a first year so maybe just relief."
As for the competition, Black expects it to be the toughest he has faced yet. "It'll be really strong," said Black continuing, "They're the best players from across Canada so it'll be interesting to see and it'll be tough baseball."
And while every game will be one to look forward to for Black, who will take part in his first National Championship tournament, there is one game in particular that Black will be looking forward to. And that game is the Saturday, August 9 game when Saskatchewan takes on New Brunswick, because while Black now resides in Saskatchewan, he is originally from Miramichi, New Brunswick, and has several childhood friends who ply their trade for the Eastern province's team. "We'll be playing against a couple of old teammates of mine which will be cool," admitted Black, who jokingly said that while they are friends, he'll try and provide his coach with some kind of scouting report although he hasn't seen them play since Mosquito.
Schedule
Black's Team Saskatchewan takes on Provincial rival Manitoba on Wednesday, August 6 immediately following the opening ceremony at 8:00pm. Saskatchewan then takes on Newfoundland and Labrador at 10:30am and Nova Scotia at 7:30pm the following day (August 7).
On Friday, August 8, Saskatchewan takes on P.E.I. at 7:00pm before wrapping up their round-robin with the aforementioned game against New Brunswick at 2:00pm on Saturday, August 9. Every Saskatchewan game except the last one will be played at Saskatoon's Cairns Field. The final game will be at Leakos Field.
