YORKTON - When Team Canada starts play in the WBSC U23 Men’s Softball World Cup tournament Friday in Parana, Argentina, the roster will include four players from Saskatchewan.
The group includes Jordan Hudson of Saskatoon, Matthew Kutnikoff of Prince Albert, James Shirley and Brant Weibe of Delisle.
“It’s pretty special. I’m pretty pumped to go to Argentina and play for my country,” said Weibe in a recent interview with Yorkton This Week. “I’m pretty excited.”
For Weibe it will be his first time with Team Canada.
Not surprisingly all the players interviewed were excited they made the team.
“It’s going to be a pretty cool experience,” agreed Hudson, again in a recent Yorkton This Week interview.
Hudson also noted he is sort of lucky to be on the U23 team as he is now on the verge of turning 25.
Hudson explained the age was adjusted for 2023 to allow players who missed a chance at the last postponed World Cup a chance to compete.
“We got pretty lucky,” he said, adding it is an honour to represent Canada.
“Every time you put yourself in a position to wear the Canadian leaf on your chest it’s a pretty amazing experience.”
For Weibe playing softball was pretty much a case of bloodlines and location coming together.
“I’m pretty lucky to live in Delisle. It’s a pretty big sports community,” he said.
“And, dad, (Terry), played a lot of softball. He was one of the best . . . So I’ve played since I was a little kid . . . I’ve been hooked ever since.”
It was the same situation for Hudson who noted his father Scott was a long-time pitcher, and he now fills the same role.
“The apple didn’t fall from the tree,” he said. “. . . I started playing softball at a really young age.”
Weibe is a middle infielder who prefers shortstop to be at the heart of the action.
“It’s definitely a position you get the ball a lot,” he said.
So how does Weibe stay sharp for a trip to Argentina in April when Saskatchewan temperatures are in a deep freeze, and the fine facilities in Delisle under snow?
“Saskatoon is only 20-minutes,” he offered, noting he travels there with his local club team a few times a week to use the indoor facilities at the Gordie Howe Complex.
Hudson too is using the Saskatoon facility, taking responsibility to be self-ready.
“As a player we take it in our hands to all be individually prepared,” he said.
Weibe said he wants to be ready recognizing the World Cup will be the best softball he has ever played, and that includes topping past national championships and Canada Summer Games.
“I think there’s always pressure anytime you step on the diamond . . . I’m just really excited,” he said.
Being on Team Canada also typically means you are on a team among a world tourney’s anticipated contenders.
“Obviously players always go there wanting to come home with some hardware,” said Hudson, but he added you also don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself.
Hudson said at the World Cup all the players are going to be talented, so it will come down to staying focused and making plays.
While efforts were made to connect with Matthew Kutnikoff and James Shirley for interviews it did not work out.
Canada goes into the event ranked number two, and will be in a pool with #3 Japan, #7 New Zealand, #8 Venezuela, Team WBSC, and #21 Israel.
The team’s first game goes April 15 versus Venezuela.
