Blog 3 -- Canadian Players

Hey guys. It’s been a few weeks since I last checked in. Figure I'll give you a little update on all that’s been going on over here in the great white north, and also a little information about some of the other Canadians heading over to play in the IBL.

As I mentioned in the first blog, I'm still in college full-time. The workload in 4th year has just been absolutely brutal. It seems like I always find myself stressing over an assignment or trying to find time to study for a test. The worst part about all of it is that half the time when I'm in a lecture, my mind just wanders thinking about what the summer is going to be like. Also to add to all of the madness, I work at a restaurant as a server and bar tender, but last week I was offered a management position. I've been at that restaurant for a couple years now, and becoming a manager is one of my original goals when I started working there, I'm really happy about it.

The snow up here was pretty much gone, but we had a little bit of a snowfall last night which really got everyone down. It was starting to get really nice outside, and now we're back to the snow.

For about a month now I've been training with Dan Drori and Dustin Melanson at a nearby school. We have been there a few times a week, doing absolutely everything. Hitting off a tee, hitting whiffle balls, throwing, fielding practice, and I've been doing some pitching as well. We are really working hard to get ready for the season. I've had to put a little extra work in because of this modified DH rule. I'm so pumped for the chance of being able to hit again. Because I've been pitching for the last few years, I haven't hit full-time since high school. I'm just really excited to step back in the box.

Last week I was exchanging e-mails with the league's director of player personnel Martin Berger, and he told me that the league had come to an agreement with Kfar Hayarok to be the residence of everyone in the IBL for the first season. Kfar Hayarok is a youth village just outside of Tel Aviv. That was great to hear that everyone will be staying together, it will be a great chance to meet a lot of new people and make a lot of new friends and have some great experiences.

Also, the IBL announced that they are going to be signing a bunch of guys out of the recent tryouts in the Dominican Republic. They also announced that Bud Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball will be on the board for the IBL. It is really impressive how the IBL is getting ready for the inaugural season. I can't wait to get over there and get started.

Now for all of our American, Israeli, European, Australian, and now Dominican friends that don't know much about some of the other Canadians in the IBL, I'll give you all a little information about them as players, teammates and people.

First is Dan Drori. He is an outfielder who can be referred to as a shed -- in the best way possible. This guy is tools. He hits for average, power, has an absolute hose from right field, and can steal bases. Being a native Israeli, he is going to be a fan favorite.

Ryan Butkowsky is a pitcher who I played with a few times in club baseball and also for the Toronto Maccabi team. He is a big, powerful righty who brings it in the high 80s, and if that’s not enough, has an absolutely nasty curve. On top of all that, he's a great teammate and is a leader.

Josh Matlow. Dude is a hitting machine. Hits everything and hits for serious power. We played high school baseball where he launched like 14 homeruns in 25 games. Also has awesome range in the outfield. He will be one of the IBL's premier hitters.

Oren Gal is an absolute glove wizard. Might as well call him Oren Vizquel. Kid is smooooth.

Jon Ramoo is a pitcher and infielder. Real solid ballplayer, but even better teammate. Always in a great mood and is an awesome guy to have on your team.

Dustin Melanson. He is a catcher that calls a great game. He is nails behind the dish, blocks, and has a cannon. Also has a power lefty bat. I pitched to him all throughout high school, and he made me a better pitcher.

Finally we get to Ryan Crotin. I met him for the first time last summer when we played for the Oshawa Dodgers of the Intercounty Baseball League. We quickly became pretty close when we discovered that we were the only two Jewish guys on the team. With no disrespect to any of the other players I listed or anyone else in the league, he will be one of the best, if not the best player in the IBL this year. He played NCAA DI baseball for 4 years, he played professionally in Australia and Germany, and can do it all on a baseball field. Plays infield, outfield, and can hit absolutely anything. Guy is a tank, and he launched some serious shots last year. Above all that, he is a great teammate and leader. My early choice for league MVP. You heard it here first.

A little update though before I go. My brother Matt is in Afghanistan safe and sound. He has been there for about three weeks now, and says that he is really enjoying his experience over there serving our country proud.


Anyway that’s it for me. I have to head off to the gym and work on those mechanics.

OOT,

Oak