In a battle of east vs. west at the 2024 Baseball Canada Cup Championships earlier this week, it was British Columbia who emerged victorious over Quebec.
The Team BC 17U Selects – featuring two players with the British Columbia Premier Baseball League's Senior White Rock Tritons – won the Canada Cup on Monday (Aug. 12) in Fort Mac Murray, Alta., after defeating Quebec 13-0 nothing (mercy rule) in the final.
Tritons pitcher Walker Kokotailo, 16, and shortstop Kadyn Armitage, still only 15, both contributed much to the team's success, said assistant coach Jordan Broatch.
"Overall it was a really successful trip – the kids came together quickly... (they're) a good group of not only talented players but solid teammates and good personalities," Broatch said. "It all just summarized into a really memorable trip that also involved some great baseball."
Armitage got the call up to Team BC 17U and started seven of the eight games as shortstop, including the final game. He finished the tournament hitting .286, with a .429 on-base percentage, 3 RBI, four runs, and a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Kokotailo – in two appearances – pitched 5.1 innings with 0 earned runs, six strikeouts, only 1 BB (walk), and a fastball topping out at 92 mph. He helped secure B.C.’s win over Manitoba in the semi-finals, closing the last 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and 0 runs.
"It can be challenging to bring everyone together quickly, but at the same time, we all have the same ultimate goal," Broatch said. "I'm 100 per cent proud... the kids bought in really quickly. They're attentive and engaged and they came together as a family."
