Bruinsma, Takahashi donning provincial threads

By Lethbridge Herald on September 1, 2023.

Cherie Souther Photo Fawkes Bruinsma and Willis Takahashi are pictured with Team Alberta at the Western Canada 16U Propects Series in St Albert.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Local baseball players Willis Takahashi and Fawkes Bruinsma are competing as teammates for Team Alberta this weekend.

The duo played with the Lethbridge QOP (Quickness Over Power) team entry at the Baseball Alberta’s 16U Rawlings Cup last weekend in a tournament the team won, and from there were selected as the only two players from the south to represent Team Alberta at the Western Canada 16U Prospects Series in St. Albert this weekend.

There is a team representing each of the four western provinces at this tournament.

“The goal is to win it obviously and then just to get your name out there and show what you can do,” said Takahashi.

After playing two games in the Prospects Series, Takahashi has noticed good players from everywhere.

“We saw some good pitchers from  B.C. (on Thursday) and today (Friday) we saw some good pitchers from Saskatchewan as well, and yeah it’s just there’s talent everywhere and you’ve just got to prove yourself.”

Takahashi said “Oh it’s awesome”, on representing his province.

 “You know like even just the fact that me and Fawkes are the two from the south, it’s a good opportunity and just trying to show … what Alberta has for talent,” said Takahashi.

Takahashi thought his play was good at the Rawlings Cups despite having  some shaky moments.

“But it’s kind of what’s going to happen, right” said Takahashi.

“But, you know, it’s good. I felt like I hit well. I felt like I played defence pretty well and it was good.”

“I was really excited, said Bruinsma, when he got the call.

“I didn’t know about this team and to get the call was something that I hadn’t really felt before and it was just awesome.”

Bruinsma thinks the ball has been really competitive so far in the tournament.

“It’s really nice to see teams from other provinces and I’ve never seen these guys before,” he said.

“So it’s cool to talk to them before and after the game and yeah it’s really good competition.”

Bruinsma was told he hit really well from his understanding at the Rawlings Cup.

“And I played a few positions that I haven’t played before, which I think  really showed my versatility and I think the scouts really liked that and picked up on it,” said Bruinsma.

Bruinsma played in the Rawlings Cup last year.

Players can potentially be identified for next summer’s Team Alberta roster for Canada Cup from this weekend.

Alberta lost their opening game 10 -2 to B.C. on Thursday and 9-8 to Saskatchewan on Friday.

Alberta will conclude the round robin today at 9 a.m. against Manitoba before the semifinals start and a champion will be crowned on Sunday.

Both players were teammates for the Lethbridge Miners American Legion team over the summer.

Both players played for the Lethbridge Miners American Legion team over the summer.