The Canada Under 23 softball team includes players from Tavistock, Shakespeare.

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Canada will participate within the upcoming Men’s Under 23 Softball World Cup with some acquainted names.

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Mitch and Mason McKay of Tavistock and Reese Janzi of Shakespeare have been chosen to compete from April 15-23 in Parana, Argentina. Yangzi, who turns 21 this month, was initially delisted in September, however the match was postponed and he made probably the most of his second probability.

“The hard work paid off,” Yangzi stated. “Hours worked, tournaments, events and everything works to get better and be where I want to be.”

Yangzi, together with Mason McKay, was additionally a part of the Canadian workforce that performed in New Zealand on the U18 World Cup a couple of years in the past.

“It was quite an unreal experience, especially being so young and not knowing the possibilities or what the future might be,” Yangzi stated. “You know that everyone in the games is little kids and they are all in the same place and feel like they are on an international stage. Everyone is experiencing it at the same time.”

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When not taking part in for Canada, Yantsy works with the Waterdown Hammer males’s workforce and the Tavistock Merchants junior workforce, a Tri-County league membership that features brothers McKay and Thomas Baker of Kitchener, who can also be on the U23 workforce.

“You have fun playing with them all year,” Yangzi stated. “You really know them best. You can really see it and know what they can bring.”

It’s been a great month for Yangzi, who was certainly one of 32 Canadian males’s softball pool gamers who will compete on the 2025 World Championship in Prince Albert, Sask.

“It really came out of nowhere,” he stated. “I was very surprised. I was focused on making U23. When I was younger, and even last year, I knew I wanted to be (with the men’s program) one day, but I didn’t know how long it would take.”

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This is the primary yr that Canada has fielded an under-23 workforce, and it was Mitch McKay’s objective to take action.

“It means a lot,” he stated. “I spend a lot of time on the ball and it’s nice to get recognition for it.

“There are a lot of good players (around the country) and local players who are good too.”

Versatility is the main reason McKay made it to his first national team. The 22-year-old catcher and infielder also brings a strong bat.

“That’s one of the reasons they chose me,” he said. “I can play anywhere as long as I hit.

“It’s pretty cool. I don’t know what it is yet, but I’m looking forward to it. In the end, as long as the team is doing its best, I’m fine with that.”

Mason McKay was not included in Canada’s 11 core players, but he was one of five additions announced this week.

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“It’s crazy, such an honor to play with the best guys in this age group,” he said. “I didn’t have any ideas. No one knew exactly who these guys would be. There were a lot of guys in the mix.”

According to him, this time the game for the U18 national team will help.

“It will still be hard. These are the best players in the world at this age, but it’s important to stay calm and collected. There’s a reason we were (chosen) We are trusted, so it is important to trust yourself.”

The youthful McKay turns 21 in March and expects to play each place sooner or later within the match.

“I like to play with my friends and have fun,” he stated. “Winning is one of the best half. It’s all of the extra enjoyable that method.”

comesmith@postmedia.com