MEDICINE HAT, AB — Canada and Cuba may speak different languages, but on the baseball field, everyone understands clearly.
The sport does not change, and neither does the camaraderie, the passion and the overall joy of taking the field, a message several Little League players in Medicine Hat will learn soon.
Members of the local team will board a plane this weekend to Cuba as part of a Caribbean Baseball Goodwill Tour. The local players, coaches and parents will take part in a friendly tournament and will also be bringing donations of baseball gear and school supplies for the people of Cuba.
Head coach Mike Street says he can’t wait to be a part of the event.
“I think it’s going to be an eye-opener for the kids,” he said. “There will be kids of the same age that are going to be really established and good players. We’re probably going to see some good pitching, of course good hitting and fielding. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Most of the team is taking the field in Cuba for the first time, including Ashtyn Street. Although he doesn’t know what to expect, he’s excited for what will happen.
“We get to visit villages, towns and schools, and get to see what life is like down there,” he said.
Tory Nelson, however, is making his second trip to the island. Nelson, along with teammate Felix Miller, were the only two players from Medicine Hat on Team Canada last year. Nelson said the experience was an eye-opener for him.
“They had so much heart for the game,” he said. “They didn’t really care that they were sliding in shorts, not caring that their knees were bleeding.
“We came down there, and I almost felt a little greedy, playing in what all I had. It was mind-blowing to see their heart in the game.”
During the trip, the team will play four games and also visit a school. While baseball is the purpose of the trip, the team agrees the most important thing is putting smiles on the faces of those less-fortunate.
“We think it’s great, because we get to donate some equipment to kids who need it, and just support baseball around the world,” said Ashtyn.
“I think in the end, it’s more life-lessons for the kids,” said Mike. “(We’re) giving lots of charitable donations, baseball equipment, school supplies to kids who don’t have much. That’s going to be the big part.”
