Richmond’s Bryan Abrey has been named to Canada’s roster as it looks to defend its title at next month’s Pan American Softball Championship in Parana, Argentina.
The final roster was determined based on performance at a national team training camp held in Ontario in May, the recently completed Senior Men’s Canadian Championship in Charlottetown and other major competitions.
Abrey, a 27-year-old catcher/outfielder suited up for Canada at last year’s World Championships in New Zealand. The standout athlete played baseball at the collegiate level at Lewis-Clark State in Idaho before focusing back on his softball career. He is one of three B.C. players on Canada’s roster, joining Derek Mayson (North Vancouver) and Kris Walushka (Victoria).
“We are extremely excited to be defending our Pan American Championship title with this group of seventeen players” stated Mike Branchaud, Softball Canada Manager of National Teams and Canadian Championships. “We have great pitching and hitting and tremendous depth. We look forward to competing in Parana, as well as the International Softball Federation Men’s World Championship and the Pan American Games in 2015.”
The Pan American Softball Championship will serve as a qualifier for both the 2015 ISF Men’s World Championship in Saskatoon, SK and the 2015 Pan American Games that will take place July 11-18, 2015 in Ajax, ON. As the host country, Canada has already secured a spot at both events. The five other teams in Argentina are competing for berths.
Meanwhile, Sara Hopwood is one step closer to playing for her country at next year’s Pan Am Games after being named to the women’s national team 2015 athlete pool.
The Richmond Islanders graduate helped Canada place fourth at the recent World Championship in the Netherlands.
The Canadians were also second at the World Cup of Softball in California and earned bronze at the Canadian Open Fastpitch Championships.
“We have had a great summer and we are looking forward to the Pan American Games next summer” stated Mark Smith, Head Coach of the Women’s National Team. “The quality of the athlete pool continues to improve each year. If how the team played this summer is any indication, the Pan American Games Selection Camp should provide some tough battles for roster spots.”
The final roster process will begin with 26 players advancing to a selection camp in Florida in December. The 2015 itinerary includes the Canadian Open, World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma and the Pan Am Games which will feature six teams,
