Toronto 2015 Pan Am Baseball Schedule Released

The Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) released its full schedule for both men’s and women’s baseball today, meaning baseball fans can now snap up tickets to watch Team Canada take on some of the strongest teams in the Americas.

The recently upgraded President’s Choice Ajax Pan Am Ballpark will be an exciting place to be throughout the tournament. On the men’s side, a total of seven teams will compete, including powerhouse nations Cuba, the United States and Dominican Republic, along with Team Canada – the gold-medal winner from the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"Toronto 2015 is an exciting time for Canadian baseball fans, with top talent from throughout the Americas coming to our region." Said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015. "It’s a unique opportunity to watch top-level baseball close to the action in the President’s Choice Ajax Pan Am Ballpark."

The Canadian men begin defending their title on Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m., against Dominican Republic, a nation that produces more Major League Baseball (MLB) players than any other country besides the United States.

Another marquee match-up will take place on July 12, at 7 p.m., when the United States faces Cuba. Each team will play every other team in the preliminary round.

Canada’s jam-packed schedule includes a game against Cuba on July 14, a country that won 10 straight Pan Am gold medals before the Guadalajara 2011 Pan Am Games. Canada then faces Puerto Rico on July 16, before closing out the preliminary round on July 17 against arch rivals the United States — the team that Canada beat 2–1 four years ago in Guadalajara to capture gold.

Toronto Blue Jays great Ernie Whitt is back as Team Canada manager. Whitt still remembers the historic moment from 2011. "I get chills thinking about it. I remember the players running onto the field celebrating. For a lot of them, it was their World Series. It was an honour to be a part of it. I’ll never forget it," said Whitt.

Early demand for baseball tickets has been strong, with so many future stars playing in the Pan Am Games — like Jose Abreu, the reigning American League rookie of the year who played for Team Cuba in the Guadalajara 2011 Pan Am Games.

The MLB is allowing minor league players to participate in this summer’s Games in Ajax, meaning fans can see some of the best prospects on their way to the major leagues. All MLB-affiliated players who aren’t protected on 40-man rosters will be eligible to take part in the Games.

Women’s baseball makes Pan Am debut

This summer’s Games offer an additional pull for ticket buyers, with it being the first time that women’s baseball will be played at a Pan Am Games.

Team Canada’s women’s team will mark its debut following a fourth-place finish at the World Cup last September in Miyazaki, Japan. Five teams will take part in the inaugural women’s baseball tournament — Canada, the United States, Venezuela, Cuba and Puerto Rico — and all are ranked among the top 10 in the world.

With long-time veteran Ashley Stephenson and two-time all-world catcher Stephanie Savoie leading the way, Canada’s women’s team is expected to be a gold-medal contender.

"I’m looking forward to leading Team Canada into this historic women’s baseball tournament and it’s even more special because it’s here on home soil," said André Lachance, Team Canada manager. "Every game will be tough, but we’re hoping to come out on top."

The Team Canada women’s opening game is against Cuba on July 20. The Canadians will then take on Venezuela the following night, before an afternoon game on July 22 against Puerto Rico. The final game of the preliminary round on July 24, has Canada taking on the United States’ top-ranked team. The roster for Canada’s women’s team will be unveiled in May.

Canada’s men’s baseball schedule:

· Saturday, July 11 vs Dominican Republic at 7 p.m.

· Sunday, July 12 vs. Colombia at 3:30 p.m.

· Monday, July 13 vs. Nicaragua at 7 p.m.

· Tuesday, July 14 vs. Cuba at 7 p.m.

· Thursday, July 16 vs. Puerto Rico at 7 p.m.

· Friday, July 17 vs. USA at 7 p.m.

The men’s semifinals will be held on Saturday, July 18 followed by the gold- and bronze-medal games on Sunday, July 19.

Canada’s women’s baseball schedule:

· Monday, July 20 vs. Cuba at 7 p.m.

· Tuesday, July 21 vs. Venezuela at 7 p.m.

· Wednesday, July 22 vs. Puerto Rico at 3 p.m.

· Friday, July 24 vs. USA at 7 p.m.

The women’s semifinal will be held on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m., followed by the gold-medal game on Sunday, July 26, at noon, the last competition day of the Pan Am Games.

To view the full Toronto 2015 baseball schedule for both the men’s and women’s tournament and to purchase tickets, visit TORONTO2015.org/tickets.

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