Baseball Canada

Baseball Canada mourns the passing of Amanda Asay

Published

1 year ago

January 9, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

OTTAWA – The Baseball Canada family is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of longtime Women’s National Team member Amanda Asay who succumbed to her injuries following a skiing accident in Nelson, British Columbia.

The Prince George, BC native was 33 years young.

Asay was the longest serving member of the Women’s National Team program having joined the squad in 2005 and recently participated in the Women’s National Team Showcase last summer in Trois-Rivières, Québec.

She was part of national teams that captured five WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup medals including bronze in 2006, 2012 and 2018 and silver in 2008 and 2016. She was also part of Canada’s historic silver medal performance at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto – the first time that women’s baseball was included in a major, multi-sport games.

“This is really difficult news for our Women’s National Team program,” said Baseball Canada’s André Lachance who managed Asay on various national teams from 2005-2018. “Amanda was an amazing person who meant a great deal to our program. She was a competitor who possessed all of the characteristics that you look for in a baseball player. She was versatile, intelligent and competitive who rose to the challenge on many occasions.

“Above all, she was a terrific person who will leave a lasting impact on many people, not only with the Women’s National Team program but all of those who were lucky enough to meet her.”

“On behalf Baseball Canada’s Board of Directors and national office, I offer sincerest condolences to Amanda’s loved ones including her parents Loris and George and her brother Brad,” said Baseball Canada President and CEO Jason Dickson. “Her contributions to women’s baseball and our national team will be remembered forever and will serve as inspiration for future generations.”

A talented athlete who also excelled in the classroom, Asay played hockey and softball for Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island for three seasons (2006-2009) while earning a Bachelor’s in Science. She continued her studies at the University of British Columbia where she attained a master’s in science and PhD in forestry while playing two seasons for the Thunderbirds hockey team.

Baseball was her first love however and her talent and hard work caught the eye of Women’s National Team evaluators when she was just 17 years old in 2005. In 2006, playing in her first Women’s Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, Asay earned all-tournament honours at first base and later took home the Women’s National Team Most Valuable Player Award.

She would go on to capture MVP honours again in 2016 but this time it was for her dominance on the mound as she shutdown a powerful Chinese Taipei squad at the Women’s Baseball World Cup in South Korea with a complete game, 2-1 victory to send Canada to the gold medal contest.

Asay was loved by her coaches and teammates alike for her positive attitude and the way in which she went about her business on the field, always being in control and setting an example for others with her play.

“Amanda was a one-of-a-kind teammate, the type of player and person who you loved to compete with every game,” said Ashley Stephenson who played 14 seasons with Asay on the national team and coached her for two. “Under the circumstances, I cannot put into words how tragic this loss is for everyone who knew Amanda. My thoughts at this time and my heart go out to her family.”

“The loss of Amanda is felt in so many places it’s hard to put into words,” added former teammate Nicole Luchanski who also lived and worked with Asay in the forestry profession. “She was a truly exceptional athlete, leader, friend, family member, and forestry professional.

“She improved everything she touched and the loss of such a positive, smart, hardworking, and loyal person is unbearable.”

Baseball Canada

2023 BC Minor Baseball Association Coaches Conference Schedule

Published

1 month ago

February 10, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

2023 BC Minor Baseball Association Coaches Conference Schedule

By BCMBA, 02/10/23, 6:15PM PST

2023 BC Minor Baseball Association Coaches Conference

February 10th – 12th, 2023

Schedule of Speakers & Events

Source

Baseball Canada

André Lachance set to depart Baseball Canada

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

OTTAWA – Baseball Canada’s Business and Sport Development Director André Lachance is bidding farewell to his duties in the federation’s national office later this month as he accepted a role with Cirque du Soleil as their Director, Human Performance Services.

Lachance is also well known in Canadian baseball circles for his work with the Women’s National Team program as Manager from 2004-2018 and off the field as General Manager since 2019, a role which he will also be departing.

Lachance has spent the last 21 years with Baseball Canada.

“I’m certainly experiencing many emotions making this decision and coming to terms with the fact that I’ll be leaving an organization that I care deeply for,” said Lachance. “Looking back, you’re certainly proud of the work that you’ve accomplished but it’s the people that you meet throughout your career and the relationships made that I will cherish the most from my time with Baseball Canada.”

Lachance joined the organization early in 2001 as Manager, Baseball Operations and quickly made an impact with Baseball Canada’s National Championship events and National Coaching (NCCP) programs.

“Looking how far we’ve come with our coaching programs has really been amazing to see in not only how we’re able to deliver coach education opportunities but how many coaches across the country we’ve been able to impact,” said Lachance. “The efforts made by our provincial members and a dedicated group of learning facilitators has been tremendous.”

In 2003, Baseball Canada Director General Jim Baba approached Lachance about coaching the first-ever Women’s National Team with the inaugural Women’s Baseball World Cup set to take place in Edmonton in 2004.

“When Jim asked me to coach, I did not want to do it,” explained Lachance. “I was reluctant to take the job as coaching female athletes was foreign to me at the time.

“I can’t say enough how that decision to coach these talented athletes was one of the best decisions of my life both professionally and personally.”

Lachance led that 2004 squad to a bronze medal in Edmonton, the first of six world cups medals under his watch including bronze in 2006, 2012 and 2018 and silvers in 2008 and 2016.

He also assembled and managed the squad that won silver at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto where women’s baseball was part of a major, multi-sport games for the first time.

“The growth of women’s baseball has been amazing to witness since 2004 not only in Canada but throughout the world,” said Lachance. “I’m thankful to Jim (Baba) for his belief in me to run the program and am forever grateful to all of the athletes and coaches that given their all for the program over the years.

“The Women’s National Team program is in a terrific place and I’m going to be their number one fan for the rest of my life.”

Not to be forgotten, Lachance was at the forefront of Baseball Canada’s Rally Cap initiation program that began in 2006 and is now enjoyed by thousands of young athletes each and every year.

He has left his fingerprints on many areas of baseball across the country and will still stay close to the international game in roles of Chair, Development Commission with COPABE and as a member of the WBSC Women’s Baseball Commission.

“André has had an immeasurable impact on Baseball Canada at many levels from grassroots programming and coaching and of course the Women’s National Team where his efforts will leave a lasting legacy on the program,” said Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson. “André has certainly left Baseball Canada in a better place and has much to be proud of in what he’s accomplished over two decades. We wish him well in his new opportunity and know that he will impact his new workplace in a positive manner.”

Baseball Canada Championships

Chris Balison elected as Baseball Canada President

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

OTTAWA – Kamloops, British Columbia’s Chris Balison was elected Baseball Canada President last night at a Special General Meeting of the federation’s board of directors and executive committee.

Balison replaces now former Baseball Canada President Jason Dickson who’s held the role since 2016 until becoming Baseball Canada CEO last August.

“I’d like to congratulate Chris on the honour of becoming Baseball Canada President,” said Dickson. “I’ve had the chance to work with Chris in recent years and look forward to continuing that working relationship with the shared vision of the growth and development on baseball in Canada.”

Balison became president of Baseball BC in 2020 where he also assumed a spot on Baseball Canada’s Board of Directors. He is now the 12th president in Baseball Canada’s 58-year history dating back to 1964.

Amateur baseball has been a big part of Balison’s life who spends his working days as a Crown Prosecutor. He became president of Kamloops Minor Baseball in 2014 helping nearly double the association’s registration numbers, while also ensuring the game is inclusive and accessible by establishing local Challenger Baseball and female baseball programs.

“I thank Jason for his contributions as President and look forward to working with him in his new role as CEO,” said Balison. “He’s left big shoes to fill, but I am excited to lead Baseball Canada in our continued pursuit of excellence and innovation.”