Sports

North York baseballer to play at Wrigley Field

PHOTO COURTESY GARETH MORGAN
NATIONAL REP: Gareth Morgan was chosen as one of North America’s top high school baseballers for the Under Armour All America showcase.

Baseball never stops for Gareth Morgan.

The right fielder for North York Blues just got in the door from winning the Major Bantam provincials when he chatted to the Town Crier about his next venture to Chicago as a North American all-star.

Morgan is one of 36 high schools students from across Canada, the United Stated and Dominican Republic that will take part in the 2011 Under Armour All-America showcase from Aug. 10-13.

Though he may be representing Ontario with his North York rep team, it was Morgan’s coach on the under-18 junior national squad Greg Hamilton that put his name forward.

There’s no doubt Morgan, who looks to Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford for inspiration, is up for the task at the Under Armour showcase.

“I believe I have a good bat, good arm,” he said.

On day one, Morgan will help coach younger players learn the skills they need to improve at the Ripken Youth Baseball Camp at the Ho Chunk Sports Complex in Lynwood, Illinois.

Once he passes on his knowledge and bids adieu to former MLBers Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother Bill, Morgan will be educated in scouting and drafting.

It’s a lot to take in, but at 6-foot-3, one would expect he’s built more for hockey than baseball.

He just gave playing Canada’s game this season, and took up playing ball six years ago.

“I played hockey and my friend’s dad was the (baseball) coach for North York at the time and suggested that I come and try out,” he said.

At 15-years-old, he admits he’s still got a lot of room to grow both athletically and physically.

“I could improve on my fielding but it’s pretty good, good tracking,” he said.

Ask him why Crawford is his idol and not Jose Bautista of Toronto Blue Jays, it’s all about the wheels.

“He’s got speed,” Morgan said of the Bosox baler. “He can hit sometimes when he’s doing good.”

It’s likely the North Toronto CI student will get to play before the ivy wall at Wrigley Field, as the final day features a game where Morgan will don the National colours playing with fellow Ontarian Ryan Kellogg of Whitby.

Once the All America Game is over, it’s back to baseball for North York, as Morgan will take part in the 2011 Bantam Boys Champions in Vaughan, Aug. 25-29.

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