McGorman makes major statement as minor

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This article was published 01/08/2023 (885 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Aiden McGorman’s opportunity to play with Baseball Manitoba’s 15-and-under provincial squad has to be considered a minor triumph.

The 14-year-old baseball player from Minnedosa, who bats and throws right, is the only 2009-born player on a team largely comprised of players born in 2008.

He found out he earned a roster spot last month, and his age made it that much more special.

“I had a feeling I can’t really explain,” McGorman said. “It just felt really good to know I was on the provincial team and I’m one of the best in Manitoba, especially at 14 since I’m the only minor on the team.”

It will actually be his second season in the Baseball Manitoba system, since he also played on the 13U Manitoba squad that went to nationals in Windsor, Ont. They went 2-3 at the event, finishing seventh.

“It was a lot harder since you’re playing the best people,” McGorman said.

McGorman had an outstanding tournament at the plate, with five hits in 11 official at-bats, with two triples and three RBI.

Not surprisingly considered their record, he had a tougher time on the mound, allowing two runs in 2 2/3 innings in a 5-1 loss to the host team, Riverside.

But the life experience went beyond the diamond for the youngster and his teammates.

“It was really fun,” McGorman said. “We did lots of things with the team. We went out for supper and went walking around after supper. They gave us a bunch of food and we didn’t eat it all so we went around giving it out to homeless people.”

This season has been a different one for him since Midwest didn’t have enough players to form a 15U AAA team. As a result, McGorman, Kaden Allan, Nolan Drake and Seth Sulik all earned spots on the Brandon Marlins.

He said it’s been a nice change.

“I had to meet a bunch of new people, which was kind of hard, but instantly I felt included with the team,” McGorman said.

Prior to that, McGorman — whose family includes parents Derrick McGorman and Robyn Cathcart, and younger brother Ryder — played his minor baseball in Minnedosa.

He also plays hockey, and badminton and volleyball in school.

“Baseball is just starting to be more of a priority than hockey,” McGorman said.

He hopes baseball could eventually lead to a scholarship opportunity to take him to a higher level. His flexibility on the diamond certainly won’t hurt that dream.

“I play really all over,” McGorman said. “Pitcher, some shortstop, some third base, but I play lots of outfield with the Marlins.”

In addition, the self-described contact hitter — “I’m not a big power hitter” — is speedy, so he has the ability to steal bases.

“I feel like I’m a really good team player,” McGorman said. “I like to bring up my teammates when they strike out or something. I’m a big talkative guy so I like to get the team pumped up.

“I feel I’m at my best when pitching but lots of people like how I’m utility and can play all over.”

Tryouts for the 15U team were held on May 27 in Brandon and June 17 in Winnipeg, with an invitation-only selection camp of 30 players on July 8-9 in Winnipeg. The roster was announced later that week.

Jamie Williamson of Reston is the only other Westman player who made the team.

“He’s kind of quiet but he’s a great kid,” McGorman said. “He’s fun to play with. He’s a good friend of mine since we made the team but we had talked before since he plays with Oil Dome.’

The provincial team’s head coach is Clinton Brandt of Mitchell, with assistant coaches Owen Harms and Rhys Morris of Winnipeg, along with manager Dave Adamson of Winnipeg.

The Manitoba squad next assembles on Aug. 12-13 for practices and games, and then heads to Laval, Que., for nationals on Aug. 24-27.

“I’m pretty happy to go,” McGorman said. “It’s a great group of kids down there and I’m looking forward to being able to play with them.”

FOUL TIPS: Baseball Manitoba hosts a pair of provincials this weekend, with the 13U and 15U division Tier 1 and Tier 2 playdowns in St. James at Optimist Park. Meanwhile, Baseball Canada’s 22U national men’s playdowns are in Stonewall from Thursday to Sunday. The final Baseball Manitoba provincial event is the senior A provincials in Clearwater from Aug. 11 to 13, but the western Canadian senior AA championship will be staged in Oak River from Aug. 18 to 20.

Softball Manitoba has two provincial events left, the U13 and U15 AA playdowns in Brandon at Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex from Aug. 25 to 27. In the four provincial AAA divisions, the Eastman Wildcats won U13 and U17, the Winnipeg Lightning took the U15 title on the weekend in Brandon and the Smitty’s Terminators earned the U19 title. The only Westman Magic team with a podium finish is the U13 club, who took silver in Friedensfeld on July 16.