Visit insidehalton.com for more coverage BASEBALL HERB GARBUTT hgarbutt@metroland.com Every baseball game boils down to a series of one-on-one battles while: still fitting within a team concept. It's this aspect of the game that has kept Blake Buckle playing the sport since he was three years old. "There's not a better bat- tle than between a batter and a pitcher," Buckle says. For the batter, he must read the pitch as it comes out of the pitcher's hand and make a split-second de- cision whether or not to swing. It's a skill at which 17-year-old excels. > But, presented with a couple of recent highlights, his decision-making fails . Asked what was bet- ter, stepping into the bat- ter's box to face the Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman or hitting a home run in the Rogers Centre, Buckle is like a batter anticipating an off-speed pitch who is sud- denly frozen by a 'fastball down the middle. "They were both pretty cool," he says. "You step up to the plate, and Russell Martin is behind the plate = Buckle locks down spot on and Marcus Stroman is on the mound. And everyone dreams of playing in a ma- jor league stadium and to be able to hit a home run -- they're both pretty spe- cial." The" only thing that could have made it better was if the events happened on the same day. Alas, Stro- man got Buckle to ground out to second base -- no shame in that, considering the World Baseball Classic MVP allowed just one run- ner (a walk) in his two in- nings of work against the Canadian junior national team in their spring train- ing game in March. The home run came last September at T12, the annu- al tournament hosted by the Blue Jays for Canada's best college-eligible play- ers. Buckle belted a 2-2 pitch into the right-field bullpen for a two-run shot~ that sparked a six-run On- tario Green inning in a 10-8 win over British Columbia. In. the 19 games played during the tournament, the Craig Kielburger school student was the only player to drive a ball out of the yard. He finished with a .333 batting average (5-for-15), a Getting a severance package? Know your options. Suite 217 www.edward}or Brett J Strano, CFP®, FMA, CIWM Financial Advisor 330 Bronte Street South Milton, ON LOT 7X1 905-864-9969 nes.com Member -- Canadian Investor Protection Fund junior national team with two-way play e-- mm The past year has provided Blake Buckle with some unique opportunities, from facing Marcus Stroman in-a spring training game to hitting a home run at the Rogers Centre. .421 on-base percentage and a tournament-high six RBI. Whether he's facing his peers or Stroman, Buckle said, it's important to con- centrate on what you're try- ing to accomplish at the plate. "You have to go in with Carlee MacQueen Financial Advisor 310 Main Street East Suite 103 Milton, ON LOT 1P4 905-864-6959 Edward Jones MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING the same mindset as you would with any other pitch- er," he said. "You have to look for a pitch to hit and get aswingonit. Youcan't befo- cusing on things like 'e's got a better breaking ball." Buckle's 'contributions haven't been limited to the plate. A catcher with the Ontario Blue Jays, he's been playing outfield with the junior national team. And during the team's spring training schedule in Florida, he made his pres- ence felt. Against the Fort Lauder- dale Stars, he made two div- ing catches, the second rob- bing the Stars of a hit in left- centre and getting his pitch- er out of a bases-loaded jam. In the game against the Blue Jays, he threw out the speedy Dwight Smith Jr. trying to go first to third on a single. "Being able to catch, play first, play outfield -- I think it will only increase, my value as a player," Buck- le said. "I'll play third base. I'm up for anything that gets me on the field." And there have been alot more opportunities to be on the field. Buckle is in the Dominican Republic this month for his fourth train- ing camp with the junior national team since Octo- ber. As they have at previ- ous camps, they will play nine games in nine days. It's a taste of the life of a pro ballplayer Buckle hopes to enjoy one day. "The guys who play 162 games, plus spring training and playoffs -- it gives you some perspective on how they do it," he said. "It's not easy. You've got to really love the game. It's hard, but it's sure better than having _ an office job." Starlings LN TER Jeli i ; DO YOUR VENTS LOOK LIKE THIS? Protect your home and Family! Call us now! 905.876.1941 ET I REC LEI CLE REEF PROTECT FROM BIRDS Follow us on ® @HRPC info _Follow v us on on [fi @ir @infoHRPC § HALT>N REGION | | SPECIALISING ¥ RENE NTIAL PEST MANAGEMENT 3] a ---------- wo2 uojjeyspisui Pest Control 8L0Z "le Ae 'Aepsiny | uodweyd uepeues vom | & wy