Canadian Crouse: It's 'pretty special' to be playing
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During their series this week in Chicago, the Goldeyes are facing one of Canada’s most talented players.
Michael Crouse is his 12th season of professional baseball, and has been a member of the Canadian National Team since 2008.
The well-traveled Crouse has played games in Australia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Peru, and has averaged 93 runs scored, 28 doubles, 19 home runs, 79 RBI, and 47 stolen bases per 162 games during his career.
The 2020 season has been fraught with uncertainty, but like many of the Goldeyes’ players, the New Westminster, B.C. native just appreciates the chance to be playing right now.
“Every opening day, I get nervous,” Crouse said. “I’ve got to find my legs again. I’ve got to find my way in the box. It was a little different this year because we only had one week of spring training, and didn’t play any games. It’s been good here in Chicago. The field is gorgeous. We’re all doing our part to keep this league going. Knowing that we’re one of the only teams playing in North America, it’s pretty cool and pretty special.”
Crouse helped Team Canada to their Silver Medal finish at last summer’s Pan-Am Games in Lima, Peru. In 2011, a 20-year-old Crouse was part of the National squad that captured the Pan-Am Gold Medal in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Fellow Canadians Wes Darvill, Eric Wood, Dylan Rheault, and Evan Grills have all played for the Goldeyes this season.
“I’ll see a guy like Wes Darvill in the off-season in Vancouver, but other than that, I really don’t get a chance to see the rest of the guys until we meet up with Team Canada,” said Crouse. “It’s a special bond that we have as teammates, and there’s a respect factor when we play each other on different teams.”
The 2020 Olympics have been pushed back a year, but Canada still has a chance to grab one of the final spots in the baseball competition. And while the COVID-19 situation may have an effect, the 2021 World Baseball Classic is still scheduled to take place. Crouse has had nothing but positive experiences playing for his country.
“The first time I wore the Maple Leaf, I was 17 years old,” Crouse said. “They really break down the history of the guys (that came before us). The veterans do a good job of continuing that legacy and bringing in the right guys to maintain that positive energy. When you step between the lines, your ego has to go out the window. You’re playing for Canada first.
“It’s such a magical experience,” Crouse added. “I wish that everyone could play for their country at some point. I’m fortunate because we have less players in Canada playing professional baseball, but every time I get the call from Ernie Whitt or Greg Hamilton, I have a big smile on my face. They’re big tournaments that mean a lot for our standings, and there are usually medals involved. It’s playoff baseball every single time we strap that thing on.”
Darvill and Crouse grew up just over 30 kilometres apart. The fourth-year Goldeye recalls Crouse’s athletic prowess being evident at a young age. Crouse’s father, Ray, was a running back for both the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions, and played all 16 games for the 1984 Green Bay Packers.
“He was a phenomenal athlete growing up,” said Darvill, who is from Langley, B.C. “He was a great football player, as well as a great baseball player. He’s doing a lot of great things back in Vancouver right now with a baseball facility, giving back to the community and continuing to grow the game in British Columbia.”
Both Darvill and Crouse have lauded the camaraderie fostered within the Team Canada clubhouse. The roster composition ranges from teenagers like Crouse when he was younger, all the way up to players in their late-30s such as former Major Leaguers Justin Morneau and Scott Richmond. Crouse says that despite the age gap, there is no locker room hierarchy. Everyone is focused on one thing.
“When you’re dealing with a lot of veteran guys, it’s easy for them to look down upon the younger guys just because they haven’t reached the level that they have gotten to,” Crouse said. “But with Team Canada, it doesn’t come close to that. Our veterans look after the rookies and treat them like it’s their own (team). There’s a big respect factor from the veterans to the rookies and middle-ground guys. We know that we’re all competing for the same thing, so it’s an amazing clubhouse, and everyone knows what they have to do when they strap that jersey on. You’ve got to win.”
TOO WET TO PLAY
The game between the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Chicago Dogs on Wednesday was suspended due to rain.
The game was tied 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning when rain came.
The game resumes tonight at 5:05 p.m. and is scheduled for nine innings. Thursday’s originally scheduled game will follow, and has been shortened to seven innings.
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