A few years ago a pitcher named Francis made big news in the Canadian baseball world.
Jeff Francis (North Delta, BC) was selected ninth over-all in North America by the Colorado Rockies and given a signing bonus of $1.85 million in 2002.
Come this June, another Francis could amongst the top Canadians selected in annual amateur draft.
RHP David Francis (Mississauga, Ont.) pitched Canada to a 4-1 win over Panama in the bronze-medal game at the World Cup qualifier in Villahermosa, Mex.
Prior to this event, Team Canada had collected four medals at the World Junior championships since the inaugural tournament in 1981. Canada won gold medal in Brandon, Man., in 1991.
In 1983 Canada earned its first-ever medal, a bronze, in Johnstown, Penn.. other medals came were a bronze medal in 1987 in Windsor, Ont. and sharing the bronze with Team USA in Moncton, N.B. in 1997.
Lefty RP Sheldon McDonald (Spruce Grove, Alta.) picked up the save as the Canadian pitchers held Panama to four hits.
Morgan Kielty (Burlington, Ont.) had three hits and drove in a pair of runs to pace the way for Canada.
Branson Joseph (Mississauga, Ont.) and Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, Ont.) had the other two hits for coach Greg Hamilton's Canadian squad
Canada scored one run in the second inning, two runs in the fifth and one run in the eighth, while Panama scored one run in the second inning.
Aruba, Bahamas, Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Team USA were also qualifying for the three spots in the 2006 World championship, which will be held in Cuba.
As the host Cuba has assured itself of a spot in the championships.
