  Major League Baseball pitcher Chris Reitsma spoke at a dinner at the International Hotel last night. The Calgarian wants to be a role model. (Calgary Sun/Mike Drew) |
When Calgary's major-league representative received the call from his country, the feeling was better than a strikeout for a save.
In March, Chris Reitsma will don the Canadian Red and White for the World Baseball Classic in what could be the highlight of his career.
"This is pretty special. Pretty neat. A dream come true really," said Reitsma last night prior to a speaking event in a rare public appearance in his hometown.
"To put on those colours and that hat, it's a special honour."
Ten years ago, Reitsma had a brief taste of representing his nation, spending a year with the national junior team.
But being picked as one of the 20-some best Canada has to offer in its attempt to take down the mighty Americans is another story altogether. There is chance Reitsma could be on the hill with the game on the line.
"I've always had this dream but through the players union and the owners agreeing to it helped spurn it on," Reitsma said. "It should be great for international baseball. I'm really looking forward to it."
As Reitsma enters his third season with the Atlanta Braves, he's still one of a handful of Western Canadian products in the major leagues. He joins the likes of Jason Bay of Trail, B.C., Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C., and Jeff Francis and Aaron Guiel of Vancouver on what should be a youthful but competitive Team Canada.
Canada is grouped with the U.S., South Africa and Mexico for the tourney which starts March 3 in Scottsdale, Ariz. The final rounds move to San Diego and finish March 20.
"You look around the big leagues and all the Canadian guys are young and coming up," Reitsma said. "There's a great group of guys coming up in the first and second year. It's great. If you throw our best nine big-leaguers out there, we can beat any team any given day."
Reitsma's goal is to create a culture in Calgary where young baseball players can look up to him and the others from Alberta and B.C. as role models. After all, Reitsma didn't have many baseball heroes to whom could relate to when he was growing up.
"There wasn't a Calgary guy I could look up to and say, 'That's what I want to do,' " Reitsma said.
"Obviously, guys like Paul Quantrill and Rheal Cormier have been around a long time but they were just starting their careers when I was drafted."
The 28-year-old broke in with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000 and has built up a strong resume as a a reliable relief pitcher after starting for the first few seasons.
This season was a bit tumultuous for Reitsma as he started the campaign in Atlanta as the main setup man for closer Dan Kolb.
As Kolb struggled, Reitsma replaced him as the closer, piling up 15 saves before being ushered back to the setup man spot when the Braves traded for Kyle Farnsworth.
Reitsma finished with a 3-6 record and 3.93 era in 76 appearances. While Reitsma hasn't signed on for next season, he expects a contract offer by the end of this week from the Braves, who have since let both Kolb and Farnsworth go.
