Olympic interview: Scott Crawford, Canada

After Tuesday’s chat with Cuban expert Peter Bjarkman, we’re pleased to present another Olympic preview interview. Today the guest is Scott Crawford, a member of SABR and Director of Operations at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ontario. Mr. Crawford has been following his country’s entry into the tournament closely, and was kind enough to answer a few questions for Seamheads. Many thanks to him– enjoy the interview.

Canada surprised many with its 4 ^th place finish in Athens. What has changed in the program and the team from 2004 to now?

They have a lot more international experience (2006 WBC) competing with the best in the world. The fact that baseball in Canada keeps growing in popularity and talent is because of the great programs Baseball Canada runs. A new manager, Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Terry Puhl, is now leading the team.

Judging from the tournament in Taiwan in March, the WBC and other international events, where does Canada stand among the great baseball countries?

Canada definitely stands near the top of the World in baseball. The powerhouses such as USA, Cuba and Japan stand above us in most circumstances, but not that far above. We showed the world in the WBC to never count us out of any game or situation.

What are the team’s biggest strengths and weaknesses?

I would say the biggest strength is our hitting. We have a lot of professional hitters that know how to hit in certain situations and a few guys with great speed. We have several key veterans such as Stubby Clapp, Ryan Radmanovich, Rheal Cormier, Mike Johnson and Chris Reitsma that will provide leadership and professionalism on and off the field. Our weakness, if it is one, is that we have several players with very little professional experience and a few players that are currently not playing professional ball.

How has Canada developed over the last decade or two in terms of player development? Do they have enough talent coming up to compete with the powerhouses in international tournaments, in the present or the future?

Canada has soared forward in terms of developing players. In 1989 there were four Canadians drafted and six in the big leagues. In 1999 there were 46 Canadians drafted and 18 in the big leagues, and in 2007 we had 33 Canadians drafted and 22 in the big leagues! In 2008 Brett Lawrie went 16 ^th overall to Milwaukee, becoming the highest Canadian position player ever drafted (4 ^th highest overall – Adam Loewen 4 ^th in 2002, Jeff Francis 9 ^th in 2002 & Phillipe Aumont 11 ^th in 2007) We have unbelievable talent, from All-Stars (every year since 1997 and a record three in 2008), Cy Young winners (2003), Rookies of the Year (2004) and MVPs (1997 and 2006).

The Canadians are going to have one of the oldest teams in the Olympics. Is that by design or by necessity?

A bit of both. Experience usually helps, especially in international play, and we have a lot of young kids that the veterans can help along as they are the future of Baseball Canada. We also have so much young talent in the big leagues currently that we had to take some older guys.

How much should fans expect of Brett Lawrie in this tournament? Is it seen as a learning experience for him, or will he be able to jump right in and contribute?

I think its more of a learning experience for him. He is also playing with the junior team in Alberta at the World Junior Championships so he is quickly learning the international game, but I do think that the teenager won’t be a huge contributor this time around. Watch out for the future!

Mike Saunders is just 21, but he’s already had a good deal of experience—and success—in international competition. Is he ready to lead the team?

Mike is a great player and is skyrocketing through the Mariners system. With his four years of international experience with Team Canada he is a veteran and should help lead the team. With the way he is playing he will be in “The Show” soon and other than the WBC his chances to lead Team Canada are disappearing.

Besides Lawrie, Saunders and Nick Weglarz, which players on this team could eventually make an impact in the majors?

There are a few young players that will impact the Majors. Other than Cormier, Orr, Reitmsa and Thorman that have already made a big impact in the majors, youngsters such as Brooks McNiven, Matt Rogelstad and Jimmy Van Ostrand have very bright futures.

For Canada to win the gold, what needs to happen? What is your prediction for them in the Olympics?

For Canada to win gold they need to have everything go perfectly. They need the top powers to stumble at some point and they need to swing right through the open door. The game isn’t played on paper, it’s played on the field. In a best of seven it would be easy to say USA or Cuba or Japan might beat us, but in a one game showdown anything can happen. Just ask the USA, from when Mexico beat them in the Olympic qualifier in 2004 and kept them out of the tournament. I will go out on a limb and say Canada will bring home the Bronze.