A Dauphin baseball player is one of five from Manitoba selected to take part in the 2026 World Children’s Baseball Fair in Narita, Japan, July 30 to Aug. 7.
Anders Procyshyn, 10, was chosen after his mom received an email from Baseball Manitoba about an exciting baseball travel experience to Japan.
“And my mom asked me if I wanted to do it and I said, ‘yes’. So I wrote an essay and submitted it and they picked me,” he said.
Procyshyn said it was pretty loud when he learned he was selected.
“I was in a hotel in Winnipeg. I was with my grandma and my dad called my grandma and he told me and I was jumping around and everything. I was pretty excited,” he said.
While he plays shortstop, catcher is Procyshyn’s favourite position.
“Because I like throwing the ball to second and third on a steal and to encourage the team,” he said.
Procyshyn recently won a silver medal in Portage with the Dauphin Fusion Credit Union team. He was sorry he couldn’t play close to home for provincials, but the flooding caused the tournament to be moved from Grandview to Portage.
Joining Procyshyn are Edrick Emilson of Lundar, Luwen Zhang of Winnipeg South, Brianne Kaemingh of Kenora, Cole Williams of West Winnipeg and chaperone Riley Hruska of West Winnipeg.
The World Children’s Baseball Fair was initiated by world home run kings Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron to introduce and promote baseball throughout the world.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn the correct basic skills of baseball instructed by the coaches who are selected by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Participants will partake in cultural and recreational activities with local children, such as learning Japanese dancing and martial arts.
It won’t be Procyshyn’s first time traveling in a plane, but it will be the first time he’s traveled to Asia.
Procyshyn hopes to use the camp to get better at all aspects of the game.
“Learn new things like meet new kids. Get better at everything. I want to learn how they make sushi. I’m going to try it,” he said, adding they will go on some tours, as well.
“So I’m excited about that,” he added.
The group will also take in a professional baseball game.
Procyshyn lists the Toronto Blue Jays as his favourite team and Kazumo Okamoto as his favourite player, although he also likes Ernie Clement, who he mentioned in his essay.
Procyshyn and his family had the chance to watch the Blue Jays when they were in Detroit, May long weekend.
“I met those guys in Detroit. And I met Trey Yesavage, because he was in my essay, as well. He was impressed. And then Ernie Clement told me he didn’t know much French,” he said, adding Andres Giménez gave him his bat, although he didn’t autograph it because he didn’t have time.
Procyshyn’s brother got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to sign his baseball and they met several of the other players.
“We just had some seats beside the dugout and they gave us special access to the dugout,” said Procyshyn’s father Barret.
“They were good seats. We had no idea, but the way the dugout was, they had to walk right by us and they were just so thrilled. They were stopping and talking to us.”
Barret added they were wearing Blue Jays gear and had some balls and cards, just in case.
Anders is looking forward to the flying over the Pacific Ocean.
“I think that’s going to be cool. I’m excited to meet new kids there. And I’m excited for the professional baseball match,” he said.
“I want to thank my mom for asking if I want I do this. I want to thank my dad for helping me learn and teaching me how to play baseball. And I want to thank Baseball Manitoba for organizing this.”