Stockley added to U-17 roster

When Steve Phillips left Gander on June 12 after watching 10 central ball players vie for a spot on the provincial U-17 baseball team, and after hearing his speech about what the boys needed to do to prepare for next year's camp, one would have assumed nobody from the area would crack the lineup.

Three weeks later, one Gander ball player received word that he'll be joining the team on its trip to Kindersley, Sask. for the 2010 Canada Cup Selects Championships in August.

Robert Stockley went to the tryout last month wanting to leave an impression on head coach Phillips. However, the long-time baseball player, like the other eight Gander athletes who tried out, went in rusty, not having swung a bat or thrown a ball since the end of last year's season.

"I wanted to use tryouts as a learning experience, and hopefully finish with a shot at making the team," said Stockley. "I wasn't out as much as I should have been to prepare for it...a lot of us were rusty."

Stockley's father Mike was at the tryout and said the coaches didn't get a very accurate look at the type of skill that was at the diamond that day. However, the coaches saw what Stockley could do two years ago when he tried out for the same team as a 15-year-old in Grand Falls-Windsor.

"From what we saw on the field that day, you wouldn't have got a good judgment on any of the players. Robert tried out in Grand Falls-Windsor last year, so the coaches got a chance to look him over the two years," said Mike. "They like his hustle, speed, work ethic, and skills that he has. I was talking to Steve after and that was one of the factors - it was his second tryout."

Stockley said he was surprised to hear he made the team and was informed via email that his playing time would be a little limited. However, Stockley doesn't care that he's coming off the bench, and said he'll do whatever he can to help the team win.

"I expect to come off the bench as a substitute. I'm only 16, and it's a U-17 team, so I have next year to tryout for it," he said. "I'm perfectly fine with coming off the bench. This is the biggest team I've made in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"My role won't be as big as other players, but I'm going to be a team player all the way through. I want to be good on the bench, encourage other players, and do whatever I can to help."

Stockley has played more infield than outfield, but is comfortable playing all three outfield positions, which he believes will play in his favour when he arrives in Saskatchewan.

"I'm mostly an infielder - mostly shortstop and pitcher - but I can play all positions," he said. "That's going to help me when I get there because I can play wherever the team needs me to play."

Until the team leaves for the Aug. 11-15 tournament, the Stockleys will be spending their weekends in the provincial capital city with the rest of the U-17 team. Although it's a lot of dedication, Mike believes the weekends of practice with the team will do wonders for his son.

"That would be the plan," he said when asked if they'll be travelling to St. John's on the weekends leading up to the tournament. "We want him to take in as many practices as he can with the team. He'll pick up a lot more skills by practicing with the team."

For Stockley, he's just taking in the entire experience. If nothing else, making the squad this year as a bench player will only help him next year when he hopes to earn a bigger role on the team

"I'm really looking forward to this experience...I'm really excited about this, and I can't wait," he said. "I'm hoping this will make me a better ball player, and hopefully I can have a bigger role on the team next year if I make it."

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