Nolan Weinmeyer, 17, is helping bring some Island representation to Canadian baseball. 

Weinmeyer, who grew up in Sidney, was selected as a shortstop and second baseman for Baseball CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Junior National Team. The Sidney resident got the call heB次元官网网址檇 made the team on Sept. 14; heB次元官网网址檚 the only player from Sidney and is one of two Vancouver Island players to make the 28-man roster. 

B次元官网网址淚t was super cool because it was a goal of mine for a while, and when I got the call saying I was on the team, it was surreal, almost,B次元官网网址� said Weinmeyer. 

The decision, however, was less surprising to his dad, Brad Weinmeyer. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really proud of him. IB次元官网网址檓 not so shockedB次元官网网址攈eB次元官网网址檚 put in a lot of work over the years,B次元官网网址� his dad said. 

B次元官网网址淲hen he hit 13, you could see that it was what he wanted to do.B次元官网网址� 

Brad Weinmeyer said Nolan can credit his success to his coachability and his passionate work ethic. B次元官网网址淲e always call him the baseball rat because, you know, he is going to be at the facility. HeB次元官网网址檚 always working at baseball,B次元官网网址� Brad said. 

Weinmeyer made his debut with the team in October when he joined them on a trip to the Dominican Republic, where they took part in the Dominican Fall Instructional Camp. The exhibition camp gave the team the opportunity to compete against Dominican Instructional League (DIL) teams B次元官网网址� affiliates of Major League Baseball based in the Dominican Republic. 

At the camp, Weinmeyer played a key role in helping Canada defeat the Kansas City RoyalsB次元官网网址� DIL team by closing out the game, retiring the RoyalsB次元官网网址� final three batters, and cementing the team's victory. He also helped turn the tide in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 game against the San Diego PadresB次元官网网址� DIL team with an RBI single in the fifth inning. 

But it wasnB次元官网网址檛 just his success on the field that Weinmeyer took away from the trip. B次元官网网址淛ust to see how life is down there, it was super eye-opening on how fortunate we are to be living here with all the stuff that we have.B次元官网网址� 

Making the Junior National Team is the most recent step in a baseball journey Weinmeyer has been on for most of his life. B次元官网网址淢y dad playedB次元官网网址攈e was the coach when I was a kid B次元官网网址� so IB次元官网网址檝e been around it my whole life, and itB次元官网网址檚 been something that IB次元官网网址檝e always really enjoyed.B次元官网网址� 

HeB次元官网网址檚 come a long way since he began playing baseball at around three years old but is no stranger to representing Vancouver Island. He competed in Major League BaseballB次元官网网址檚 Pitch, Hit & Run skills competition in Seattle in 2018. Now, he plays for the Langley Blaze, who finished first in the British Columbia Premier Baseball LeagueB次元官网网址檚 (BCPBL) premier division. 

Like many young baseball fans, his favourite team growing up was the New York Yankees. He was inspired by players like Derek Jeter and, today, Alex Bregman. While he now plays in Langley, Weinmeyer says growing up on the Island had a unique impact on his baseball career. 

B次元官网网址淚t was different for sure. When I was growing up, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 as popular here as it was in Vancouver or Toronto,B次元官网网址� Weinmeyer said. 

B次元官网网址淚 found a core group of guys that I played with my whole life, and then some coaches that helped us a lot. I think that really helpedB次元官网网址攑laying with my friends growing up.B次元官网网址� 

Now, he hopes his success can set a standard for other young ballplayers on Vancouver Island. 

B次元官网网址淚 think that it will help kids that are growing up in Victoria playing baseball to not look up to me, but see me as proof that just because you're from the Island, itB次元官网网址檚 not impossible.B次元官网网址� 

For some, playing for the Junior National Team might be a nerve-racking experienceB次元官网网址攑layers get cut and added for each trip. But for Weinmeyer, this isnB次元官网网址檛 something he worries about. B次元官网网址淚 go down there to play baseball. I donB次元官网网址檛 really think too much about that stuff.B次元官网网址� 

While making the national team was a milestone for Weinmeyer, it is just another step in his baseball journey as he sets his sights on college next year and, after that, the pros. 

For now, though, heB次元官网网址檒l focus on his next trip with the Junior National Team when they travel to Dunedin, Fla., for their next camp in April.