Manuel Selected to Team Canada

The 2013 Canada Junior National Team has been announced and the Blue Jay's own Luke Manuel has been selected to the team.

Team Canada Head Coach Greg Hamilton gave Luke the phone call he was hoping for to let him know he made the team. " I feel humbled and honoured" Luke replied when asked about his selection. "It really makes me feel like my hard work has payed off. "

Luke was not included in the official Team Canada spring practice roster for the team, but his impressive performances this spring with the Blue Jays caught the eye of Team Canada coaches. Seven other players from BC were also selected to the team.

Blue Jays Senior Team Head Coach Brad O'Hara had this to say about Luke: "We are really happy for Luke. He has put in a lot of work and has become one of the elite pitchers in the BCPBL. It's nice to see him get recognized at the national level."

First stop for Luke will be the Dominican Republic where the team will play and practice from May 21 to June 1. This will be Luke's first trip to the caribbean. "I haven't been to the Dominican before. I am really excited to see new places and a new culture, plus seeing the players from other countries."

The Junior world championship which is now known as the 18U Baseball World Cup will be played in Taichung, Chinese Taipei from August 30 to September 8, 2013.