The Pan Am games are in full swing today and Canada's Mens baseball team opens their campaign Saturday night in Ajax. Goderich's Brock Dykxhoorn will be in the lineup as his team faces the Dominican Republic.
With Canada playing three games in three nights the 6'9 right handed pitcher expects to get on the mound.
"They told all of us to be ready at any time," he says. "I expect to get a few innings of work but it will be a great experience either way."
If he does see some action, it will be in a different role than he has gotten used to. Dykxhoorn has been a starting pitcher for the Houston Astros minor league team in Quad City. At the Pan Am's he will come out of the bullpen.
"It's just a small adjustment and I am ready for it from the first game to the last, whenever I need to come in."
When that chance arrives it is likely a number of fans from his hometown will either be there or following along. Dykxhoorn takes a lot of pride in getting to represent Goderich on the international stage.
"That's where I consider myself to be from," he says. "I moved from the area after high school but whenever anyone asks I'm still a Huron County boy from Goderich and try to make them proud."
Canada comes into the tournament as the defending champions, winning gold at the 2011 Pan Am games in Mexico. their schedule can be found below:
- Saturday, Jul 11 Dominican Republic - Canada
- Sunday, Jul 12 Colombia - Canada
- Monday, Jul 13 Canada - Nicaragua
- Tuesday, Jul 14 Canada - Cuba
- Thursday, Jul 16 Canada - Puerto Rico
- Friday, Jul 17 United States - Canada
