SportsOakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 201036 By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Kyle Hanns athletic talents could have led him in any direction. Up until four years ago, he was involved in baseball, basketball, gym- nastics and soccer. But while injuries have ended many careers, one sustained during a soccer prac- tice brought things into focus for Hann. I tore my ACL when I was 11 and it just pushed me toward baseball, Hann said. It may have ended his days as a multi- sport athlete, but it also launched a promis- ing baseball career. This month, Hann will attend the Baseball Canada Junior National Team Fall Instructional League in Orlando. Hann and his fellow Canadian teammates will play games against minor league teams for the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. For Hann, who has his sights set on a pro career, its an exciting prospect to see how he measures up against players who have already taken that next step. Theyre probably going to be a lot stronger, Hann said from Indiana, where he and his Ontario Blue Jays teammates just wrapped up a series of games against U.S. col- lege teams. Physically, theyre grown men. Theyre going to throw a lot harder, theyre going to hit a lot harder. Of course, even playing col- lege teams isnt easy for a 16- year-old. But Hann has handled that challenge. Its a big jump but hes not making it seem that way, said Ontario Blue Jays manager Dan Bleiwas. Hes leading the team in average and hes doing every- thing thats asked of him. Hann batted .447 with nine doubles, four triples and a homer in the Premier Baseball League of Ontario this year. He also showed a good eye and patience at the plate with a .530 on-base percentage, thanks to 18 walks in 100 plate appearances while striking out just eight times. Hann has produced at every level. He was a key member of Georgetowns national champion peewee team in 2007. Last year, he struck out the side to clinch the Ontario Baseball Association title for Mississaugas major bantam AAA team. Hann is a shortstop and though he has the arm strength to pitch, unlike many short- stops that are converted to other positions as they get older, Bleiwas said Hann possesses everything he needs to succeed at the posi- tion long term. Kyle is unique, especially in Canada. Hes a legitimate shortstop who will be able to play in college and in the pros, Bleiwas said. Its tough, you dont get a lot of kids that remain as middle infielders. Often times they lack one of the skills, one of the tools. Canadian Baseball Network, the website run by veteran baseball writer Bob Elliott, ranks Hann ninth among Canadians eligible for the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. All eight players ahead of him are pitchers. Bleiwas says Hann is the five- tool player that is coveted by teams a player that can hit for average, hit for power, has speed, possesses a strong arm and is a good defensive player. Hann says it is power that comes least naturally. Im not a big guy, said the 5-foot-7, 165-pound Hann. I dont look like a power guy but sometimes I can catch them off guard with that. Earlier this month at the Mizuno Elite Development Camp, which brought together the best 14- to 16-year-old players in Canada at the Rogers Centre, Hann belted a two-run double that helped the East edge the West 10- 9 in the camp-ending all-star game. But Bleiwas said Hann has a great work ethic and Hann knows he must continue to improve his strength to succeed at higher levels. For now, he is looking forward to help- ing Canadas junior squad and seeing how he stacks up against the pros. Its definitely going to help my game, Hann said. Its going to help me get to pro ball. Big swing BIG TEST: Kyle Hann and the national junior team will play Major League Baseball farm teams this month. Im not a big guy. I dont look like a power guy, but sometimes I can catch them off guard with that. Kyle Hann MAXIMUM FORCE: Scott Johnston of the Pic-A-Deli Angels puts everything he has into a swing during the championship game of last weekends Oakville Mixed Slo-Pitch League tourna- ment at Glenashton Park. The Pic-A-Deli Angels led 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning before System Resale Solution rallied for six runs and went on to a 12-2 victory. Brian & Son Plumbing & Heating Royals finished third with a 19-17 win over the Pic-A-Deli Cardinals in the bronze-medal game. GARY DIAS / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Shortstop to test abilities against professionals Touch football league starting Hall of Fame The North Oakville Mens Touch Football Association (NOMTFA) will hold its inaugu- ral Hall of Fame induction ceremony tomor- row (Saturday). NOMTFA will honour Robert Betts, Peter Morris and Michael Smith following a Hall of Fame Game between two of this seasons teams, the Lions and Alouettes. The ceremo- ny and barbecue is scheduled to take place at 12:15 p.m. at Crusaders Park (located on Ninth Line, south of Dundas). Morris and Smith founded the league 29 years ago to provide a place for men over the age of 30 to play touch football in a spirit of fun, friendship and good sportsmanship. Both men played for nearly two decades before hanging up their cleats. Betts was the original head referee for the NOMTFA and served in that capacity for more than 15 years, earning the respect of all players and game officials. NOMTFA is based in Oakville but also draws players from throughout Halton and the surrounding area.