|
|
Published June 08, 2008 11:58 pm - Les Williams isn’t a stranger to Joe Becker Stadium. He’s been here twice as a player for Canadian teams. Williams, from Toronto, Ontario, played last summer for Canada’s junior national team for an exhibition series with Team USA and Chinese Taipei.
Another trip to Joplin
Toronto’s Williams back at Joe Becker Stadium, this time with the Slashers
By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Les Williams isn’t a stranger to Joe Becker Stadium.
He’s been here twice as a player for Canadian teams.
Williams, from Toronto, Ontario, played last summer for Canada’s junior national team for an exhibition series with Team USA and Chinese Taipei.
“I remember diving out in right field and running into the fence,” Williams said. “That was a most memorable moment, pretty exciting. Right field is a little tricky sometime, but overall it’s a nice park. There is a lot of history here.”
When he was 16, Williams and his Team Ontario teammates came to Joplin for a tournament.
“I’ve been traveling and playing ever since I was 14 years old,” Williams said. “Baseball has become more competitive in Canada. You see Canadians coming up in the big leagues ... it opens up more eyes for young Canadian baseball players, knowing they may have a possibility of playing pro ball one day. I guess it motivates us a lot more.”
Canada’s team has qualified for the Junior World Championships the last five years. Williams played on the team that finished third — one spot behind the Team USA — two years ago in Cuba.
On his third trip to Joplin, Williams finds himself playing for the home team. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed pitcher is a member of the Joplin Slashers.
“This means a lot to me,” Williams said. “This is my first summer league play, I’m draft-eligible in two years. This is like another big stepping stone. Summer ball is really competitive in the Jayhawk League. The top four teams out here always finish in the top 10 in the (NBC) World Series. It’s a pretty competitive team. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Slashers’ 20-11 victory over Hays on Saturday night marked Williams’ first start. Thanks to an eight-run first inning and nine-run second, Williams found himself in the unusual position of pitching with a comfortable lead.
“It never really happens,” Williams said. “You go out and pitch to batters, know the chances are they are not going to put up eight or nine. You try to make them make contact and let the defense work a little bit. It’s good to pitch like that though. It’s good for our side.”
He allowed six hits and five runs, struck out four batters and walked two. But he was replaced after the fourth inning, one inning shy of qualifying for the win.
“My pitch count was up a little bit,” Williams said. “It was my first time out in three weeks. I was up around 80 pitches.”
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
LOCAL YARD WORK
1ST SHIFT We are a specialized carrier seeking an individual at our Baxter Springs, KS location. Duties include F...>MORE
DRIVER LONG HAUL
Driver, long haul or regional, for small Joplin company, home weekly, good pay and benefits, must have 3 years verifiabl...>MORE
EXPERIENCED FULL TIME AUTO TECH
EXPERIENCED Full time Auto Repair Tech for very busy repair shop! Apply at Iveys Service Center, 301 E. 7th, Joplin...>MORE
CLASS A OVER THE ROAD DRIVERS
CLASS A OVER THE ROAD DRIVERS for team operations. Kansas City based, home weekly, all drop and hook. $.46/mile to the t...>MORE
TRAVEL U.S.A.
TRAVEL U.S.A. Publication sales company hiring 18 sharp enthusiastic individuals to travel the U.S. Travel, training, l...>MORE
OPIES TRANSPORT
Opies TRANSPORT Now Hiring Over the Road Drivers with 2 years experience. 800-341-9963 www.opiestransport.com ...>MORE
BODY TECHNICIAN
Carthage AUTO PLAZA is looking for a body technician/painter. I-Car certification is required. Come by and fill out an a...>MORE
OWNER OPERATORS
with equipment for truck and trailer, drive in or reefer. 624-2755...>MORE
TAX PREPARERS
needed in Joplin, Webb City, Carthage, and Neosho. Seasonal FREE TRAINING For more information, call 24 hour...>MORE
CARE COMPANIONS FOR SENIORS
Care companions for seniors. CNA experience helpful but not necessary. Older workers please apply. Must be able to work ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
CHRYSLER, 2001 TOWN
and Country Limited, excellent condition, power everything. $1000 below book, $3925. (417)623-2212 ...>MORE
FORD 2004 TAURUS
FORD, 2004 Taurus SES, V6, automatic, air, 56,000 miles, nice, $4800. 626-2277....>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2004 ALERO
OLDSMOBILE, 2004 Alero, 2 door, 72,000 miles great condition $5200 417-529-1657...>MORE
CHEVROLET, 2005 2500 HEAVY-DUTY,
extended cab, 4x4, 1-owner, 58,000 miles, white/gray interior, excellent condition, $17,000. 417-548-2169, 417-392-0455....>MORE
TOYOTA, 2004 TACOMA,
double cab, 2x4, 3.4L V6, 61,000 miles, CD, bed liner, cover, $16,500. (417)437-0013....>MORE
MITSUBISHI, 1998 DIAMANTE,
129,000 miles, runs perfect, $2900. 417-423-0125....>MORE
PONTIAC 2001 GRAND AM GT
pontiac, 2001 Grand Am GT Coupe, 2 door, black, automatic, 4 shift bucket seats, moonroof, $3650. (417)434-5503....>MORE
CHEVROLET 1998 S10
Chevrolet, 1998 S10, 4 cylinder, 5 speed, high miles, $1750. 417-214-0022....>MORE
MERCUR 2001 GRAND MARQUIS LS
mercury, 2001 Grand Marquis LS, 69,500 miles, $6800/offer. (417)214-3265....>MORE
JEEP, 2007 COMMANDER,
loaded, 22,000 miles, $12,950. 417-781-1409, 529-5606...>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
525 E 41ST FOR SALE AT AUCTION
525 E. 41ST, Joplin, MO will be offered for sale at Auction Saturday, December 5th 9:30 AM AAA Auctions Bob 417-...>MORE
3BR, ALBA
3 BR, 1 ba, 1 car gar, large fenced yard, Alba $550+ deposit. Hud ok 417-540-4674...>MORE
2 BR COTTAGE
2 BR COTTAGE, small but cute, all electric, small down, $450. Owner finance. 609 W. 15th. 417-439-4104....>MORE
ATTRACTIVE 4 BR ORONOGO
attractive, comfortable 4 br, 3 ba, 2-level, 2600 sq. ft. home. Greystone Subdivision, $194,900. 103 Jason Blvd., Oronog...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-5 P.M.
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-5 p.m. New construction, 3 BR, 2 BA, 3 car garage, newer neighborhood, mature trees, 3 minutes from...>MORE
2802 MASSACHUSETTS, JOPLIN
2802 Massachusetts, Joplin You won't believe the price! 3 bedroom, new central heat and air, new roof, appliances.. Cl...>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA,
excellent location, 208 E. Lexington, Jasper, $325. (417)830-0873....>MORE
LEASE/PURCHASE
Executive Home, 4 br, 3 ba, 3000 sq. ft. on 5 acres. 605-521-0971...>MORE
See all ads |
|
BOXER PUPPIES
BOXERS PUPPIES, registered, parents on site, $200. 918)257-4153....>MORE
GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPS
GOLDEN Retriever pups, AKC, (620)756-4176 www.freewebs.com/ranchodelavega...>MORE
50CC 4 WHEELER
50cc 4-wheeler with remote kill, $350; dining room table and 4 chairs, $100; 3 year washer, dryer combination, $300; ant...>MORE
TILT UTILITY TRAILER
TILT UTILITY TRAILER, 5x8, heavy duty, $400. (417)624-4757....>MORE
YORKIES AKC
Yorkie, AKC, 2 adorable males, 3 1/2 months, current shots. 620-762-0445...>MORE
1999 19' SUN CHASER
1999 19’ Sun Chaser, tandems, air, awning, sleeps 6, self contained. See at Community Mobile Park, Miami, OK. $5500 or b...>MORE
BUY NOW,
small down, rest with tax return, vet checked/shots, small Chihuahua’s. (417)439-3647...>MORE
ROTTWEILERS
ROTTWEILERS,champion bloodlines. Dachshunds and Boxers. All AKC 918-784-2652, 918-541-8800...>MORE
5TH WHEEL,
2000 NoMad, 27’, 1 slide, $7995. 417-385-8306, 417-825-7782....>MORE
PLASTIC LIGHT UP YARD
plastic light up yard decorations for all holidays! 620-362-3020 leave message....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|