By Nicholas Mercer
Freshwater native Stephen Mullaley is a member of Canada’s senior men’s fastpitch softball team.
It starts by having a simple game of catch with his father Finton at the family’s Freshwater, Placentia Bay home at the age of three.
“I fell in love with it right away,” said Mullaley. “I was always bugging dad to come out for a catch and I watched him play a lot too.”
Now 31, Mullaley is preparing for his 10th summer as a member of the Canadian Men’s Softball Team after being named to the squad two weeks ago. He is one of five players from Newfoundland and Labrador named to the team along with Jason Hill, Ryan Boland, Sean Cleary and Brad Ezekial.
There are also two assistant coaches — John Hill and Les Cowey — from this province with the team.
“We have a large contingent from this province on the team,” said Mullaley, a first baseman. “It might be the biggest yet.”
The world championships are set for Saskatoon, Sask., June 26-July 5, while the Pan American Games portion of men’s softball is being played in Ajax, Ont., July 12-18.
It will be the first Pan American Games action for a lot of the national team,” said Mullaley. “It’s unbelievable.”
Playing at home — Mullaley lives in Oakville, Ont. — will be a change of pace for the national team. Instead of having family and friends keeping track of the tournament via websites and watching the games on television, they’ll be able to attend in person. Mullaley’s parents are also making the trip to Ontario.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all of us,” he said. “To share it with friends and family where they don’t have to follow it on the Internet, they can be there and experience it with you.”
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Editor’s note: Looks like Mr. Mullaley is firing on all cylinders heading into the Worlds. 2 home runs against the Toronto Gators today to power a 7-1 win for the Hill United Chiefs in the Cephas Roth Tournament at Tavistock Ontario.