Future promising for North Toronto

[attach]4579[/attach]Throughout North Toronto’s varsity baseball season, coach Lorne Smith mused the team would be atop the South Region once the freshmen become seniors.

Norsemen third baseman Dan Kolominsky couldn’t agree more.

Filled to the rim with promising juniors like Gustavo Velarde, Brett Chapman and Jonathan Fagnola, Kolominsky is more than optimistic, albeit modest when it comes to his on-field prowess.

“I never like to talk myself up, but yeah, I feel like I’m one of those players,” he said. “I’m in grade 9 and I was one of the only starting grade 9s there so obviously (Smith) sees some potential in me.

“I feel I can bring things to the table that can help the team out.”

One game in particular, an 8-0 loss to Danforth, saw the rookie break Redhawks pitcher Michael Speaker’s no hitter.

Raw talent however is not the only glue that bonds the team, as North Toronto made a concerted effort for provincials.

“I learned that a team can really gel together,” Kolominsky said. “Everyone was picking each other up if one were to strike out or if someone made a good play everyone was there to cheer them on.

“Even though at the beginning of the season we started off slow, towards the end of the season and towards the OFSAA qualifiers we were able to pull together.”

Not even a bizarre semi-final match against East York, called after three-and-half innings by the umpire, could mar that cohesiveness.

“It’s kind of a tough way to end the season but we will learn from it and then come back next season so that situation won’t happen,” Kolominsky said.

Since the high school season has passed by, he picks up the bat for AAA team, West Toronto Wildcats.

On the horizon for his rep crew was a trip to Lewiston, New York in a 24-team bantam tournament.

“So far the season’s been pretty good, and we’re just going to a tournament for the weekend in the States, so hopefully we’ll be able to play well and impress a few people,” he said.

West Toronto looks to represent Toronto at the provincials and Ontario at the nationals.

But when it comes back to high school next spring, Kolominsky is looking forward to seeing the guys again and having another year under the tutelage of coach Smith.

“Having heard the rumours of him retiring, he may have a few surprises for us in his last year,” Kolominsky said. “I’m excited about that and about having the other grade 9s who are going into grade 10 — who I know are good players — come to the team and make us better.

“Hopefully we make a run for the finals.”