Baseball player will hit it off at the World Junior Championship

Baseball player will hit it off at the World Junior Championship. Northern Secondary School student Jalen Harris, who was born deaf, is suiting up for Baseball Canada at the world junior baseball championships in Thunder Bay, July 23 to Aug. 1. Courtesy/BASEBALL CANADA

The 6'2", 210 lb. third baseman has spent some time across the diamond at first during the tournament, showing off his bat and glove as he prepares to enter his draft year.

The shift across the diamond was part and parcel of being a member of a strong Canadian team, with the 17 year old more than willing to make the switch.

"I don't mind playing first base as long as I get to play," he said.

Harris first played baseball at the age of two and first joined a team when he was five. His success on the diamond is all the more impressive given that he was born deaf and had cochlear implants inserted when he was three to help him hear.

"People ask about that, but I don't think about it," he said. "I just think, 'I guess I'm a lucky guy.'"

He hopes to join a select group of hearing impaired athletes to crack the major leagues, a list headed by 19th century star William Hoy and recent major leaguer Curtis Pride.

Harris has already been noticed by a few major league teams, notably his hometown Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers. After spending his early high school years at Northern Secondary School, he will move to Victoria, B.C. for Grade 12 to improve his standing in the eyes of scouts.

"They have a better baseball league over there and I want to get better before the draft," he said. "I want to get drafted this year, and if I don't get drafted high, I guess I'll go to school."

Harris counts his defenCe as his greatest asset, though his bat has been solid in Thunder Bay as well. He has been part of a balanced attack and has helped lead Canada to a first place finish in its pool with a 4-1 record.

Harris finished the preliminary round with a .300 batting average.

Win or lose, however, Harris is simply proud to have the opportunity to represent Canada in a tournament that represents the best of the best in his age group.

"It's amazing playing for your country and playing in your country," he said. "I'm having a great time right now."

Harris, the only Torontonian on Canada's squad, is also an outstanding hockey player. He was the youngest member of Canada's entry at the World Deaf Hockey Tournament in Winnipeg last winter.

While blessed with tremendous athletic ability, he has managed to remain humble despite his success on the diamond and the rink.

"He has a wonderfully positive approach to life and learning that makes him a pleasure to have in the classroom, and he is just an extraordinarily gifted athlete," said Sinead Whelehan, one of Harris' Northern Secondary teachers in a story on the TDSB website.

Canada begins its playoff quest on Friday, 7 p.m. against Italy (2-3).

For complete schedule and stats, log on to http://worldbaseball2010.com/

- with files from Norm Nelson