Northern Secondary student on Canada's junior world team

Northern Secondary student on Canada's junior world team. Northern Secondary School student Jalen Harris, who was born deaf, will suit up for Baseball Canada for the world junior baseball championships in Thunder Bay, July 23 to Aug. 1. Courtesy/BASEBALL CANADA

Jalen Harris, who just turned 18 on July 7, was the only Toronto player on the roster who was announced by Baseball Canada on Thursday, July 22.

"I think we should be a top-5 team again," said national junior team head coach Greg Hamilton, in a press release.

"We're a team that should get to the quarter-finals and be very competitive. When you get to that game anything can happen and hopefully we'll be playing for a medal."

Harris, who was born deaf, had cochlear implants inserted at age three to help him hear.

"My teammates and coaches treat me like anyone else," he explained in a story on the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) website. "My coach for my current team (in the Ontario International Baseball Academy) makes extra sure that I understand what is happening on the field, or what he has said to the team. Most of the time, people don't even know I am (deaf)."

The 6'2", 210 lb. third baseman is an all-round athlete and was the youngest member of Canada's team at the World Deaf Hockey Tournament in Winnipeg last winter.

Sinead Whelehan, one of his teachers at Northern, characterized the athlete as "easy-going and humble."

"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 Whelehan, in the website story.

That full article can be accessed at http://www.tdsb.on.ca/about_us/media_room/Room.asp?show=GreatThings&view=detailed&enableNav=true&self=24823

The Canadians will begin their quest for gold on Friday, July 23, when they take on the Netherlands at Port Arthur Stadium. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

- Norm Nelson