Quebecer Karl Gélinas, recognized for his exploits at the mound in the uniform of the Capitals of Quebec between 2007 and 2019, remembers very well his own time in the Quebec Elite Junior Baseball League (LBJÉQ), there are about two decades.
On May 29, 2002, when he wore the colors of the Dukes of Longueuil, Gélinas even managed a rare perfect match in the history of the LBJÉQ.
“It was a special night,” he recalls, amused to be brought up with memories like these dating back to when he was only 18 years old. It was against the Associés de Laval. I threw tons of games in my life, but for that part, I still remember certain sequences, certain throws. ”
Gélinas even goes so far as to describe the last withdrawal of this famous meeting. The opposing hitter was Marc Bonneville, a veteran he had worked with in the Canadian Baseball Academy.
“It was extraordinary that it was him, my last obstacle, he agrees. When he arrived at the bat, he winked at me and I wondered what he was going to do … On the first pitch, he darted forward as if he wanted to send the ball on the moon. Then, foul ball for a second take. I then threw a slippery outside for a ball, then on the last pitch, as I completed my motion, saw that Marc had removed a hand from his stick and I sent my fastball in. full center. He gave me the shot and gave me the perfect match. ”
This perfect match of seven sets, however, Gélinas had well and truly deserved it. In a 7-0 win, he notably managed 11 strikeouts.
Start of the season at Stade Canac
Such memories, Gélinas now hopes, as the new manager of the Quebec Diamonds for the 2021 season, to help his young players to build them.
The time has indeed come for the one who is now 37 years old to give back to the LBJÉQ. On this opening night, the Diamonds will also host the Charlesbourg Alouettes on Friday at the Canac Stadium.
“It’s a different challenge,” Gélinas sums up about his new involvement with the Diamonds. For me, it’s also an opportunity to give back to this sport that has given me so much. I want to have a positive impact on the lives of these young people, not just on the ground. I want to make them better human beings, I want their time in junior baseball to be a precious memory. “
– In this 75e season of the Quebec Elite Junior Baseball League, each of the 13 teams on the circuit must play a 32-game regular-season schedule by August 28.
– In addition to the game between the Diamants and the Alouettes, in Quebec City, another game is scheduled for the LBJÉQ, Friday evening, in Gatineau. The Tyrants must then welcome the Pirates of Laval at Sanscartier Park.
Émile Boies: shortstop and … pitcher
Even if he faces a new challenge as manager of the Diamonds, Karl Gélinas already has a fair amount of experience as a coach, he who, in addition to performing on the field, has held the role of pitching instructor for the Capitals of Quebec in recent years.
Among the youngest, the Quebecer is also involved as a coach with the Academy of Baseball of Canada (ABC), a program bringing together the best young players from La Belle Province.
“I’m used to dealing with pitchers only, but now I have to manage a full team. In that sense, it’s new for me, explains Gélinas. A particular challenge in the Quebec Elite Junior Baseball League (LBJÉQ) is to manage pitchers who can also occupy another defensive position. ”
As an example, Gélinas gives the name of Émile Boies, an excellent 20-year-old shortstop who is also able to do very well at the mound.
“Honestly, I have rarely seen a youngster so skillful defensively in Quebec,” he said of Boies, who plays with Northeastern Oklahoma college. [NEO], in the United States, during the school year. I know it tempts him to throw and we will definitely use it on the mound, but we still have to be careful about his development. The goal is for everyone to stay healthy. This is my priority. ”
A solid defense
Before starting the season, this Friday, the Diamonds have already played two preparatory games against the Charlesbourg Alouettes. The manager really liked what he saw of his team, which is also the reigning LBJÉQ champion.
“The defense was impeccable, but obviously, at batting, there are often some adjustments to be made at the start of the season,” noted Gélinas.
