Lead role

Brookfield’s Crowell brings energy, passion to Canada Games squad

It didn’t take Jeff Fraser and his coaching staff long to decide who would lead the Nova Scotia Canada Games softball team.

That honour goes to Coby Crowell, an all-out gamer from Brookfield, who will serve as the squad’s co-captain for competition at the Canada Summer Games next month in Winnipeg.

“He was an obvious choice,” said Fraser, head coach of the team. “He is one of the better players so his teammates kind of naturally look to him, and just the intensity that he brings and leading by example. You certainly would love it if you had nine Coby Crowells.”

Crowell, who shares the captain’s role with star pitcher Alex Anthony of Shubenacadie, started playing softball at an early age and has spent many summer nights at Elk Park, just up the road from his family home.

“I just like being on the ballfield,” Crowell, a 19-year-old centrefielder, said of his passion for the game.

As a hard-nosed, fiery competitor who wears his heart on his sleeve, Crowell has developed into one of the finest

young players in the province. Last year, he was named allCanadian outfielder at junior nationals in Tavistock, Ont. He batted .500 (8-for-16) and scored nine runs to lead his Nova Scotia squad to the playoff round.

“He’s just an all-around good player – offensively, defensively, plays with an edge; he certainly brings a lot of energy to our team,” said Fraser.

Joining Crowell in the outfield

on the Canada Games team are fellow Colchester County players Liam Giffen and Alex Rhoddy – a lightning-fast trio that can play defence as well as anyone, said Fraser.

“They’re fast and they can all throw.”

Men’s softball is making a return to the Canada Games for the first time since 2005. Nova Scotia last won a medal (silver) at the Games in 2001 in London, Ont., and Crowell feels

this year’s team is capable of returning to the podium.

“I really believe that we can do a lot of damage there,” he said. “I’m really hoping for a gold medal. I think we have the hitting and defence to do it if we all play 100 per cent.”

Brookfield’s Coby Crowell will lead Nova Scotia into action at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg.

Joey smiTh/Truro Daily News Seven players from South Colchester are members of the Nova Scotia Canada Games men’s softball team. From left, Coby Crowell, Reid Lanceleve, Alex Rhoddy, Jacob Bowers, Liam Giffen, Dylan McCoul and Rowan Sears.