April 25, 2023

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

We have seen people clear out a section at some ball parks.

It could be fans who have had too much to drink. People who yell and curse at the umpire or players. Or over tired youngsters crying as they can’t handle the long afternoon in the sun.

Last summer, we were seated down the right field line at the Canada Summer Games with three scouts at the Welland Stadium under the lights. We were chatting about the tournament. I looked away for a second.

And poof they were gone.

All three were up and on the move to behind the plate.

Quickly.

The reason?

Nova Scotia had just brought in RHP Benito Bonilla and the scouts didn’t want to miss a radar gun reading from behind the plate.

We’d like to tell you how hard Bonilla threw that night, but they didn’t tell us.

Now, Bonilla (Halifax, N.S.) of the Okotoks Dawgs and the Junior National Team is headed to the Missouri State Bears. He’s a two-way man ... an infielder and a pitcher.

He’s hoping to clear out sections for Missouri State at Hammons Field if he is not drafted.