Canada's junior national baseball team has left for the Dominican Republic, and a Chatham-Kent native is on the roster.
Catcher Luke Van Rycheghem, 17, will take part in the annual Dominican summer league camp.
As a catcher, Van Rycheghem is already getting familiar with his pitchers. "I've been on a team with some of the pichers that are on the Canadian team. I know a few of them but not all of them."
Van Rycheghem adds it'll be interesting to experience faster pitching while at the plate, and is looking forward to the level of competition.
Next week, the national team will face off against MLB-affiliated teams, including the Dominican-Detroit Tigers.