Shayne Gagne shines on the diamond
AVONMORE, Ontario — Shayne Gagne wants to take baseball to the next level. Ultimately, that would mean continuing to play the sport he loves while going to school.
“My main goal is to end up with a scholarship so I can get a university degree and continue to play baseball at the next level at an American university,” says Shayne.
For now, the 15-year-old is concentrating on his season with the Ottawa Knights. It’s the 11th year of organized baseball for Shayne, who will be entering Grade 11 at Tagwi Secondary School in the fall. Previously, he suited up with the Cornwall River Rats-Little League in Cornwall, after starting in Cornwall District Minor Baseball. During Covid, he played for the independent Cornwall Orioles team.
He enjoys many sports, such as hockey, soccer and volleyball, but baseball has always been number one for Shayne.
“I enjoy creating new friendships and doing it in a way where we are all active and doing something,” says Shayne of what he likes best about taking on the diamond with teammates.
There are challenges of course, and not only pertaining to the physical demands of the sport.
“The biggest challenge is always the mental side and how you can be affected by how you think during your game,” he says. “Whenever I get down or something doesn’t go my way I always just take a second to myself and reset my mind for the next play.”
It’s good advice, advice he has had to heed.
“One time I wasn’t having a very good game and I wasn’t making the throws I could and I got angry at myself which impacted my performance,” he recalls. “I overcame it by taking time to myself one inning – I reset my mind and I went back out there and made the next throw.”
The best advice he’s ever received? Never give up.
“There have been so many times where we thought we were out of the game and it was over, then we would make a strong comeback from fighting the whole game, and either win or make it a close game,” he says.
It’s all about team when you take to the field, something to keep in mind in all aspects of life.
“It’s never about yourself and it (playing baseball) has taught me how to not be selfish when doing anything in life,” he says.
Most of all, just be thankful to be able to play the game you love at a high level.
“Always smile whenever you’re out on the field,” he says of some sound advice he’s received along the way, “because not all people have these opportunities to play. So while you’re out there, make the most of it.”
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