Charter Flight Transports Titans to their Five-State College Trip

Land crossing restrictions related to the pandemic have wreaked havoc on sports programs over the last 18 months. But, with some creative thinking, the Titans have found a way to launch their first annual US College Trip.  Thirty intrepid Titans players and four veteran Titans coaches will depart on a charter flight from Pearson Airport on October 6, land in Detroit where they will board their highway coach, and commence a barnstorming exhibition game tour of US Colleges in five American states.  The 2605 km bus odyssey will take the Titans from Detroit to Genesee Community College in Batavia, New York; Montgomery College in Germantown, Maryland; Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland; Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia; West Virginia Tech in Beckley, West Virginia; University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, Ohio; Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio; and Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan. The Titans will play 6 nine-inning games versus College competition, 1 twelve-inning game versus WV Tech, and participate in 2 Scout Day sessions where our players will be showcased in front of US College coaches at Glenville State College.  Titans will participate in Batting Practice, Bullpens, Outfielders will throw from RF, Infielders will throw from 3B, Catcher Pop Times will be recorded, and 60’s will be run to determine the fleet of foot during 2 three-hour sessions at Glenville SC.  The 9-day, 8-night excursion will also feature 2-hour daily study halls so Titans student-athletes can keep up with their homework and assignments that were collected from their teachers prior to departure.  

In addition to these laudable academic goals, Director of Player Development and Baseball Operations Lawrence Vera noted that “Our goal for the trip is to expose our players to what it takes to play at the next level. Players will have the opportunity to meet coaching staff and players. They’ll get a chance to tour all the schools and get their opportunity to showcase their talents.” 17U Titans Head Coach Vera is “Looking forward to the trip.  It's going to be the first time what seems like forever that we get to take the Titans south of the border.” 

Titans Coordinator of College Placement and 18U Head Coach Denis Bailey echoed his coaching partner’s expectations of the excursion:  “The trip allows our players to see College life in the USA and see how they stack up against US College competition. I’d like to see our players elevate their games to compete at this level.”  Coach Bailey suggested that a trip of this intensity and rigor shows CPBL players that college baseball “is a grind with many games and many miles traveled on the road.  This trip presents a challenge to our players.  The entire trip is ‘repeat’ and ‘rinse’.”  

The veteran coaching staff brings a wealth of US playing and travel experience to guide and encourage our student-athletes.

The “weary band of road trip warriors” is expected to pull into the True North Fieldhouse at 9:30 PM on Thursday, October 14.