Tournament 12 was an eye-opener for Owen Diodati.
When the 17-year-old catcher got his first shot at participating in the prestigious event two years ago, he didn't know what to expect from the other players, the stage he would be stepping onto or where it might lead. Now, Diodati couldn't be more grateful for the experiences he's had at Rogers Centre, and he looks forward to what his third appearance might bring.
"My first two years at T12 really helped in my development," the native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, said. "In my first year of T12, it was the first time I really had a chance to play against good competition, and I was playing against the best kids in Canada. So in a way it was a wakeup call for me, too. Obviously I struggled a little bit at the time, and it was tough the first year, but it gave me an idea of what it takes to be a good player and play at the highest level.
"My T12 experience has been awesome so far, and I'm excited for this year. … This year is different, because I know what to expect. The first year was kind of a whirlwind, playing at Rogers Centre and going through it all. Last year, I settled in and started to compete, and this year obviously I want to go in and dominate if I can do so. I'm really excited for it, and I'm kind of going in as a veteran this year, so it's definitely exciting. And there won't be near as many nerves this year, because I've done through it twice before."
Not only has Diodati's time at T12 helped get him ready for his last appearance in the event, but it's aided his preparation for several of the other showcases and stages he's been fortunate enough to appear on as well.
"This was the first big stage I played on, and it gave me that experience to help me," the 6-foot-3, 200-pound backstop said. "It taught me what playing against good players is like, how to calm my nerves, and what playing in front of scouts is like, and also learning how to separate myself in a crowd of a bunch of very talented players. So for me, it's been huge ...
"You take a couple seconds and look around at where you're playing and think about all the great players who have played in there. It could have been a week ago, and you could have had some of the best Major Leaguers in the world playing in that same stadium. Sometimes I take it for granted, because I've played there multiple times now, but it's unbelievable still."
Through a busy summer in which Diodati travelled with Team Canada to Florida and the Dominican Republic, played with the Great Lake Canadians locally, attended the East Coast Pro showcase, won a Canada Games championship, made a commitment to the University of Alabama and played for the Red Sox's northeast scout team, his time was highlighted by his chance to wear the red-and-white uniform of his native land.
"The coolest thing for me this year was definitely playing for the Junior National Team," he said. "It was a dream growing up, since I can remember. I always told my dad I wanted to play for the team and I wanted to play for my country, so that was the most exciting and most surreal moment for me over the past year. And obviously going down and actually playing for the team in Florida in extended spring training as well as the Dominican, it's like nothing I've ever done before."
As he continues to look forward, Diodati is hoping to follow the path that many other successful young Canadian players have paved before him.
"It's exciting to be in the same realm as those guys, playing in the same events and being in the same place they have been," he said. "I think about what they did at all of these events and how I did. It's a good way to look at things and see where I'm at, and obviously it's an honour to be able to go to all these huge events and to be able to participate in them and compete.
"There are a lot of good Canadian baseball players, and those are guys I can look up to and base my game off, and understand the hard work it takes. Hopefully if everything keeps going well, I'll head in the same direction."
After a whirlwind year of success and progress, the young slugger is excited to look ahead at what might be next, and to embrace each moment as he keeps trying to get better.
"T12 is where my focus is right now," Diodati said. "And then if I am given that opportunity to keep going with the Junior National Team and play with Team Canada next year, that's obviously a really big step and a really big thing I want to do.
"I'm really excited about this upcoming year with GLC and the coaching staff, because the progress I've made over the last year as a player, I attribute it all to Chris [Robinson], Adam [Stern], Adam [Arnold] and Brock [Kjeldgaard] and the whole staff at GLC. I don't think I'd be anywhere near where I am without them."