Team P.E.I. catcher Connor Morrison awaits a pitch during a round-robin game against New Brunswick at last week’s Baseball Canada’s 2026 Canada Cup 17U national championship in Summerside, P.E.I. Morrison was named the top catcher in the 10-team tournament. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentConnor Morrison is proving people wrong.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAlthough left-handed catchers in baseball may be a rarity, Morrison is thriving.Article contentArticle content“I’ve been overlooked really my whole life being told that I won’t be able to catch just because of the way I throw,” said the 17-year-old son of Amy and Kent Morrison.Article contentMorrison, who is from St. Georges, P.E.I., near Cardigan, again silenced the critics with an outstanding performance with Team P.E.I. at Baseball Canada’s 2026 Canada Cup in Summerside. Morrison was named the top catcher after an exceptional five days behind the plate and batting in the Canadian 17U baseball championship tournament.Article contentArticle content“I’m going to go out in a limb and guess it may be the first time in the history of the Canada Cup that a left-handed catcher won catcher of the tournament,” said Team P.E.I. head coach Desi Doyle. “That’s sort of unique in itself.”Article contentDoyle added Morrison has earned the trust of the pitching staff with his ability to receive pitches.Article content“There are lots of little things he has to overcome being left-handed, but he does those things well,” said Doyle. “He’s a great receiver; great blocker, and we had no issue throwing him behind the plate, that’s for sure.”Article contentOffensively, Morrison batted 8-for-14, including a home run, and drove in seven runs.Article contentThe day before the Canada Cup started, Morrison had what he described as the worst batting practice of his life.Article content“I was popping everything up,” said Morrison. “I couldn’t really hit.Article content“I was talking to some of my coaches – because I kept getting down on the ball and not getting that barrel out – and I was asking them what I should do to do better?Article contentArticle content“I actually changed my whole batting stance the day of our first game. I changed from setting the bat on my shoulder and raising my hands, and I feel like that just helped me a lot, so I got a lot of respect for my coaches helping me out.”Article contentArticle contentDoyle said Morrison’s offensive performance turned a lot of heads.Article content“He was an offensive catalyst for sure,” said Doyle. “I know the first game he batted in the nine hole and then we had him either leadoff or (number) two the rest of the tournament.Article content“We wanted to take that pressure off the hitting and just let him focus on his catching, but we had to get that hot bat higher in the lineup for sure.”Article contentBaseball goalArticle contentMorrison, who has a goal to play NCAA Division 1 baseball, said, in all honesty, he doesn’t look at being a left-handed catcher as a challenge or obstacle.Article content“I feel like I have an advantage, actually, because my favourite thing to do being a catcher is back picking to first base and I feel that happens more than throws to third,” said Morrison. “People always think that I can’t make throws to third just because I have to move my whole body, but I really feel like that’s actually my best throw down because I’m very quick doing it side arm.”
P.E.I. left-handed baseball catcher proving people wrong
