Article contentArticle contentDid you know?Article contentFour Charlottetown Islanders were recognized with NBSBL awards recently:Article contentTanner MacLean – lowest earned-runed average (1.35).Nick MacPhail – designated hitter (.360, 18 runs batted in).Dillon Doucette – all-star third base (.351, 14 runs batted in).Simon Dubois – all-star left-fielder (.370, 11 runs batted in).Article contentArticle contentMacLean is no stranger to big-game moments on the national stage. As a 19-year-old, MacLean pitched a complete in the Islanders 5-0 win over Manitoba’s Elmwood Giants in the bronze-medal game of the 2022 Canadian senior men’s championship in Sydney, N.S.Article contentCatcher’s perspectiveArticle contentIslanders catcher Cole MacLaren has had a front-row seat to MacLean’s dominance.Article content“You can’t ask for much better of a season for a younger kid like that just coming out of college,” said MacLaren, who caught every inning MacLean worked this season. “He pitches very maturely … and he knows how to pitch. He knows what to throw in counts.Article content“It makes it easy for me as a catcher to call a game when he can throw three pitches for strikes; command the zone and work up and down.”Article contentArticle contentMacLean credits his consistency to staying within himself.Article content“I’m not trying to get out of my own comfort zone,” said MacLean. “Just as long as I get out there and do what I do out there, I know I’ll be all right most times. It helps me stay consistent.”Article contentFast workerArticle contentMacLean, a fast worker on the mound, is often the first player on the field for the Islanders between innings.Article content“You have to be ready to go,” said MacLean. “As soon as it’s my shot to pitch, I want to be out there and throwing.”Article contentMacLean finds working fast helps generate a good rhythm.Article content“There’s a job I got to do when I’m out there pitching and the quicker that I’m off the mound, the better, honestly,” said MacLean. “The more we’re batting, the better things are going to be for us.Article content“If that’s either working quick or getting outs quick, ether way that’s just going to help us even more.”Article contentHines said players love playing behind MacLean.Article content“He keeps the ball in play; he’s throwing strikes; he’s quick between pitches,” said Hines. “If you are playing defence behind him and you have a guy like Cole behind the plate, it’s a pretty good game to be a part of.”Article contentArticle contentMacLaren said MacLean, who always attacks the batters, brings a good tempo and is always focused on the next pitch.Article content“He gets a lot of swings and misses, but he gets a lot of soft, weak contact, too,” said MacLaren. “There’s not too many guys that have barrelled him up throughout the year.Article content“He’ll always challenge (hitters) and he’s not going to be effectively wild as some pitchers are. He’s going to be in the (strike) zone; he’s going to make our D work and we’ve got a good D behind him, so it is nice that he trusts them.”Article contentHealthyArticle contentMost importantly, MacLean has had no issues with his pitching arm this season.Article content“This is the best I’ve felt health-wise since I can really remember, honestly,” said MacLean. “It’s one of those situations where it’s kind of like a rubber arm almost.Article content“No matter how much I throw, it seems like I’m always going to feel all right now. It’s nice to be in that spot again.”Article contentArticle contentScheduleArticle contentCharlottetown Islanders’ schedule at 2026 Baseball Canada national senior men’s championship:Article contentAt Miramichi, N.B.:Article contentAug. 20Article content10 a.m. – vs. Ontario (Ironmen Field).Article contentAug. 21Article content10 a.m. – vs. Alberta (Ironmen Field).6 p.m. – vs. Saskatchewan (Waldo Henderson Field).3 p.m. – vs. British Columbia (Ironmen Field).Article contentArticle contentJason Simmonds is a sports reporter at The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
MacLean’s return to national stage hasn’t been without adversity
