N.S. baseball players set to chase their major-league dreams

Ty Doucette from Dartmouth, N.S., always wanted to be a professional athlete. Now he's a step closer to that dream. 

Doucette, 21, was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 10th round, 294th overall, of last week's MLB draft by the Cincinnati Reds.

It marked the next step in a journey filled with hard work for Doucette, a first baseman who slugged 13 homers this season for Rutgers University in New Jersey.

"I think every kid wants to be a professional athlete for whatever sport they play growing up," said Doucette. "For me it was baseball and it was just a lot of years of blood, sweat and tears that … was worth it. "

Doucette said it was his dad who drew him to the sport. Doucette's father, Darren, was drafted in 1992 by the St. Louis Cardinals and played seven seasons in the minor leagues and independent baseball.

Chris Head, head coach of the Dartmouth Dry senior team, played with father and son. He knew Ty from an early age and recognized his talent. 

"He's an exceptional young man, an exceptional player," said Head. "He's a very hard worker.

"He's always had a beautiful swing. It looked like a professional swing when he was three years old. So, I don't want to say that we kind of saw this coming, but … we knew he was going to be a very special player." 

As one Nova Scotian was drafted, another signed a pro contract.

Tyler Boudreau, originally from Middle Sackville, signed with the New York Yankees. Boudreau, a 22-year-old pitcher, played collegiate baseball at Texas Tech. 

Kelly Boudreau, Tyler's mother, said the experience has been overwhelming for the entire family.

"It's been so surreal," she said. "You kind of feel like you're having an out-of-body experience. We're a baseball family, we love the game and … I grew up around the game." 

Boudreau said it's been an emotional roller-coaster. The family of three moved to Alberta to help advance his career.

"When we were given the advice that he had potential … we were all in. And look where he's at today," said Boudreau. "So we're so proud of him."

Doucette is in Arizona at Cincinnati's spring training facility. Although he has played all over North America, he said there is no place like home.

"It's tough to leave. You get homesick pretty often, but you gotta do what you got to do," said Doucette. 

Head says he will be among the many Nova Scotians cheering on the two prospects.

"We're a very small province and we have some exceptional baseball players here," he said.