Four Weyburn Midget Beavers will be playing for Team Sask., two in the Western Summer Games and the other two for the Canada Cup tournament from August 7-13. This is not the first time for any of them to be playing for Team Sask. either, as Derek Geisler and Jon Neuberger have three years of previous experience and Braden Rudy and Taylor Van de Sype have two years previous experience.

Just before leaving Weyburn on Aug. 1, to head towards Saskatoon for a five-day training camp, all four were "excited" to be able to have the opportunity to play for Team Sask. again this year. It took a lot of tryouts and training to get to this point, including an ID camp, a tournament in Moose Jaw and then the Top-50 Camp in Moose Jaw.

"Right after the Top-50 Camp we knew that we made it," said Van de Sype.

Jon and Derek will be playing with the 17 year old Team Sask. in Quebec in the Canada Cup Tournament, with Derek selected as one of the pitchers and Jon as second baseman. Jon is the son of Dan and Tara Neuberger and Derek is the son of Randy and Arlene Geisler.

Braden and Taylor will be playing with the 16 year old Team Sask. in Strathmore, Alta., for the Western Summer Games, with Braden in centre field and Taylor as catcher. Braden is the son of Tom and Cheryl Rudy and Taylor is the son of Grant and Teresa Van de Sype.

The positions they have been chosen for "are not too different from what we have played with the Midget Beavers," said Neuberger. Though the one thing that will be different is playing for the 17 year old team, as that team is different than the 16 year team. While the 16 year team only involves the western provinces, the 17 year old team will involve teams from every province in Canada.

"We only lost one game in the 10 games we played with Team Sask. last year and the year before," said Neuberger. "Playing for the 17 year old team will be way more of a challenge, we will play against the best kids in our age group."

Neuberger and Geisler expect to be challenged at the Canada Cup, as at that level there will be scouts at the game and both players will have an opportunity to be seen. This could work out in their favour, as both of these 17 year olds only have one year left to play at the Midget Beaver level before they advance on to a new team.

Rudy and Van de Sype will be expecting challenges of their own, because once they complete playing with Team Sask. at the Western Summer Games, they will be heading to Lethbridge to play in the Western Prospects Tournament.

Despite having a lot of games ahead of them, all four are ready to play as a team with their coach and their fellow Team Sask. teammates. "We have played against these guys before, since they were in other minor teams, so we know how they play," said Neuberger.