David Latour Represents NABF in U.S. National Tourney
In mid June of 2001, 144 of the best young baseball players in the United States were brought together to participate in a very special event - the Tournament of Stars. The purpose of the tournament, which took place in Joplin Missouri was to select a twenty man roster for the 2001 Junior National Pan American Team, a spectacular opportunity for any young ballplayer. So how is it then that one of the happiest guys to be there wasn't even eligible to make the Pan-Am team?
Team Ontario second baseman David Latour Jr. impressed enough at the 2000 National Amateur Baseball Federation High School World Series in Memphis Tennessee, that he was asked to play for the NABF squad in Joplin. The eight team tournament included all-star teams from six participating organizations, the American Amateur Basbeball Congress (AABC), PONY Baseball, DIXIE baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), as well as the NABF and two other at-large teams. Latour's NABF squad acquitted themselves well losing 4-3 in the final to one of the at-large USA teams. Four players from the NABF squad were named to the USA Junior team.
Latour recounts how special this opportunity was. "We were all billetted for the one week tournament. Everyone was great. The competition was incredible and the Joe Becker Stadium where we played was outstanding." Latour, who played every game at second base for the NABF squad lists as highlights, a triple and RBI in a 10-5 win over RBI Baseball and generally solid defensive play over the entire week.
