Tillsonburg catcher Connor Gaitens is coming off an award-winning season with the Kankakee Cavaliers, earning Region 4 Catcher Gold Glove honours and Second Team All-Region recognition after hitting .339 with 13 home runs and 69 RBI. He will continue his baseball career at Southeastern University next season.
Connor Gaitens of Tillsonburg is officially in off-season mode, as he prepares for next season of college baseball in the United States.
Gaitens is a catcher by trade, and he feels there is something special about the position.
"When I grew up playing, I loved being a catcher. It's like being a quarterback, or I like to think of it as the quarterback of the field for baseball. You're in every single play and busy all the time."
He left home to play baseball with the Great Lake Canadians travel team at 14, and continued to work on his craft.
Gaitens had an outstanding 2026 season as a member of the Kankakee Cavaliers, and he was named the Region 4 Catcher Gold Glove Award and 2nd Team All-Region Designated Hitter.
The local product hit .339, with 59 hits, 32 extra-base hits, 13 home runs, and 69 RBI in 55 games played. Region 4 consists of the junior colleges of Illinois and Wisconsin.
In his downtime, Gaitens offers baseball lessons in the community. Residents can book catching, pitching, or hitting lessons with him.
The baseball scene in the Tillsonburg area continues to grow, and Gaitens said that it's noticeable.
Gaitens took a moment to appreciate his parents and everyone else that's supported him in his journey to this point.
Next season, he will be suiting up for Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida and is one of three Canadians on the roster.
It's safe to say then when he takes to the plate to his walkup song of Play Something Country by Brooks & Dunn, the whole community and country will be behind him.
