Ottawa Champions looking to live up to their name in Can-Am playoffs

As the Ottawa Champions set out to live up to their moniker in Can-Am League playoff baseball action Wednesday night, it's worth noting that this team -- like all teams playing at this level -- is composed of characters right out of a Kevin Costner movie.

There's the been-there-done-that manager with a heart of gold. There are the agingall-stars who still have a few innings (and home runs) left in the tank. And there are theyouthful upstarts who just might manage toeke outa living playing baseball after all.

Regardless of background, or the path they took to get here, what they all share is a love for the game so strongthey'd rather play here than work another job anywhereelse.

When former Cy Young winner Eric Gagn threw a gem of a game in front of close to 8,000 fans, he wasn't doing it for the money. When Sbastien Boucher brokeanother league hitting record in front of his hometown crowd, it wasn't for the glory. And they certainly aren't doing it for the eight-hour bus rides to Nowheresville, U.S.A.

These build-it-and-they-will-comemoments atRaymond Chabot Grant ThorntonPark on CoventryRoad are what team management hopes will translate to large crowds for the Ottawa Champions' first-ever playoff series against the first-place New Jersey Jackals(opening pitch at 7:05 p.m.Wednesday).

Hal Lanier, the aforementioned golden-hearted manager,took home manager of the year honours recently. It wasn't the first time. Butat 74 years of age, it could be his last, as he ponders whether to return for a third season.The North Carolinanative, whocalls Florida home in the off-season,says he's encouraged by the team's success this year.

"I think this year really will help next year because we'll have the all-star game here. And that was our goal, to let the fans come out. We had very good support this year ... It's going to be a very exciting year," said Lanier.

Gatineau's Sbastien Boucher built a solid career playing for Triple and Double A teams after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2005.

It's special. To me it means baseball is working in Ottawa.- Ottawa Champions outfielderSbastien Boucher

If 10-plus years of overnight buses is getting to him, you wouldn't know it. When the 34-year-old's playing days are over, the former Canadian national team member says he'll stay in the game.

"I'll be involved in baseball around the city. My oldest one is about five years old. He comes with me almost every day in the summer," said Boucher, who holds just about every batting record in the league, as well as five league championships.

Apart from his personal success though, he was thrilled to see such a big crowd take in the team's last regular season game of the year.

"It's special. To me it means baseball is working in Ottawa. It was absolutely amazing. And it was nice to be able to perform in front of them too."