From Hagersville to Surrey: Reid Phibbs Is Writing His Own Chapter in a Fastball Family

The phone rang and Reid Phibbs picked it up.

On the other end was Napanee. The defending U17 Canadian champions. They needed a pickup player for the national championship in Surrey, British Columbia.

Reid said yes without hesitating.

"I was immediately humbled to be asked," he said. "And I immediately shared the news with my Dad and Mom."

That call to his Dad first says everything you need to know about where Reid Phibbs comes from and what fastball means in this family.

A Name That Means Something in Haldimand

Andrew Phibbs is one of the finest fastball players to ever come out of Haldimand County.

Andrew pitched for the Jarvis Merchants, Jarvis Juniors and won multiple National Championships including an All-Star selection at the 2008 Senior Canadian Championships. Then came the Jarvis Travellers, one of the most storied programs in the history of men's fastball. Andrew was on the mound when the Travellers won their first ISC World Tournament, competing against the best programs and winning at the highest level the sport has to offer.

That is the fastball bloodline Reid Phibbs carries into Surrey this week.

He was not old enough to watch his father win those championships. But im sure he grew up hearing about them. He grew up understanding exactly what it means to compete at the top level of this game.

"I have always looked up to my Dad's success in fastball as I was growing up so this means a lot to me," Reid said. "He has definitely helped me develop as a pitcher and infielder and improved my player knowledge."

And when Reid asked his Dad for advice heading into the biggest week of his fastball life so far?

"His advice for me this week was to work hard and have fun."

Simple. Direct. Earned.

A Summer That Has Already Been Special

Reid grew up playing fastball in Hagersville and Jarvis, coming through the Haldimand Bulls before joining the Norwich Hitmen this season. He is a pitcher and infielder and this summer has been one he will not forget.

He competed at the Ontario Summer Games with Norwich just this past weekend, a significant achievement in its own right. The Hitmen had a strong showing before running into the Tavistock Athletics in the quarterfinals, the same Tavistock team that will be representing Ontario as ON1 at the Canadian Championships this week.

At the U17 Ontario Eliminations in Napanee earlier this summer, Reid caught the attention of the Express staff. When they needed a pickup player for the nationals, his name was the one they called.

"After Ontario eliminations in Napanee with the Norwich Hitmen I received a call from Napanee to join their roster in competing at the Canadian Championship as defending champs," Reid said. "This opportunity to go to the Canadians has me inspired and excited."

Walking Into a Championship Environment

The Napanee Express are not just any team. They are the defending U17 Canadian champions walking into Surrey this week with a target on their back and the expectation of every opponent in the field locked on them.

Reid Phibbs is walking in with them as a pickup player.

That takes a different kind of confidence. A different kind of preparation. A different kind of focus.

He has all three.

"I feel I need to keep focused and determined to do my job to help the Napanee team succeed," he said. "I have put the extra work into my hitting skills and defensive skills as a pitcher and infielder."

And when you ask him what he is taking from this summer as a whole?

"Looking back at this summer I feel I have put the extra work into developing my game. This opportunity has me inspired and excited."

That is not a kid who is satisfied with where he is. That is a kid who is using every opportunity to get better and treating this week in Surrey as exactly what it is. The next step.

What He Would Tell the Next Kid

Reid has not forgotten where he came from or who helped him get here.

"There have been many people who have helped with my player development. The many coaches and teammates I have played with have definitely shaped me into the player I am today."

And for the younger players in Haldimand County who might read this story and start believing that something like this is possible for them too, Reid left something worth writing down.

"Never give up, keep pushing and work hard. The best work is the work you do when no one is looking."

That is a line his father would recognize. That is a line earned over years of early mornings and long drives and games played when nobody was watching.

Andrew Phibbs won championships with Jarvis. This week his son is heading to the U17 Canadian Championship in Surrey as a pickup player for the defending champions.

Haldimand County, keep an eye on Reid Phibbs.

This is just the beginning.

Community Partner Spotlight: Walker Mortgages

Sport has a way of bringing communities together and reminding us what we are all working toward. If you are a family in Norfolk or Haldimand trying to find more room in the budget to support the athletes in your life, Walker Mortgages can help.

Take two minutes and check out the free Mortgage Gameplan quiz at www.adamwalkermortgages.com/my-mortgage-game-plan. No pressure. Just a clearer picture of where you stand.

Stay Connected with Hometown Sports Network

Follow Hometown Sports Network on Facebook and Instagram and visit www.hometownsportsnetwork.ca for local sports stories, athlete features, and game coverage.

Want your athlete featured? Send us a DM or email [email protected].