RJ Rose Photography 

By Ryan Eakin

BARRIE ON - Having last played baseball in 2015 for the Quebec Capitales of the Can-Am League, Tim Smith missed the game.

He missed having teammates and playing affront of fans, and he missed the competitiveness that comes with playing the game.

That is why when he had the choice to come out of retirement to play for the Barrie Baycats this season, he did it.

"It's nice to be back man," said the former national team player for Baseball Canada. "It's been a couple of years on the shelf, so it's nice to be back in the baseball atmosphere again. 

"There is a lot of old faces on this team too, so it's funny how baseball life comes back full circle. You start playing with some of these guys at a young age, and then towards the end of your career you are back with them, so it feels good to be here."

For some, it can be tough to come back to playing the sport you love after a couple of years off.

But for Smith, he said his mini-retirement was needed.

"Honestly, after finishing up professional baseball, I needed my break," said Smith. "I needed my time away from the game a bit.

"But you get that itch. Baseball is apart of my life, it has been my entire life, and so those memories don't fade away. So I'm honestly just trying to come here and have fun."

And memories Smith has plenty of. 

A former prospect for the Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves, Smith has had plenty of memories in his nine year professional career.

He has also represented Canada at the Pan-Am Games in 2011 and 2015, as well as the World Baseball Classic in 2013.

He said some his finest baseball moments have come playing for his country, with the Canada-Mexico brawl in 2013 being high on his list.

"It was one of those things that, in the moment, it all happened really quick. After the fact I was kinda of like 'man, maybe I should have done this or that to standout or something,' joked Smith.

"It kind of started to hit me after the fact. You saw on the internet just how big of a deal it was, all of your friends are texting you and stuff, so in the moment it seemed like fifteen seconds, but you go back and watch it and we were out there for like ten to fifteen minutes.

"Between all the stuff being thrown onto the field and everything, it was crazy. I guess you don't want to be remembered for a brawl, but it was special to be apart of. It was a big moment for baseball in this country."

But Smith's international career isn't just highlighted by a brawl.

He said Canada's walk-off win over the U.S to win Pan-Am Gold at home in 2015 was special.

"It was towards the end of my professional career, so for it to end on home soil with a Gold Medal, I couldn't have written it a better way.

"It was super special. We did it in Mexico in a couple of years earlier, but to do it on your home soil with your friends and your family all there, it makes it extra special."

Smith said playing for his country has been a dream come true.

"I take a lot of pride in being Canadian," said Smith. "When you're young, you have so many expectations for yourself, so you kind of feel like you should be playing for your country, but until you're actually on the field and you have 'Canada' across your chest, and you hear the anthem going, you start to get those goosebumps. It hits you.

"I have taken a lot of pride in being able to play for my country."