Canada's Felix Hoyano pitches against Venezuela during the second inning of a baseball game at the Little League World Series, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in South Williamsport, Pa. (AP Photo/Jared Freed)

Canada had to wait three days after the Little League Grand Slam Parade on Tuesday to finally get onto the field and play its first game. But sometimes having to wait that long and having a bye can be tough to overcome.

British Columbia, Canada was entering its first game action while Barquisimeto, Venezuela was coming off a 5-0 win against Puerto Rico on Wednesday afternoon.

Canada played well late, but Venezuela playe better. For manager Llory Yip, a slow start is something he’s seen his team from Line Mountain Little League do prior to getting to the Series.

“We were a slow starter in provincials and nationals. We were slow starting there too,” Yip said. “I explained to the boys this is a different format and we need to pick it up. We were a little lax, but as the game went on the nerves went away and we were right there with them.”

That was evident by Canada’s Arek Aubuchon coming in relief in the final two innings and throwing 24 pitches — 16 for strikes — and not allowing a very potent Venezuela team to record a hit or reach base.

Felix Hoyano started the game and went three innings with 66 pitches. While he did allow six hits, he struck out five and played well in the third inning by forcing the top of Venezuela’s lineup — which started the game with three straight singles — to go 1-2-3 and prevent them from building off the second-inning momentum.

Hoyano has an unorthodox approach when he pitches, extending his non-plant leg outward before winding up and throwing it. It isn’t the most common approach, but one that can get some batters distracted.

“Felix does march to his own drummer there,” Yip said with a laugh. “He likes to do things his way, but that works for him. Because it is a little unorthodox, it’s hard for batters to actually follow his hand movements.”

Yip is glad to be representing Little Mountain Little League at the Series for the second time in a four-year span. And he attributes that league’s success to many long-term coaches in the program.

“We work really hard, but our system is different than most other teams in B.C. because we don’t do travel ball. But the other thing that we have which other leagues don’t have is several legacy coaches,” Yip said. “I’ve been here 15 years, Brad (Dorwart) has been here 15 years, Steve (Nantel) like 28 years. None of us have kids on the team, it makes it all performance based with no nepotism at all.

“It really changes the dynamic and they know it’s just the best players play and that’s it. It’s all performance based.”

Canada will face either Brisbane, Australia or Brno, Czechia on Sunday in a win-or-go home game. Yip isn’t overlooking any opponents. No matter what happened in Australia and Czechia’s first games, Yip knows they still are regional champions at the end of the day.

“Every one here is a champion of their country, you can’t take anybody lightly. We just have to play our game and see how it stacks up,” Yip said. Yeah, one team will be stronger maybe, but we just play our game and see how it stacks up.”

Canada did well defensively in its loss against Venezuela and while two runs did score from a passed ball or wild pitch, catcher Caleb Jackson otherwise was solid in not letting many get by him.

“Caleb’s one of our stronger catchers, he did really well. One or two got by him, but the majority of them he blocked and I’m really proud of the way he’s been playing,” Yip said. “He’s been getting better every day, his performance has picked up a lot.”