Canada’s men’s softball team named Saskatoon native Don Bates as head coach Monday.

Bates has been an assistant coach with the team since 2006 and also served on the women’s Olympic team in 2008. He replaces Mark Smith, who stepped down earlier this year to become head coach of the women’s team.

“The program has a rich tradition of being one of the best in the world,” Bates said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Canada’s top male softball athletes as we begin our initial preparation for the 2013 ISF World Championship in New Zealand.”

The men’s team won bronze at this year’s ISF Men’s World Championship in Saskatoon.