Part of the criteria in being chosen for cover spots is a player’s value as a role model and their behavior at tournaments. It’s a rare occasion to find Baker out of line. He generally keeps a calm demeanor during competition and can often be seen playing cards or entering juniors from his school after competition. Yes, I thought Baker was the ideal roll model staying out of trouble and away from the vices until I asked him as to which was his favorite Super Grands. He instantaneously mentioned Panama City. I naturally quizzed him why, as he related all the fun he had sliding down hotel stairs on hotel room service trays and jestingly duck-taping fellow competitors to chairs that have castors and sending them away for yo-yo journeys on hotel elevators. Ok Shane, it was harmless fun, but lets keep it a secret from the up coming young and innocent that would never dream that you did those crazy things?

Actually Shane’s always shown a bit of fun goofiness. The first time this author ever really had exposure to Baker was a few year back when his instructor, Trevor Nash, had dinner at a Ponderosa restaurant with the two of us. I swear I’ve never laughed so hard as when Trevor asked me to watch when he offered Baker $5 to approach a waitress and ask her for a date. Baker, always one for a challenge, obliged. We’ll keep what she told him a secret. Neither one of us can recall if Nash paid up or not, so I think Trevor should make it official with a $5 (plus interest) presentation in public at the next NBL event.

He says he’s always been a “master knucklehead” but that he’s not so much any more. But that’s what has made him so likeable by his fellows competitors is his ability to laugh at himself. In any case Baker is here to stay and adds a unique and healthy flavor to sport karate competition.

Despite his allegiance to his school team “United”, his instructor/best friend gave him the nod to accept Joe Greenhalgh’s offer to join Team Straight-up this season and wear the purple and white. Can you kick “straight-up” Shane? Baker looks at this as a great opportunity and finds his coach “hilarious” and finds Greenhaulgh’s care for all the team members as the bond for the team as a whole.

While Baker admits that’s he’s only been serious about competition since 2000, he had ten years training prior to that under Jim Flood, only meeting Nash when Nash bought the Hamilton, Ontario school from Flood in 2000. While Baker was headed off to a career as a machinist, Nash coaxed him on to become a full time instructor and their bond has grown to where Baker seems more like a partner in Nash’s two schools than an employee. Baker relates that Nash shares well and they plan out their school curriculum and strategies together and it must be working as the Nash, Baker and Casey Marks Nash trio teach over 400 students in their two locations. While Baker tells of interest in owning his own school he was quick to point out that it will be in unison with his instructor.

Oh, and closing if my van ever gets toilet-papered again, guess who will be the next victim of duck tapping and sent voyaging on an elevator?