St. Thomas and District league

[TE]

I saw the Morpeth roster and the Alvinston rosters the other night at the meeting and Hopey is with the Magic.

The Prez

[Hopes Neighbour]

My guess would be that the Hope's are big sucks.....and......if he thought that he might not get his own way with Chico.....he would try the new "superstar" Morpeth team. I sure "hope" that the two brothers can get along!!!!!!!!!!

[Chico 13]

Well I have never Posted Before But I have to this time.Jason has decided to play closer to home 15 minute drive compared to 1:15 for Home Games.Yes Playing time with Alvinston May have been less with the pickups we have made this season ,But We were still counting on Jason being a big part of our team this season.
Jason has been a Great Teammate and Friend and will be missed by all of us.He will still be playing Masters with us.

Thanks Chico.

[fastball player]

don't start this bashing stuff again guys. Alvinston has a 20 player roster, I don't think that they are gonna be hurting for players this season at any time, everyone knows that a roster that long isn't always the best thing to deal with. We are playing a dying sport, fastball is not what it used to be at all, there are alot less players around period. We should be pretty happy just to have the teams that we have in our league, cause in 10 years it is gonna be a different story, "hope"fully I am wrong. And.. I don't think that all of this whining and bashing is gonna help attract new players to our sport..

[Rocket Science]

Jumping teams sure does not keep this sport together either. You think just because someone bashes a player he is going to quit playing fastball?? It is all these guys that jump ship "hope"ing to get more playing time. This is what happens when people only think of themselves, instead of the team that has let them play the previous years. Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing any player but, why would Hope not want to stay with Alvinston, where they have a great shot at going to the ToC again this year. No....instead he goes to a team that has not proved themselves in ISCII competition. Tell me he is not just thinking of himself in this situation. You don't have to be a rocket scientist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[guest]

hey Rocket Science go back to school. Playing closer to home what part of that do you not get! I don't think Alvinston is paying for gas. As for playing time on any team IF YOU HIT YOU PLAY! unless your team ROCKET SCIENCE only plays cousins or bench buddies.

Post your name BROKEBACK maybe your team can have a group hug after every inning.

[wismerc]

Everyone needs to make the trip to Fingal this year. Definitely a better park than Union. See everyone soon!

wiz

[coach29]

There will be alot of homeruns this year in Fingal. I hope all the pitchers are working on their dippers!!
Two of the top pitchers in the league gave up lots in the final last year. The short porch might even assist Dusty in getting his first career bomb!!

See you at the park!

[Tip Toucher Finger Dipper]

Brokeback....Dusty Brown...more cock-ends than weekends

[Double A]

Union aims to repeat as champs
Preview of St. Thomas and District Fastball League

Monday May 01, 2006


By Rob Ross
Times-Journal staff
Complacency will not hold back the reigning champions of the St. Thomas and District Fastball League.
From setting high goals to changing venues, the Union Storm now known as the St. Thomas Evergreen Storm has intentions to duplicate their success of last season.
The Storm finally a cleared a hurdle by winning the league championship after taking the pennant for the best record of the 2005 season.
Since winning the club’s first league championship in 2001, the Storm had the best regular season record each season but faltered in the playoffs.
With eight members riding the high of contributing to the St. Thomas Evergreen Centennials win of the Canadian senior men’s fastball championship, the Storm blew through the STDFL playoffs concluding by sweeping the defending champion Glencoe Astros in the final.
The star last season for the Storm was league and playoff MVP pitcher Dan Beecroft, who led with 16 wins and a 1.46 earned run average.
Also back in the lineup are leadoff man and centre fielder Mark Coleman, infielders Chris Wismer, Brian Harvey, Ty Lessard and outfielders Chris Payne and Troy Rick.
New in the Storm cloud are ex-Shedden Mission pitcher Brent Crocker and infielder Scott Bate, a former St. Thomas Tom Cat of the Junior IBL. Out of retirement comes Rich Silple.
This season the Storm, now based out of Fingal, are looking to be the first team to repeat as champions since the Alvinston Indians won back to back titles in 1999 and 2000.
The Storm also plan on not being gracious host of the year’s league all-star game July 11 in Fingal.
Each season the reigning champs play a team of all-stars selected from the other teams in the league. Other than a tie with Alvinston, the all-stars have always prevailed victorious. The Storm look to wash out that trend.
It’s the St. Thomas Storm but their home games will be played in Fingal, 15 minutes west of the city.
The Storm played the 2005 final in Fingal and enjoyed the more spectator friendly ballpark than Union with its washroom facilities, concession booth and better lighting for both the fans and players.
Home games are Thursdays or Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
Action begins tonight with the Storm in Belmont for the league’s season opener at 8 p.m.
Six teams hope to stop the Storm’s bid to repeat.
The Highgate Rock will not field a team this season however many of the club’s players have hooked up with other teams.

BELMONT
Another club changing addresses is the former Aylmer Cardinals. The birds flew the old nest landing in Belmont as the Swiss Chalet Black Sox.
An improved spectator -friendly diamond is the major reason behind the move.
Most of the roster remains the same, led by pitchers Todd Winkworth, a league MVP, Mark Van Vleit and catchers Mark McCallum and Brad Van Gorp. The infield sees Rob Burns, Dwayne Gee, Jesse Brown and Steve French.
Speedy Matt Lynch is joined by brother Tyler in the outfield. Pitcher Craig Walker jumps over from Shedden and pitcher Keenan Haight moves up from the junior ranks. Cory Winkworth adds to the infield.
Returning to the league in a Black Sox uniform are veterans utility man Darryl McCallum and outfielders Darren Shackleton and Scott Wilson.
The club has never advanced past the semifinals, losing the first round last year.
Home games are Mondays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

SHEDDEN
With the Storm moving in just down the road the rivalry with Shedden Mission will certainly not lose its intensity.
Eying a move above the .500 mark Shedden will be led by Gary Cooke batting champion (.475) and co-home run leader (8). Also big on the long ball are outfielder Jeff Wilcox and pitcher Jason Dawdy, with eight each.
The infield sees Mike Unwin and Kyle Cornelius. Pitcher Corey Williams returns after missing most of last season with a broken wrist and should lighten the load for Dawdy. Standout pitcher Mike Joseph will be making occasional appearances for Shedden.
New to the Mission are Joe Caponcini and former Storm catcher Paul Velma.
“We’ll need better defence because we have the offence. If we improve on the defence we’ll improve our record,” manager Paul Unwin said. “Fewer walks and fewer unearned runs.”
Home games are Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

BLENHEIM
Heading to the post season, Blenheim Home Run Restaurant looked for a long playoff run after finishing second. Instead the Restaurant was closed down in the first round.
Back to erase a disappointing end to the club’s season are pitchers Greg Guy and Paul Ceppi, infielders Gregg Haskell, Chris Drew, Steve Donald and outfielders Ryan Gray and Chris Fenton.
New entrees on the Home Run Restaurant menu are catcher Bryan Depencier and last season’s rookie of the year Geoff Gunson from Highgate.
“To stay up in the top three and do better in the playoffs, we’ll need the same dedication as last year,” said Matt Haskell of the team’s 2006 hopes. “We’ll rely on consistent pitching and being able to manufacture runs. With our youth and speed we’ll put pressure on opponents.
Haskell would like to see a higher team batting average.
Home games are Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Two games will be played in Merlin, May 7 and a June 11 double-header against Fingal.

MORPETH
Even a magician or witch likely couldn’t have helped the Morpeth Magic from a dreadful league debut. The expansion team finished last with just seven wins in 28 games.
“Our first year didn’t go as planned. Our starting pitcher (Warren Voth) got hurt three games in and was out for most of the season,” manager Scott Ryckman said. “We’ve picked up another pitcher and added a few key players. We’re expecting to finish top three.”
Hoping to forget any memory of last season are returning outfielders Jeff Parney, Scott Lackei, Wes Shaw, Mike Taylor, shortstop John Pickering and team MVP catcher Jeff Hope.
That new pitcher is Ben Blonde, the long time star on the Highgate Rock mound. Also coming over from the Rock are second baseman Norm Logan and first baseman-catcher Jason Hope.
Those new additions have given the Magic talent to enter two big tournaments, an ISC 2 qualifier and the KW Pride in St. Catharines later this month.
Watch the Magic Fridays at 8 p.m. and occasionally Thursdays at 8 p.m.

ALVINSTON
A familiar line-up returns to the field for the Alvinston Indians, the last club to repeat as league champions.
Pitchers Doug Charlton and Brad Young continue to be aces on the mound with Scott Smith back as catcher. First baseman Mike Black, second baseman Joe Triest, outfielders Marc Greenwood, Andy Triest and Ryan Chapman, plus designated hitter Jeff Huston and pitcher Greg Moore are back as the Indians usual suspects. Also Scott McAuley.
New faces are first baseman Shawn Fenton and utility man Darryl Smith both move from Highgate and catcher/ DH Greg Huston from Glencoe.
Pitcher Derwyn Hodgins comes out of retirement to pitch.
Manager Paul McCart says the Indians want to improve on last season’s result. Having a more consistent attendance at games will surely add to the win column.
Outside of the league the Indians will be working towards winning the ISC 2 tournament and the OASA Intermediate Eliminations Aug. 4-7 held in St. Thomas.
Eight players from the league roster are part of the Alvinston team that has won the OASA Masters provincial title for the past two years.

GLENCOE
Only two years in the league the Glencoe Astros have been to the final twice winning in 2004. The goal is to return again but the team will have the goal with a younger roster.
The Astros loss eight players with many fresh faces filling in the spots.
Pitching remains strong with Shaun Winship and Brett Neal.
Back as Astros are catcher Ed Gould, first baseman Ron Pazitka, John Gougoulais, third baseman Bill Piskorowski and outfielders Greg Eichenberger and Kyle Mitchell who also serves as team manager.
One veteran star added to the team is former Highgate infielder Theo Metron and infielder Rowan Lamb.
“We’re confident we can be right back in the final,” Mitchell said. “We have strong pitching. The biggest challenge will be our hitting because we’re young.”
Home games are Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

[Magic Fan]

who won in Glencoe last night?

[FAN69]

YOU CAN'T BE TOO BIG OF A MAGIC FAN OR YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE GAME.

[Fan 69]

some of us had to work, so i assume you must not, as you have nothing better to do than lip off on here, and then not post your name you clown.

[Fan]

Glencoe 2-1 In the bottom of 7th Winning run driven in by Cody Campbell

[refan]

thanks