Two games tonight on tap and under clear skies for a change
If you are looking to follow them from the comfort of your own home here's the links to the live scoring (Thanks Neil) although it doesn't appear to be working
http://iblguelph.bbstats.pointstreak.com/scoreboard.html?leagueid=111
If you want to listen in live to the Hamilton game click below
INDIFM apparently they will also be tweeting live from the park http://twitter.com/INDI101
Starting Pitchers from Hamilton
David Huscko (Hamilton) vs. Tyler Wilson (Kitchener)
Starting Pitchers from Brantford via Facebook
Andy St. Gelais (London) vs. Marc-Andre Major (Brantford)
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Enough with the Rain Already
Toronto at Barrie scheduled for tonight has been washed out. Hope the weather decides to co-operate for the weekend .
For those of you scoring in the stands , that's now 5 games played in the season and 5 rainouts so the IBL is batting .500 on the season.
Rogers is covering the Red Sox home opener tomorrow night on a tape delay basis. So tune into your local Rogers station at 9 pm to catch the game. Unless you are too busy watching that other sport into another game seven. Might want to check the program guide before hand in case its only regional coverage.
Also the Hamilton home game is available on the radio http://www.indifm.ca live from Bernie Arbour.
I think Guelph is the only IBL team without either a radio or tv deal. I know the issue with Rogers involves the fence in centerfield being too high to safely film above from. Back when baseball in Guelph ran things, Maclean Hunter circa 1992-1993 (I think I just dated myself) used to have 2 cameras on top of the visitors dugout and a hand held camera right behind home plate.
I heard rumors earlier this season about the local radio getting on board too but it fell through.
For those of you scoring in the stands , that's now 5 games played in the season and 5 rainouts so the IBL is batting .500 on the season.
Rogers is covering the Red Sox home opener tomorrow night on a tape delay basis. So tune into your local Rogers station at 9 pm to catch the game. Unless you are too busy watching that other sport into another game seven. Might want to check the program guide before hand in case its only regional coverage.
Also the Hamilton home game is available on the radio http://www.indifm.ca live from Bernie Arbour.
I think Guelph is the only IBL team without either a radio or tv deal. I know the issue with Rogers involves the fence in centerfield being too high to safely film above from. Back when baseball in Guelph ran things, Maclean Hunter circa 1992-1993 (I think I just dated myself) used to have 2 cameras on top of the visitors dugout and a hand held camera right behind home plate.
I heard rumors earlier this season about the local radio getting on board too but it fell through.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Season Predictions - A few games under our belts
Going to throw this out there even though we're a few games into the schedule. Here are my predictions for the season.
Brantford Red Sox
Key departures - Justin Wendt (Moved) Adam Vella (retirement)
New faces - Colin Buckborough (Returns after a few years in the Mariners organization)
Brian Speck (Mississauga) Mike Bonanno (Missisauga)
The core of the two time defending champions remains intact. They will still be the team to beat unless something drastically changes. A lot of depth in the bullpen and on the bench. The talent rich got richer in the off-season.
Barrie Baycats
Key departures - Todd Betts (retirement)
New faces - Ryan Davis (returning after a few years absence)
I still think the rainouts/make up games at the end of the season took their toll on the Baycats the playoffs. Factor in suspensions and it was an uphill battle for the Baycats to beat Toronto then they didn't have much left in the tank for Brantford. Will definitely be contending for top spot.
Guelph Royals
Key departures - Andrew Karkoulas (retirement) Dan Zehr (Masters Degree-school) Mike Walker (Internship with the Blue Jays) Matt Fortuna (released to play with brother Mike in Hamilton)
New faces - Dino Roumel (Oshawa/Ontario Blue Jays), Kofi-Osei Aning (Oshawa) Chris Robinson , Chris Nagorski (Oshawa), Brian Brown (Former Silvercreek back after a few years) Bryan Condotta (Oshawa), Ryan Fleming (Oshawa)
Royals Manager Kevin Hinton re-stocked his cupboards with former Oshawa players but really didn't fix his lack of pitching depth in the bullpen. The reigning league MVP Jamie Pogue is out of action at least till early June after separating his shoulder a second time earlier this spring, so the Royals are also without their closer.
Hamilton Thunderbirds
Key Departures - None come to mind
New Faces - Cam Robulack (Former Brewers Draft pick) Matt Fortuna (Guelph) Thomas Robulak (Saskatoon -Western League) Chris Piano (Austria)
The T-birds weren't so fabulous last season. 7-29 but made a big push late in the season. Don't expect them to be a top 4 -5 team but a playoff spot isn't out of the question.
Kitchener Panthers
Key Departures - Graeme Copeland (Mississauga)
New Faces - None come to mind
Team commitment issues plagued the Panthers all of last year. If this doesn't improve they could be in serious trouble. Which would be sad for a franchise with a long history.
London Majors
Key Departures - Kyle Piwowarczyk (retirement) , Craig Bate (Turned Pro), Will Richards (Turned Pro), Mason Reilly
New Faces - Chauncey Ward (Import) , Cleveland Brownlee (Import), Ryan Lapensee, (Wayne State), Andy St. Gelais, (Quebec)
London lost both their catchers in the off season, plus Roop has been re-tooling his line up. They will finish middle of the pack behind Barrie, Brantford, Guelph.
Mississauga Twins
Key Departures - None
New Faces - Scott Van de Valk (Georgetown Eagles - Canadian Bantam Champs), Elliott Shrive (Trade with Guelph) Carlos Garcia (Venezuela) , Graeme Copleland (Kitchener) Kyle Langille (Guelph)
The Twins hired a very important asset in the off-season when they landed Scott Van de Valk. He's won two national championships in the past 4 seasons. (Jr. in Guelph in '06 and Bantam in Georgetown in '09) He's already leaving his mark on the Twins by bringing in players and coached that were vital to his success at those levels. He was rumored for years to be headed for the top job in Guelph but it never came to plan.
Last year the Twins didn't have a LHP stater which left them easy prey for a number of teams in the IBL. Already they have 3 listed on the roster. I can see them turning a few heads this year. 6th or higher isn't out of the question.
Ottawa Fat Cats
Key Departures - None as they are an expansion team
New Faces - Mike Lynch (Toronto) Danny Desclouds (Former Dodger draft pick) Rudy Vallejos (London)
Bill McKenzie could be in for a long season at the helm of the Fat Cats. I'm not saying I don't expect Ottawa to compete at the same level as Brantford or Barrie , the simple facts are that The Fat Cats are playing the majority of their games in double headers which is going to take a mental and physical toll on a number of players. They do however also have the unique luxury of playing only weekends.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Key departures: Mike Lynch (Ottawa)
New Faces : None , but knowing Old Jack he's got some tricks up his sleeves still
The Leafs were a game away from facing Brantford in the finals last year. The pitching staff is once again solid. Marek Deska looks in great form and Dominico Field is still the opposing pitcher's worst nightmare. Offensively the Leafs are a little older than most teams in the IBL but they still are capable of scoring quickly and often. Will finish in the top four.
Predicted Final Standings
1) Brantford
2) Barrie
3) Guelph
4) Toronto
5) London
6) Mississauga
7) Ottawa
8) Kitchener
9) Hamilton
Brantford Red Sox
Key departures - Justin Wendt (Moved) Adam Vella (retirement)
New faces - Colin Buckborough (Returns after a few years in the Mariners organization)
Brian Speck (Mississauga) Mike Bonanno (Missisauga)
The core of the two time defending champions remains intact. They will still be the team to beat unless something drastically changes. A lot of depth in the bullpen and on the bench. The talent rich got richer in the off-season.
Barrie Baycats
Key departures - Todd Betts (retirement)
New faces - Ryan Davis (returning after a few years absence)
I still think the rainouts/make up games at the end of the season took their toll on the Baycats the playoffs. Factor in suspensions and it was an uphill battle for the Baycats to beat Toronto then they didn't have much left in the tank for Brantford. Will definitely be contending for top spot.
Guelph Royals
Key departures - Andrew Karkoulas (retirement) Dan Zehr (Masters Degree-school) Mike Walker (Internship with the Blue Jays) Matt Fortuna (released to play with brother Mike in Hamilton)
New faces - Dino Roumel (Oshawa/Ontario Blue Jays), Kofi-Osei Aning (Oshawa) Chris Robinson , Chris Nagorski (Oshawa), Brian Brown (Former Silvercreek back after a few years) Bryan Condotta (Oshawa), Ryan Fleming (Oshawa)
Royals Manager Kevin Hinton re-stocked his cupboards with former Oshawa players but really didn't fix his lack of pitching depth in the bullpen. The reigning league MVP Jamie Pogue is out of action at least till early June after separating his shoulder a second time earlier this spring, so the Royals are also without their closer.
Hamilton Thunderbirds
Key Departures - None come to mind
New Faces - Cam Robulack (Former Brewers Draft pick) Matt Fortuna (Guelph) Thomas Robulak (Saskatoon -Western League) Chris Piano (Austria)
The T-birds weren't so fabulous last season. 7-29 but made a big push late in the season. Don't expect them to be a top 4 -5 team but a playoff spot isn't out of the question.
Kitchener Panthers
Key Departures - Graeme Copeland (Mississauga)
New Faces - None come to mind
Team commitment issues plagued the Panthers all of last year. If this doesn't improve they could be in serious trouble. Which would be sad for a franchise with a long history.
London Majors
Key Departures - Kyle Piwowarczyk (retirement) , Craig Bate (Turned Pro), Will Richards (Turned Pro), Mason Reilly
New Faces - Chauncey Ward (Import) , Cleveland Brownlee (Import), Ryan Lapensee, (Wayne State), Andy St. Gelais, (Quebec)
London lost both their catchers in the off season, plus Roop has been re-tooling his line up. They will finish middle of the pack behind Barrie, Brantford, Guelph.
Mississauga Twins
Key Departures - None
New Faces - Scott Van de Valk (Georgetown Eagles - Canadian Bantam Champs), Elliott Shrive (Trade with Guelph) Carlos Garcia (Venezuela) , Graeme Copleland (Kitchener) Kyle Langille (Guelph)
The Twins hired a very important asset in the off-season when they landed Scott Van de Valk. He's won two national championships in the past 4 seasons. (Jr. in Guelph in '06 and Bantam in Georgetown in '09) He's already leaving his mark on the Twins by bringing in players and coached that were vital to his success at those levels. He was rumored for years to be headed for the top job in Guelph but it never came to plan.
Last year the Twins didn't have a LHP stater which left them easy prey for a number of teams in the IBL. Already they have 3 listed on the roster. I can see them turning a few heads this year. 6th or higher isn't out of the question.
Ottawa Fat Cats
Key Departures - None as they are an expansion team
New Faces - Mike Lynch (Toronto) Danny Desclouds (Former Dodger draft pick) Rudy Vallejos (London)
Bill McKenzie could be in for a long season at the helm of the Fat Cats. I'm not saying I don't expect Ottawa to compete at the same level as Brantford or Barrie , the simple facts are that The Fat Cats are playing the majority of their games in double headers which is going to take a mental and physical toll on a number of players. They do however also have the unique luxury of playing only weekends.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Key departures: Mike Lynch (Ottawa)
New Faces : None , but knowing Old Jack he's got some tricks up his sleeves still
The Leafs were a game away from facing Brantford in the finals last year. The pitching staff is once again solid. Marek Deska looks in great form and Dominico Field is still the opposing pitcher's worst nightmare. Offensively the Leafs are a little older than most teams in the IBL but they still are capable of scoring quickly and often. Will finish in the top four.
Predicted Final Standings
1) Brantford
2) Barrie
3) Guelph
4) Toronto
5) London
6) Mississauga
7) Ottawa
8) Kitchener
9) Hamilton
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Finally the weather co-operates... Well Sorta its still Freezing
Was able to listen to the Ottawa - Hamilton game today on http://www.indifm.ca/ from Hamilton. I got to give the play by play announcer props. He was freezing and at least he was full of energy.
Congratulations to the Ottawa Fat Cats on their first victory in their first ever game. Still can't find their roster anywhere though.
A interesting point i caught in the broadcast. Apparently one of Hamilton's import players got turned away at the border by Canadian Customs. (I'd love to blame former Thunderbird skipper Jeff Lounsbury for that as he works for customs)
Didn't catch the Royals - Toronto game live from Dominico Field on Rogers as I'm a Bell subscriber.
Apparently the Leafs reversed their fortunes in the bottom of the 9th after back to back walks and an infield single (that's still the same old Christie Pits for you) A fielders choice tied the game then Tony Lewis ended it with a 3 run blast. Game over 4-1 Final
Another pitchers duel and the Royals' offense is still anemic getting a total of 5 hits on the day.
Can't find the details of the London -Kitchener game. it looks like the live scoring conked out in the 3rd inning. Hamilton had issues as well by the looks of things.
Congratulations to the Ottawa Fat Cats on their first victory in their first ever game. Still can't find their roster anywhere though.
A interesting point i caught in the broadcast. Apparently one of Hamilton's import players got turned away at the border by Canadian Customs. (I'd love to blame former Thunderbird skipper Jeff Lounsbury for that as he works for customs)
Didn't catch the Royals - Toronto game live from Dominico Field on Rogers as I'm a Bell subscriber.
Apparently the Leafs reversed their fortunes in the bottom of the 9th after back to back walks and an infield single (that's still the same old Christie Pits for you) A fielders choice tied the game then Tony Lewis ended it with a 3 run blast. Game over 4-1 Final
Another pitchers duel and the Royals' offense is still anemic getting a total of 5 hits on the day.
Can't find the details of the London -Kitchener game. it looks like the live scoring conked out in the 3rd inning. Hamilton had issues as well by the looks of things.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Another IBL first
Just got home from watching Iron Man 2 and was checking the Royals Twitter page.
Saturday's game against Ottawa has already been cancelled a full 12 hours in advance. Weather man is calling for snow Saturday.
At least it saved the Fat Cats a 6 hour bus ride and a bit of cash on hotels.
Edit: 1:30 pm - Been raining all day off and on looks like all the games today got washed too. Brr its too cold for baseball today.
Saturday's game against Ottawa has already been cancelled a full 12 hours in advance. Weather man is calling for snow Saturday.
At least it saved the Fat Cats a 6 hour bus ride and a bit of cash on hotels.
Edit: 1:30 pm - Been raining all day off and on looks like all the games today got washed too. Brr its too cold for baseball today.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Royals bats were silent
The Red Sox - Royals game was over in record time this evening. I think i was home by 10:30 which is unheard of, at least in Guelph. Royals games traditionally take ages on Tuesday nights
Anyways the Royals looked awful. I think they were held to like 4-5 hits at the most and well Sean Reilly didn't exactly knock the cover off the ball for one of those hits.
Ryan Hart left a mistake up over the plate in the 1st inning to Lee Delfino and he sent it sailing over the left field fence to put Brantford up 2-0
Guelph didn't score until the 4th on a bases loaded sac fly by Kevin Hinton. The pitching was decent on both sides but you can tell its early in the season. The batter's timing were off.
I know Guelph only had one outdoor practice before this game because of some stupid city rules about keeping the sportfields closed to teams until May 1st. Maybe next year they should look at an exhibiton game or two else where or look at renting Bectel Park in Waterloo and have their pitchers throw live BP.
Stefan Strecker threw only five pitches in the 9th inning BTW. The Royals weren't exactly a patient bunch at the plate tonight. I won't even comment on the plate umpire's strikezone or shall i say lack of it.
Anyways the Royals looked awful. I think they were held to like 4-5 hits at the most and well Sean Reilly didn't exactly knock the cover off the ball for one of those hits.
Ryan Hart left a mistake up over the plate in the 1st inning to Lee Delfino and he sent it sailing over the left field fence to put Brantford up 2-0
Guelph didn't score until the 4th on a bases loaded sac fly by Kevin Hinton. The pitching was decent on both sides but you can tell its early in the season. The batter's timing were off.
I know Guelph only had one outdoor practice before this game because of some stupid city rules about keeping the sportfields closed to teams until May 1st. Maybe next year they should look at an exhibiton game or two else where or look at renting Bectel Park in Waterloo and have their pitchers throw live BP.
Stefan Strecker threw only five pitches in the 9th inning BTW. The Royals weren't exactly a patient bunch at the plate tonight. I won't even comment on the plate umpire's strikezone or shall i say lack of it.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Baycats strike late for victory
Well they managed to get one game in this weekend
The Barrie Baycats cameback after being down a lot to win 11-10 over Toronto this afternoon at the Pits (Do i start calling it Dominico Field yet?)
I don't have all the details but at least baseball is back, which is good cause I can't take much more hockey since the leafs have been golfing for a month already.
The Barrie Baycats cameback after being down a lot to win 11-10 over Toronto this afternoon at the Pits (Do i start calling it Dominico Field yet?)
I don't have all the details but at least baseball is back, which is good cause I can't take much more hockey since the leafs have been golfing for a month already.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)