IBL Ticket Prices

I've done some digging around on the team websites throughout the league to find the best deals
If you click on the images they do get larger sizes.


The highest prices are in red. Ottawa is the most expensive across the board

If you were a smart shopper planning to use the league pass function the ibl is trying out this season, you could buy season tickets from London and use them at any other team's park in the league all year long.











For Single game I was surprised to see Mississauga being the most expensive for an adult seat again with the Ottawa prices being the exception to the rule.

For the casual fan Toronto doesn't charge admission as its in a public park with no gate so difficult to charge there. And another note is i couldn't find Kitchener's pricing anywhere on the web.

Baycats @ Royals - Recap

If not for the errors committed last night this would have been a very entertaining 2-1 final.

Unfortunate that Guelph's shortstop Geoff McCallum is fighting the ball out there. He looks stiff and unrelaxed in his motions.

Both starters pitched extremely well. Adam Garner threw seven complete for Barrie and was pounding the strike zone all night, getting ahead of most of the Royals hitters.

Adam Reynolds threw a lot of pitches for this early in the season 115 is way too many for May baseball. Granted he is leaving the 28th for Lethbridge and needs 9 innings over 3 games to qualify for the IBL post-season. That's assuming he's not drafted or Royals Manager Kevin Hinton doesn't release him again like last season.

Some other puzzling moves last night included Hinton reaching base late in the game and not bringing in a pinch runner. Or even earlier in the game with runners at 2nd and 1st why didn't he square around to bunt? Granted he hit a laser to 2nd base which still advanced the runners but its poor strategy with a kid like Valeriote due up. Plus Valeriote already had a triple in the game.

I get it that Hinton wants Arden Eddie's record for most hits in the league but when do you cross the line between what is good for you and what is more beneficial for the team? I personally think its time Hinton focuses on managing.

The Royals hitters have no patience at the plate what so ever. More than a handful of at bats last night they jumped on the first pitch. Yes Adam Garner was throwing 90% strikes but still show some patience especially when your already down 5-1.

I must say i like the Baycats new road jerseys. Look a lot like the brewers.

Barrie is looking solid 1-9 and are going to compete with the best of them all season long.


Some other notes: I finally got a reply back on the concession stand issues. It turns out the city removed the grill and fryers this winter as they were in poor shape. So no hot dogs this summer unless the game staff fires up some BBQ's.

Last night's attendance was around 100 people tops. it was cold and a Tuesday night while school is still in so the number is probably about the norm. The Royals need to seriously consider skipping the Tuesday nights in May as its too cold and late for families

Royals Roster Additons

The Royals signed two pitchers today according to their website. Chris Romano from Markham and Joey Ellison from Mississauga.

They also announced the release of Ryan Fleming today.

Adam Reynolds is expected to get the start tonight and Kofi Osei-Anning is apparently suiting up tonight. Curious to see who is the odd man out in the outfield.

Logically that points to Brian Brown, but with Frankie Hare's apparent injury in batting practice Saturday who knows. Hare was getting work done by their trainer and later seen on the bench not in full uniform. Maybe that puts Brown at third base moving Mark Allen back to 1st and Kevin Hinton back in the DH spot.

Get involved if you can

Been following the IBL team websites , facebook and twitter pages fairly well this season and the one thing that strikes me is that official scorers appear to be at a premium .

If you live in one of these centers and know how to score a baseball game it might be a great way for you to get involved.

Mississauga is looking for help Thursday nights with scoring and their scoreboard. If you can help contact them via their website or twitter

They also have openings for students looking for volunteer hours which are required for them to graduate.

London is in need of an official scorer as well. Please contact scott@londonmajors.com


Speaking of Facebook, Twitter etc. Most Surprisingly there are two teams in league out of the loop with their fans.

Brantford and Barrie as neither of them have a real face book, or twitter pages.

I'm not surprised in Brantford as they seem to be the only team that isn't planning to use point streak either. They really thrive on being behind the times.

Like it or not, we live in the information age. Today's fan is connected 24 x7 either via a computer, cell phone or other hand held device. You can either embrace these changes or get left behind . The league as a whole needs to get better equipped as well or how else do you plan to tap into new fan bases?

Lone Game on Tap Tonight

The Barrie Baycats are in Guelph this evening to face the Royals in the lone scheduled game in the IBL. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm at Hastings Stadium. Both teams are back at it Wednesday night in Barrie for the 2nd half of their home and home series.

Tonight is also the first 20 buck Tuesday Night promotions the Royals are running this year. You and four of your friends can get into watch the game for 20 bucks. Not a bad deal considering what Ottawa is apparently charging per game. More on that later this week.

Sunday Recap

Ottawa 5 Mississauga 1 - Game One

Danny Desclouds pitched a three hit gem as the Fat Cats treated their fans to their first victory at home.

The Fat Cats spotted Desclouds a three run lead bottom half of the first inning. Chris Latimer led off with a single the Mark Charrette walked, Marshall MacDonald singled to drive home Latimer. Josh Wood the Twins starter balked that allowed Charrette to score. Mombuquette then singled home MacDonald for the 3-0 lead.

The Fat Cats scored single runs in the third and fourth inning.

Kyle Langille drove home the lone run for the Twins.

Mississauga 12 Ottawa 11 - Game Two

Game two was a wild affair. Ottawa opened up a big 6-2 lead then the wheels fell off.

Fat Cats starter Mike Lynch had a 4th inning walkathon in which he walked five, and gave up a grand slam to Jeff McLeod . The Twins scored 9 times to make it a 12-6 game

The Fats clawed their way back into the game but fell short losing 12-11 in front of 2400 fans

Brantford 4 Toronto 0

The Red Sox pitching staff held the Leafs to five hits on the afternoon. Brad Hogetorp allowed two hits over six and two thirds 6 K's and walked 3

Brantford managed nine hits, including three from former Leaf Joe Colameco. Lee Delfino had two hits and scored twice, including belting his 2nd homer of the season.


Hamilton 11 London 9

A four and a half hour affair. Both teams combined for 19 walks on the afternoon, 8 pitching changes and five errors. No more details available.


Kitchener 8 Barrie 7

Kevin Childs had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Panthers the victory

Matt Cockburn pitched seven innings, while Derek Sinko picked up his 2nd save.

Kyle Payne took the loss for the Baycats in relief. Steve Lewis had a two-run homer and Dave Latour had a solo homer.

In the News - Ottawa Edition

Found a couple of articles on the Fat Cats home opener. By the sounds of it the paid attendance is a lot lower than the actual number of butts in the seats. Apparently they just opened the gates to keep the lines moving.

Also the reason fans can't drink in their seats is that seats aren't part of the liquor license. Go figure.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Cats+draw+mixed+reviews/3033992/story.html

http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/baseball/2010/05/15/13963001.html

Would love to hear from any Ottawa fans on their thoughts on the league.