Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: IBL Power Rankings: Season Preview

By. Chris LazarWelcome to the first IBL power rankings! Every week during the season I will be giving you my thoughts on where each team stands, who to watch out for, and reasons to be optimistic for each of the league’s eight fanbases. Let’s get started!#8. Brantford Red Sox (Last Season: 2-39)It can only go…

Published

12 months ago

May 14, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

By. Chris Lazar

Welcome to the first IBL power rankings! Every week during the season I will be giving you my thoughts on where each team stands, who to watch out for, and reasons to be optimistic for each of the league’s eight fanbases. Let’s get started!

#8. Brantford Red Sox (Last Season: 2-39)

It can only go up from here. There’s no way to sugar-coat it, Brantford had a miserable 2022 season, but a few changes and additions offer some hope that 2023 won’t be the same. With a new manager at the helm and a young roster, Red Sox fans are hoping this team gives them a reason to come to the ballpark and support their once-storied franchise.

#7. Kitchener Panthers (Last Season: 15-27)

The Panthers had a rough season a year ago, culminating in a sweep at the hands of the Welland Jackfish in the first round of the playoffs, but Kitchener we’ll have something in 2023 that they haven’t had since 2019 – imports. With Bill Matetich now managing the club, most of their roster returning and the addition of their always impactful Cuban players, don’t be surprised if Kitchener shoots up the rankings quickly.

#6. Barrie Baycats (Last Season: 21-20)

Barrie’s pitching staff will look different, yet familiar to those around the league. Emilis Guerrero and Jeifry Nunez, members of the Guelph Royals a year ago, will be joining the Baycats in 2023. It will be interesting to see if Barrie’s preseason trip to the Dominican Republic have an impact on their early season performance and allow them to get off to a hot start.

#5. Hamilton Cardinals (Last Season: 12-30)

After a magical run to the IBL semifinals, the Cardinals have completely revamped their look, feel, and roster. Under new ownership, Hamilton has a new GM (George Halim), and also brought back two-time IBL manager of the year Dean Castelli. Halim has been busy this offseason, bringing in three new imports as well as signing a bunch of solid Canadian talent. This version of the Cardinals will look very different and will certainly be one of the more fascinating teams to follow in 2023.

#4. Guelph Royals (Last Season: 31-12)

The Royals will look to have a better finish this year after suffering one of the biggest upsets in IBL playoff history, but they will have to overcome some big losses to their roster. Dalton Pompey, Sean Reilly, and 2022 IBL MVP Claudio Custodio all won’t be back in Guelph this season, however the additions they made on the mound should give them a deeper pitching staff.

#3. Toronto Maple Leafs (Last Season: 24-18)

The Maple Leafs seem to have most of their starting lineup returning for 2023, a group many consider the most dangerous offence in the league, although not much is known about the pitching staff. Admittedly, it feels unfair to have the back-to-back finalists below the team they eliminated last year, but this has been their script for a few years now. They fly under the radar during the regular season, but when the games matter most, they bring it.

#2. Welland Jackfish (Last Season: 31-11)

Building off the best season in their franchise’s history, well and will certainly be vying to bring an IBL championship to the Rose city this summer. While the lineup will have some different pieces, The additions they made on the mound gives them arguably the deepest set of arms in the league. Expectations are high, and anything short of competing for the title would be a disappointment for this club.

#1. London Majors (Last Season: 32-11)

When you have won back-to-back championships, it’s impossible to have anybody else at the top to start a new season. The roster should look fairly similar to last year, with a couple of different imports coming into the fold. With the nucleus of this team still intact, the majors are determined to bring a third straight trophy back to London, and also become league’s third dynasty of the 21st century.

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: IBL Veteran Brett Lawson Re-Signs with Hamilton

The Hamilton Cardinals have re-signed veteran right-handed starting pitcher Brett Lawson.Standing tall at 6-foot-8 and hailing from Burlington, Lawson made a mid-season move to the Cardinals from the Welland Jackfish during the 2023 campaign. Despite a limited regular-season engagement, where he pitched 7 innings for the Cardinals, Lawson stepped up remarkably in the playoff series…

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

The Hamilton Cardinals have re-signed veteran right-handed starting pitcher Brett Lawson.

Standing tall at 6-foot-8 and hailing from Burlington, Lawson made a mid-season move to the Cardinals from the Welland Jackfish during the 2023 campaign. Despite a limited regular-season engagement, where he pitched 7 innings for the Cardinals, Lawson stepped up remarkably in the playoff series against Barrie, delivering a standout performance by striking out 10 batters across 8 innings and achieving a commendable ERA of 3.37.

With a rich career spanning over 500 innings in the IBL and accumulating more than 400 strikeouts, Lawson’s experience is unparalleled in the league. His illustrious career includes clinching the IBL’s prestigious Dominico Cup with the Barrie Baycats from 2014 to 2018. Lawson’s professional journey was kickstarted when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft, following his tenure at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, marking the beginning of a six-season journey in professional baseball. The Cardinals will continue to lean on Lawson’s proven leadership and track record of success throughout the 2024 season.

“Lawson is one of the model IBL veterans, and with a young roster, we’re fortunate to have him back with us,” said George Halim, Hamilton Cardinals General Manager. “He’s a lifetime pro who knows how to get outs, and knows how to compete while giving us a chance to win when he’s out there.”

About the Hamilton Cardinals

The Hamilton Cardinals Baseball Club are a member of Canada’s best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, established in 1919. For more information visit: https://www.theibl.ca & https://www.iblcardinals.ca

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: JACKFISH ANNOUNCE CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION GAME AGAINST QUEBEC CAPITALES

WELLAND – The Welland Jackfish, Niagara’s sports entertainment destination, is excited to announce they will host the 2023 Frontier League Champions Quebec Capitales for a preseason game at Welland Stadium on Monday, May 6.Gates are scheduled to open at 6:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Concessions will be available and tickets…

Published

3 months ago

January 31, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Gates are scheduled to open at 6:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Concessions will be available and tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 905-735-9834 or by clicking here.

“It will be great to open the doors on May 6 for the exhibition against Quebec,” team President and Director of Fun, Ryan Harrison said. “I appreciate Pat Scalabrini and the entire Quebec Capitales for making this happen for us and all of our fans. It will be tremendous for our players – and our gameday staff – to get in a preseason game under the lights as we continue to prepare for Opening Day. It’s incredible to be home at the Pond.”

The Québec Capitales (French: Les Capitales de Québec) are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, Quebec. The Capitales have been members of the Frontier League since the 2020 season after a merger between the Can-Am League and the Frontier League in October 2019. Since the 1999 season, the Capitales have played their home games at Stade Canac.

The Jackfish return to The Pond on Saturday, May 18th at 6:05 pm for their 2024 Home Opener. Season membership and flex plans are on sale now at wellandjackfish.com/2024 or by calling 905-735-9834.

The Welland Jackfish are a member of Canada’s best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.wellandjackfish.com or follow the Jackfish on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @wellandjackfish.

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: Leafs Re-Sign Pitcher Chris Nagorski

TORONTO, Ontario – The Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club (@MapleLeafsBaseball) announced today the re-signing of 5 time IBL Champion Right-Handed Pitcher Chris NagorskiNagorski returns for his 3rd season with the Leafs after spending 8 seasons in the IBL with Guelph and Barrie. Nagorski is 2nd all time in IBL career saves (25) and 12th all-time…

Published

3 months ago

January 30, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

TORONTO, Ontario – The Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club (@MapleLeafsBaseball) announced today the re-signing of 5 time IBL Champion Right-Handed Pitcher Chris Nagorski

Nagorski returns for his 3rd season with the Leafs after spending 8 seasons in the IBL with Guelph and Barrie. Nagorski is 2nd all time in IBL career saves (25) and 12th all-time in appearances (136 games) . Last season in 12 games, Chris stuck out 8 and had an ERA of 5.26 in 13.2 Innings pitched.

“Chris is a tremendous team player and understands his role as a leader and late inning relief pitcher. He knows how to be ready to pitch and helps the younger players adjust to the IBL. We are excited to have him back this year.” GM Jeff Lounsbury

“I am thrilled to run it back with the boys and contribute to a new era of Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball” said Nagorkski

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a member of Canada’s best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year-old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.mapleleafsbaseball.com or follow the Maple Leafs on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

This announcement is brought to you by NEW ERA CAP COMPANY official hat supplier of the Toronto Maple Leaf Baseball Team. New Era | New Era Hats & Apparel – New Era Cap

Photo: Craig Aikin

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