Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: IBL Power Rankings: Week 12

By Chris LazarWith only three weeks remaining in the 2023 IBL regular season and with the playoffs are right around the corner, teams are jostling for playoff seeding and trying to secure the best path to hoisting the Jack and Lynne Dominico Trophy. Let’s look at where each team stands on the first day of…

Published

12 months ago

August 2, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

By Chris Lazar

With only three weeks remaining in the 2023 IBL regular season and with the playoffs are right around the corner, teams are jostling for playoff seeding and trying to secure the best path to hoisting the Jack and Lynne Dominico Trophy. Let’s look at where each team stands on the first day of August.

#8. Brantford Red Sox (6-26, Previous Week: 8)

Losers of three straight, the Red Sox offense has slowed down over the past week, scoring only 10 runs over their last three games. They were in a tight battle in Kitchener on Thursday until the Panthers pulled away late, before getting stomped by the Barrie Baycats on Sunday. For Brantford the goal at this point is to hit double digits in wins, and they only have 10 games left to do so.

#7. Hamilton Cardinals (15-17, Previous Week: 5)

Things have quickly gone downhill for the Cardinals after a very strong start, as they have lost eight of their last ten games and are under .500 for the first time all season. Tensions boiled over Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits when benches cleared as the game ended after a spirited affair with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a potential playoff opponent. Maybe that sparks the team to go on a run in August, because things aren’t looking quite as bright as they used to in the hammer.

#6. London Majors (10-20, Previous Week: 7)

A gruelling weekend yielded outstanding results for London all things considered, as they took two out of three against the top three teams in the standings, including snapping the Welland Jackfish 10 game win streak. Owen Boon continues to build on a stellar season with a great outing on Friday, but Eduardo De Oleo was the star of the weekend after hitting four (!!) home runs on Sunday in Kitchener. Despite a tough loss to the Guelph Royals last night, the Majors have to feel good about where they’re at.

#5. Guelph Royals (14-19, Previous Week: 6)

The return of Claudio Custodio has clearly energized a Guelph team that desperately needed a boost. After announcing his signing, the Royals racked off three wins in their last four games, with their one loss being Saturday in Barrie where they had such little pitching that Darius Barlas (yes, the infielder) had to pitch in a fairly close game. The best part? Custodio looked just as good as last year, allowing one unearned run and two hits while striking out 10 in his debut. Nobody wants to see that guy come playoff time.

#4. Kitchener Panthers (20-13, Previous Week: 3)

After a busy four games in six days stretch, the Panthers found themselves on the wrong side of a couple of lopsided scorelines. They defeated Brantford and Hamilton to kick off the weekend before getting blown out in back-to-back home games by London and Toronto. Having allowed 32 runs in those two games, the pitching staff took a step back after a solid couple of weeks. Nothing to be overly concerned about, but a couple of more outings like that and there will be.

#3. Toronto Maple Leafs (16-14, Previous Week: 4)

The Leafs haven’t played much over the last couple of weeks, but they have played well recently winning three straight contests, including a very impressive victory last night against the Kitchener Panthers. Their offense has picked back up and with a few make-up games soon, they will have a chance to get into a good rhythm heading into the playoffs. This is about the time of year when Toronto starts to really take things seriously and turn it up a notch, and that appears to be happening again this season.

#2. Barrie Baycats (21-10, Previous Week: 2)

It’s no secret that Barrie wants home field advantage as long as possible during the playoffs, and they are doing a good job of securing that after winning five of their last six games and three in a row. The Baycats have their eyes on bigger things than second in the standings however, as they firmly believe they can win the championship this year. Based on their play thus far and how they’ve played the top teams, they have good reason to feel that way.

#1. Welland Jackfish (24-6, Previous Week: 1)

Despite having their 10 game winning streak snapped, Welland is still the team to beat, and barring a late season collapse that will remain the case until the postseason begins. If there is one cause for concern though, it’s that they haven’t performed well in games against some of the top pitchers in the league. They are 0-4 in their last four games against Frank Garces and Owen Boon. The Jackfish have the most depth in the league but come playoff team they will have to beat other teams’ best arms, the one thing they’ve had a tough time with this year.

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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

6 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

6 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

6 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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