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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

Province’s Roadmap to Reopening Good News for the IBL

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The province’s Roadmap to Reopening announced last week states outdoor leagues can begin play at the start of Phase Two. If everything goes as planned that means Ontario’s Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) will be playing baseball on July 5, albeit with restrictions.

That is good news indeed as for the first time since 2019, there is some light at the end of the long and dark pandemic tunnel. The news from the province put a number of things in motion for the IBL. First and foremost, the IBL is preparing a Return to Play plan to submit to the province – The IBL cannot resume without an approved plan.

The league has retained Dr. Tim Rindlisbacher to assist in the preparation of a league plan as well as a Return to Play plans for our eight teams. Dr. Rindlisbacher has also worked with the Ontario Hockey Federation and the NHLPA on return-to-play plans.

The IBL plan will include a myriad of scenarios around fan capacity and distancing, masks, the use of clubhouses and buses, concessions, and many other items. Additional good news is that Phase Three, if all goes well, could start 21 days later, on July 26, with eased restrictions.

Everything it seems is in pencil these days, but the IBL is working towards a start date of around July 5 with regular-season games into early September followed by a shortened playoff season.

Historically, the IBL has allowed each team to have four imports. That rule is still in place, but border restrictions and logistics may have an impact on teams being able to bring in players from other countries.

The IBL is also encouraging players, team staff, umpires, volunteers and even fans to get vaccinated. The response has been fantastic and it’s our way out of the pandemic and a path to get back on the field. Plus, besides being the right thing to do, vaccination thresholds are an element of the province’s Roadmap to Reopening.

In the weeks coming, the Intercounty Baseball League will keep our fans, players, and stakeholders updated with our return to play plan and the league looks forward to returning to the field!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: John Kastner, IBL Commissioner (519) 301-3227

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is the top-level baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-major league professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. The 2021 season will mark the IBL’s 102nd in operation. The IBL is one of the longest continuously operated baseball leagues in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the IBL following their MLB careers.   The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Kitchener, London, Toronto, Guelph, Welland and Hamilton. For more information, visit www.theibl.ca.

Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: Majors add Mustang to the Outfield

LONDON – The London Majors are pleased to announce the signing of local outfielder Will Pollard.Pollard joins the Majors after playing for the Western Mustangs during the fall season where he was a teammate of Majors outfielder Austin Wilkie. This past year for the Mustangs Pollard hit an average of .286 with 10 rbi with…

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LONDON – The London Majors are pleased to announce the signing of local outfielder Will Pollard.

Pollard joins the Majors after playing for the Western Mustangs during the fall season where he was a teammate of Majors outfielder Austin Wilkie. This past year for the Mustangs Pollard hit an average of .286 with 10 rbi with 12 runs in 13 games. Pollard is also an alumni of the St. Thomas Tomcats junior team where he had a .400 average and 9 RBIs in 7 games during the 2022 season.

Pollard also played with the London Badgers where he was a teammate of Majors AP players, Jaryd Lund and Connor Ambrogio, where they teamed up in 2018 and won gold in Fort McMurray.

Growing up in London, it’s a dream come true for Pollard who shared memories of attending games “As a kid, I remember having a blast going to majors games. Whether that be running around the bases, chasing after foul balls, getting autographs, you name it. I specifically remember this one moment when Cleveland Brownlee hit a grand slam on Mother’s Day to help give the majors the win. The atmosphere in the park was absolutely incredible.”

Another new Major, Roop was asked about adding to the local talent pool on the Majors roster and how important it is to the success of the team “Will is another good local player that we have added to our roster.” He then went on to talk about what he brings to the roster “Will is a line-drive hitter with some pop and is a good defensive outfielder”

The London Majors are a member of Canada’s top baseball league, the Intercounty Baseball League. In 2021 the London Majors won the IBL Jack & Lynn Dominico Trophy. The 100-year-old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world. The league was established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.londonmajors.com or follow the Majors on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, and TikTok at @Londonmajors

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: 2019 All-Star Yera Named to CUBAN WBC Team

The Kitchener Panthers would like to congratulate 2019 IBL All-Star, Yoennis Yera, on his selection to team Cuba’s World Baseball Classic roster.The bulldog competitor went 7-1 with a 3.88 ERA in 2019 for the Panthers, making 12 starts and picking up 87 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched.The 33 year old is a veteran of the…

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The Kitchener Panthers would like to congratulate 2019 IBL All-Star, Yoennis Yera, on his selection to team Cuba’s World Baseball Classic roster.

The bulldog competitor went 7-1 with a 3.88 ERA in 2019 for the Panthers, making 12 starts and picking up 87 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched.

The 33 year old is a veteran of the Cuban National Series, having been the longtime ace of the Matanzas Crocodiles and recording a career record of 98 wins and 50 losses across 14 seasons with a 3.24 ERA. He has recorded 1023 strikeouts and has a dominant 3.38 strikeouts to walks ratio.

Yoennis made headlines last year while dominating for the Tabasco Olmecas of the Mexican AAA league where he was named a league All-Star as well as tossing a complete game no- hitter. He was one of the top arms in the league with an 8-2 record, ERA of 3.01 and 88 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched.

Yera will be suiting up alongside the likes of MLB stars Luis Robert (White Sox), Yoan Moncada (White Sox) and former Mets and A’s slugger Yoenis Cespedes as Cuba is scheduled to play in the opening game of the tournament on March 8th vs the Netherlands.

Yoennis is amongst a group of 5 former Panthers who have represented Team Cuba at the world baseball classic which includes Frank Morejon, Noelvis Entenza, Jonder Martinez and Miguel Lahera.

We wish Yoennis the best of luck in what will be his second appearance at the World Baseball Classic and look forward to his expected return to Kitchener in the coming years.

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: Majors sign infielder McGee for 2023

LONDON – The London Majors are pleased to announce the signing of first baseman Kayne McGee.A product of West Liberty University (NCAA D2) has been the Hilltoppers second best hitter so far this young season.  As of March 1st after 8 games, Kayne has a 0.381 batting average, 2 doubles and 3 rbi.  Last year…

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LONDON – The London Majors are pleased to announce the signing of first baseman Kayne McGee.

A product of West Liberty University (NCAA D2) has been the Hilltoppers second best hitter so far this young season.  As of March 1st after 8 games, Kayne has a 0.381 batting average, 2 doubles and 3 rbi.  Last year the Almonte Ontario native had 24 RBIs in 45 games which was second on his team, trailing the team leader at 28. McGee has also played for the Great Bend Bat Cats (Great Bend Kansas) and Jamestown Tarp Skunk (Jamestown NY) at the summer collegiate league level in the USA.

Another new addition to the Majors infield, fans will be excited to see come opening day, we asked the Hilltoppers infielder what Majors fans can expect from him when they see him in the lineup and patrolling 1st base “The fans can expect from me is a left-handed power bat that likes to work the gaps, looking to make an impact every time I’m up at the plate. (I’m)Excited to be playing in front of the best fans in the IBL and bringing home another championship come opening day!”

With the first baseman joining the Majors, Roop Chanderdat was asked about the new infielder “Kayne is a left-handed power hitter that likes to go gap to gap.  He is another hard-working young player that wants to get better.”

The London Majors are a member of Canada’s top baseball league, the Intercounty Baseball League. In 2021 the London Majors won the IBL Jack & Lynn Dominico Trophy. The 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world. The league was established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.londonmajors.com or follow the Majors on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter and TikTok at @Londonmajors.

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