As we mentioned last week, the Central Ontario Major Baseball League held their first meeting of the 2010 season, on Monday January 25th.  And during the meeting there were a couple of intersting topics covered (and decisions made), which will greatly effect the League for this season, and hopefully many more.  The two most important decisions involve a new team for the 2010 season, and a re-vamping of the annual "Hap" Walters Tournament, previously run by the Niagara Metros.  Here are the basics of what was decided.

With regard to the new team, the "Mississauga Southwest" Baseball Association has entered a team into the C.O.M.B.L. for the upcoming year.  The new team will be called the "Twins", but will be a completely different outfit from the Clarkson Twins, which represented Mississauga, and played in the league from 2005 to 2006 (without much success).  The new team was represented by GM Bob Kulchyk, and Coach Mike Smith, who promised that the Twins of 2010 will be a stronger entry than their predesessors.

The Mississauga unit will operate out of Clarkson Park, and be placed into the Andrews Division of the League...maintaining the League's "geographical" makeup of the two divisions.  In addition to Mississauga, the Andrews Division will feature Etobicoke, Erindale, Oakville and Brampton.  Meanwhile, the Johnson Division will remain the same, with Milton, Dundas, Burlington, Glanbrook and Niagara back for another year.

The new team will affect the schedule, as well, and will see the league return to a 27-game format...with each team playing the other 9 teams 3 times each.  A random draw will take place to see which teams will get the extra home game for 2010...and then the process will reverse itself in 2011.  Speaking of the schedule, the membership was looking toward a starting date of Saturday May 8th, with a wrap-up date set for Wednesday August 18th.  Included in the plans, is their annual League All-Star game, which will be scheduled for July 25, along with the next topic we're going to cover...the 2010 Hap Walters Memorial Baseball Tournament.

As mentioned, the "Hap" Walters Tournament has become one of the highlights on the Senior Baseball calendar each season, since it's inception in 2002.  It was previously operated out of St. Catharines by the Niagara Metros.  Unfortunately, a change in city policy has cost the Metros the use of Alex MacKenzie Park, one of the primary parks used in the tournament.  With only 2 viable parks left to use in the Niagara area, the Metros were forced to give up operating the tourney.

But with the tournament having such a high profile (and being such an important event each year), the Central Ontario Major Baseball League decided to take over the operation of the tourney, and continue running it for 2010 and beyond.  This year's "Hap" will be played out of the Erindale/ Clarkson / and Etobicoke parks on the same weekend as it has been traditionally held...July 16 to 18.  The the C.O.M.B.L. is especially pleased that, with the glut of available parks in the area, the tourney will be a 16-teamer (assuming enough entries are received), after having been a 12-team tourney for the past several years.

The newly formatted tournament will feature David Huctwith (Mississauga) as Convener, Greg Cranker (Erindale) as Head of Operations, and Bob Wood (Burlington) as Treasurer.  Hap's son, Mark Walters (Niagara) will remain on as Tournament Chairman.  Invitations to the event will be going out via email this week.  Any team that is interested in attending the 2010 "Hap" is urged to contact any of the above listed tournament officers, for information.  All of the details are available on this website, by clicking on the "Hap Walters Tourney" link...to the left of this page.  Further information will be available at the CobaMajor website, later this week...at http://www.cobamajor.com/main.html

.
NEW "BASEBALL FILM FEATURE"

Finally this week, we invite you to check out our "Baseball Film Feature" at the bottom of this page.  We have some "bat wizardry" on display for you...featuring semi-pro ball player Josh Womack, who's making quite a name for himself with his unusual but amazing skills.  Just scroll to the bottom, and press "Play".

Till next week, stay on the field.      

Last week we were able to deliver some good news, when we mentioned the recent marriage of Metros' catcher Jono Marcheterre, to his new wife, Cindy.  This week, unfortunately, we have to deliver some bad news.  The mother of Deb Walters has passed away.  Deb, of course, is the wife of Metros' GM Mark Walters.

Ann Furney passed away peacefully, early on the morning of Monday January 25th, at the age of 75.  She was surrounded by her family, at her home in Thorold.  Ann leaves behind 3 daughters, one son, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  She faught a courageous, but losing 10-month battle with cancer, after being diagnosed last April.

The family will be receiving friends at the Lamb-Bocchinfuso Funeral Home (2 Regent St. in Thorold) on Tuesday evening at 7:00, and again Wednesday at 2:00 and 7:00.  The funeral is set for Thursday at St. John's Anglican Church (12 Carleton St. South in Thorold) at 12:00 noon.

We send our sincere condolences to Deb, Mark and the entire Furney family.


C.O.B.A. MAJOR LEAGUE HOLDS FIRST MEETING OF '10

The Central Ontario Major Baseball League held it's first meeting of the 2010 season last night, in Burlington.  There were a lot of happenings and quite a bit of interesting news eminating from the meeting.  We will report on these happenings, next week...right here at metrosbaseball.ca. 

Till then, stay on the field.