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Saturday, May 31, 2008
METROS DOUBLEHEADER WITH ETOBICOKE RAINED OUT
The heavy rains that hit Niagara overnight
has played havoc with Community Park...resulting in the postponement of the Metros - Rangers doubleheader, on Saturday.
St. Catharines GM, Mark Walters, tried to arrange to have the park ready for an afternoon single game, but there was just
too much water on the field, and not enough sunshine to make the field playable.
So, next up for the Metros is a road game
in Oakville on Monday evening...starting time of 7:30. The next home game is Thursday, June 5, as the Milton Red Sox
come to town. That one also starts at 7:30.
There's one more change to the Metros
schedule next week. The Friday night game scheduled to be played in Dundas has been moved to Monday, June 30, to allow
the Chiefs to participate in an out-of-town tournament. So adjust your schedules...June 6 game is moved to June 30.
Talk to you next week.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
METROS EXPLODE AGAINST TIGERS
The St. Catharines Metros' largely dormant
offense came to life in a big way last night at Meadowvale North Park. The result was a 17-5 victory over the Mississauga
North Tigers in a mercy-shortened 7 inning affair. The Metros pounded the 3 Tiger hurlers for 12 hits, including 6 for
extra bases, and took advantage of 4 errors by Mississauga to score the season-high 17 runs.
Meanwhile, starter and winner, Dan Estey
bent, but didn't break, on the mound for St. Catharines. Estey went the first 5 innings, allowing 4 runs (2 earned)
on 5 hits, while walking 7 and striking out 4 against the hard-hitting Tigers. T.J. Tavender pitched the final 2 innings,
allowing a run on 1 hit. He struck out 3.
Offensively, the Metros were led by veteran
Rocco Spano, who homered, doubled and singled. He walked twice, scored 3 runs and drove in 2. Justin Czorny had
a big night as well, hitting a double and two singles, driving in 4, while Ryan Langdon also had 4 RBI's with a bases-loaded
double and an RBI groundout. Captain Joe Roach added an RBI Sac Fly and a 2-run homer while Andrew Sorochan singled and
drove in 2. Jonathan Paul and Jono Marcheterre added RBI-singles and Tim Collins doubled. St. Catharines
committed one error in the game.
The Metros record now stands at 4-2, good
for first place in the Johnson Division on the young season, with a big doubleheader coming up on the weekend. The defending
C.O.B.A. Major League Regular Season Champions - the Etobicoke Rangers, are at Community Park this Saturday for two 7-inning
games. The first pitch is at noon.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
NIXON MAKES SPECTACULAR C.O.B.A. MAJOR DEBUT
The St. Catharines Metros got a first-hand
look at one of the top young pitchers in the province, on Friday night in Brampton. And Rob Nixon did not dissappoint!
The 19 year old Adelphi University star threw a one-hitter over 7 innings as St. Catharines shut out the Brampton Battlecats
8-0. The win improved the Metros record to 3-2 on the young season.
Nixon was in control the entire time,
as he allowed just a Ken Appleby single, along with 2 walks and a hit batter. He struck out 8. Not to be outdone,
the Metros' 18 year old reliever, Taylor Boyle, threw 2 innings of relief to close it out, preserving the shutout. Boyle allowed
0 hits, and 1 walk, while striking out 4.
The game was certainly a lot closer that
the score indicates, as the game remained in a scoreless tie through 5 innings. The Metros finally broke a string of
15 consecutive scoreless innings in the 6th, when Joe Roach singled, advanced to 2nd on a passed ball, stole 3rd, and scored
on Andrew Sorochan's groundout. The bats finally came alive in the 7th as the Metros put up 7 runs to win, going away.
Brad Namtzu doubled and singled, driving in 3 to lead the way, while Jonathan Paul singled twice and added an RBI.
Roach, Sorochan, and Wade Hill added singles. The Metros committed just 1 error, behind their 2 young pitchers.
St. Catharines returns to action next
Wednesday, as they travel to Mississauga North to play the Tigers, before returning home the following Saturday (May 31) for
a doubleheader against the Andrews Division leading Etobicoke Rangers. Note there is no regular Thurdsay night home
game next week! First pitch of the Saturday doubleheader at Community Park is 12:00 noon.
Friday, May 23, 2008
METROS SCHOOLED BY CHIEFS
The St. Catharines Metros had a week off
prior to last night's game, but it looked like it was closer to a month. Or maybe it was the Dundas Chiefs who made
the Metros look so rusty. Either way, it was a night the home team would like to forget, as the Chiefs handed the Metros
their worst defeat in a number of years...by the score of 12-0, at Community Park.
Dundas was full value for their win as
they collected 12 hits off the 3 Metros hurlers, played errorless ball in the field, and held the Metros' bats to just 4 hits.
Starter and winner, Fabio Del Rio, went the first 6 innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6.
Jamie Crickmore had 3 hits for the Chiefs.
St. Catharines starter, Dustin Turner
took the loss. He went 4 innings and allowed 6 runs (just 3 earned) on 6 hits. He walked 5 and struck out 6.
Newcomer, T.J. Tavender pitched 4 innings of relief and threw very well, allowing a single run on 3 hits and 3 walks.
He struck out 5. Brad Christian finished up, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 2. The Metros
offence was confined to 4 singles...shared by Tim Collins, Ryan Langdon, Rocco Spano, and Andrew Sorochan.
St. Catharines doesn't have to stew about
this one for very long, as they take the field again this evening. They travel to Brampton for a game with the Battlecats...7:30
at the Brampton Fairgrounds.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
NEW FEATURE VIDEO POSTED
We're adding a little levity to our website
for the next two weeks, with our feature video. We have posted, perhaps, the greatest post-game meltdown by a manager
in baseball history. Of course, I'm referring to the 1993 classic by then-Kansas City Royals manager, Hal McRae.
I guess he's not a big fan of stupid questions from reporters! By the way, if you're only hearing every third word...do
not adjust the sound on your computer...that's just Hal being Hal. Scroll to the bottom of the page and press "Play".
Friday, May 16, 2008
METROS COME BACK STRONG TO WIN HOME OPENER
After being soundly beaten Monday night
in Erindale, the St. Catharines Metros came back to defeat a short-staffed Glanbrook Grizzlies team 9-5, in their home opener
at Community Park, last night. The win improved the Metros season record to 2-1 while the Grizz dropped to 0-2.
St. Catharines rode the strong left arm
of Jason Ermers to the win, in his first outing since returning from U.S. College ball. Ermers went 7 innings and allowed
just 3 singles, while walking 4 and striking out 5. He gave up 2 unearned runs. Newcomer Brad Christian, in his
first outing in more than 2 years, pitched 1 2/3 innings, and allowed 3 hits and 3 runs...walking 2 and striking out
2. Dan Estey recorded the final out of the game to pick up the save.
The Metros, who mustered just 4 hits on
Monday, turned it around last night by registering 13. Captain Joe Roach led the way with 3 hits and an RBI, while
Rocco Spano picked up 2 hits and 3 RBI's. Justin Czorny collected a pair of hits and drove in a run and Jonathan
Paul singled twice. Tim Collins, Ryan Langdon and Justin Montgomery added RBI singles each. On defence, Langdon
tied an All-Time Metros team record, recording 10 assists without committing an error at 3rd Base.
The Metros now get a week off before returning
to a busy schedule...as they host the Dundas Chiefs on Thursday and travel to Brampton for a game with the Battlecats on Friday.
Game time next Thursday at Community Park is 7:30.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
In a complete reversal from the game played
in Milton on Saturday, the St. Catharines Metros were soundly beaten by the Erindale Cardinals 9-0 on Monday night in Erindale.
The game wasn't quite as one-sided as the score makes it sound, as the Cards held a 1-0 lead in the 5th inning...but one mistake
by Metros starter Dan Estey, led to 5 runs, and after an arm injury to reliever Justin Czorny limited his outing to 1 1/3
innings, the Cards added 3 runs against outfielder, Rocco Spano.
However, Erindale was clearly the better
team on this evening as the 2 Cardinal pitchers limited St. Catharines to 4 singles, while playing errorless ball and collecting
13 hits. Veteran DH Steve Gallant had a Home Run and a 3-run double to lead the way for the Cards. Starter Gavin
Rajiva was effective in picking up the win on the mound.
As mentioned, Dan Estey started and took
the loss for the Metros. He went 5 innings and allowed 9 hits and 6 runs while striking out 2. Czorny gave up
one hit and struck out 3 in his short stint before Spano allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks to finish up. Czorny,
Jonathan Paul, Brad Namtzu and Tim Collins collected the hits for St. Catharines.
The Metros must re-group now, before
playing their home opener on Thursday night...as the Glanbrook Grizzlies come to Community Park. Game time for that
one is 7:30.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
METROS WIN BIG IN OPENER
The St. Catharines Metros
combined timely hitting with sound defense and shutout pitching to defeat the Milton Red Sox 7-0, in Milton on Saturday.
The game was the season opener for both teams. St. Catharines got
all the runs it would need with a single in the 2nd before adding 5 more in the third, scoring all of the runs with 2 out.
They then wrapped up the scoring in the 8th with another run to make the final 7-0.
The Metros rode the outstanding pitching
of Dustin Turner and Taylor Boyle to the shutout. Turner went 5 innings, allowing just 4 singles to pick up the win
for St. Catharines. He walked 5 and struck out 8. 18-year old lefty Taylor Boyle, in his first appearance in COBA,
was nearly flawless, pitching the final 4 innings allowing 0 hits and a single walk. He struck out 3 en route to his
first save. The Metros committed just 1 error in the game, and the pitchers were aided by some sharp defense behind
them...especially Jonathan Paul and Justin Czorny, who each made run-saving plays.
The Metros 10 hit attack was led by Andrew
Sorochan, who doubled and added a 2-run homer. Czorny doubled and singled, driving in a run, while Brad Namtzu singled
three times and added an RBI Sac Fly. Rocco Spano hit a 2-run double, and newcomer Ryan Langdon added an RBI double.
Paul rounded out the hitting attack with a double, as well.
The Metros return to action Monday night,
as they travel to Erindale for a 7:30 game, before returning home on Thursday for the home opener against the always tough
Glanbrook Grizzlies. Game time at Community Park is 7:30.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Well, ready or not here they come!
The C.O.B.A. Major League games, that is. The Metros have one final pre-seaon practice tonight at Community Park and
then the season gets underway Saturday, as the team travels to Milton, to play the defending Playoff Champion Red Sox.
The Metros will be sporting a bit of a new look for this year...with no less than 8 players from the 2007 squad not returning.
Here is a look at the changes in store for the Metros roster in 2008.
NOT RETURNING
The following players have
decided to retire, and will be sorely missed, after many quality seasons with the Metros ball club. They are listed with their
career stats in brackets.
SS
Jamie Robertson - one of the best defensive shortstops to ever play in C.O.B.A. (263 Games, 840 AB, 250 Hits,
5 HR, 179 BB, 99 K, 30 SB, 123 RBI, .298 BA.)
3B
Tommi Paugh - another great defensive player, and team leader (468 Games - All Time Record, 1400 AB, 384 Hits, 29 HR,
122 BB, 284 K, 56 SB, 220 RBI, .274 BA.)
P
Jason Rabjohn - Very effective pitcher for 8 seasons and Metros team Captain (107 Games, 307 Innings, 322 Hits, 98
K's, 5 ShO, 8 Saves, 20-14 W-L Record, 3.72 E.R.A.)
P
Graham Bailey - Probably the best Closer in Metros history. (69 Games, 100 Innings, 75 Hits, 112 K's, 18 Saves - Metros
All Time Record, 5-8 W-L Record, 3.15 E.R.A.)
Also not returning for 2008
- Inf/OF Klaus Gantner, Of Steve Baldinelli, Inf. Mike Mannella.
And the final non-returnee
is defending C.O.B.A. Top Pitcher Award winner, Brian Essery. Brian has taken 2008 off to
travel to England and become head of the British National Baseball under-18 program. He will oversee the entire operation
for this summer, and play for the London Mets of the British Elite League. It's a great opportunity for Brian and his
family and the Metros wish him nothing but success in his endeavor. He'll be back in 2009.
NEW PLAYERS
The Metros will be featuring
5 new players for the summer of 2008...including two guys who have been with the team in the past.
P
Dan Estey, from Fedricton, N.B. He had a "cup of coffee" with the team, last summer, before his work took him
out of the area.
P
Taylor Boyle, from Thorold. An 18 year old, lefthanded pitcher with unlimited potential. Will get a look-see
this summer while he develops.
P
T.J. Green, St. Catharines. Returns after a year away. Another lefty, he was the Metros Rookie-of-the-Year
in 2006, with a 4-4 record and 2.70 E.R.A.
2B
Justin Montgomery, from Niagara-on-the-Lake. He played NCAA Division 1 ball in 2001 & '02, before an arm
injury caused him to retire. After 6 years, he's making a comeback, and has the ability to be a solid contributor.
3B / OF
Ryan Langdon, from Niagara Falls. A 19 year old 5-tool athlete who could be a force at the plate in '08.
Has the potential to be an outstanding hitter in COBA for years to come.
For all of the
players on the updated Metros roster, along with a brief biography, click on "2008 Roster", to the left of
this page.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
METROS REACH AGREEMENT WITH "PLAYERS"
While the Metros will be announcing their
players later this week, they can announce their agreement with "Players" right now.
The team announced on Tuesday that they
have reached an agreement with "Players Athletic Lager Company" for them to become a sponsor of the team for the 2008 season.
"Players", located at 165 Hartzel Rd (just 2 blocks from Community Park) had been a team sponsor from 2003 to 2006, and Metros
GM, Mark Walters, is thrilled to have "Players" back as part of their sponsorship group.
"We want to thank Steve Ingram
and all the good people at Players for getting back on board the Metros' sponsorship team", said Walters. "It looks like Players Athletic Lager Company will be the place to
be...after Metros home games on Thursday nights this summer".
And one more thing...our new Metros Feature
Film is now posted at the bottom of this page. Do you remember where you were in October of 1993?
Monday, May 5, 2008
METROS EXHIBITION GAME RAINED OUT
Like most of the rest of the province,
the Niagara area got hit pretty hard by the rain on Saturday, and with the rains came many cancellations of opening season
baseball games. The Metros exhibition game with Burlington, scheduled for Community Park was no exception. This was the only exhibition game scheduled by the Metros for
this spring...the season gets underway for real next Saturday, as they travel to Milton for a tilt with the defending COBA
Playoff Champions, the Milton Red Sox. Game time Saturday is 1:30.
There was one game played in the C.O.B.A.
Major League played this past weekend. On Sunday, the Etobicoke Rangers picked up right where they left off last season.
After winning the Anson Buck Trophy as League Regular Season Champions in 2007, the Rangers started the '08 season off with
a very impressive 10-1 victory over the Dundas Chiefs in Dundas. It was the first and only game played in COBA, thus
far.
In the meantime, the Metros continue to
prepare for their season, with practices both tonight and Thursday, at 6:00 - Community Park. The team has pretty much
formalized their 2008 roster, and later this week we'll unveil the 20 players that will don the Metros White and Blue for
this year.
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. The Niagara Metros are very pleased to have Cat's Caboose Dining Coach and Bar Car as their
corporate partner in 2011.
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| Click on the logo to visit the Cat's Caboose website. |
Located in the heart of Old Glenridge,
Cat's Caboose is one of St.
Catharines' oldest and most established restaurants. The place for LIVE ENTERTAINMENT and GREAT FOOD.
. .
. Check out our Showcase Film for the period of February 13 to February 27.
Just scroll
to the bottom of this page and press "Play".
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| Click to visit the "St. Catharines Standard" Website. |
Thank You: To the St. Catharines Standard for allowing us to use pictures and articles throughout this website.
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| Niagara Metros website reaches 100,000 hits on April 18, 2010. |
hits since December, 2004 Thanks for visiting 
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