With less than two weeks until opening day, the Metros' coaching staff is working feverishly to set the team's roster for 2010, and the players that are on the field for the pre-season practices are making the job a tough one.  However, by the 8th of May, the roster should be pretty much set...and we're going to begin the process of reporting who will be on it, this week.  In a nutshell, regular followers of the Metros are going to need a program this season, because the team is undergoing the biggest exodus, and influx of players in it's 26-year history.

We're going to start this week, with the players that are leaving the team in 2010 (as mentioned, it's quite a list), and then next week we'll give you a report on the list of talent that is coming to the Niagara club this spring.  It is also a long and very impressive list.  Of course, things could change over the next little while, but as it stands today, here are the losses to the roster...
 

Players that are leaving the club in 2010:

Catcher, Kevin Benjamin.  Kevin played just one season in Niagara (2009), posting a .190 batting average during an injury-filled campaign.  He's moved to Ottawa to pursue an employment opportunity.

Outfielder, Justin Czorny.  After a stellar 7-year career with Niagara, Justin has opted to return "home" and play with the Glanbrook Grizzlies in 2010.  Justin has been a fixture in CF for the Metros, since his rookie season of 2003, winning team M.V.P. awards in 2005 and 2009, as well as a C.O.M.B.L. Playoff M.V.P. in '05.  The 27 year-old compiled a career B.A. of .323, with 8 HR's and 142 RBI's...and was named to the Metros 25th Anniversary All-Star team, last summer. 

Pitcher, Eric DeBoer.  The Metros' closer for 3 of the past 4 seasons, the 25 year-old righthander appeared in 29 games, tossing 61 innings.  He walked 15 and struck out 59 for a 2.07 career ERA.  He is also 4th on the Metros career list for saves with 9.  Eric has retired.

Pitcher, Dan Estey.  The righthanded starter/reliever played the past 3 seasons with the club, appearing in 34 games (starting 13) and accumulating 109 innings.  He finishes with a 5-8 career record, with 4 saves and a 3.72 ERA.  Dan has decided to play closer to his Brampton home, signing with the Erindale Cardinals for 2010.

Catcher, Wade Hill.  Wade was off to a great start in 2009 before seriously damaging a previously injured knee...forcing him to the sidelines, and eventually "under the knife".  The surgery has forced Wade to sit out the entire 2010 season.  The young receiver has put together a solid 5-year career with Niagara, hitting .270 in 89 games.

Pitcher, Ian Horner.  Like Estey, Ian Horner has provided the Metros with some solid work on the mound, in both starting and relief roles, for 3 seasons.  The young lefty has appeared in 44 games (starting 13) in his career, accumulating 136 innings.  His 11-6 record and 2.85 ERA are numbers that the Metros will have trouble replacing, as Ian returns to University in the United States to complete his education.

Infielder, Brad Namtzu.  After an amazing 13-year career with the Metros, Brad has decided to "hang 'em up".  The list of accomplishments for the 31 year-old are too long to post here...but some of the highlights are:  Metros All-Time career records for Games - 521, Plate Appearances - 1929, Singles - 387, and Stolen Bases - 180.  His career batting average of .288 includes 10 HR's, and 245 RBI's...and in 2009 he was named to the Metros' 25th Anniversary All-Star team, as 1st team second baseman.

Infielder, Tylor Prudhomme.  Tylor played two games last season, before having surgery on an injured ankle, sustained playing U.S. College ball in the spring.  After a solid 2008 season (.302 B.A., with 15 runs, 9 RBI's and 7 SB's) Tylor just couldn't get back on the field.  But his talent is evident nonetheless, as he signed a Professional contract to play in the Frontier League this summer.

Outfielder, Rocco Spano.  Another long-time Metros' star, Rocco has also decided to retire.  The 12-year veteran, was quite simply the "face of the franchise" for most of his outstanding career.  Compiling a .343 lifetime mark, Spano has led the team in almost every category over the years, and retires with Top-5 franchise totals in Games, Plate Appearances, Hits, Singles, Doubles, Home Runs, Total Bases, Runs Scored and RBI's.  He was voted the Metros' M.V.P. in 2003, and was named the team's Top Offensive Player 4 times...leading to his selection to the Metros' 25th Anniversary All-Star team.


The 9 players listed above will be missed by the team, not only for their contributions on the field, but also for their comradeship off of it.  We wish these players the best of luck, in all their future endeavors.  It was a pleasure having you with us!

As for the returning players, the 12 that are back are listed on our 2010 Roster page, complete with up-to-date biographies.  Just click the link to the left of the page.  And as mentioned, check back next week...as we list the players that are planning to make the Niagara Metros their "summer home" for 2010.


BEAUTIFUL WORK ON OUR NEW WEBSITE FRONT PAGE DESIGN

Hey, before we go...do you like our new "Front Page Design"?  This outstanding artwork was put together for the Metros by Shawn Whiteley, of "Accurate Litho and Print".  It is a fantastic job...and the Metros recommend "Accurate Litho and Print" for your next printing/design job.  Thanks again, Shawn. 

While the Niagara Metros struggled with the cold and wind during their first outdoor workout on Saturday, off the field it was nothing but sunshine!  The Metros had a couple of big events happen over the weekend, and the team is bursting with pride.

First off...the Central Ontario Major Baseball league, after more than a year of hard work and research, has unveiled it's first ever "Hall of Fame".  And the St. Catharines /Niagara Metros, despite their relatively short 25 years in the league, have 7 people being inducted.  The selection committee (consisting of  Milton Red Sox manager George Moore, Erindale Cardinals boss Greg Cranker, veteran C.O.B.A. umpire and former Burlington Brants manager Bruce Evans, and C.O.M.B.L. convenor Glenn Turner) began this daunting task in the fall of 2008, and finished it up last month, after an exhaustive search for the inaugural members.  The league (which was formerly known as the Halton County Senior Baseball League) dates back to near the turn of the 20th century, and Mr. Moore, during his research (and a bit of speculation), estimates that the league has featured some 60 teams, and roughly 15000 players.  Such was the task that the committee faced.

They did, however, make the criteria for selection to the "Hall" as simple as possible.  Any player or builder up for consideration must have shown a "high level of excellence" in the league for 10 years or more.  The committee settled on 154 players, coaches, umpires, or executives for the initial induction, with more to come...as the newer inductees are announced at the League Banquet after each season.  These "modern era" electees will be ones who have retired within the past few years, or are still active in the league.

As for the 7 inductees from the Metros, the team is absolutey thrilled that they have been recognized for their achievement.  The list, beginning with the player /coaches, includes current General Manager Mark Walters (who was a player in the league back in the '80's, as well as the team's coach for the first 16 years of their existence), and current Field Manager Kerry Hedden (who also played through the '80's and most of the '90's, before taking over the coaching reins from Walters in 2000).  The rest of the Metros who were honoured for their commitment and performance are: Outfielder Mike Coull (1985-2000), Pitcher Lou Gazzola (1988-2005), Infielder Frank Iker (1982-1993 including interlocking schedule with Niagara District in early '80's), 1st Baseman Frank Keltos (1991-2001),  and Catcher-Infielder Dave Lafleur (1988-1999).  These 5 players are all also members of the Metros "Hall of Fame", as well as the 25th Anniversary All-Star team. 

As mentioned, there will be more honourees each season, and the Metros already have a number of recently retired or active players who meet the criteria for election.  Stay tuned!  In the meantime, congratulations to the 7 Metros, as well as all 154 of the initial inductees.  And thanks to the selection committee for all of their hard work in getting this venture off the ground!


CHECK IT OUT!!!

We mentioned in the headline that their are a couple of reasons the Metros are celebrating today.  If you scroll down toward the bottom of this page, you'll notice our "Website Visitors Counter" toward the left of the page.  Yesterday evening, on Sunday April 18th, our 100,000th "hit" took place.  That's right...100,000 people have vistited our website, since we began running it, in December of 2004.  That's an amazing number, and the Metros want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that stops by our website, for their interest.  It's nice to know that there are that many people out there who care about what we're doing.  Thanks, again!


FINALLY...

It looks like the Metros might get a bit of a break from the weather this week.  As mentioned the outdoor season got off to a cold and windy start on Saturday, but everything is looking up for the rest of the week.  The outdoors continue tonight (6:00 at Dempsey park), with the rest of the weekly schedule showing Thursday at 6:00, and Saturday at 1:00.  The cycle continues, until the season begins on May 8th.  The countdown to opening day stands at 19 days.  

That's it for now...we'll see you on the field! 

The waiting is over, as the Niagara Metros begin their "outdoor season" later this week.  The team meets for one last time at Thorold High School tonight (8:30 PM), for a final "casual" practice, and then the preparation for the 2010 season begins in earnest on Saturday.  The Metros' season begins on May 8...that's just 25 days away.  Between now and then, the team has scheduled 9 workouts.

The outdoor season, as mentioned, begins on Saturday at 1:00 PM.  The workout will take place at Dempsey Park...near the end of Rockwood Avenue (off Hartzel Road) in St. Catharines.  For anyone unsure of where Dempsey Park is located, go to the "Park Directions" page on this website and click on the link for Community Park.  If you look three blocks north of Community, you'll find Rockwood Avenue.  Just follow Rockwood to the end, and you'll see Dempsey Park.

Here is the schedule for outdoor practices, prior to the season:

Saturday, April 17 - 1:00
Monday, April 19 - 6:00
Thursday, April 22 - 6:00
Saturday, April 24 - 1:00
Monday, April 26 - 6:00
Thursday, April 29 - 6:00
Saturday, May 1 - 2:30
Monday, May 3 - 6:00
Thursday, May 6 - 6:00

The Metros would ask that any players serious about playing for Niagara this summer get to as many of these practices as possible.  These workouts are being used to not only get everyone in shape for the season, but also to evaluate "new talent".  Your attendence is required for this process to work.  See you there!


MORE WEBSITE UPDATES...

With opening day just around the corner, the Metros are beginning the process of updating the roster...and with it, the "2010 Roster" page of the website.  This is a month-long process, so we've already started...beginning with the returning players.  We have begun updating the roster information, as well as the "Bio" page for each of the returning players listed, and should have that process complete by the end of the week.  After that, as the new players are added to the team roster, they'll also be added to the roster page.  As mentioned, this process should be complete by mid-May.

That's it for now...as we look forward to getting outside, we remind everyone to "stay on the field".