With less than two weeks until opening day, the Metros' coaching staff is working feverishly to set the team's roster for 2011, and despite all the rainouts we've endured (see story below for more), "the show must go on", and preparations continue.  By the 7th 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, for the second year in a row regular followers of the Metros are going to need a program, because the team is undergoing another huge exodus, and influx of players.  We're going to start this week, with the players that are leaving the team in 2011 (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 2011:

Catcher/Infielder, Dustin Wiley.  Dustin played just one season in Niagara (2010), posting a .288 batting average, with a HR, 21 BB's, and 18 RBI's...and lent experience, and a veteran presence to the young Metros lineup.  The former Windsor resident and Windsor Stars player has returned to play with the Stars this summer.

Short Stop, Matt Spillman.  After a stellar year in which he finished 2nd in the league in Rookie-of-the-Year balloting, Matt will not be returning, at least for the 2011 season.  He finished 2010 with a .406 BA, along with a team-leading .539 O.B.P., and also collected 20 BB's, 17 SB's, and 23 Runs.  Matt is going to try his luck in the Intercounty Baseball League this summer.

Pitcher, Jason Ermers.  The Metros' All-Time All-Star lefthanded starter gave the team his usual outstanding season in 2010.  Despite finishing with a 1-5 record (Niagara scored an average of just 3.1 runs per start for him), he still tossed 45 innings and allowed just 31 hits and 16 walks (1.04 WHIP) while striking out 41. Unfortunately, Jason sufferd through a series of debilitating injuries for the first time in his stellar career in 2010, and his arm has not come around. He has had to, at least for the immediate future, put his pitching career on hold.

Infielder Tim Collins.  Collins came to the Metros in 2007, after a terrific minor league career in his hometown of Peterborough, as well as a couple of exceptional years with Team Ontario.  He gave Niagara 4 seasons of great middle-infield work, to go with a .308 career batting average, and is the Metros' all-time record-holder with only 34 K's in his 553 AB's.  Tim and his wife are moving to Kingston to persue work opportunities for each of them.
 
Outfielder, Steve Baldinelli.  Steve had given the Metros 3 outstanding seasons, prior to an off-year in 2010.  The speedy former European pro batted just .163, after compiling a .339 career mark from 2006-2009.  Steve has decided to "call it a career", in the C.O.M.B.L.

Infielder, Garrett Fisher.  Garrett played his first season with Niagara in 2010, and posted a .209 mark, with 4 doubles, 11 BB's and 8 RBI's, in his 55 At Bats.  The 21 year-old also gave the team some fine innings at 3B in his rookie season.  Unfortunately, Garrett's work schedule has interrupted his Metros career in 2011.

Pitcher, Chris Magarian.  After two very good years with the Metros, Chris has gone to Europe to play in the Austrian Elite league, for the Vienna Wanderers (who are coached by former Metros' star, Nick DeForest).  Last year, he was a workhorse on the pitching staff, appearing in a team-leading 15 games, and picking up 3 wins and a save, while posting a 2.25 ERA.  His career WHIP (over 2 seasons) is an outstanding 1.00!

Pitcher, Brian Essery.  Although Brian was on the roster in 2010, he was unable to make an appearance, due to ongoing arm issues.  We could write a few paragraphs on the veteran righthander's service to the Metros over the years, but his 60-23 record, and his career 2.50 ERA over 627 innings, should tell you everything you need to know.  He is one of the greatest pitchers to ever hit the field in the C.O.M.B.L., and after 12 great years Brian has retired.
 
Pitcher, Paul Somerville.  Another Metros' rookie in 2010, Paul has decided to play in a local Buffalo-based league, near where he plays college ball.  The young lefthander showed a lot of promise in his first year in the C.O.M.B.L., especially in the second half of the season.  Paul finished with an 0-1 record, and a 6.63 ERA in his 19 innings of relief.

Outfielder/Pitcher, Mike Czerwieniec.  Another veteran newcomer from the Windsor area, Mike will be joining Dustin Wiley by returning to play for the Stars in 2011.  Unfortunately, he had an injury-plagued season with Niagara in 2010, and his mound appearances were limited.  When he did get to the hill, he was very good, posting a 2-1 record and a 2.42 ERA in his 26 innings.  He also added a .282 BA, with 4 doubles, 20 BB's, 7 SB's, and 16 RBI's, as the Metros centerfielder.

Outfielder/Pitcher, Dave Davidson.  Dave was everything the Metros could have hoped for, and more in 2010.  The former Major Leaguer remained at home last summer, and hooked up with Niagara to play the game, while rehabbing an arm injury at the same time.  The 26 year-old put on a show, winning the League's batting title with a .516 mark, and then coming home with the League's M.V.P. award.  Dave has signed a professional contract in the Western Major Baseball League, and is hoping that his performance and exposure in this highly-skilled Independent Pro League will get him back to the majors.


The 11 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...and hope that one day soon, they'll return to the friendly confines of Community Park.  It was a pleasure having you with us!

As for the 11 returning players...they are listed on our 2011 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...when we'll list the new players planning to make the Niagara Metros their 2011 "summer home".



MOTHER NATURE STRIKES AGAIN!!

The Niagara Metros' attempt to get on the field in 2011 took another major hit this week.  The torrential rains that hit overnight and this morning on Tuesday have rendered the park unplayable for both Tuesday night's and Thursday night's practices.  With both practices off the books, the team has decided to move back inside, to try and make up one of them. 

That practice will happen this Thursday night at 9:00 PM at the Bullett Baseball Academy in Welland.  All players are urged to attend this indoor workout, as the team must get some throwing, and a few more batting practices in, prior to the May 7th opening game.  A reminder that Bullett's is located at the Welland Fairgrounds, 1100 Niagara Street in Welland, and there is a $10.00 charge per player, for the rental of the facility. 

If the team gets a break in the weather, they'll try it again outside on Saturday (April 30) at Community Park.  Practice time is 1:00.  The team also secured an extra workout next week at Community, meaning that the team will go Monday, Tuesday and Thursday...at 6:00 each night.  Players are asked to please make arrangements to try and get to as many of these practices as possible.

In the meantime, we'll see everyone this Thursday at Bullett's - 9:00 PM sharp. 

For the second straight time, the Niagara Metros have been rained out in their attempt to get on the field.  The overnight and continuing rains have made the park a mudpit, and therefore the 1:00 workout is history.  Players are asked to keep doing whatever they can to run and throw, while we wait for the weather to change, and get a couple of meaningful practices in before the May 7th opening game in Milton.  The team will try it again on Tuesday night at 6:00, and in the meantime will keep their fingers crossed!

The Niagara Metros' first attempt at getting outside in preparation for the season has been hit by Mother Nature.  Dempsey Park's infield is mud and the outfield is pretty much standing water, rendering the entire field useless, for tonight's 6:00 get-together.  The team will try it again on Saturday at 1:00...but the forecast is not looking good for that day, either.  Players are asked to check their emails or this website regularly, for updates on prospective practices.  And a little prayer wouldn't hurt either!

Despite having just seen the snow melt in the past week, it's going to be a busy couple of weeks for the Niagara Metros.  The team will take a week off from their indoor workouts this Thursday (April 7) but will get back at it next Thursday the 14th.  The team is really hoping to get a good turnout for what will likely be their final indoor of the season.

If Mother Nature cooperates, the team plans to begin outdoors the following week and go pretty much every other day, until the season opens on May 7th.  We'll post our tentative Outdoor practice schedule here, next week.

Until then, we'll be working on updating our website, with all of the 2011 information.  We've already completed some of these updates, but the player bios, and our updated roster information (which is one of the biggest updates we do each year) will begin shortly.  Stay tuned for those updates, which we will announce as we complete them.


WAY TO GO MATT, EVAN, AND ROB!

Three members of the Niagara Metros have really established themselves at the College level in recent days, as the U.S. University Baseball season moved into full swing.  Matt Spillman, Evan Baglieri, and Rob Nixon have really made their presence felt for their respective college programs.

Spillman, the Metros SS in 2010, is one of two players to start all 28 games for the N.A.I.A. - U.B.C. Thunderbirds this spring.  Spillman has gone 24 for 87 (a solid .276 average) with a double, a HR, 16 Runs scored, and 11 RBI's.  He has also posted an outstanding .429 On Base Average, which is second on his team.  He's also posted a very strong 22-11 BB to K rate, and added 3 stolen bases.

Baglieri, got off to a very slow start for his Gannon Golden Knights Baseball team, but has since turned things around for the NAIA program.  "Bags", an outstanding catcher, has started all 26 games for his team, and has gotten his average up to .235, on the strngth of a recent hot streak at the plate.  He has collected 3 doubles, a HR, and 9 RBI's, and a couple of stolen bases.  Evan also continues to lead his team in fielding, having made only one error all season, and posting a .997 mark.  In addition, Mr. Baglieri has thrown out 10 of 31 opposing base stealers...an amazing 32% success rate.

Finally, we have to make note of a former Metros star, Rob Nixon, who's putting together an unbelievable season at Adelphi University.  The righthanded pitcher, who played for the Niagara Metros in 2008, has owned the NCAA Division 1 Northeast Region this season.  After 7 appearances (including 6 starts), Nixon has a 4-1 record and an unheard of ERA...0.80.  In his 45 innings, Rob has allowed just 25 hits and 14 walks (for a 0.87 WHIP), and has collected 48 strikeouts.  He's also held the opposition to a .163 BA.  Way to go, Rob!

And "way to go", to all three former/current Metros.  Your performance at the ultra-competitive U.S. College level has proven that you are all terriffic players, and your association with our ball club makes us look good.  Keep up the great work, guys!

Talk to you next week.  In the meantime, stay on the field.