With the end of the month today, we thought it would be enlightening to see exactly what kind of carnage this incredible month of rain has played on the Niagara Metros' schedule.  It is undoubtedly the worst month in the history of Metros baseball, in terms of "getting on the field".  And that history spans 27 years.  Here are the facts...

On April 21st, the Metros had scheduled their first outdoor practice...and those practices were to continue (roughly every other day) until the start of the season on May 7.  Of these 7 outdoor workouts, the team got on the field once...and that was a a local schoolyard, as Community Park was still unavailable due to wet grounds.  Then the season started...

...and the rainouts continued.  May 7th in Milton, May 16th in Oakville, May 19th at home vs. Glanbrook, May 26th at home vs. Burlington, and last night at home vs. Glanbrook again (the make up date from the first rainout).  The team did manage to play on May 12 vs. Mississauga, May 20 vs. Brampton, and May 28th (albeit, in the mud) vs. Etobicoke.

All told the team scheduled 15 practices or games during this 6 week stretch (7 practices and 8 games) and were on the field 4 times!  That means that Niagara has been rained out, or forced out due to wet grounds 11 times!  73% of everything the team has tried to do has been to no avail.  Like we said, that is unprecedented in team history. 

And our situation isn't even as bad as some of the other teams around the league and the province.  At 4 games played, the Metros are double that of Glanbrook, Burlington and Oakville in our league and we're sure many other teams are suffering the same fate accross the province.  I guess what we're saying is that Mother Nature owes everyone...big time.  Maybe June and July will bear that out.


ANOTHER RESCHEDULED GAME TO ANNOUNCE

Speaking of rainouts, the Metros - Glanbrook game scheduled for Community on May 19, and again last night, is rescheduled once again.  The two teams will try to get it played on Monday, June 6th.  Make sure you add that date to your calendars.  Monday, June 6th - Glanbrook at Niagara - Community Park - 7:30.

In the meantime, the Metros will try it again this Thursday night (June 2), for their regular weekly home game.  The Oakville A's come to Community Park for a 7:30 start.  Hope to see you there!


FINAL "TOP 10" BASEBALL VIDEO POSTED

Finally today, we have posted our final "Top 10" Baseball Video in our "Film Showcase".  This clip raised the most comments by all the people that visit our website weekly, and is considered the number 1 baseball video posted on our site...from October of 2007.  It is a beautifully crafted synopsis of one of our favourite baseball movies..."Field of Dreams" from 1989.  The video from the movie, with the fantastic oscar-winning music score (written by James Horner) underneath it all, make for a moving and positive experience...whether you've seen the film, or not.  Just scroll to the bottom of this page and press "Play".

In what is becoming a very familiar refrain, the Niagara Metros' game against the Glanbrook Grizzlies, scheduled for this evening, has been postponed.  After sneeking in a very wet and muddy doubleheader on Saturday, Mother Nature got even, by dumping some 25 mm of rain in less than an hour last night.  An already soaked Community Park could not handle the deluge, and the Metros have had to postpone tonight's game.  No date has been set, as of yet, for a make up game. 

In the meantime, the Metros must look ahead to their next scheduled game, which is this Thursday (June 2) as the Oakville A's come to town.  With nice weather predicted, maybe the teams will catch a break.  First pitch on Thursday is 7:30.

Mother Nature finally cut the Niagara Metros and Etobicoke Rangers a break, as the sun came out on Saturday, and allowed the two teams to play their scheduled doubleheader at Community Park.  And in less than ideal conditions, the teams performed well, playing two very close and entertaining games.  When it was all said and done, the Rangers were victorious in game 1 by a 6-5 margin, before the two teams played to a suspenseful 4-4 tie in the nightcap.

In game 1, the Rangers held a 6-2 lead heading into the 7th inning, but Niagara rallied to score 3 times against Etobicoke reliever Shawn Silk, before he struck out the side to strand the tying and winning runs.  The Metros outhit Etobicoke 8-5 on the game, but the Rangers took full advantage of the 7 walks that Metros pitching allowed them.  Sasha Gerster went 6 innings to pick up the win for the Rangers, while starter Geoff Strong made his first appearance of the year in taking the loss for Niagara.  Strong gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 5.  Andrew Neustaedter pitched 3 innings of relief and gave up 3 runs on 0 hits, but was victimized by 4 walks and a hit batter in the 5th inning, to account for 3 Ranger runs.

Mark Capone collected 2 hits, 2 walks and an RBI to lead the Rangers' offense.  Andrew Sorochan had a big day at the plate in game 1, collecting a double and 2 singles, along with 2 RBI's.  Evan Baglieri doubled and singled and added 2 RBI's, while other hits came from Taylor Anderson, Neil Campbell, and Brian Kusey.  Jonathan Paul added an RBI.

Game two was a see-saw affair, which had the lead change hands 4 times, before ending in a 4-4 tie.  The Rangers took a 3-1 lead in the 5th, scoring 3 unearned runs on a costly Metros error.  But the home team scored 1 in the bottom of the 5th and two in the 6th to take a 4-3 lead, before giving up the tying run in the 7th.  The Metros got the winning run to 2nd base with one out in the 7th, but couldn't cash him in.

Dustin Turner pitched very well in his second start of the young season.  He went 4 innings and allowed 0 runs on just 2 hits, walking 3 and striking out 6.  Brian Kusey relieved Turner and pitched the final 3 innings, allowing 4 runs (just 1 earned) on 5 hits.  He walked 5 and struck out 2.  Tim Lawrence, Brian Molloy and Peter Saweczko pitched for Etobicoke.

Once again Niagara outhit Etobicoke by a 9-6 count, with newcomer Anthony Vacca leading the way, going 3 for 3 with a walk.  Evan Baglieri collected a pair of hits and 2 RBIs, while Jonathan Paul hit an RBI-double and added 3 walks.  Neil Campbell, T.J. Tavender, and Kusey all added singles for Niagara.  Quinn Ellerbeck collected two hits and the game-tying RBI in the 7th for the Rangers.

With the result of Saturday's doubleheader, the Metros now have a record of 1-2-1 on the young season, while Etobicoke goes to 2-1-1.  Niagara is right back in action on Monday, as the Glanbrook Grizzlies come to town for the makeup of an earlier rained out game.  They then return to the yard on Thursday for their regular weekly home game, with the Oakville A's providing the opposition. Both games are at Community Park beginning at 7:30.  

As mentioned yesterday, the Niagara Metros have been busily trying to reschedule some of the rainouts that they've endured over this ridiculously wet spring.  Today, the team would like to announce that they have successfully rescheduled one of those games. 

On May 19th, the Glanbrook Grizzlies were scheduled to play the Metros at Community Park, before Mother Nature got in the way.  That game is now set for this coming Monday, May 30th.  The defending C.O.M.B.L. Champion "Grizz" will pay their first of two visits to Community Park, this season.  Game time, as always, is 7:30.

Meanwhile, the Metros are hoping that the rains hold off for a couple of days, so that they can play their scheduled doubleheader against the visiting Etobicoke Rangers on Saturday, May 28th.  The first of two 7-inning games is slated for 12:00 noon.  Fingers crossed!!    

The Niagara Metros' quest to play a game has been, once again, derailed on Thursday.  The Wednesday evening thunderstorms, along with the Thursday morning deluge of rain has forced postponement of the game between the Burlington Brants and the Metros, scheduled for Community Park at 7:30.  The game has not been rescheduled as yet.

Hopefully, these rains have cleared out and there will be nothing but blue skies over the next couple of days, or else the doubleheader scheduled for Community on Saturday will also be in trouble.  That doubleheader, which pits the Etobicoke Rangers against Niagara, begins (hopefully) at 12:00 noon.  In the meantime, G.M. Mark Walters is busily trying to get a few of the 4 rainouts that the team has already endured this season, rescheduled.  Stay tuned!

The Niagara Metros finally got to play a game last Friday, after what seems like a steady month of rain, and came up with a 12-5 victory in Brampton.  We took a few photos during the game, and have now posted them on the site.  Please go to the "Photo Album" link, to check them out.


NEXT UP ON THE SCHEDULE

The Metros are hoping the rain will hold off long enough to get their next 3 games in...as they all take place later this week.  Thursday night, the (1-1) Burlington Brants come to town for the regular Metros home game at Community Park.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:30.  Then two days later, the Niagara club is hosting a special Saturday doubleheader against the always tough (1-1) Etobicoke Rangers.  The 2 seven-inning game affair gets underway at 12:00 noon, also at Community Park.  Hope to see you there!


FINALLY, THIS WEEK...

Metros General Manager Mark Walters, who has been working on the format, divisions, and schedule for the Hap Walters Tourney (which the C.O.M.B.L. is hosting in Mississauga / Oakville / Etobicoke on July 15) hopes to have all of the work complete later this week.  He will then endeavour to get the information out to all 20 teams that have entered the tourney, and post it on the website.  Look for that information early next week...right here at www.metrosbaseball.ca.

See you at Community on Thursday night, and till then...stay on the field!    

The rain finally left southern Ontario long enough for the Metros to travel to Brampton and play their first road game of the season on Friday evening.  And the new-look Niagara club put together a solid effort and downed the Battlecats by a 12-5 count. The Metros were out-hit by Brampton 9 - 8, but took full advantage of 11 walks issued, as well as 3 costly errors by the 'Cats.  Niagara did all of their damage in two innings, as they scored 8 runs in the 5th inning to erase a 2-0 deficit...and then added 4 more in the 8th on an Evan Baglieri Grand Slam HR.  

Newly-signed Brian Kusey got the start and the win for Niagara in his first appearance at the Senior level.  The 19 year-old tossed a solid 4 innings, allowing 2 runs (0 earned) on just 1 hit.  He walked 3 and struck out 3.  Brandon Beattie pitched 3 innings in relief, and gave up 1 run on 6 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 2.  T.J Tavender pitched his first inning of the year in relief of Beattie, and allowed just one walk, while striking out 2.  Andrew Neustaedter finished up, getting nicked for a pair of runs on 2 hits and a walk, while striking out 1.  Starter Mike Burke took the loss for Brampton.

As mentioned, the big blow of the game came from Baglieri, who added a single and an RBI to his Grand Slam, for a 5-RBI night in his first game back from U.S. College ball.  18 year-old rookie Taylor Anderson collected a pair of hits and an RBI, while veteran Jonathan Paul added a two-run single.  Chris Pickles had a single and an RBI, Geordan Dennahower and Neil Campbell added singles, and Andrew Sorochan chipped in with an RBI on a bases-loaded walk.  Dan Proctor had a nice game with 3 walks, a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base.  Ken Appleby had a pair of singles to lead the 'Cats.

The win evens Niagara's record to 1-1 on the very young season, while Brampton drops to 1-1, after an opening game win in Burlington.  And speaking of Burlington, they are the next opponent of the Metros, as they come to town on Thursday night at Community Park...first pitch scheduled for 7:30.  Niagara's busy week continues on Saturday, as the Etobicoke Rangers make their only visit to St. Catharines in the 2011 season, for a doubleheader.  First game at Community Park is at 12:00 noon.  

As you might have guessed, the Niagara Metros - Glanbrook Grizzlies game scheduled for Community Park this evening, has been postponed.  The evening deluge that hit Niagara last night, left the field completely flooded, and in fact, has forced the City of St. Catharines to closed all of it's parks until May 24th.  No makeup date has been set, as of yet.

The Metros are hoping that the City of Brampton was spared by Mother Nature, as the team is scheduled to travel there tomorrow (Friday) night for a 7:30 start at F.C.C.C. Park.  The next home game for Niagara is Thursday, May 26, as the Burlington Brants come to town.  Game time at Community Park is 7:30.


METROS ADD ANOTHER STRONG ARM TO THEIR PITCHING STAFF

The Metros continue to augment their roster, as they have added yet another impressive youngster to their stable.  Niagara, after having lost 11 players this off-season, has gotten their roster back up to 20, with the addition of Brian Kusey.  Brian is a 19 year-old righthanded pitcher, who just returned from his spring season at Lakeland Junior College, near Cleveland, Ohio.  Brian had a successful freshman year there, posting a 3-1 record and a 2.95 ERA over 21 innings for the Division 2 Lakers.  The St. Catharines native also bring with him a wealth of experience and numerous championships at the Elite Minor Baseball level...having played for the Canadian Thunderbirds, the Niagara Rebels, and the Ontario Blue Jays, as well as the Zone 4 High School Champions from Governor Simcoe.  Welcome to the Metros, Brian. 

With a ton of "winter rust" built up, and virtually no time on the field to get ready, the Mississauaga Twins and the Niagara Metros took to Community Park in St. Catharines last night for the Metros' season opener.  But despite the situation, the Twins looked much more ready than the Metros did, as they soundly beat the home team 8-3.  The Niagara pitching staff walked 8, the defense made 3 errors, and the offense managed just 5 hits...while Mississauga played error-free ball and collected 10 hits, en route to the win. 

The Metros started 19 year-old rookie Andrew Neustaedter on the hill, and the youngster pitched well in his first C.O.M.B.L. game.  He went the first 3 innings and allowed 1 run on 1 hit while walking 4 and striking out 1.  Dustin Turner came in and pitched one inning, taking the loss.  The veteran Turner allowed 4 runs and 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2.  Lefty Brandon Beattie pitched the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings, and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 3.  Dan Proctor finished up and allowed an unearned run in his 2 innings.  He gave up 1 hit and 2 walks, while striking out 5.  Andrew Foster picked up the win for the Twins, pitching 5 innings in relief of starter Max Picinni.  Between them, they allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 8 walks, while striking out 5.

Mississauga's big men at the plate were Anthony Fantauzzi, Stephen Kulchyk, and Max Christiansen who all collected two singles.  Christiansen added a pair of RBI's.  Geoff Strong led the Metros offense with a pair of singles and an RBI.  Joe Roach added an RBI-double, while Jonathan Paul, and Jono Marcheterre rounded out the offense with singles.

The win moves the Twins to an early 2-0 record in the C.O.M.B.L. while, as mentioned, the Metros drop to 0-1.  Next up for Niagara is a road date with the Oakville A's on Monday...before returning home to face the defending league champion Glanbrook Grizzlies on Thursday.  First pitch at Community Park is 7:30.  

After what seems like rain for 40 days and 40 nights, the Niagara Metros season should be able to start this Thursday night at Community Park.  The park has been opened and it looks as though the weather might cooperate, so the Metros and Mississauga Twins will give it a go...beginning at 7:30.  All of the C.O.M.B.L. teams have been facing the same problems with the weather, forcing cancellation after cancellation of valuable early-season practices.  The Metros finally got on the field (loose term for schoolyard park) last night for their first and only outdoor workout of the year.  But the season doesn't wait, and both the Metros and Twins will get it started this week.  

After the Thursday home opener, Niagara takes to the road on Monday evening for a game against the Oakville A's before returning home next Thursday to face the defending C.O.M.B.L. Champion Glanbrook Grizzlies.  Game time, as always, is 7:30.


METROS ANNOUNCE NEW SPONSOR!

The Niagara Metros are thrilled to announce that they have worked out an agreement with the "Cat's Caboose Dining Coach and Bar Car", to be the principal sponsor of the ball club for 2011.  The "Cat's Caboose" is located in the heart of Old Glenridge, and is one of St. Catharines' oldest and most established restaurants, and the Metros are proud to be associated with this establishment.  Thanks to Scott, and all the folks over at "Cat's".  We'll see you soon!


HAP WALTERS TOURNAMENT FIELD COMPLETE...AND AMAZING

The "Hap" Walters Tournament, hosted by the C.O.M.B.L., is now full...and the league would like to announce that this year's field is the biggest and best in the 8-year history of the tournament.  The tourney will take place in Mississauga, Oakville, and Etobicoke on the July 15-17 weekend, and will be a 20-team event, with a divisional round-robin format.  Metros' General Manager, Mark Walters, is busily putting together the divisional setup, and schedule...and should have it complete and out to the teams within a couple of weeks.  Here is the list of competitors (with their league afiliations) for the 2011 "Hap":

Brampton Battlecats (C.O.M.B.L.)
Burlington Brants (C.O.M.B.L.)
Erindale Cardinals (C.O.M.B.L.)
Etobicoke Rangers (C.O.M.B.L.)
Glanbrook Grizzlies (C.O.M.B.L.)
Ilderton Red Army (Southwestern Ontario)
Lakeside Lizards (Southwestern Ontario)
Leaside Leafs (G.T.B.L.)
Markham Mariners (G.T.B.L.)
Milton Red Sox (C.O.M.B.L.)
Mississauga Twins (C.O.M.B.L.)
Newmarket Hawks (G.T.B.L.)
Niagara Metros (C.O.M.B.L.)
Oakville A's (C.O.M.B.L.)
Peterborough River Dogs (E.O.B.A.)
Strathroy Royals (Southwestern Ontario)
Tecumseh Thunder (Can-Am)
Thornhill Reds (G.T.B.L.)
Windsor Athletics (Can-Am)
Windsor Stars (Can-Am)

As you can see, this field rivals that of the Senior "AAA" Elimination Tourney, which is scheduled for two weeks after the "Hap".  It will be an amazing showcase of the best Senior baseball talent anywhere, and should provide all the competitor and spectators with a fantastic and fun weekend.  Thanks to all the teams for committing to the 2011 "Hap Walters Memorial Tournament".


NEW TOP 10 BASEBALL FILM THIS WEEK

Finally, we ask you to check out our new Top 10 Baseball Film feature.  This week we go back to April of 2008, and bring you our 7th video from our "Top 10" archive...a scene from one of the most beloved baseball movies of all time. From 1993, "The Sandlot"! The movie features no "stars", just a bunch of unknown kids as they recount their teenage days playing ball down at the sandlot, in the 1970's. The story concerns a newcomer to the 'hood, and his struggle to be accepted, despite the fact that he's not the best player, and even worse...doesn't know too much about the game.  Our scene is subtitled "The Challenge"...a little slice of cinema that will bring back fond memories from anyone that spent time down at the "Sandlot".  Just scroll to the bottom of the page and press "Play".

Talk to you later in the week.  
 

To no ones surprise, the Niagara Metros season opening game scheduled for Saturday in Milton has been washed out.  The ducks that are nesting in left field at Brian Best Park could not be convinced to leave after the deluge of rain this spring, so the Red Sox and Metros will make it up later in the year.  The next scheduled game for Niagara is next Thursday (May 12) at Community Park against the Mississauga Twins.  Game time is scheduled for 7:30.  Although the Parks in St. Catharines are closed, the field is expected to be ready for the home opener (if it's not raining, of course).  Fingers crossed!

In the meantime, with all of the city parks closed the Metros will try to get one outdoor workout in prior to the opener.  The team is going to give it a try on Monday evening at 6:00.  The venue is Ferndale Public School (35 Ferndale Avenue), which is about 4 blocks north of Community Park.  All Metros players are asked to try their best to get to the only outdoor workout they'll get, before the season begins.


METROS LAND ELITE WELLAND PROSPECT

Since the story we wrote on Tuesday, regarding new additions to the Metros roster, the team has added another youngster with big-time potential.  19 year-old Geordan Dennahower, a 6'3" 235 pound RHP/1B, has agreed to join the club for the 2011 season.  Dennahower is another graduate of the Bullett-Proof Prospects, and was considered the "staff ace" and "cleanup hitter" for the "Prospects" last season.  In addition to his .286 batting average, he posted an 8-1 mound record, a 1.71 ERA, a league-leading 49 innings (with 53 K's), and a complete game no-hitter in 2010.  These numbers put him on the College scout's radar, and he landed a 4-year deal with N.A.I.A. Walsh University, where he toiled this spring.  Welcome aboard, Geordan!   

As promised, this week we are completing the task of finalizing our roster for the 2011 season, and announcing our new additions. Last week, we announced the names of the 11 players who for one reason or another, have chosen not to return this summer. To be honest, that's a lot of players to lose in one off-season, and had the Metros' brass wondering if they would be able to field a team in '11. But as is often the case, the team has managed to recruit (or have fall into their laps) 6 outstanding new members of the team, who will hopefully, make up for the player losses from the 2010 Metros.
 
Listed in alphabetical order, here is the fine group of players (with a brief background) who have either been working out with the team this spring, or who have indicated their commitment, after their return from the U.S. College spring season. Their full biographies also appear on our "Roster Page" (link to the left of this page).

1. Infielder, Taylor Anderson - an 18 year-old Niagara Falls native, Taylor comes to the Metros after a successful 3-year run with the Bullett-Proof Prospects under-18 program, and a year at Potomac State College in West Virginia.  He was 3rd in the E.C.P.L. batting race (while playing with Bullett's) in 2010 and led his team in Extra-base hits, Runs and RBI's. 

2. 1B, Neil Campbell - a 30 year-old veteran of the C.O.M.B.L., Neil comes to the team after 7 outstanding years playing for the Dundas Chiefs.  He is a "middle-of-the-order" type of hitter with exceptional power, is very good defensively, and should add some veteran experience and leadership to the young Metros club.

3. OF/P, Ricky Ferri - another outstanding young prospect, Ricky comes to the team after 3 superb years with the "Bulletts", and a season of NCAA D1 ball at Coppin State University, in Baltimore, MD.  The native of St. Catharines was 2nd in the E.C.P.L. in batting last summer, and brings a great batting eye, speed, defense, and multi-positional capabilities (including pitching).

4. RHP, Andrew Neustaedter - another teenager, the 19 year-old Neustaedter hails from Niagara on the Lake, and brings with him multiple Championships at the Sandlott, Elite Junior, and High School levels.  His arsenal includes 3 above-average pitches, which he can throw for strikes in any situation.

5. RHP, Rob Nixon - Rob returns to the team after an amazing run of success at NCAA- D2 Adelphi University in New York City.  The 22 year-old senior was a All-Conference 2nd team All Star after his Junior year, and has pitched well enough this season to put himself in the position of possibly being drafted by MLB.  He was the Metros' 2008 Rookie-of-the-Year with 7 wins and a 1.99 ERA.

6. Inf./OF, Justin Parro - the 21 year-old Parro was a standout in the Brock University Badgers' program for the past 4 years.  After winning Brock's Sportsman of the Year award following his Junior year, he put together an outstanding 2010 season, batting .310, and leading the team in AB, Runs, and SB's.


So there you have it...as the old adage goes "You can't tell the players without a program".  Once again, the Metros will try to rebuild in one off-season.  And while the number of players on the roster is down, the team feels like they've more than made up for that with quality players and people.  We'll see how it all comes together, as the Metros travel to Milton for opening day, this Saturday at 1:30. The "Home Opener" is next Thursday (May 12) at Community Park, as the team hosts the Mississauga Twins. Game time is 7:30.


METROS HAVE ONE LAST INDOOR SCHEDULED

One thing that hasn't been great (for anybody) has been the attrocious weather.  The Metros have scheduled, likely their last indoor workout tonight (Tuesday, May 3) at 8:00.  After that, it's up to Mother Nature to determine when they'll get back on the field.  Players and fans alike, are asked to keep a lookout for emails, and this website, for updates on practices and games, as they happen.  We'll talk to you next week, with (hopefully) a game report from opening day in Milton.