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Monday, January 30, 2012
WELCOME TO THE NIAGARA METROS 2012 SEASON!
About 3 weeks ago we welcomed you to 2012.
Today we are welcoming you to the official opening of the 2012 Niagara Metros season, here at metrosbaseball.ca. Did
you notice our new Home Page Welcome Montage? That picture will be greeting you to the site all season long,
and we hope you come by and visit us each and every week. We hope to continue to feature interesting and new information
about baseball in Ontario, with a focus on the Central Ontario "AAA" Major Baseball League, as well as our team...the
Niagara Metros.
As we mentioned at the beginning of the month, we will be taking down all of the 2011 information
on the pages in this site, to make room for the 2012 stuff. This process will be completed throughout this week, so
this is your last chance to check out any of the 2011 information on the "Schedule/Results", "Standings/Stats",
"Game Reports" and "Photo Album" pages. As the winter turns to spring we will be loading all
of the relevent new information onto these pages. As we said, keep checking back for the updates, and keep checking
back to stay on top of all the senior baseball happenings in Niagara. Once again, welcome to the Metros 2012 season!
CENTRAL ONTARIO
MAJOR BASEBALL LEAGUE STARTUP MEETING NEXT WEEK
The first order of business
regarding the Central Ontario "AAA" Major Baseball League is scheduled for next Monday, February 6th.
That is the date set for the first C.O.M.B.L. League meeting of the year, in Burlington at 7:30. It is the first
chance that all of the league's representatives get to sit in the same room, and take care of all the items that make our
league one of the best in the province.
Usually, the agenda at this meeting consists of discussions and decisions
regarding the 2012 league schedule, playoff format, any possible new teams (or team defections), any possible park or umpire
issues that affect the league, and issues involving the league's annual tournament, "The Hap Walters Baseball Challenge"
usually scheduled for mid-July.
We'll have a full report on much of the information that comes from this important
meeting next week.
NEW METROS' BI-WEEKLY BASEBALL
VIDEO POSTED
Finally, we have uploaded a new "Metros Bi-Weekly Baseball Video" to kick off
our 2012 season. For the next couple of weeks, you'll have an opportunity to see for yourself if all the hype around
Japanese super-star Yu Darvish, is warranted. We have posted a 9 minute video loaded with (what you might call) Yu Darvish
Highlights, from his dominating 2011 Nippon Professional Baseball League season. Will his incredible repertoire of pitches
translate into success for his new team, the Texas Rangers? You be the judge. But from where we sit, this kid
looks like the real deal! To see for yourself, just go to the bottom of this page and press "Play".
Talk to you next week.
Monday, January 23, 2012
FINAL LOOK BACK AT 2011 - PART 2
As we began last week, we are taking one last look
back to 2011, by checking out the Niagara Metros' best one-game performances. This week we'll focus on the pitching
staff, as we present the Top 25 Pitching performances of the year.
The Metros have long been known as a team that
could pitch with the best of 'em. But devastating losses to the pitching staff (not only in the off-season, but during
the season as well) left the team under-manned, to say the least. That is not to say, however, that there weren't
some shining moments from the 2011 boys. Quite the contrary, as these often over-worked but always reliable pitchers gutted
out many strong performances. They, indeed, gave the Metros a chance to win virtually every time out.
But which performances stand out? The list below will tell you.
We're going to list the Top 25
single-game performances of the year from #25, right down to the best-pitched game by a Metros' player, over the course
of the season. Note that the rankings are based solely on the batting line of the game in question, not the circumstances
(importance of the game, opposing team, etc.) surrounding the game. While the exact order on this list is
up for debate, one thing is not...these are some very impressive performances
Here, then, are the Top 25,
from 2011 (ND indicates No Decision):
25. Jun 30 vs. Burlington - TJ
Tavender - 5 Inn., 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K - ND
24. Jun 18 vs. Brampton
- Jonathan Paul - 2 Inn., 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1BB, 2 K - Win
23. Jul 30 vs. Tecumseh - Chris Pickles - 7
Inn (CG), 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K - Win
22. Jul 30
vs. Markham - Brandon Beattie - 2 Inn., 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2
BB, 2 K - ND
21. Aug 10 vs. Burlington - Dan
Proctor - 2 Inn., 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K - ND
20. Aug
4 vs. Glanbrook - Brandon Beattie - 2 Inn., 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0
BB, 2 K - ND
19. Jun 18 vs. Brampton - Brandon Beattie - 2
Inn., 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K - Win
18. Jun 26 vs. Martingrove - Jonathan Paul - 2
Inn, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K - Save
17. Aug 18 vs. Glanbrook- Geoff
Strong- 7 Inn(CG), 5 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K - Loss
16. Aug 11 vs. Burlington - Geoff Strong - 6 Inn., 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 9 K - Win
15. Aug 5 vs. Etobicoke - Geoff Strong - 7 Inn., 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 12 K - ND
14. Aug 21 vs. Brampton
- Brandon Beattie - 2 Inn, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K - Save
13. May 28 vs. Etobicoke - Dustin Turner - 4
Inn., 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K - ND
12. Aug
14 vs. Oakville - Brian Kusey - 9 Inn (CG), 10 H, 6 R, 4
ER, 2 BB, 7 K - Win
11. Jun 30 vs. Burlington
- Jonathan Paul - 3 Inn., 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K - Win
10. May 20 vs. Brampton - Brian Kusey - 5
Inn., 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K - Win
9. Jun
25 vs. Mart'grove- Chris Pickles- 7 Inn (CG), 10 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2
BB, 3 K - Win
8. Aug 20 vs. Burlington - Brian Kusey - 8 Inn (CG), 5
H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K - Win
7. Aug 27 vs. Milton - Geoff Strong -
7 Inn. (CG), 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K - Loss
6. Jun
25 vs. Markham - Brian Kusey - 8 Inn (CG), 4 H, 3 R, 1
ER, 4 BB, 5 K - Win
5. Jun 6 vs. Glanbrook - Geoff Strong - 6 Inn., 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K - Win
4. Jul 21 vs. Milton
- Geoff Strong - 6 Inn., 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 14 K - ND
3. Jun 2 vs. Oakville - Rob Nixon - 9
Inn. (CG), 7 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 12 K - Win
2. Jun 24
vs. Strathroy - Geoff Strong - 7 Inn (CG), 4 H, 2 R, 2
ER, 2 BB, 13 K - Win
...and the best one-game performance by a Metros'
pitcher in 2011 is...
1. Jul 29 vs. East York - Geoff Strong - 7 Inn. (CG), 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K - Win.
Congratulations to all the players that made this very select list. It's
quite an honour!
Talk to you next week.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
FINAL LOOK BACK AT 2011
With the announcement, last week, of our taking
down most of the 2011 website information (by the end of the month) to make room for the 2012 season, we thought it would
be a good idea to spend a couple of weeks taking one last look back. So, for the next couple of weeks we'll
do just that...focusing on the Metros players, and their exploits. This week, we'll look at the Top 25 batting
performances of 2011.
The Metros had arguably,
one of their best offensive seasons in their 27-year history in 2011, and were 3rd in the C.O.M.B.L. in Runs scored,
behind the offesive juggernauts in Erindale and Mississauga. So it was a very strong season with the bat,
and this list will actually confirm that fact.
We're going to list the Top 25 single-game performances of
the year from #25, right down to the best offensive game by a Metros' player, over the course of the season. Note
that these rankings are based solely on the batting line of the game in question, not the circumstances (importance of
the game, opposing team, etc.) surrounding the game. The exact order is questionable but one thing is not...these are
some very impressive performances. So without further adieu...here is the list of the great Metros batting performances
of 2011.
25. July 30 vs. Tecumseh - Kamil
Oubayan - 3 Singles, Walk, Run, RBI.
24. May 28 vs. Etobicoke
- Andrew Sorochan - 2 Singles, Double, Run, 2
RBI's.
23. July 15 vs. Erindale - Ricky Ferri -
3 Singles, 3 Runs, SB, 2 RBI's.
22. May 28 vs. Etobicoke
- Anthony Vacca - 3 Singles, Walk, 3 Runs, 2 RBI's.
21. June 18 vs. Brampton - Taylor Anderson - Single, 2
Doubles, Run, GWRBI.
20. July 15 vs. Erindale - Taylor
Anderson - 4 Singles, 2 Runs, 2 RBI's.
19. June 20 vs. Oakville - Jonathan Paul - Single,
Double, Triple, Run, RBI.
18. June 6 vs. Glanbrook
- Anthony Vacca - 3 Singles, 2 Runs, 4 RBI's.
17. August 20 vs. Burlington
- Ricky Ferri - 3 Singles, Runs, 2 SB's, 2 RBI's.
16. July 30 vs. Tecumseh - Ricky Ferri - 4 Singles, 3 Runs, SB, RBI.
15. August 14 vs. Oakville - Andrew
Sorochan - 4 Singles, Run, 3 RBI's.
14. June 30 vs. Burlington - Jono
Marcheterre - 3 Singles, Double, Run, 2 RBI's.
13. July 20 vs. Burlington - Taylor
Anderson - 2 Singles, Double, Run, 4 RBI's.
12. August 21 vs. Brampton - Jono
Marcheterre - 2 Singles, Triple, 2 Runs, 3 RBI's.
11. August 5 vs. Etobicoke - Taylor
Anderson - 3 Singles, Double, SB, 2 Runs, 2 RBI's.
10. August 14 vs. Oakville - Evan
Baglieri - Double, Home Run, Walk, Run, 3 RBI's.
9. July 25 vs. Erindale - Anthony
Vacca - 2 Singles, Home Run, Walk, Run, 3 RBI's.
8. July 20 vs. Burlington - Andrew
Sorochan - 3 Singles, Home Run, 2 RBI's.
7. June 18 vs. Brampton
- Evan Baglieri - Single, 2 Doubles, Sac Fly, 3 Runs, 5 RBI's.
6. June 26 vs. Martingrove - Evan
Baglieri - 2 Singles, Home Run, Walk, 3 Runs, 4 RBI's.
5. May 20 vs. Brampton - Evan
Baglieri - Single, G.S. Home Run, Run, 5 RBI's.
4. June 18 vs. Brampton - Andrew
Sorochan - Single, G.S. Home Run, Walk, Run, 5 RBI's.
3. June 25 vs. Martingrove - Evan
Baglieri - Single, 2 Home Runs, 2 Runs, 4 RBI's.
2. July 30 vs. Tecumseh - Andrew
Sorochan - Double, 2 Home Runs, 3 Runs, 3 RBI's.
And finally...the greatest single-game performance
in Metros' history...
1. June 9 vs. Erindale - Evan Baglieri - Single,
3 Home Runs (inc. G.S), Walk, 3 Runs, 11 RBI's.
Congratulations
to all the players that made this very select list. And be sure to check back next week, as we look back at the Top
25 Metros' pitching performances of 2011.
Talk to you next week!
Monday, January 9, 2012
WELCOME TO 2012!!
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2012 here at MetrosBaseball.ca
Wow...it's hard to believe Christmas is over and we've moved into yet another year, and another year of Niagara Metros baseball.
2012 marks our 28th season as a Senior Baseball organization!
Overall we've played 1104 games in our franchise
history...that's a lot of nights at the ball park! And having won 666 of those games (against 438 losses, for a .603
winning percentage) we're very proud of our history, and our committment to excellence at the Senior level. We're
also very proud of the players that currently don the Metros' white and blue uniforms, and think that we could be moving toward
some very good seasons at Community Park.
In short, we're glad we're still here, and we're glad you're here to
check up on us, see how we're doing, and stay in touch with Senior Ball in southern Ontario. Once again welcome
to 2012.
WEBSITE UPDATES AND CHANGES
As part of our move into 2012, we'll be making some changes and updates here at the site, over
the next couple of weeks. By the end of January, we should have an updated "Front Page Design" on the home
page, and we'll making room for our new content, to reflect our new season. To do this we must begin to delete some
of the 2011 information, on the various pages of our website.
So, consider this a heads up. Much of
the 2011 information that appears on our "Schedule / Results", "Game Reports", "Hap Walters Tourney",
and "Photo Album" pages will be taken down in the next few weeks. Anyone wishing to get the information,
or check out the photos should do so by the end of the month. This is "last call" on 2011!
NEW BASEBALL FILM FEATURE
We have a very special "Metros
Baseball Film Feature" to start off the 2012 year. In 2000, the Worldwide leader in Sports, ESPN, made a 6 and
half minute film that featured the greatest sporting events of the century we know as the 1900's. This amazing work
does not just feature baseball, but every major sport. However, we felt that the film was so moving, so beautifully
mastered, edited, and put together with the music (they used Aerosmith's "Dream On" as the background music) that
we had to allow a couple of weeks for our regular visitors to metrosbaseball.ca to witness it for themselves.
Do
yourself a favour, and allow a few minutes to indulge. Just scroll to the bottom of the page, turn up the volume, and
press "play". We think you'll be just as moved as we were when we first saw "ESPN Sports Century!"
4:05 pm | link
Monday, January 2, 2012
METROS' CHRISTMAS BASH - ANOTHER CLASSIC!
As has been the tradition for 27 years, the Metros Christmas party was, once again, a
rousing success. The party, which took place on Friday, December 30, at the home of GM Mark Walters, had roughly 25
people in attendence, and saw everyone enjoy some laughs, some excellent food, and afforded the opportunity to reminisce or
look ahead to the future. We've posted a few photos, that were taken during the evening, to the bottom of our "Photo
Page" (link to the left).
The highlight of the evening is (as always) the amazing awards
ceremonies...and once again there were a lot of laughs looking back at some of the things that happened during the '11 season.
Jonathan Paul received the Metros Career Reflection Poem...which pays tribute to his 9 years with the ball club. We
also gave out our more serious year-end "trophies", which recognized the players who were the best of the Metros,
in various categories. Here are the winners:
Most Valuable Player (team member vote) - Evan Baglieri
Top Pitcher (determined statistically) - Geoff Strong
Top Rookie (team member vote) - Ricky Ferri
Top Offensive Player (determined statistically) - Evan
Baglieri
Top Defensive Player (evaluation and statistics)
- Ricky Ferri
Most
Improved Player (determined statistically) - Brandon Beattie
Coaches' Award for Leadership, Teamwork, Sportsmanship, and Work Ethic (voted
on by the coaching staff) - Neil Campbell.
These award winners have been added to the All-Time lists and are
available for viewing here.
Once again, thanks to everyone
who made it to the party, thanks to Mom Walters for preparing the fantastic meal, and thanks to everyone on the Metros who
made 2011 a year to remember.
Talk to you next week.
|
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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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