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The 2012 Niagara Metros are pleased to welcome back
one of the most improved players (over their first 2 years) in the club's history...pitcher Brandon Beattie. The 21
year-old came to the team as a walk-on at the 2010 indoor workouts, and made such a good impression that he gave Metros'
boss Kerry Hedden no choice, but to keep him. The 6'4" 190 pound lefthander started out as a bench player
at 1B, but after a couple of emergency appearances on the mound in June, it was apparent that his position was "on the
bump". He turned in a very good half-season as a reliever, and the Metros rewarded him with regular mound duty
in 2011. And did Brandon ever respond! Appearing in a team-leading 19 games, "Beatts" tossed 43 innings
(all but 4 in relief). He picked up 3 wins, 4 saves (tied for the 2nd highest total in the province) and posted a very respectable
4.19 ERA. Brandon calls Niagara-on-the-Lake home, but played all of his minor league ball with the St. Catharines M.B.A.
He worked his way up through the ranks with the Cobras and in fact, his teams won 3 Niagara District titles...while one of
them, the St. Catharines Minor Midgets, were O.B.A. Finalists in 2006. Brandon was also a 4-sport athlete at Holy Cross
H.S. in St. Catharines. But it was on the baseball team where the 1st sacker and pitcher (as well as team captain)
led the Raiders to a Zone 4 Final appearance in 2007. As a 16 year-old, Brandon was named the recipient of
the "Kristen French Award" at the school...an honour which recognizes students who have great academic
standing, and are active in the school and community. In the fall and winter months, Beattie studies Kenisiolgy (when
he's not pitching for the O.U.A. Waterloo Warriors). Over his two years with the Warriors, Brandon has made 11
appearances, covering 42 1/3 innings, and allowed 48 hits and just 16 walks. He has also picked
up 3 wins, and a save, while registering a 3.83 E.R.A.
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