Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 10:16:25 -0400
Oshawa Ontario
April 27, 2006
The Oshawa City and District Fastball League is set to begin its 80th season in 2006 with 13 teams. This is down from the 17 teams that took part in 2005 but we will also see some new faces, some player movement and some name changes.
New to the League this year are the Scarborough Royals and the Newmarket Stingers Midget Boys Teams. The Royals are expected to impress this year as they are coming off a strong showing at the Canadians in 2005. Newmarket is not a totally new team as many of their players were part of the Bramalea Indians team that earned a silver medal at the Provincial Midget ‘B’ championships in 2005.
The Claremont Rebels, who have been the backbone of the League for several years, were forced to fold due to a shortage of players. Fortunately for the rest of the League several of the Claremont faithful have made the move to new teams. Paul Koert, Chris Jones and Rob Watson will join the Oshawa Ravens. This will add pitching and defensive depth to an already impressive offence. John Sharpe and Scott Goff will join Wayne Wells and several graduating Oshawa Double Midget Players to form the Oshawa Rebels. Pitching depth and speed on the bases should be the trademarks of the newly formed Rebels team. Sylvia “Sparky” Ryan will manage the team so you know these guys will be ready to play, or else!
The Durham Eagles were also forced to pack it in but we should see a number of their former players reappearing elsewhere in the League. Both Ryan and Matt Swift will join the Oshawa Ravens while it is expected that Tracy Woolridge and Bill Fairney will be traveling down the 401 to Dieppe Park and the Toronto Champion Indians, last year’s League Champions.
The Newmarket Mudhens and the Stouffville Jones Pools Juniors also could not sustain a sufficient nucleus to carry on. Some players from the Mudhens will land in Markham and several players from the Stouffville Juniors have been placed with either the Lake Scugog Lumber Jacks from Port Perry, or the Scarborough Wolverines. League batting champion Nick Dambrosio will join the powerful Wolverines who are looking to three peat as Canadian Junior Champions.
The end result of this minor downsizing and player movement is a stronger, well balanced and even more competitive League. Fans from all of the centres involved can expect to see some very exciting games every time they go to the park this summer.
The schedule for most teams will begin the week of May 8, 2006 with a 24 game, home and home schedule. Teams joining the OC&DFL this year include:
Aurora Shoeless Joe’s;
Bradford Sox;
Lake Simcoe Lightning;
Lake Scugog Lumber Jacks (formerly Port Perry);
Markham Majors;
Nemarket Stingers;
Oshawa Double B Juniors;
Oshawa Ravens;
Oshawa Rebels;
Scarborough Royals;
Scarborough Wolverines;
Stouffville Mennos and
Toronto Champion Indians (2005 League Champions and 2005 ISC II Challenge Cup Champions)
The Oshawa teams will be playing at Durham Field located at Durham College and the University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology with season opening games on May 8, 9 and 10. On May 8 the 2005 League Champion Toronto Indians visit the Oshawa Ravens, on May 9 the two-time Canadian Junior Champion Scarborough Wolverines face the Oshawa Double B Juniors and on May 10 the Bradford Sox meet the newly formed Oshawa Rebels. Come to the park each of these nights and enjoy some of the best Fastball in Ontario and the best ballpark franks and burgers in the area.
Visit the OCDFL web site at www.ocdfl.ca for complete schedules, scores, team information and the latest news.
Jim Spiers
President
OCDFL
nspiers848(at)rogers.com
