SIMCOE HARRINGTON SPORTS 1998 TEAM PROFILE
(PRESS RELEASE)

Molson I.S.C. Alliance Team
The Simcoe Harrington Sports team concluded their preparation for the 1998 Molson I.S.C. Alliance season on Wednesday May 13 by splitting a double header against Fingal. This made their pre-season record 2-2-1. This will be Simcoe's second season competing in the I.S.C. league as they look to improve on their impressive inaugural I.S.C. season results.

The Simcoe team was established 3 years ago following the folding of the highly competitive Tri-County Fastball League. All players on the 1998 roster are graduates of this strong intermediate league.

The pitching staff is intact from last year. Both Drew Winger and Pat Graham return following strong 1997 seasons. Dave Martin will re-join them in the rotation, following a come back from serious finger surgery due to an injury sustained early last season. Junior aged Tyler Pelton will also be available to complete the two righties, two lefties, pitching staff. It is expected having Farmer (Dave Martin) for the entire season will make the pitching staff that much stronger as the three younger pitchers will gain form Martin's competitive drive and past senior experience. All the pitchers are also offense threats especially Pat Graham who finished with the second highest batting average in the league last year in his rookie year.

The core of the position players on the team are once again ex- Simcoe Junior's, a junior organization that won four O.A.S.A. Championships between 1989 and 1996. This includes the strong armed, clean up hitter Darren Cullimore in right field. Darren lead the league last year in R.B.I.'s and was second in stolen bases. The sure handed middle infield combination of Brian Auld and Dave Leatherland are back. These two former Junior teammates were each amongst the leaders in many offensive categories and are known to frequently turn in some spectacular defensive plays. Another returning ex-Simcoe Junior is catcher, Mark Stephens who has worked with members of the pitching staff over the past six seasons.

Following a one year absence from competitive fastball Jay MacDonald is rejoining his former junior teammates for the upcoming season. Jay brings plenty of winning experience to the team and will help solidify the infield at first base and behind the plate. Jay's expertise in training is also a great asset to the team.

Also returning form last year is the steady hitting and fielding, Brian French at third base, who possess a stabilizing influence that is important to the team. Ed Dove will be back patrolling centre field and leading off in 1998. Ed had and impressive year both in the field and at bat last year as he passed up his last year of junior eligibility to play for his home town team in the I.S.C. loop. The team is happy to announce that John Antal has agreed to put on the spikes for another season. This power hitting outfielder who possess great speed will be a big contributor to the offense.

Newcomer, outfielder, Colin Fraser will add to Simcoe's stolen base total which was second highest in the league last year. Colin was one of the offensive stars last year for the Toronto Sammy's club. Also, lining up in the outfield will be the speedy Mike Welton. Mike has returned to the Simcoe team for his third season and has been swinging a hot bat in the pre-season.

Some new faces to the Harrington Sports team this year that will firm up the infield depth include the veteran Rory Hustler and the Caledonia standouts Steve Smith and Mark McEachern. Adam Miller will once again play junior ball in Jarvis and I.S.C. for Simcoe. This power hitting youngster continues to gain confidence each year and will contribute in the outfield and at first base.

Dick Bosher is back to coach the Simcoe Harrington Sports team with the help of Dennis Newsome and Ken Graham. Calling on Bosher's many years of experience in the senior fastball wars as well as the experience gained by the team as a whole last year the Simcoe squad is optimistic that it will be able to improve on last year's impressive results.

Simcoe Harrington Sports home opener is Wednesday May 20 at 7:15 p.m. vs. The Pickering Heat. Simcoe plays its home games at Lions Park located just off highway #24 at the north end of Simcoe.
Mark Stephens