2012 Winner of the Dr. Anson Buck Award
2019 Brampton Tournament Finalist
2019 COBA MVP - Joe Ferreira
2019 COBA Playoff Finalist
2022 Lakeside Tournament Finalist
2022 COBA ROY - Aidan Murphy
2023 Lakeside Tournament Finalist
2023 COBA Playoff Finalist
2023 COBA ROY - Alex Fascia
A Proud member of the COBA "AAA" Major League since 2004
Brampton Guardian Updates
2008 - 2012
2008
Tigers Claw Cats - May 14
The Brampton Battlecats had some hitting and some pitching but in the end, there was not enough of either for them to get a victory in their Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major division opener on Friday night at Dash Field in Brampton.
On a frigid night, the Battlecats fell 9-6 to the North Mississauga Tigers.
After falling behind 5-0 in the fourth inning, the Battlecats clawed back into the game at 5-4 only to see North Mississauga put things away with a four-run eighth inning.
New field manager Scott Stephenson said it was a sloppy start for the team but he does feel good about the team’s prospects.
“If we can put nine innings together we’ll be in good shape,’’ he said.
The Tigers took their early lead with two runs in the second and another pair in the fourth.
The Battlecats used five pitchers during the game and several had trouble finding the strike zone. That really cost the team in the eighth as four free passes to the Tigers and a pair of two RBI doubles led to four runs.
Jesse Edmunds, who came in to put out the fire in the eighth, did a good job on the mound as he retired all four batters he faced, with a pair of strikeouts.
Brampton took advantage of three Tigers errors and had four hits on its way to their four-run fifth. Ken Appleby drove in the first run with a fielder’s choice scoring Matt Piccioni from third. Mike Benyo drilled a two-RBI double and then Brad Oliver completed the Battlecats scoring in that inning with a two-out single.
That was all the Brampton scoring until there were two out in the ninth inning. Benyo drew a walk, Allan Mazierski smacked a double, and then Oliver added a couple more RBIs with a single to score both runners.
Defensively the best play of the game came from Piccioni in centre field who made a diving catch to rob the Tigers of a hit.
Brampton does get a week off between games as the next contest is not until Friday when the Battlecats host Oakville at Dash Park at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday they travel to Milton to play an afternoon contest.
The team has also announced a change in one previously scheduled game. The Brampton home game with Glanbrook on Friday, May, 30 has been rescheduled to Friday, July 18 with Brampton hosting the Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m. at the new F.C.C.C. diamonds at Queen and McLaughlin Rd.
Battlecats Struggling to find Victories - June 3
The Brampton Battlecats are off to a slow start in their Central Ontario Major Baseball league season.
Although the team has lost its first five games there is reason for optimism after the most recent outing, a 4-3 loss to the division-leading Erindale Cardinals, the team’s best game of the season to date.
Pitchers Brad McLaughlin and Joey Nonis held the Cardinals to seven hits while Brampton managed 10. The key hit was a towering home run to left field by Mike Benyo. Ken Appleby continued to hit the ball well, slapping two singles.
Earlier Brampton went to St. Catharines and dropped an 8-0 game to Metros. The game was close for five innings as Mike Burke pitched well, allowing just two hits.
But the game broke open in the seventh as St. Catharines took advantage of three walks and a hit batter to score seven runs. After a shaky start, Chris McCanna regained his composure and shut the Metros down for the final two innings.
Before that, the club struggled at the plate losing 9-1 in Milton to the defending league champion Red Sox and falling 10-1 at home to Oakville.
Those games followed their season opener, a 9-6 loss at home to Mississauga North.
As the calendar now moves into June the Battlecats are hoping for some better results. While they were scheduled to host Oakville on Friday that game has been canceled. Brampton is scheduled to host a doubleheader against Burlington Brants on Saturday at noon at the new FCCC diamonds on the former OPP Academy at Queen and McLaughlin.
Baseball Battlecats Get First Win - June 15
The Brampton Battlecats are finally on the winning track.
After five consecutive losses to begin the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major season the Battlecats got their first win on Saturday. Playing at the new FCCC Park in Brampton the Battlecats won the first game of a doubleheader with Burlington Brants 9-4.
However, the Battlecats were not able to build on that momentum as they lost the second game 5-3. Brampton’s next home game is Friday, June 20 facing Oakville at FCCC Park at 7:30 p.m.
The next day, also at FCCC the Battlecats host Dundas for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
Better Days Ahead for Battlecats - June 19
Last Wednesday the Battlecats were also on the road and defeated Mississauga North 11-6. This game was tight with Brampton scoring four times in the top of the ninth to break things open.
Closer Brad McLaughlin shut down the Tigers to earn the victory.
There is a busy stretch of games for the Battlecats this weekend as they host Oakville at 7:30 p.m. at the FCCC diamonds (Queen and McLaughlin) tonight in a make-up date of a rained-out game from May. Tomorrow Brampton has a doubleheader with Dundas at FCCC beginning at noon.
Battlecats Avoid Weekend Sweep - June 24
The Brampton Battlecats salvaged one win out of a three-game weekend home stand by taking the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader with Dundas in the Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major division.
On Friday night at the new FCCC Diamonds, the Battlecats lost 8-1 to the Oakville A’s. They were right back on Saturday afternoon with Dundas, losing the first game 5-1 but rebounding to take the second game 3-2 for their third win of the season.
Veteran pitcher Joe Nonis got his first win of the season pitching 6 2/3 innings. Rookie Jordan Beatty came in from third base to get the final out and secure the save.
On Friday Brampton got off to a slow start against Oakville, committing five errors in 1 1/3 innings. That put the team behind despite a solid pitching performance from Chris McCanna with his best outing in several years.
Ryan Knight continued to sparkle on the base paths while Mike Benyo extended his hitting streak to nine games.
Those games leave the Battlecats at 3-9 for the season. This weekend they take a break from league play and head to Windsor for the Rick Wiseman Tournament.
Brampton is scheduled to return to COBA play on Monday, July 7 at Erindale.
That’s the start of a busy week for the team as they are at Burlington on Wednesday, July 9, host Milton on Friday, July 11 at Chris Gibson, and then play a doubleheader at Etobicoke on Sunday, July 13.
Battlecats Get Bounced 12-5 by Erindale Cardinals- July 10
The Brampton Battlecats returned to Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major division play with a loss on Monday as they fell 12-5 to Erindale Cardinals.
Really it was Geoff Cullen who did the most damage for the Cardinals as the Erindale slugger accounted for seven of the runs, smashing two home runs and a two-run single.
The Cats did lead the game 3-1 until Cullen blasted a grand slam home run. Brampton tied the contest on a run-scoring single by rookie Jordan Beatty but that was all they could muster.
That loss left the Battlecats with a 3-10 record. It was their first action since splitting a doubleheader with Dundas on Saturday, June 21. Last weekend Brampton went to the Windsor area for an appearance at the Rick Wiseman Tournament.
However, the weather did not cooperate. When the team arrived in Windsor on Friday afternoon, scheduled to play that night, they found out that the area had been hit by a severe thunderstorm earlier in the day and the field was flooded.
Plans were to push tournament games back to Saturday morning. However overnight rain on Friday meant that the field was still not ready for the Battlecat’s scheduled 9:30 a.m. start.
They finally did get the field playable and the Brampton game began at 10:50 a.m. But after just 1 1/3 innings the skies opened again and the entire tournament was canceled.
There is another busy stretch of games coming up for the Battlecats.
They host Milton at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Chris Gibson Diamond. On Sunday they play a doubleheader at Etobicoke. That is followed by a contest on Wednesday at Mississauga North and a make-up game with Glanbrook next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Strong Pitching Efforts Wasted by Battlecats - July 17
The Brampton Battlecats got some great pitching last week.
Unfortunately, it only resulted in one win in their last four games in the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major division. Brampton salvaged one game out of a doubleheader Sunday against the division-leading Etobicoke Rangers.
Etobicoke won the first game 1-0 but the visiting ‘Cats rallied for a 13-1 win in the nightcap.
Joey Nonis picked up his second win of the season, and the team’s fourth of the campaign, in the second game. The bats were booming also as everyone in the lineup got at least one hit.
Allan Hughes did a great job catching both games of the doubleheader.
The opening game was a pitcher’s duel between Brampton’s Mike Burke and Rangers’ Shawn Silk. Burke held Etobicoke without a hit for the first 6 2/3 innings. But the Battlecats also were unable to score and the game went to an extra-inning, the eighth.
The Rangers scored one run in their half of the eighth on a single, bringing in a runner from second giving the Battlecats a heart-breaking loss.
On Friday at home, there was another pitcher’s duel with Milton’s Mike Grabauskas facing Brampton’s Chris McCanna with Milton coming out with a 2-1 win. All three runs in the nine-inning game were unearned.
McCanna went the distance while Grabauskas allowed just four hits in seven innings. Ryan Knight had a Brampton single, stole two bases, and scored the Battlecat’s only run.
Last Wednesday the Battlecats lost 6-1 to the Burlington Brants in Burlington. Nonis again pitched well for the first five innings. Brampton took the lead with Mike Benyo blasting a home run to make it 1-0 in the first inning.
Burlington though took the lead with two runs after a costly Brampton error.
The Battlecats are scheduled to host the Glanbrook Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m. this evening at the new F.C.C.C. Park on McLaughlin Rd., near Queen St...
‘Cats Battle Way to Wins - July 24
The Brampton Battlecats are starting to make some noise in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League’s Len Andrews Division.
The Battlecats, who have struggled to find wins, have reeled off back-to-back victories to improve to 6-14 on the season.
The ‘Cats got an outstanding pitching effort from Chris McCanna on Friday as they downed the visiting Glanbrook Grizzlies 5-3. On Tuesday, they scored early, and often, as they routed the Dundas Chiefs 9-2 in a rain-shortened contest.
McCanna pitched a solid eight innings in Friday’s victory, allowing just five hits and two earned runs, before giving way to Jesse Edmunds, who pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
Matt Held carried the big bat for the Battlecats, cracking a pair of doubles and a two-run single. He finished the game with three RBI.
Brampton broke open a 3-3 tie with a pair of eighth-inning runs. Ken Appleby opened the inning with a double. A Mike Benyo RBI single and an RBI double from Held accounted for the winning runs.
Glanbrook took a 2-1 lead in the second inning and added to that lead with a single in the top of the fifth, only to have the ‘Cats battle back to knot the game at 3-3, setting the stage for the late-inning rally.
With rain looming, the Battlecats left nothing to chance on Tuesday. They jumped to a 9-1 third inning lead and were ahead 9-2 when the skies opened up in the sixth inning.
Pitcher Mike Burke got the win, allowing just three singles in the five official innings.
Held was two-for-four at the plate with three more RBI. Appleby chipped in with a double and three runs scored while Jordan Beatty and Benyo chipped in with RBI singles.
The Battlecats put its two-game win streak on the line tonight when they host the 10-8 Erindale Cardinals. Game time at Chris Gibson is 7:30 p.m.
Battlecats Drop Three Games in COBA Play - August 12
The Brampton Battlecats had some tough battles as they dropped three-weekend games in the Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major division.
On Saturday in St. Catharines Brampton lost both ends of a doubleheader, falling 10-3 and 5-3 to the Metros. That followed a 1-0 loss to the Milton Red Sox at home on Friday night.
In the opener at St. Catharines, the Battlecats were sloppy in the field, making five errors. On the positive side, Matt Piccioni had a two-run double and Joey Nonis smacked an RBI single.
In the second game, Nonis took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. With two outs St. Catharines hit a single to end his no-hit bid.
In the sixth inning, the Metros started a rally with a double and pushed across five runs on their way to victory.
Piccioni doubled in Allan Mazierski and Jordan Beatty in the second inning for two Battlecats’ runs. Matt Held singled home, Mike Benyo after Benyo had hit a double into right centre.
Friday night was a pitchers’ duel between Battlecats’ Chris McCanna and Ian Zettle of the Red Sox. Zettle had a no-hitter until the eighth when Nonis stroked a single into right field. McCanna allowed just six hits while pitching the full nine innings.
Ken Appleby of the Battlecats also turned in yeomen’s work over the weekend catching Friday’s game and both of Saturday’s contests. Nonis had a big weekend both pitching and at the plate.
The Battlecats, went into their home game last night (following The Guardian’s deadline) against the Etobicoke Rangers with a 7-18 record. They also have a make-up with Glanbrook that was rained out last week still to be scheduled with playoffs also still to come.
2009
Battlecats Prepare for New Baseball Season - April 24
The start of the Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) is approaching and the Brampton Battlecats have been busy working out to prepare.
The local club has a heavy opening weekend schedule as they host Milton on Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. and then host Etobicoke for a doubleheader the next day at noon. All three games are slated for the Flowertown Community Campus Diamond (on McLaughlin Rd., just south of Queen St.).
The coaches are excited about this year’s team as they feel they have the deepest roster to start the season than they have ever had. Complementing the returning seniors are a number of graduating Brampton Minor Baseball Incorporated (BMBI) junior rep players.
Joining the club this season are: Greg Dodwell infield; Justin Deleskie infield, pitcher; Mike Gareri outfield, catcher; Matt Haynes infield; Steve Hough pitcher; Andy Mohammed infield; Jaineel Purohit pitcher; A.J. Schwalm pitcher; Nick Sousa pitcher; Victor Speciale infield, pitcher and Brad Trepanier catcher.
Returning this year are Ken Appleby infield; Mike Benyo infield; Mike Burke pitcher; Jesse Edmunds pitcher, Matt Held infield; Allan Hughes catcher; Ryan Knight outfield; Allan Mazierski infield; Chris McCanna pitcher; Joey Nonis pitcher; Brad Oliver infielder and Matt Piccioni outfield.
The management team includes president Blake Frost; GM Ron Lutz; field manager Scott Stephenson and rejoining the coaching ranks John Schwalm. The Battlecats are also pleased to announce that Steve Kretz is joining the team as a coach.
Kretz has had a number of years of coaching in BMBI and with the executive. A career highlight was winning the Canadian National championship with his Midget Senior team, many of whom are now with the Battlecats.
Cats Even COBA Record - May 15
The Brampton Battlecats got their first win in the Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Elite Major division on Wednesday night, topping the Burlington Brants 7-4.
That evened the Battlecats record at 1-1. A towering three-run home run to left-center field by rookie Mike Gareri set the tone for the game.
Mike Benyo continued his hot streak going two-for-four with a double, one RBI, and two runs scored. Matt Piccioni was two-for-four scoring once and rapping two singles.
Mike Burke threw four scoreless innings to get the win. Rookie Justin Deleskie tossed the final four innings and earned the save.
Brampton was scheduled to play three games last weekend at home but the weather did not cooperate. A doubleheader on Saturday afternoon with Etobicoke at the Flowertown Community Campus diamond was canceled because of the rain, lightning, and hail that hit the area in the morning. No make-up date has been announced.
However, they were able to play their home opener on Friday night, losing 7-6 to the Milton Red Sox.
The Red Sox were able to get to right-handed starting pitcher Jesse Edmunds for five runs.
Veteran Chris McCanna pitched a solid three innings allowing only one earned run. Rookie Steve Hough shut Milton down for the final three innings.
Shortstop Ken Appleby was two-for-four with a pair of doubles. First baseman Benyo was three-for-three with three singles. Rookie Andy Mohamed was two-for-four with an RBI. Ryan Knight singled, scored twice, and stole a base.
The Battlecats are scheduled to be at Oakville on Monday for a 4 p.m. doubleheader to start off a busy stretch of seven days. On Friday, May 22 they are at Dundas and then back the next day at noon with a doubleheader against St. Catharines, listed as a Brampton home game but being played at Erindale Cardinals Park at Ninth Line and Dundas.
Then on Monday, May 25 they play the Cardinals at the same location.
The Battlecat’s next home game is not until Friday, June 12 when they host Glanbrook at 7:30 p.m.
Battlecats Edged by High-Flying Cardinals - June 11
The Brampton Battlecats returned to Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Elite Major division play on Monday night after an absence of two weeks and dropped an 11-7 contest to first-place Erindale Cardinals on the road.
Brampton battled back after falling behind 11-0 to make it a close contest. With the loss, Brampton’s record fell to 3-5 and in last place in the four-team Len Andrews Division while Erindale is off to a 10-2 start to top the standings.
Oakville A’s are second at 6-4 and Etobicoke Rangers have a 5-4 record.
Although they were absent from league play the Battlecats were in Tillsonburg on the weekend for a tournament, reaching the semifinals, defeating Woodslee 10-0, but losing 4-3 to Sarnia and 8-4 to Thornhill.
Brampton is scheduled for three games at home this weekend at the Flower City Community Campus. Tonight, the Cats host Glanbrook, the Grizzlies are 4-5 in the Ken Johnson Division while on Saturday they have a doubleheader at noon with the Dundas Chiefs, who sit at 2-5.
‘CATS CLAW WAY TO .500 MARK - June 16
It was a very productive weekend for the Brampton Battlecats.
For the first time, the Central Ontario Baseball Association Elite Major team has swept three games during a weekend.
Playing at home Brampton took both of its games against the Dundas Chiefs on Saturday afternoon, winning 6-2 and 4-3. The previous evening the Battlecats snuck past the Glanbrook Grizzlies 9-8.
Those three wins evened Brampton’s record at 6-6, the best mark they have had at this point of a season.
In the first game against Dundas, Nick Sousa got the win, pitching a complete game, seven innings. In the second game, Mike Burke was the winner, improving his record to 3-0.
Against Glanbrook, Jaineel Purohit got the win with Jesse Edmonds earning the save. The Grizzlies recently won the title of a tournament in Tillsonburg, where Brampton reached the semifinal.
Victor Speciale had the hot bat on the weekend as he went five-for-10, a batting average of .500, with four RBIs.
In the Glanbrook game, Andy Mohamed was three-for-four, and Justin Deleskie, was three-for-three including a double and an RBI.
The Battlecats will try to keep their winning streak going this weekend with three more games, all on the road. On Saturday they have a doubleheader at Milton. The Red Sox are the second-place team in the Ken Johnson Division with a 4-3 record. On Sunday night they are at Dundas for a return contest with the Chiefs.
Chiefs Battle ‘Cats for Win - June 23
The Brampton Battlecats missed a chance to sweep the season series from the Dundas Chiefs as they fell 5-4 to the Chiefs on Sunday in Dundas in Central Ontario Baseball Association Elite Division play.
Brampton has won the previous three meetings this season with Dundas, however, the Chiefs came in with momentum after knocking off the league-leading Erindale Cardinals the previous game.
In a see-saw game, the Chiefs led 4-2 until Victor Speciale belted a two-run home run to tie the contest. It remained that way until the bottom of the ninth.
Dundas loaded the bases against rookie Steven Hough and, with two out, Hough hit the next Dundas batter to bring in the winning run.
The Cats had a doubleheader at Milton postponed because of rain on Saturday so gave three pitchers work. Mike Burke threw three scoreless innings, and Jaineel Purohit went the next three, allowing two runs while Hough pitched the final three.
Brampton, with a 6-7 record is scheduled to play at Burlington tonight in league play. The Battlecats head to the Rick Wiseman Tournament in Windsor this weekend. They open play on Friday facing the Essex Combines at 5:45 p.m., take on the Windsor Selects Saturday at 3:30 p.m., and then Windsor AA on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Battlecats Nipped in Windsor - July 3
Even though they played well, the Brampton Battlecats were not able to get any victories during their appearance at the Rick Wiseman Baseball Tournament in Windsor.
With tough competition against teams from the Windsor area Sunparlor League the ‘Cats lost all three of their games— all by just one run.
The team has had a rough stretch of games as it has lost its last two games in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League (COMBL) Senior Elite division.
On the road, last Wednesday Brampton fell 6-4 to the Burlington Brants. In their previous outing, they fell 5-4 to Dundas, that contest snapping the Battlecats three-game winning streak.
The Battlecats return home to face Burlington on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and then play a doubleheader with Oakville at noon on Saturday.
Ninth Inning Home Run Helps Brants Sink Battlecats - July 14
The Brampton Battlecats and Burlington Brants played a pitcher’s duel on Friday night in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major division play at the F.C.C.C Diamond. In the end, the visitors emerged with a 2-1 victory.
It was a heart-breaker for pitcher Steve Hough who only allowed one earned run in seven innings as the Battlecats slipped to their 10th defeat of the season.
Joey Nonis took the loss, allowing a home run to former Brampton player Pat Mastrogiancomo in the ninth inning.
The Battlecats were scheduled to have a busy weekend at home, hosting Oakville for a doubleheader on Saturday. However, that was washed out by the morning rainstorm.
On Tuesday night Brampton picked up its eighth win of the season, defeating the Milton Red Sox 8-4 in a game rescheduled from an earlier date. That game set a franchise record for wins with 15 games remaining.
Mike Burke pitched another strong game for his fourth victory with no losses, allowing only two earned runs. He was relieved by A.J. Schwalm and Nonis, who earned the save by shutting down the Red Sox for the final 1 2/3 innings.
Mike Gareri was three-for-four with three singles and scored twice. Victor Speciale continued his hot hitting, going three-for-five with a pair of singles and a double, and drove in two runs.
The Battlecats fell 6-2 to the Etobicoke Rangers. Hough was tagged for two home runs by Rangers’ slugger A.J. Iafrate.
Newcomer Steve Paciuc rapped two singles and Gareri smacked a double. Nonis pitched two innings, allowing just one earned run.
Earlier the Cats defeated Milton 6-5 in a game played at the Erindale Cardinals Park. Veteran Chris McCanna tossed six innings for the win. He was followed by Schwalm and then Jesse Edmunds with his third save of the season.
Speciale rapped out two doubles, scored a run, and drove in two. Greg Dodwell had two singles and scored. Gareri scored twice.
The Battlecats are scheduled for a home-and-home series this weekend with the Glanbrook Grizzlies with Brampton at home Friday at 7:30 p.m. and on the road Sunday night.
Battlecats Strike back with Wins - July 21
The Brampton Battlecats are back at the .500 mark, at 10-10, after sweeping a pair of weekend games from the Glanbrook Grizzlies in the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League.
On Friday night at home, the Cats rallied for a 5-4 victory while on Sunday at Bernie Arbour Stadium they beat the home side 8-6.
Andy Mohammed had a big weekend as he smacked key hits in each game. On Sunday, he stroked a two-run single in the ninth. Victor Speciale was three-for-five with two singles and a double, two RBIs, and scored twice.
Justin Deleskie started the game and earned his second victory of the season. Joey Nonis pitched in relief and Jesse Edmunds earned his league-leading fourth save.
On Friday at the FCCC Diamonds, the Battlecats faced last year’s pitcher of the year, Chris Cooney, and had a tough time getting things going, until they scored three runs in the ninth.
Glanbrook took an early 4-1 lead. Mohammed, who came in to play in the seventh inning, had a two-run single.
Jaineel Purohit, pitching in relief of starter Chris McCanna threw four scoreless innings to get the win.
There is a lot of baseball on the schedule for the members of the Battlecats this weekend.
On Friday, Brampton is home to Erindale Cardinals for a scheduled 7:30 p.m. start while on Saturday they host the Burlington Brants for a doubleheader scheduled to begin at noon, with both starting at the FCCC park.
The Cardinals are first in the Andrews Division and have beaten the Battlecats twice this season, while the Brants are last in the Johnson Division.
Then on Sunday, six members of the Battlecats are headed to Nelson Park in Burlington for the league’s annual all-star game. Battlecats selected to appear are pitchers Mike Burke and Edmunds, fielders Mike Benyo, Mike Gareri, Ken Appleby, and Speciale. Speciale is also slated to compete in the home-run hitting contest.
Over the Civic Holiday weekend, the Battlecats will compete in the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) elimination tournament, which has been moved to London, from Windsor because of the civic workers’ strike in Windsor.
Battlecats Split Tournament Games - August 4
The Brampton Battlecats return to action in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League on Friday night after a good showing at the Ontario Baseball Association Senior Elimination Tournament last weekend in London.
This was the Battlecats first-ever trip to the tournament, which determines the team to represent Ontario at the national championship. Brampton split its four games and advanced to play on Sunday.
The Battlecats opened against their league rivals the Milton Red Sox on Friday and lost 6-2. Milton scored five runs in the first inning but the 'Cats held tough after that. In relief of starter Mike Burke, Joey Nonis pitched a great game holding Milton to one run over the final 6 1/3 innings.
On Saturday morning Brampton got its bats going in a 14-2 victory over the Thornhill Reds 2 team. Later that day Brampton faced Markham, one of the favoured teams but advanced with a convincing 12-5 victory.
The Battlecats' run ended with a 3-1 loss to the eventual winners the Windsor Stars.
Now the team will concentrate on league play facing the Erindale Cardinals at home on Friday at 7:30 p.m., at FCCC Park. Then on Sunday, the Battlecats travel to Bernie Arbor Stadium to meet the Glanbrook Grizzlies.
Battlecats Defeat Cardinals - August 9
The Brampton Battlecats dropped the league-leading Erindale Cardinals 5-4 on Friday in Central Ontario Major Baseball League (COMBL) Senior Elite play at the FCCC Diamond.
It was Brampton's first win in four games with Erindale this season and improved the Battlecats league record to 11-12.
The 'Cats took advantage of some early Cardinals miscues to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Veteran Brampton pitcher Chris McCanna shut down the big Cardinals' bats until the seventh inning when perennial Battlecats' nemesis Geoff Cullen belted a three-run home run to put Erindale up 4-3.
That lead was short-lived as Brampton scored twice in the bottom of the seventh with Allan Hughes slapping a two-run double.
Steve Hough relieved in the eighth and ended an Erindale threat, inducing the Cardinals to hit into an inning-ending double play. Closer Jesse Edmunds pitched in the ninth and after a few jittery moments earned his fifth save of the season.
Brampton travels to Bernie Arbour Stadium to visit the Glanbrook Grizzlies for a scheduled 7:30 p.m. start tonight.
The Battlecats are also at home on Tuesday night to play a doubleheader against Oakville with the first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.
Battlecats Eliminated - August 25
The Brampton Battlecats are finished for this season but not before they had their most successful season in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite division.
Brampton finished its regular season with a 14-15 record, the most wins the team has ever recorded. That gave the Cats the sixth seed heading into the playoffs.
They opened the post-season in Dundas with a 3-2 victory over Burlington.
However the team then lost 3-1 to Glanbrook, and 5-1 to Oakville and were eliminated.
The playoffs followed a hectic finish to the regular season where the Battlecats scrambled to make up previously rained-out contests.
Their final league game was one of their most exciting of the year as they defeated Oakville 4-3 in 10 innings.
Brampton scored three runs in the first inning to get an early lead. Oakville came back with two runs in the third.
The A’s hit a home run off of reliever Jesse Edmunds in the top of the ninth to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
Brampton won the game in the tenth as Justin Deleskie scored from third on a missed double play attempt.
The contest proved to be a pitcher’s duel as Brampton rookie Nick Sousa went toe-to-toe for eight innings with one of the league’s premier pitchers Gord Robertson of Oakville, although neither starter was involved in the decision.
Edmunds picked up the win in relief.
The Battlecats survived a marathon on the final weekend of the schedule, playing five games between Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
That included a home win 8-0 over the Milton Red Sox on Friday. Chris McCanna pitched a strong nine innings, improving his record to 3-3.
On Saturday, the Cats had the rare task of playing three games in two different cities in heat and humidity.
They had an afternoon doubleheader in St. Catharines. They dropped the first game to the Johnson Division season winners 3-2.
In the second game, Brampton rebounded for an 8-2 victory over the Metros.
After that, the players had to fight traffic and heat as they went to Oakville where they lost 8-2 to the As.
Sunday afternoon involved a trip to Etobicoke to face the Rangers.
That game ended abruptly as a Battlecats player was ejected.
Since the team had no players left on the bench they were forced to forfeit the contest. Etobicoke led 6-3 at that time.
2010
Cats Ready for Battle - April 24
The cry of “Play ball” will soon be heard in Brampton as the Battlecats get set to launch another season in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League (COMBL) at the Senior Elite level.
The Battlecats have been busy working out indoors since January to get ready for their season opener, a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, May 8 at the New F.C.C.C. Park at 1 p.m. against Etobicoke.
The Battlecats are excited to announce the return of slugger Josh Correia to the line-up. The Brampton native has starred for the last couple of seasons for the Melville (Sask.) Millionaires after leading Point Park University in Pennsylvania. He is expected to strengthen the Battlecats’ roster.
Before its home opener, Brampton does have an exhibition contest scheduled for Sunday, May 2 at Burlington.
The COMBL league welcomes a new team this season with the Mississauga Twins joining the league. Brampton hosts the Twins on Friday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Besides their 27-game league schedule, the ‘Cats are also set for three tournaments starting with a tourney in Tillsonburg from June 4 to June 6. They will also head to the Wiseman Tournament in Windsor from June 25 to June 27 and the Hap Walters Tournament in Mississauga from July 14 to July 18.
Brampton is also scheduled to go to the Ontario Baseball Association Eliminations from July 30 to Aug. 2.
One Less Team for the ‘Cats to Battle - May 6
On the eve of the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major season, the league has been forced to alter its schedule because the Dundas Chiefs have dropped out.
The league has decided to go with an unbalanced schedule that will have the Brampton Battlecats facing division rivals four times each, instead of three, in a 28-game league schedule.
Brampton’s league opener, originally scheduled to be a doubleheader, is now a single nine-inning game scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at the FCCC diamond, near Queen and McLaughlin.
The Battlecats also announced the signings of two new players.
They have added two brothers who will join the team after their university semesters end in mid-May.
Tom Robulack is an outfielder who has played for the Ontario Blue Jays and in the Western Canada Major Baseball League.
Battlecats Drop Opener - May 12
The Oakville A’s were only able to manage five hits against Brampton Battlecats’ pitching but it was enough for a 7-5 victory on Monday in the Central Ontario Major Baseball Association Senior Elite Division.
The game played in Oakville, turned out to be the Battlecats opener after their scheduled contest in Brampton on Saturday with Etobicoke was postponed because of rain.
Brampton came out on fire on a cool evening, scoring four runs in the top of the first, including a three-run home run by Victor Speciale. However, Battlecats’ starting pitcher Jaineel Purohit struggled with his control, walking seven batters and allowing seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings on three hits.
Relievers A.J. Schwalm and Joey Nonis went the final 4 2/3 innings shutting the A’s out on two hits. Ken Appleby was two-for-five with a run scored while Greg Dodwell added two singles, going two-for-four.
The Battlecats home opener is now scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the FCCC diamonds.
Cameron Robulack, a first baseman, catcher, and designated hitter was drafted and signed by Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers. He was recently released by the Brewers and agreed to join the Battlecats.
The Brampton coaching staff is excited to have these players reinforce what looks to be a strong team for 2010.
First Win for Battlecats - May 20
The Brampton Battlecats have their first win of the Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite season.
They needed 12 innings to get their first victory in three league games as they downed the 0-3 Burlington Brants 6-5 on Wednesday night in Burlington.
Jesse Edmunds started and went five complete innings, allowing four runs, three earned. Steve Hough got the win in relief with seven strong innings, yielding just one unearned run.
Mike Gareri smacked a mammoth two-run home run in the first inning. Green also scored the winning run in the top of the 12th. He crushed a line drive off the centre fielder’s glove to reach on a two-base error. Victor Speciale brought him in with an RBI single.
Burlington loaded the bases with three hits in the bottom of the 12th but Hough struck out the next three batters to preserve the victory.
On Friday night Brampton played its home opener, falling 5-4 to the league’s newest team the Mississauga Twins. Speciale led Brampton’s hitting with a single and double and scored a run.
All three of the Battlecats games so far have been close, with the two one-run decisions and the other a 7-5 loss to Oakville.
Brampton returns home to face Milton Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the FCCC Diamond.
The Battlecats rained out home game from May 8 against Etobicoke has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 26 at 1 p.m. at FCCC.
Battlecats Fall - June 2
It was a tough weekend for the Brampton Battlecats in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League.
Brampton played four games and lost all four to see its record in the Senior Elite division slip to 1-8. On Sunday on the road, the Battlecats fell 4-2 to the Glanbrook Grizzlies.
The Cats scored both of their runs in the sixth inning. Michael Gareri scored a run and drove in the other. Alan Hughes also had an RBI. On Saturday at FCCC Diamond Niagara swept a doubleheader with the Battlecats, winning 5-4 and then 10-8.
In the second game a six-run seventh-inning cost the Cats who were leading 7-4 after five innings. Gareri had three hits for the Battlecats, scored three runs, and had an RBI. Victor Speciale also had a pair of hits.
In the opener, Ken Appleby managed three hits with an RBI. Gareri had a pair of RBIs.
On Friday night Brampton lost 5-2 to the Erindale Cardinals at home, with the Cardinals scoring three runs in the ninth inning. Mike Benyo had three of the eight Brampton hits. Matt Piccioni added a pair.
The Cats will try to get on the winning track this weekend at a tournament in Tillsonburg. They travel to Oakville for a league contest on Monday. The next home game is scheduled for Friday, June 11 as they host Glanbrook at 7:30 p.m. at the FCCC Diamond.
Battlecats Back on the Winning Track - June 9
A weekend trip to a tournament in Tillsonburg seems to have done wonders for the Brampton Battlecats.
After winning two of three games during the tournament, the Battlecats returned to league play on Monday where they handled the Oakville A’S 7-5 to get their second win of the Central Ontario Baseball Major League schedule and improve to 2-7.
In Oakville, the Cats scored three runs in the fourth inning and added three more in the eighth. Jaineel Purohit had a pair of RBIs. Victor Speciale had an RBI and scored a pair of runs. Alan Hughes also had an RBI. Michael Burke went 6 1/3 innings to get the win.
The Ilderton team that won the tournament championship in Tillsonburg was the only team to defeat Brampton on the weekend. Ilderton scored five runs in the sixth inning on the way to defeating the Battlecats 8-6 on Sunday.
Brampton rallied with four runs in the seventh but it was not enough. Matt Haynes had a pair of RBIs with singles by Mike Benyo, Hughes, and Greg Dodwell.
On Saturday the Battlecats snuck by Riverside 2-1 and had a 9-6 win over Thornhill.
In the Riverside game, Speciale smacked a solo home run in the fourth and also scored on a sacrifice by Haynes in the sixth for the winning run. Purohit and Chris McCanna combined to hold Riverside to just one run with Purohit allowing one run in five innings while McCanna yielded two hits while striking out three in two relief innings.
In the victory over Thornhill, Hughes and Dodwell had two RBIs each. Andy Mohammed and Mike Gareri also had RBIs. Winning pitcher Joey Nonis pitched five innings.
The Battlecats host Glanbrook on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Diamond while on Monday they are on the road at Erindale.
‘Cats Clawing Back - June 17
It is hard to imagine that your team is one of the hottest in the league when you sit in last place with a 3-8 record, but that’s the case with the Brampton Battlecats of the Central Ontario Baseball Association’s Majors Division.
The Battlecats were slow out of the gate, going winless in their first seven games but have reeled off three wins in their past four starts with the only blemish being a 6-1 setback against the division-leading Glanbrook Grizzlies on Saturday.
They got back on the winning track on Monday night, downing the Erindale Cardinals 9-7.
The Battlecats bats were cracking early in the contest with Erindale as they scored all nine of their runs in the opening three innings, then held on for the victory.
Chris McCanna picked up the mound win for Brampton, giving up five runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out four and allowed two walks. Reliever Steve Hough picked up the save, allowing two runs on four hits over the final four innings. He fanned three and gave up the same number of walks.
At the plate, the Battlecats got on the board in the first inning when lead-off man Ryan Knight walked and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Victor Speciale.
The ‘Cats exploded for six more runs in the second on six hits and a walk. Speciale’s blast was the loudest heard as he cracked a three-run home to cap the big inning. Ken Appleby and Brad Oliver contributed doubles in the inning.
Brampton added two more third-inning runs with Oliver and Matt Held crossing the plate after reaching on an error and walk respectively.
The Cardinals chipped away at the lead but could not overcome the Brampton lead. After scoring once in the second, Erindale put two on the board in each of the third, fifth, and sixth innings.
On Sunday, Glanbrook reliever Greg Swan was pressed into the starting rotation for the Grizzlies, losing his no-hit bid to lead-off hitter Mike Benyo in the bottom of the seventh in the Grizzlies’ 6-1 win.
Benyo scored the Battlecats lone run in the ninth inning, reaching on an error and eventually rounding the bases.
Glanbrook scored twice in the opening inning and once more in the second. They maintained that lead until adding three more in the seventh.
Brampton hosted Erindale last night (after the press deadline) in a rematch of Monday’s contest. The Battlecats travel to Etobicoke for a Sunday night tilt with the Rangers.
Battlecats Rally to Nip Indians - June 22
The Brampton Battlecats scored four runs in the seventh inning on the way to a come-from-behind 7-6 win over the Etobicoke Indians in the Central Ontario Baseball Major League on Sunday.
The victory improved Brampton’s record to 4-9, after starting the season at 1-7. The Indians had taken a 5-2 lead in the first inning.
Joey Nonis in relief got the win. He pitched four innings allowing the final run on four hits. Starter Chris McCanna yielded five earned runs on seven hits in the first five innings.
In the seventh Victor Speciale belted a triple to drive in one run. J.R. Crosby also had an RBI and a stolen base.
Ian Held smacked three singles.
Mike Gareri had a single and double, drove in a run, and scored twice. Brad Oliver had a pair of singles and an RBI. Alan Hughes with a single and double and stolen base also scored a run.
On Thursday night at home, Brampton fell 10-3 to the Erindale Cardinals.
Brampton did get two runs in the first inning but after that, the Cats could only manage a run in the eighth as they were held to five hits.
Gareri, Mike Benyo and Oliver had RBIs. Ryan Knight and Hughes had stolen bases.
Mike Burke started and pitched three innings, allowing five hits and five walks, and two earned runs. Justin Deleskie pitched an impressive three innings, striking out five without allowing a hit or run. Speciale took the loss, yielding five earned runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings. Jesse Edmunds finished off and was charged with two runs, both earned, and three hits in 1 1/3 innings.
On Saturday the Battlecats are scheduled to host Etobicoke at Noon at FCCC Park in a make-up game from a rained-out contest that was originally the team’s season opener.
Twins Outlast Battlecats in Slugfest - July 6
The Brampton Battlecats lost a slugfest as they fell 10-9 to Mississauga Twins in recent Central Ontario Baseball Major Baseball Association Senior Elite play.
The Battlecats were held to two runs in the first seven innings but rallied with three in the eighth and four in the ninth but they fell just short. Matt Held and Mike Benyo each had three hits, collected single RBIs, and scored twice.
Victor Speciale had two hits with one RBI and one run scored. Tom Robulack had two hits. Andy Mohammed stroked two hits with one RBI. Ryan Knight drilled a single, scored a run, and had an RBI. Ken Appleby added one RBI.
Mississauga had two big innings, scoring four runs in each of the fourth and seventh innings.
Brampton hosts Oakville at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the FCCC Diamonds.
Niagara’s Hot Bats Down ‘Cats - July 8
The batters were swinging hot bats on a hot night as the Niagara Metros outslugged the Brampton Battlecats 16-7 on Monday night in St. Catharines in a Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite contest.
It was a tough night for the Battlecats pitching staff as Niagara had 19 hits against four Battlecats pitchers and Brampton saw its record slip to 4-12.
The Battlecats had nine hits of their own, scoring three runs in the first and single runs in the second, fourth, eighth, and ninth innings.
Niagara had two runs each in the first and second inning and exploded for five runs each in the fifth and sixth, followed by two more in the seventh.
Ken Appleby had two RBIs and scored a run for the Battlecats. Alan Hughes also had a pair of RBIs. Victor Speciale had three hits, including a triple, and scored twice. Greg Dodwell had a pair of singles, one RBI, and one stolen base. Jaineel Purohit also had one RBI. Ryan Knight collected a single, stole a base, and scored two runs.
The Battlecats have a busy stretch of games scheduled.
They were scheduled to host Oakville tonight and are at Etobicoke tomorrow. On Wednesday they travel to Burlington and on the following weekend play in Mississauga at the Hap Walters Tournament.
Brampton has announced a new date for the twice-rained-out game with Etobicoke. It is now scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Diamond.
Originally Brampton’s home opener in May, the contest was also rained out on June 26.
Battlecats Down Etobicoke - July 14
The Brampton Battlecats got back on the winning track on Friday night as they went into Etobicoke and defeated the Rangers 9-4 in Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite play.
It was their second win of the season over the Rangers and improved their record to 5-12.
The Battlecats scored three runs in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth to break open a tied game. Etobicoke had scored three times in the third inning and added another run in the seventh.
Greg Dodwell managed a single and double for the Battlecats had a walk and sacrifice fly, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Tom Robulack had a pair of hits and two RBIs. Victor Speciale reached three times, with a single, a walk, and hit by a pitch scored a run, and cashed in a runner.
Matt Held had three singles, drew a walk, scored a run, and collected an RBI. Brad Oliver smacked a double and scored twice. Justin Deleskie stroked three singles, reached on a walk, and had one RBI. Mike Gareri belted a double and scored once. J.R. Crosby smacked a double and scored a run. Jesse Edmunds also scored a run after drawing a base on balls.
Three Brampton pitchers combined on the mound. Mike Burke went four innings allowing three runs, all earned on five hits and two walks while fanning three. Joey Nonis in 3 1/3 innings yielded just one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out two. Edmunds pitched 1 2/3 innings with no runs allowed, yielding just a hit and two walks while striking out one.
The previous night at home the pitching staff had a tough night as the Oakville A’s outslugged the Battlecats 14-7.
Brampton had 10 hits in the game. Gareri cracked a solo home run and added a pair of singles and a stolen base and finished with three runs scored.
Speciale smacked a single, double and triple, had two RBIs and a stolen base and scored one run. Mike Benyo added an RBI.
Alan Hughes scored a run, and reached base three times on a single, error and walk. Held was two-for-two with two singles and also reached on a walk. Matt Haynes had a single and scored a run.
The Battlecats are at Burlington tonight in league play. This weekend they head to the Hap Walters Tournament at Clarkson Park in Mississauga, beginning play on Friday at 6 p.m. against league rival Niagara Metros. On Saturday they face Oshawa at 10 a.m. while at 5:30 p.m. they are scheduled to meet Whitby.
The semi-finals and finals are on Sunday.
The next home game is on Thursday, July 22 against Milton at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC.
Battlecats Show No Mercy for Burlington - July 16
The Brampton Battlecats made it two wins in a row as they mercied the Burlington Brants 12-2 in Burlington on Wednesday in a Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite play.
The Cats needed just seven innings to collect their sixth win of the season. They scored one run in the second, had four in the third, one each in the fourth and fifth, two in the sixth, and then three in the seventh. Burlington managed single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
J.R. Crosby smacked a grand slam home run in the third and added a single. Mike Benyo stroked a solo home run and added a double. Ryan Knight had a pair of singles, stole a base, and drove in two runs. Matt Held had a single and RBI.
Victor Speciale with a single and triple drove in one run.
Brad Oliver managed a double and one RBI. Matt Haynes added an RBI. Mike Gareri had a pair of singles.
Jaineil Purohit pitched five strong innings to get the win, allowing only one earned run, four hits, and no walks while fanning four. Joey Nonis in the final two innings yielded an earned run, on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts.
Brampton is scheduled to host Milton on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Diamond and then has Mississauga scheduled for a contest at FCCC on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Battlecats’ Bats Silent in Early Going Tourney - July 23
The Brampton Battlecats’ bats came alive a little too late at the Hap Walters Tournament in Mississauga last weekend.
The Brampton senior baseball squad managed just one run in its opening two games— both losses— before exploding for 11 in their final game of the tourney.
The Battlecats opened the event with a 2-1 loss to Niagara and were shut out 3-0 by Oshawa in their contest before routing Whitby 11-1 to close out the event.
Steven Hough picked up the mound win for Brampton in the victory over Whitby, throwing five innings of four-hit ball. He struck out four and allowed one base on balls. Jesse Edmunds pitched the final inning, fanning one.
Matt Haynes held the hot bat for the Battlecats, reaching safely on four occasions with three singles and reaching on an error in his other plate appearance. He drove in four runs. Victor Speciale picked up three RBI with a pair of singles while Alan Hughes picked up a couple of singles and two RBI.
Brad Oliver cracked the only extra-base hit by the Battlecats in their 10-hit attack— a first-inning double— as the ‘Cats scored six times.
Justin Deleskie got no offensive support in a 3-0 loss to Oshawa. He allowed just three hits and one earned run over six innings, but it wasn’t good enough. Oshawa’s Blanchard allowed a pair of singles, off the bats of Mike Benyo and Michael Gareri, striking out two for the win.
All three Oshawa runs came in the final inning.
In the tourney opener, the Battlecats gave up a pair of third-inning runs and could not make up that margin.
Mike Burke suffered the loss, allowing six hits over six innings, fanning three, and allowing five walks.
Brampton got one run back in the fourth when Haynes doubled home Hughes, who had walked to lead off the inning. Gareri managed the only other Battlecats hit, a fifth-inning single.
The Cats returned to league action on Monday, dropping a 13-7 to Erindale on Monday. They hosted Milton last night (after the press deadline) and Mississauga tonight at the FCCC Field in Brampton, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Battlecats Win Two in a Row - July 28
The Brampton Battlecats earned consecutive wins recently over the Mississauga Twins in the Central Ontario Baseball Major League, Senior Elite division.
Those wins should help the team’s confidence as it heads into this weekend’s Ontario Baseball Association Elimination Tournament in London, where it opens play against the same Mississauga team on Friday at 2:30 p.m. Those were Brampton’s first two wins in four games against the Twins this season.
On Tuesday night in Clarkson Brampton earned a 3-1 victory. Four Brampton pitchers combined to scatter 10 hits and give up only one walk. Winner Mike Burke went six innings, yielded six hits but did not allow a run and struck out one. Nick Sousa and Joey Nonis each pitched one inning while Jesse Edmunds came in to get the save, pitching the ninth inning, yielding two hits and the lone run.
Brampton got a run in the second as Victor Speciale smacked a double, went to third on a sacrifice by Mike Benyo, and scored on suicide by Greg Dodwell.
Two more scored in the fourth. Speciale led off by reaching on an error. Benyo and Dodwell each stroked singles. Matt Haynes got one RBI on a fielder’s choice while Jaineel Purohit followed with another fielder’s choice to drive in another run.
Haynes also had a single and stolen base while Dodwell, Brad Oliver, and Mike Gareri each had additional singles.
On Friday at home, the ‘Cats dropped the Twins 9-6. Steve Hough went eight innings for the win, allowing three runs, all earned, on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.
Nonis, who had a pair of doubles drove in four runs. Gareri collected four singles, scored three runs, and had a stolen base. Andy Mohamed managed a single and double with a run scored and an RBI.
Speciale had two singles, two stolen bases, one RBI, and scored once. J.R. Crosby had a single and two stolen bases. Purohit with a pair of singles had a stolen base and scored a run. Justin Deleskie with a single scored once. Dodwell added a single and RBI.
The previous night in Milton the ‘Cats’ comeback fell short in a 4-3 loss to the Red Sox. Milton took a 4-0 lead with two runs each in the first and third innings. Brampton managed single runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.
Red-Hot Battlecats Cooled Off by Rangers - August 12
The red-hot Brampton Battlecats were cooled off by the Etobicoke Rangers on Tuesday night.
The ‘Cats, who had won four consecutive Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite games in a row were downed 16-9 by the Rangers at FCCC.
Despite the loss, Victor Speciale smacked another home run, his third in the last two games.
On Sunday Brampton defeated the Milton Red Sox 11-6 with only 10 players, and coach Scott Stephenson started the game in right field. Speciale had three RBIs as he belted home runs in the seventh and ninth innings, along with a pair of singles. Joey Nonis also smacked a solo home run and a single.
Matt Held drove in two runs with a pair of fielder’s choices. Brad Oliver stroked a pair of singles and collected two RBIs. Mike Benyo had a double and single with one RBI. Jaineel Purohit drilled a double with one RBI. Andy Mohammed had three singles and scored two runs.
Purohit earned the win, going six innings, allowing five runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts. Nonis recorded the save, pitching three innings, yielding one earned run, two hits, and a walk with one strikeout.
Last Friday night the Battlecats dominated the Burlington Brants 11-2. Matt Haynes had a pair of singles, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Greg Dodwell had two RBIs and a stolen base, along with a single. Speciale collected a pair of singles with two RBIs.
Mike Gareri drilled a double and single and scored a run. J.R. Crosby collected two singles and scored a run. Matt Piccioni had a triple and double and scored three times. Purohit stroked a double. Mike Benyo with a single had one run scored.
Chris McCanna earned the win, pitching six innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three. Nick Sousa went two innings, without allowing a run or hit while fanning two. Speciale also pitched an inning, allowing two walks while striking out one.
Brampton has improved its record to 10-15. On Friday the ‘Cats host Oakville at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC. On Monday they complete the regular season with Etobicoke visiting Brampton, also at 7:30 p.m. Playoffs are scheduled to start on Aug. 19.
Battlecats Set to Begin Baseball Playoffs - August 19
The Brampton Battlecats are heading into this weekend’s Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite playoffs on a winning note after an 8-7 victory over the Glanbrook Grizzlies on Tuesday in Stoney Creek.
In their final game of the regular season, the ‘Cats pounded out 12 hits. Alan Hughes with a double and two singles drove in three runs.
Jaineel Purohit and Joey Nonis, each with two singles had two RBIs. Brad Oliver with a pair of singles and a walk, stole two bases and scored three runs. Mike Benyo with a single and walk drove in a run. Andy Mohammed and Steve Hough also each had a single and a walk.
Mike Burke tossed a seven-hitter for seven innings to get the win. He struck out five and walked three, allowing two earned runs. Hough went the final two innings, striking out six but walking three, and yielding three hits and four earned runs.
On Monday night the Battlecats and Etobicoke Rangers played to an 8-8 tie, in a game that was called after 11 innings because of curfew.
Matt Haynes stroked a single and drew two walks, finishing with a pair of RBIs. Greg Dodwell had a pair of singles and stole one base.
Mohammed reached base three times on walks, drove in a run, and scored a run. Justin Deleskie had a single and RBI. Victor Speciale was on base five times, with a pair of singles and three walks, had a stolen base, and scored a run.
Ken Appleby drilled three singles and had an RBI and a stolen base. Oliver with a single and two walks had one RBI. Matt Piccioni drove in two runs, reaching on three singles and a walk.
The Battlecats used four pitchers, who allowed 14 hits.
On Friday night at home, the Battlecats dropped the Oakville A’s 7-4. Brampton had a big third inning scoring five runs.
J.R. Crosby smacked a three-run home run. He also had a single.
Mohammed collected three singles, drove in a run, and scored twice. Greg Dodwell stroked two singles and a triple, had a stolen base, and scored two runs. Speciale had a pair of singles, drove in two runs, stole two bases, and scored a run.
Haynes, Deleskie, Purohit, and Oliver also had singles.
Hough pitched seven strong innings to get the win, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Jesse Edmunds yielded one run on a hit and two walks in one inning while Burke earned the save, yielding one hit in one inning.
The ‘Cats begin their playoffs on Friday at 7:45 p.m. as they face the Milton Red Sox in Etobicoke at Connorvale Park.
Battlecats Eliminated from Playoffs - August 26
The Brampton Battlecats season is over.
They were eliminated from the Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite playoffs with a 6-1 loss to the Milton Red Sox on Tuesday night in Oakville. The Battlecats went 2-2 during the playoffs, which had to be carried over to Monday and Tuesday night after play was rained out on Sunday.
On Monday night Brampton stayed alive by dropping Burlington 5-3. The ‘Cats managed just four hits but that was enough as they scored two runs in the second inning, two more in the fourth, and another in the sixth.
In the second Joey Nonis and Mike Benyo each walked and both came home on a double by Matt Haynes. In the fourth Nonis reached an error, Benyo had a single and both scored with Greg Dodwell getting a single and RBI.
Dodwell also had a single, stolen base, and an RBI in the sixth. Jaineel Purohit reached after being hit by a pitch.
Steve Hough got the win, pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits and two earned runs, striking out six and walking seven.
Jesse Edmunds got the final two outs to record the save.
On Saturday the Battlecats fell 7-1 to the Niagara Knights. Brampton had four hits with the lone RBI coming on a single by Alan Hughes in the first inning. Andy Mohammed had a single and scored a run. Ken Appleby and Brad Oliver also had singles.
The Knights got a run in the first, two more in the second, another in the third, one in the fifth, and two in the sixth.
In the playoff opener on Friday night the Battlecats defeated Milton 5-3. Oliver crushed a pair of doubles, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Mohammed had a single and two RBIs.
Dodwell cracked a double. Hughes belted a double and scored a run. Victor Speciale stroked a single and double, stole a base, and had one RBI.
J.R. Crosby drilled a pair of singles and scored a run. Haynes scored one run.
Justin Deleskie pitched five innings for the win, yielding three runs on six hits and four walks while fanning five. Edmunds got the save, going the final two innings without allowing a hit, with a walk and one strikeout.
Speciale Honour - October 26
Brampton Battlecats player Victor Speciale was honoured at the recent Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major awards banquet.
Speciale was chosen recipient of the Bill Graham Ironman Award. The winner is selected based on the amount of league and playoff games played, combined with a top level of play and statistics.
Speciale finished fourth in league batting average (.405), third in home runs (five), and first in triples (five). He led all senior leagues in Ontario in triples. In addition, he was named to the first all-star team at first base.
Two other Battlecats were also named all-stars with Mike Gareri selected as starting centre fielder and Allan Hughes as the starting catcher.
2011
‘Cats Work Indoors – February 1
Despite the recent winter weather, the start of another baseball season is not that far off and the Brampton Battlecats are about to begin their preparations for the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major season with indoor tryouts.
Workouts are scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 7 at St. Brigid’s School at 81 Torrance Woods Rd. in Brampton from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tryouts will go every Monday unless it is a school holiday or the gym is booked for special use.
Any player wishing to try out for the AAA level team is asked to come to the gym or contact one of the coaches. More information can be found on either of the team’s two websites eteamx.com/bmbijrbraves or bramptonbattlecats.com.
‘Cats Set for New Battles - May 3
The Battlecats are scheduled to play their first two games on the road. They visit Etobicoke on Friday at Connorvale Park and then are to travel to Nelson Park in Burlington to meet the Brants on Wednesday, May 11. The home opener is slated for F.C.C.C. Park on Friday, May 13 against the Glanbrook Grizzlies. Other teams in the league include Niagara, Milton, Mississauga, Oakville, and Erindale.
Brampton has a 28-game regular season schedule. All home games are scheduled for F.C.C.C. Park near Queen Street and McLaughlin Road, except for a June 11 noon start against Etobicoke at Dave Dash Park in the old Brampton Fairgrounds.
The team has also entered the Hap Walters Tournament in Mississauga in July and the Ontario Baseball Association eliminations beginning July 29 in Windsor.
The core of the Battlecats roster from last season has returned including the likes of Ken Appleby, Mike Benyo, Mike Gareri, Matt Held, Allan Hughes, Ryan Knight, Joey Nonis, and Victor Speciale. Last season Speciale won the league’s Ironman Award while Speciale, Hughes, and Gareri were named to the Len Andrews Division all-star team.
Newcomers include Brampton Minor Baseball Incorporated junior graduate Jayson Diniz-Woods who will play first and third base and possibly pitch for the Battlecats. Another newcomer is Kyle MacKinnon, a catcher from the Oshawa Royals of the Greater Toronto Baseball League.
Ian Held has also returned to the coaching staff after having coached the Mississauga Twins in the Intercounty League.
Scott Stephenson is back as field manager with Steve Kretz also returning to the coaching staff.
‘Cats Win Opener - May 12
After being rained out for their first scheduled game of the season, the Brampton Battlecats came away 8-2 winners over the Burlington Brants in their Central Ontario Major Baseball League opener.
Veteran pitcher Joey Nonis went seven solid innings for the win while Justin Deleskie pitched the final two innings to preserve the victory.
The ‘Cats relied on a total team effort to defeat the Brants, who had just come off a win over last years league champs, the Glanbrook Grizzlies.
Brampton will try to up their record to 2-0 tonight in their home opener when they will face the defending champion Grizzlies. The game will be played at the FCCC diamond with the first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Good Start for ‘Cats - May 26
The Brampton Battlecats are off to a 3-1 start in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League senior elite division.
The Battlecats swept a doubleheader from Mississauga Twins on Saturday at FCCC diamonds in Brampton. They won the opener 7-0 and then took the second contest 4-3.
On Friday night Brampton lost its home opener, dropping a 12-5 contest to the Niagara Metros.
The Battlecats had earlier won their season opener 8-2 over the Burlington Brants.
On Friday Brampton is scheduled to host the Milton Red Sox at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC. On Monday they are on the road at Oakville.
Battlecats Bounce Back - June 12
The Brampton Battlecats rebounded from their worst defeat of the season to drop the Etobicoke Rangers 3-1 on Saturday at Dave Dash Park in Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite play.
Saturday afternoon was scheduled to be a doubleheader but the second game was rained out. The victory broke a two-game losing skid for the Battlecats who improve to 5-3 on the season as they are off to one of their best starts ever.
Justin Deleskie pitched a gem for the Battlecats, going seven innings. Mike Gareri belted a solo home run. No make-up date has been announced for the second game.
On Friday night Brampton suffered its second consecutive loss 11-0 to the Oakville A’s. Starting pitcher Steve Hough had a solid outing, allowing just two runs over five innings.
However, after that, the bullpen and the defense struggled. A number of errors led to nine unearned runs.
Brampton travels to Erindale to face the Cardinals on Monday night. On Saturday they head to Niagara for a doubleheader. The next home game is on Friday, June 24 as the Battlecats host Erindale at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Diamonds.
Battlecats Fall to Niagara - June 21
The Brampton Battlecats fell twice in a Central Ontario Major Baseball League senior elite doubleheader on the road Saturday with the Niagara Metros.
Despite a short bench, the Battlecats had the lead in both games before falling 14-11 and 8-7. Victor Speciale keyed a hot Brampton offense. He had three hits in the first game and then followed up with three more in the second, cracking two home runs and a single.
With a shortage of pitchers, Mike Benyo was forced to pitch, despite not having been on the mound for eight years.
Earlier the Battlecats outslugged the Erindale Cardinals 13-12 last Monday night at Erindale.
That gave the Battlecats a 6-3 record and kept them on top of the league standings with the victory. Against the Cardinals speedy Ryan Knight led the way, going five-for-five, with a walk and scoring three runs.
Ken Appleby, Greg Dodwell, and Speciale all had three hits apiece.
Rookie pitcher R.J. Page pitched four innings. He was relieved by Nick Sousa who got the win. Jaineel Purohit got the third out of the ninth inning with a strikeout to earn the save.
The Battlecats are scheduled to host Erindale on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Park.
‘Cats Slip Below .500 - June 29
After a strong start to their Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite schedule, the Brampton Battlecats have hit a bit of a roadblock recently.
They suffered three setbacks this week and have now lost five in a row to see their record slip to 6-8. On Sunday they lost 9-3 to the Milton Red Sox on the road while on Friday they lost at home 14-9 to the Erindale Cardinals. On Tuesday they dropped a 9-3 decision in Mississauga.
As happened during a doubleheader sweep to the Niagara Metros, the Battlecats did take early leads but in both games, the team, which is now playing with a short bench, was unable to hold on.
But despite the recent struggles a number of players continue to have fine seasons. Ryan Knight has a .484 batting average. Justin Deleskie is at .440, in combined league and tournament play he is hitting .500. Ken Appleby has a .410 average and Victor Speciale is hitting at .385.
The Battlecats host the Burlington Brants in a doubleheader on Saturday, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Flower City Community Campus.
Woes Continue For ‘Cats - July 6
The Brampton Battlecats continue to have problems getting wins.
The Battlecats are winless in their last seven Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite games, although they came close at home on Saturday against the Burlington Brants.
Brampton lost the first game of the doubleheader 4-0 and had to settle for a 4-4 tie after eight innings in the second game. That contest was called because of curfew.
The ‘Cats sit at 6-9-1. In the opening game with the Brants Brampton could only manage five hits. Burlington had just six hits but scored four runs in the fifth inning.
In the second game the Battlecats had more success at the plate, led by Ryan Knight who was three-for-four, with three singles, stole two bases, and scored a run.
Justin Deleskie belted two doubles and scored a run. Mike Gareri was three-for-four with a double and two singles, a stolen base and a run scored.
Last Tuesday the Battlecats fell 9-2 to the Mississauga Twins. The bright spot was the hitting of Alan Hughes who was three-for-four with a double and two singles.
On Friday Brampton is at Etobicoke for a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m., including a make-up game from earlier this season. That is followed by a contest next Monday at Erindale. The team is not scheduled to be at home until Friday, July 22 hosting Glanbrook at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Park.
Battlecats Named to All-Star Teams - July 7
For the first time in their history, the Brampton Battlecats have players on both the first and second Ontario Senior Baseball midseason all-star teams.
Shortstop Justin Deleskie and outfielder Ryan Knight were both named to the first team. First baseman Victor Speciale and pitcher Joey Nonis earned second-team nods. Deleskie leads all players in batting average, hitting at a .523 clip. Knight is hitting .428. Speciale either leads or is in the top five in most other statistical categories.
Although they have been struggling lately to get wins the Battlecats offense remains potent as they lead all teams in Ontario with a .320 team batting average.
The Battlecats visit the Etobicoke Rangers Friday for a doubleheader and are at Erindale on Monday.
The next home game is on Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. with Glanbrook at FCCC Park.
‘Cats Snap Winless Skid – July 13
The Brampton Battlecats ended their winless skid in the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League Senior Elite division in a decisive fashion on Monday night as they dropped the Erindale Cardinals 10-2 at Erindale.
The Cats had not won in their previous nine games, eight of those losses. Michael Burke picked up his first win of the season, going eight innings, allowing only one earned run.
Jaineel Purohit swung the big bat as he was four-of-five at the plate.
Brampton’s woes continued on Friday at Etobicoke as the Battlecats were swept in a doubleheader by the Rangers, losing 4-3 in 10 innings in a make-up game and 5-0 in the nightcap.
Those results leave the Battlecats league record at 7-11-1.
This weekend Brampton is in the Hap Walters Tournament in Mississauga, opening against Markham on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Erindale Cardinals park. On Saturday they are scheduled to face Strathroy at 9:30 a.m. and then the Windsor Stars at 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, the Battlecats return to league play at Mississauga.
Next home contest is Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. against Glanbrook.
‘Cats Fail to Advance – July 20
A 2-1 record was not good enough to get the Brampton Battlecats into the second round of the Hap Walters senior baseball tournament in Mississauga.
In sweltering conditions, the Cats dropped Markham Mariners 6-5 on Friday night, topped Strathroy Royals 9-8 on Saturday morning but then lost 6-2 to the defending Ontario champion Windsor Stars on Saturday afternoon.
That was an encouraging sign as the team prepares for the Ontario Baseball Association eliminations in a couple of weeks. In the contest against Markham, Joey Nonis was the winning pitcher and rookie R.J. Page picked up the save.
In the contest against the Royals, the Battlecats came back even though they fell behind 6-0 after two innings. Page earned the win.
Victor Speciale had a big weekend at the plate, belting three home runs in three games.
There is a busy stretch of games this weekend as they return to Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite play beginning with a home contest against Glanbrook Friday at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC.
The league all-star game is set for Burlington on Sunday. Then on Monday, the Battlecats travel to Oakville.
The OBA eliminations begin on Friday, July 29 in Windsor.
Battlecats Win One, Lose One - July 26
It was certainly a Jekyll and Hyde week for the Brampton Battlecats in the Central Ontario Baseball Association senior elite division.
The Cats went into Mississauga on Tuesday to face the league-leading Twins and lost 16-4. On Friday at home, they topped the Glanbrook Grizzlies 12-3.
Despite the loss to Mississauga, there were some bright spots. Justin Deleskie belted a monster home run that ended up on Winston Churchill Blvd. while Jaineel Purohit was three-for-three with three singles.
All aspects of the game went well for Brampton in its win over Glanbrook. Victor Speciale continued his torrid hitting with a home run and single. Mike Gareri was three-for-five with two singles and a double. Greg Dodwell blasted a three-run double.
Starting pitcher Joey Nonis went five innings, allowing just two hits. R.J. Page went to the final four innings to earn the win. He also yielded only two hits and struck out 10.
Three members of the Battlecats also participated on Sunday in the COBA Major League all-star game in Burlington. Speciale, Alan Hughes, and Nonis all participated while Deleskie who had also been selected was unable to participate.
The recent results give Brampton an 8-12-1 league record. This weekend the Battlecats head to Windsor to participate in the Ontario Baseball Association elimination tournament. The next home game is on Friday, Aug. 5 when they host Oakville at 7:30 p.m. at the FCCC park.
Battlecats at Home
The Brampton Battlecats return home for Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League Senior Elite play tomorrow.
Brampton hosts the Oakville A’s in a scheduled 7:30 p.m. start at FCCC Park.
On Saturday they face the Milton Red Sox in a doubleheader at noon. Because the Red Sox home park is undergoing renovations, Milton home games are being played this season in Campbellville.
‘Cats Snap Losing Skid - August 11
The Brampton Battlecats ended a four-game league losing skid on Tuesday night as they topped the Glanbrook Grizzlies 13-3 at FCCC Park in Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite division play.
Glanbrook came to Brampton with a short bench and the Battlecats took advantage of the situation earning the win in just seven innings in a make-up game. Victor Speciale continued his great season at the plate, belting a home run and single. Mike Benyo contributed three RBIs to the victory.
Nick Sousa was the winning pitcher, allowing just three earned runs.
On Saturday Brampton was on the road against the Milton Red Sox and lost both ends of a doubleheader against the first-place team in the Ken Johnson Division, losing 7-6 and 5-3.
On Friday night at home, the Battlecats fell 4-3 to the Oakville A’s in 10 innings. Brampton’s losing streak in league play began with a 4-1 loss to Oakville on July 25.
Following that game, the team did compete in the Ontario Baseball Association Elimination Tournament in Windsor, compiling a respectable 2-2 record but did not advance to the semifinals.
The Battlecats, who are last in the Len Andrews Division with a 9-16-1 record, have two home games coming up to finish off the regular season. They host the Erindale Cardinals on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and the Etobicoke Rangers on Saturday at noon, both at FCCC Park.
The COBA Major playoffs are scheduled to start on Thursday, Aug. 18 but opponents and locations have yet to be determined.
Battlecats Drop a Pair - August 14
A pair of home losses completed the Brampton Battlecats regular season in the Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite Division.
There are still games to be played so Brampton will wait to see who it will meet as the league playoffs get going, likely later this week. On Saturday the Battlecats fell 15-4 to the Etobicoke Rangers. The previous night Brampton lost a slugfest 14-13 to the Erindale Cardinals, the first-place team in the Len Andrews Division.
Against Erindale, Ken Appleby had three singles with a pair of RBIs. Victor Speciale smacked a two-run triple and a double.
Brampton had a short bench for the game and when a player was ejected had no players left to put in. So, 60-year-old coach Scott Stephenson went into the game. He came to the plate with two strikes against him, fouled off a pitch, and then took a pair of balls. He then drilled a solid shot into left field for a single. In an attempt to turn it into a double, his knee gave out on him near second base and he was tagged out. However, he does finish the season with a 1.000 batting average.
The Battlecats complete the regular season fifth and last in the Andrews Division with a record of 9-18-1, for 19 points, as they lost six of their last seven contests.
‘Cats Make Some Noise Before Bowing Out - August 25
The Brampton Battlecats opened the Central Ontario Major Baseball League Senior Elite playoffs with a stunner on Thursday night but a pair of weekend losses ended the team’s hopes to advance.
The ’Cats, who were last in the Len Andrews Division, defeated the first-place team during the regular season, the Erindale Cardinals 6-0 at Connorvale Park in Etobicoke.
The Battlecats had finished 9-18-1 during the season while the Cardinals were 17-11, equaling the best mark in the entire league.
R.J. Page pitched a two-hit shutout for Brampton. Matt Piccioni smacked two singles and a double and scored a run. Mike Benyo contributed two singles and also scored. Victor Speciale added a single and double.
That sent the ’Cats into the weekend knockout round at Burlington Nelson Park, guaranteed two games. On Saturday they lost a close contest 5-3 to the Oakville A’s.
In Sunday’s third round they lost another close game, 7-5 to the Niagara Metros.
2012
‘Cats Ready for Battle – May 1
The Brampton Battlecats are ready to get another season in the Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major Senior Elite division underway.
The local team has a pair of road games coming up this week before it opens at home on Friday, May 11 at the Flower City Community Campus diamond facing the Mississauga SW Twins at 7:30 p.m. This week the Battlecats visit the Etobicoke Rangers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Connorvale Park while on Monday they head to Oakville to meet the Oakville A’s on Monday, May 7, also at 7:30 p.m.
Brampton has seen the departures and retirements of several players from last season but the Battlecats are thrilled to announce that five members from the Brampton Minor Baseball Incorporated (BMBI) junior team of last season are joining the club. Joe Ferreira and Joel Wrigley will help to anchor the pitching staff.
Others coming from junior include catcher Brian Stormer, third base, and shortstop Steven Fleischer and Andrew Thomson to play centre field.
Veteran catcher and pitcher J.R. Crosby has returned to the Battlecats.
General manager Ron Lutz said the team is once again looking forward to its loyal fan support and is inviting all Bramptonians to come out and cheer the team on in the 2012 season.
‘Cats Claw Way Past Rangers in Season Opener - May 10
The Brampton Battlecats opened their 2012 Central Ontario Baseball Major League Senior Elite season with a 7-5 win on the road over the Etobicoke Rangers on Friday.
The lead see-sawed with each team taking the lead twice. Brampton finally took the lead to stay with two runs in the top of the ninth and held on for the win.
Brad McLaughlin was the winning pitcher, striking out three batters and allowing just one hit and no runs in two innings. J.R. Crosby earned the save, yielding no hits in one inning.
Victor Speciale started the season the way he ended his all-star season last year, as he belted a pair of singles, had two RBIs, and stole three bases. Justin Deleskie was three-for-four with two singles and a double.
Jaineel Purohit smacked two singles with a double. Mike Gareri contributed with a single and double and drove in two runs. Andrew Thomson had two hits and scored twice. The Battlecats had 13 hits.
The ‘Cats were scheduled to visit Oakville on Monday night but that game was postponed due to weather.
Brampton is scheduled to play its home opener tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the FCCC diamonds, meeting Mississauga SW Twins.
They travel to Glanbrook on Sunday.
Battlecats Win Streak Snapped at Two - May 15
The Brampton Battlecats had their two-game winning streak to start the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League senior elite season come to an end on Sunday.
The Battlecats, who won their home opener 9-7 over Mississauga Southwest Twins on Friday, fell 5-4 to the Glanbrook Grizzlies on Sunday on the road in a squeaker. Brampton was short-handed on the bench and had an even shorter pitching rotation, so both Joey Nonis and Steven Hough, who pitched on Friday were again called upon. Nonis started and went five innings allowing two runs on five hits while Hough took the loss, yielding three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in four innings.
The Battlecats trailed the Grizzlies in the seventh inning but Justin Deleskie smacked a two-run home run to tie the game at 4-4. Glanbrook loaded the bases with two out in the ninth inning and managed a single for the winning run. Jaineel Purohit also drove in two runs for Brampton while Victor Speciale had a pair of hits.
On Friday night the Battlecats celebrated their home opener with a victory. After falling behind the Twins by four runs in the third inning, the ‘Cats stormed back in their half of the third, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs.
The contest was tied at 7-7 in the eighth when Brampton scored two more runs to go up 9-7. Closer J.R. Crosby pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the win and earn his second save in two games.
Veteran pitcher Nonis got the victory. Rookie Andrew Thomson went three-for-five scored twice and stole four bases. With the bases loaded in the third Victor Speciale sent a deep shot into centre field, clearing the bases. He had five RBIs in the contest, giving him eight in the first two games.
Andy Mohammed also stroked a solo home run.
Brampton plays its next five games at home, including on Thursday when the ‘Cats host the Milton Red Sox at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Park.
Battlecats Claw to Victory - May 19
The Brampton Battlecats improved their Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League record to 3-1 with a 4-3 victory at FCCC Park on Thursday night.
The ‘Cats who had lost their previous game, made sure their losing streak did not get to two games with some late-game heroics. They trailed 3-1 in the seventh inning but scored two runs to tie the contest.
With two out and Jaineel Purohit on third in the ninth inning, Greg Dodwell singled him home for the winning run.
R.J. Page and Joey Nonis on the mound held the Sox to three runs with Page allowing four hits and striking out eight in six innings while Nonis yielded one hit and fanned three in two innings. Closer R.J. Crosby worked a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout.
Andrew Thomson and Dodwell each had two hits with Dodwell driving in two runs. Victor Speciale also had an RBI.
Thursday’s game was the first of five in a row at home for Brampton. The Battlecats are home to the Oakville A’s on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, May 26 against the Niagara Metros beginning at noon. All three games are scheduled for FCCC Park.
Battlecats Sweep pair from Niagara - May 30
Prolonged winning streaks and short losing skids is the recipe for success in sports.
And if that’s the recipe, the Brampton Battlecats might have something cooking.
The ‘Cats improved to 5-2 in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major action this week, dropping a 7-5 decision to the Oakville A’s on Thursday before rebounding to sweep a doubleheader from the Niagara Metros, 5-1 and 3-1, at the Flower City Community Campus diamond on Saturday afternoon.
It is the second time this season the Brampton squad has halted a losing skid at one game.
In Friday night’s battle with Oakville, the Battlecats built a 3-1 lead through two innings but could not hold as the A’s scored three times in the fifth and two more in the seventh for the 7-5 victory.
Joel Wrigley suffered the loss from the mound, allowing one hit and three earned runs in 1 2/3-innings of relief work. Steve Hough got the start for the Battlecats, allowing four hits over 4 1/3 innings. Joey Nonis gave up one hit in two innings while J.R. Crosby allowed a single hit in one inning.
Offensively, the ‘Cats were held to just five hits with Andy Mohammed, Victor Speciale, Justin Deleskie, Crosby, and Mike Gareri all reaching safely.
Brian Stormer drove in a pair for Brampton while Crosby and Deleskie were credited with one RBI each.
Pitcher R.J. Page tossed a complete game four-hitter as the Battlecats took the first of two from Niagara on Saturday afternoon. Page allowed just one run while fanning 12 in the seven-inning contest.
The ‘Cats pounded out nine hits with Wrigley pounding out a pair of doubles to lead the attack. Deleskie was 2-for-2 on the afternoon while Andrew Thomson, Greg Dodwell, Jaineel Purohit, Kyle McKinnon, and Allan Hughes each collected one base hit.
The Brampton pitching staff combined for a one-hitter in the tail end of the doubleheader, while the Battlecats’ bats combined for six.
Joe Ferreira gave up the lone hit the Metros would muster as he got the start and went three innings for the home side. Brad McLaughlin picked up the win, going 1 2/3-innings of relief. Joey Nonis pitched to one batter, recording a strike out, before giving way to Crosby. He picked up the save, allowing just one walk in two innings of work.
At the plate, Speciale and Purohit each went deep while Deleskie was 2-for-2 at the dish. Thomson and Stormer had the other base knocks.
Brampton is back on the diamond Thursday at the Flower City Community Campus when they square off against the Erindale Cardinals. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m
‘Cats Claw Way Past Cardinals - June 3
The Brampton Battlecats claimed both ends of a doubleheader from Niagara in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major action using some solid pitching and sound defense last weekend, winning 5-1 and 3-1 contests.
On Thursday night, the defense and pitching were a little shaky but the bats came to life as Brampton outslugged the visiting Erindale Cardinals 11-9 at the Flower City Community Campus diamond.
It seems that whenever Brampton and Erindale hook up it always turns into a slugfest. and the latest matchup was no different as the two teams combined for 25 hits.
With the win, Brampton improves its division-leading record to 6 - 2.
Justin Deleskie led the Battlecats attack. He homered, singled, doubled, and scored twice.
Greg Dodwell singled, tripled, scored twice, and had two RBIs while Mike Benyo singled twice, both times driving in a run for two RBIs.
The winning pitcher was J.R. Crosby.
The Battlecats travel to Mississauga to face the Twins on Tuesday, June, and return to the FCCC diamond on Friday to face the Glanbrook Grizzlies.
Battlecats Edge Mississauga Twins - June 7
The Brampton Battlecats are still on top of their division in the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League following a hard-fought 6-5 victory over the Mississauga SW Twins on Tuesday in Mississauga.
With a 7-2 record Brampton shares the top spot in the league with the Niagara Metros but Brampton recently swept a doubleheader from the Metros.
R.J. Page got the win with a solid pitching performance as he allowed just three hits and five runs (three earned) over five innings. Brad MacLaughlin followed up with the hold, going 2 1/3 innings, yielding three hits, and striking out five. J.R. Crosby got the save, pitching 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits.
Victor Speciale led the offense with a single and double, drove in two runs, and stole a base. Andrew Thomson also had two hits, smashing a triple and single, and scored twice. Justin Deleskie also managed two hits, scored a run, and drove in a run. Jaineel Purohit stole two bases.
Brampton is home to face the Glanbrook Grizzlies on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Flower City Community Campus Park.
Battlecats Maul Grizzlies - June 13
The Brampton Battlecats feasted on a short-handed Glanbrook Grizzlies team on Friday in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League play.
Brampton pounded out 13 hits in a 16-3 victory which allowed the Battlecats to take over first place overall in the league.
Mike Gareri, just off the DL, led the hit parade with two doubles, a triple, and four RBIs. Victor Speciale hit two doubles, stole two bases, and drove in three runs.
Rookies Steven Fleischer and Joel Wrigley both smacked two singles and had single RBIs.
Jaineel Purohit, in his first start of the season, yielded only two earned runs for the win. Veteran Joey Nonis pitched the final three innings.
The ‘Cats host the Erindale Cardinals tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 p.m. at the FCCC diamond. They are at Milton for a doubleheader on Saturday.
Battlecats Outslug Cardinals - June 15
The league-leading Brampton Battlecats continued their hot play on Thursday night as they dropped the Erindale Cardinal 14-4 in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League play at FCCC diamond.
It is the second win of the season for the ‘Cats over the Cardinals, overall their sixth consecutive win improved their league record to 9-2.
Erindale led 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth but Brampton scored four runs to take the lead. The Battlecats then scored seven more runs in the sixth.
Catcher J.R. Crosby led the charge, going three-for-four with a home run, double and single, scored three times, and drove in four runs. Andrew Thomson had three hits with a triple, double and single. Andy Mohammed had a pair of hits and drove in two runs.
Winning pitcher Steve Hough threw a masterful seven innings, allowing the power-hitting Cardinals only two earned runs, on five hits, with five strikeouts.
Brampton travels to Milton for a doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday, scheduled to begin at noon.
Battlecats Split with Milton - June 17
Facing a stiff test, a doubleheader with the defending league champions on Saturday, the Brampton Battlecats managed a split.
In their first trip to Milton’s new Sports Park diamond, the Battlecats lost the opener 7-6 to the Red Sox before they rebounded for an 8-2 victory to leave their Central Ontario Baseball Association Major record at 10-3.
Milton snapped the Battlecats six-game unbeaten streak in the opener. The ‘Cats had the tying run on third with two out in the seventh inning but could not bring the run home.
Mike Gareri was three-for-four with a pair of singles and a double. He also had an RBI and a stolen base. Andrew Thomson was two-for-four with two stolen bases, one RBI, and two runs scored.
Brampton fought back in the second game. Joey Nonis tossed a complete game for the victory.
J.R. Crosby smacked a home run. Victor Speciale was two-for-four with two stolen bases and two RBI.
Brampton will now take a break from league play to go to the Vaughan tournament from Friday to Sunday. The Battlecats return to league action on Monday, June 25, visiting the Erindale Cardinals.
Battlecats Fall Just Short of Vaughan Tourney Title - June 27
The Brampton Battlecats narrowly lost the championship game of last weekend’s Vaughan Vikings senior baseball tournament.
The Battlecats were taking a break from their Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League schedule to take part in the tournament, and they had a successful outing, winning four of their five games.
In the final Brampton fell 3-2 to Leaside. In the semifinal, Brampton won a slugfest 15-12 over the Thornhill Reds. Earlier the Battlecats dropped their COBA league rivals the Etobicoke Rangers 11-4.
Brampton also topped Leaside 8-7 and the Thornhill Redbirds 7-1.
Recently COBA held its annual all-star game and Brampton was well represented with five players on the Andrews division squad, which defeated the Johnson division all-stars 7-1.
Battlecats players selected included Victor Speciale, Justin Deleskie, J.R. Crosby, R.J. Page, and Andrew Thomson.
During the game, Thomson went four-for-five with several exceptional catches in centre field. Speciale smacked a home run. Deleskie stroked a hard single to drive in one run. Page pitched the final inning, without allowing a run.
On Monday night the Battlecats returned to league action and improved their league-leading record to 11-3 with an 18-6 win over the Erindale Cardinals.
Clean-up hitter Joe Ferreira slammed two home runs and a single. Mike Gareri belted a home run and two doubles, driving in four runs.
Jaineel Purohit and Mike Benyo each smacked solo home runs. Joey Nonis pitched six innings to earn the win with Steve Hough pitching the final inning.
The Battlecats travel to St. Catharines on Thursday night to face the Johnson division-leading Niagara Metros. On Tuesday they are also on the road at Mississauga Southwest Twins. The next scheduled home game is on Thursday, July 5, with the Glanbrook Grizzlies visiting FCCC at 7:30 p.m.
Battlecats Fall to Niagara - June 29
Division leaders clashed on Thursday night in the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League.
On a hot night in St. Catharines the Brampton Battlecats came up just short falling 6-5 to the Ken Johnson Division-leading Niagara Metros. However, the Battlecats, with an 11-4 record and first in the Len Andrews Division, are still first overall in the league, two points ahead of the Metros. Brampton also won two earlier meetings with the Metros and has won the season series as the teams are not scheduled to meet again.
Brampton had a short bench for the contest but still led the game twice before allowing two runs in the eighth inning. Greg Dodwell went four-for-five with four singles, scored a run, and had one RBI. R.J. Page, normally a pitcher, was pressed into duty in left field, and rapped two singles, scored a run, and had one RBI.
Victor Speciale had two hits and drove in two runs. Andrew Thomson had two hits, scored a run, and drove one in.
Steve Hough pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run, yielding four hits and five walks while fanning eight. Joey Nonis took the loss in relief.
The Battlecats are on the road at the Mississauga SW Twins on Tuesday, returning home to face the Glanbrook Grizzlies on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at FCCC Park.
Battlecats Win Again - July 5
The Brampton Battlecats won again on Tuesday night as they downed the Mississauga SW Twins 5-3 at Clarkson in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League play.
With the victory, Brampton improved its record to 12-4 to remain the top team in the league.
Victor Speciale led the way offensively, going three-for-four, scoring twice, and stole two bases. Newcomer Marco Di Roma, in his first league game, singled, scored, and stole two bases. Mike Gareri had a pair of hits, scored a run, and drove in a run. Joe Ferreira had a hit with two RBIs. Ferreira, who plays baseball at Mayville State University in the Dakota Athletic Conference, was recently honoured by the school, being named to the Dean’s List for getting a GPA of 3.50 or higher during the spring semester.
R.J. Page threw seven innings, allowing just four hits and two earned runs while fanning six. Joey Nonis allowed one hit and one run in pitching the eighth inning. J.R. Crosby tossed a perfect ninth inning for the save.
The Battlecats who were scheduled to be home to Glanbrook tonight, have a stretch of away games coming up. Their next three league games are away from home and they will also participate in a tournament in Mississauga. The next home game is July 27 at 7:30 p.m. against Mississauga SW Twins, at FCCC Park.
Battlecats Fall to Grizzlies - July 6
The Glanbrook Grizzlies gave the Brampton Battlecats a rare home loss in the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League with a 6-5 win in Brampton on Thursday.
The loss was just Brampton’s second home loss of the season and dropped Brampton’s league record to 12-5. Two of the losses were to the Grizzlies. The Battlecats couldn’t get much going against the Glanbrook pitching until the ninth inning, as they scored three runs in the ninth but left the tying and winning runs on base as the contest ended.
Joel Wrigley took the loss but allowed just eight hits in eight innings with four strikeouts.
Joe Ferreira smacked a single and double. Greg Dodwell rapped a two-run single and Steven Fleischer had two singles. Andy Mohammed also had two of the 10 Brampton hits.
The Battlecats are in Oakville on Monday. They visit Etobicoke Rangers next Friday.
Baseball Win for Battlecats - July 11
The Brampton Battlecats recovered from a tough loss to hammer the Oakville A’s 14-4 on Monday in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League Senior play in Oakville.
In their previous game, the Battlecats fell 6-5 at home to Glanbrook, stranding the tying and winning runs on base in the ninth inning. But Brampton wasn’t about to lose its second consecutive game, improving its record to 13-5 with the victory.
Eight of nine position players had hits, including back-to-back home runs by J.R. Crosby and Jaineel Purohit. Marco DiRoma was four-for-six with three singles and a triple, driving in three runs. Andrew Thomson had three hits and scored three runs.
Steve Hough was the winning pitcher, going seven innings yielding just two earned runs and striking out seven.
The Battlecats are at the Etobicoke Rangers on Friday.
Rangers Rout Battlecats - July 17
It was a rare bad night for the Brampton Battlecats as they fell 9-3 to the Etobicoke Rangers on Friday night in Etobicoke in Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major League senior play.
The Battlecats are having their best-ever season, with a 13-6 mark, but are in a mini-slump as they have lost two-of-their last three contests and three of five.
Brampton struggled both offensively and defensively against the Rangers.
The Battlecats made five errors and while they had eight hits they left nine runners on base. Pitcher R.J. Page was the victim of the Battlecats defensive problems, taking the loss, allowing four hits over 4 1/3 innings, while striking out five.
Andrew Thomson and Joe Ferreira each had two hits and one RBI. Victor Speciale had one hit and one RBI and added to his team-leading stolen base total as he swiped two.
On Wednesday, Brampton’s Battlecats head to Burlington to meet the Brants in league play.
This weekend the team will participate in the Hap Walters Tournament in Mississauga.
‘Cats Rally to Nip Brants - July 19
The Brampton Battlecats downed the Burlington Brants 8-7 on Wednesday in Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League play.
Brampton fell behind 6-2 in the fifth inning but rallied for the victory to improve to 14-6 in league play.
The team has a heavy schedule coming up including the Hap Walters Tournament on the weekend, so to keep pitchers fresh used four different players on the mound.
Steve Hough pitched the final two innings to get the win, not allowing a hit or walk and fanning three.
Victor Speciale belted three singles and a double and scored twice. Mike Gareri had a key double to drive in Marco DiRoma for the tying run and then Speciale hit a single scoring Gareri for the winning run.
DiRoma had a pair of singles, stole two bases, and scored twice. Joe Ferreira also had a pair of hits.
On Friday Brampton faces Windsor AA to open the Hap Walters Tournament at the new Milton Park at 7:30 p.m. They are back at it on Saturday at 10 a.m. meeting Peterborough at the Erindale Cardinals Park on Ninth Line. They complete the tournament by battling with Milton on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. again at the new Milton Park.
The Battlecats are back in league action on Monday night, facing the Erindale Cardinals at Ninth Line at 7:30 p.m.
‘Cats Rained Out - July 25
After a winless weekend at the Hap Walters Tournament, the Brampton Battlecats traveled to Erindale to face the Cardinals for COBA Majors action on Monday, but the weatherman didn’t cooperate.
After 4 ½ innings, and the ‘Cats leading 3-1, the play was halted due to lightning and then canceled when the rains came down in buckets.
The game will be replayed at a later date.
At the 9th annual Hap Walters, Memorial Baseball Challenge on the weekend the COBA Andrews Division leaders lost three straight.
Brampton opened with a 3-0 loss to the eventual finalist Windsor Athletic Association. They dropped a 9-5 decision to Peterborough and wrapped the event by taking a 13-6 pounding at the hands of Milton.
Mississauga downed Windsor 6-3 in the championship game.
‘Cats Get Clawed by Rangers - August 1
The Brampton Battlecats had a tough weekend in Central Ontario Baseball Association Majors action.
The current Len Andrews Division leaders managed one win in three outings, claiming a 5-0 win over the rival Mississauga SW Twins on Friday night.
It was a different story on Saturday afternoon as the Etobicoke Rangers swept a doubleheader from the host Battlecats, 7-4 and 6-3.
On Friday night, Brampton pitcher Steve Hough threw a complete game and only allowed the Twins six hits while striking out nine in the nine-inning contest, recording the 5-0 victory.
The Twins, among the best teams in the province, were coming off two major tournament wins and Hough was able to hold them runless.
J.R. Crosby, Mike Gareri, and Justin Deleskie each had two hits for the Battlecats.
The ‘Cats didn’t get much time to reflect on the win as they were back at it the following afternoon for a doubleheader against the Rangers, but they did not have the same success.
The Rangers took advantage of six costly errors by the ‘Cats in game one.
Marco DiRoma was one of the few bright spots for Brampton. He homered and added three singles for a 4-for-4 day at the plate. The Rangers pounded out 12 hits against pitcher Jaineel Purohit, who took the game two loss.
Andy Mohammed homered and doubled in the game.
Despite the losses, Brampton remains in first place in the Len Andrews Division.
The ‘Cats have the week off before traveling to Windsor on the weekend to take part in the Ontario Elimination tournament to decide who will represent Ontario in the national championships.
Battlecats Clinch First - August 17
Eight years after the team was formed the Brampton Battlecats won the regular season title in the Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) Major League.
Team president Blake Frost and general manager Ron Lutz are delighted to see the team head into playoffs that began this weekend in Milton as the top team in the Len Andrews Division and the overall league champion and they congratulate the players on their hard work.
Brampton wound up first despite losing its final game on Wednesday, 8-0 to the Burlington Brants. After a number of rainouts last week the team was forced to play five games in four days to complete the regular season and did not have much left for the contest at Burlington.
The Battlecats were held to two hits while starting pitcher Joey Nonis and reliever Jaineel Purohit each gave up four runs.
The previous night against Brampton clinched first place in its division with a doubleheader sweep of the A’s. In the first game, the Battlecats were 5-3 winners.
Brad McLaughlin and Justin Deleskie combined to get the job done on the mound. Deleskie, who is normally a shortstop was asked to come in to relieve McLaughlin after the starter had to leave with a hamstring injury. Deleskie went the final 1 2/3 innings, did not allow a run, and was the winning pitcher.
Steve Hough, normally a pitcher, played first base and had a single and double, driving in four runs.
In the second game Brampton blanked Oakville 8-0, R.J. Page tossed a complete game seven-inning shutout, holding the A’s to just three hits. Mike Gareri belted a solo home run. Andrew Thomson was three-for-four, scored twice, and had two RBIs. Catcher J.R. Crosby drove in three runs.
On Monday Brampton played its final home game, falling 9-6 to Burlington in a make-up game. The teams battled drizzle throughout the game.
Starter Joel Wrigley allowed six runs. Nonis in relief yielded three runs, just one earned. Nonis started in left field and was two-for-three with two RBIs.
On Sunday the Battlecats blitzed the Erindale Cardinals 10-0. With only 10 players Brampton still managed to score seven runs in the fifth inning.
Gareri smacked a grand slam home run. Pitchers Page and Nonis were pressed into duty as position players, and each went three-for-four.
Page scored twice and Nonis once. Hough was the winning pitcher.
The Battlecats finished the regular season with an 18-10 record.
Battlecats Ousted Early - August 22
The Brampton Battlecats finished atop the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League senior elite standings when the regular season ended but that didn’t help come playoff time.
After having their most successful season in their eight years in the league with an 18-10 regular season mark, the Battlecats simply ran out of steam and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Playing with a short bench, the ‘Cats fell to the Etobicoke Rangers and Mississauga Twins on the weekend, ending their season a little earlier than they had planned.
But even with their early exit from the post-season, the Battlecats can be proud of their efforts this year compiling an overall record of 23-16 in league and tournament play.
The 2012 team was comprised of veterans and rookies who worked together to take the Cats from worst in 2011 to first in 2012.
The future looks bright as the core of players will be returning for the 2013 campaign.
President Blake Frost and GM Ron Lutz have worked tirelessly for the eight years to develop a contender for Brampton and 2012 saw their dream come true, but there is still work to be done with a COBA championship next on the list.
Among the individual highlights was Justin Deleskie batting .364 in 24 games while Victor Speciale batted .362 in 24 games and led the team with 32 RBIs. He also swiped a team-leading 21 bases.
Andrew Thomson hit for a .339 average in 26 games, stole 16 bases, and scored a team-leading 25 runs. and also led the club with 37 hits and 109 at-bats.
Steve Hough led the team in pitching with a 5-1 record, striking out 54 batters in 58.2 innings. R.J. Page was 4-2 with 52 strikeouts in 50 innings.
J.R. Crosby was the ace of the relief corps as he earned five saves in nine appearances.
The Battlecats will begin indoor workouts for next season in January.
Doing It All - October 2
Joe Ferreira does everything for Mayville University in North Dakota.
Not only is he an honour roll student and a top player on the baseball team, but the junior from Brampton was also asked to step in as a kicker on the varsity football team. In his first game, he averaged 51.5 yards per kick with two touchbacks in a 44-7 win over Trinity Bible College.
In his career for the baseball team, he has a .260 batting average with a 9-3 record as a pitcher.
The Comets football team has a 3-1 record. Ferreira also plays for the Brampton Battlecats during the summer.
Battlecat Awards - October 30
The Brampton Battlecats players and members of the executive were honoured recently at the Central Ontario Baseball Association Major League awards night and banquet.
The Battlecats received the Dick Imus Trophy for first in their division and the Anson Buck Trophy emblematic of the team’s first overall finish in the COBA Major League. Three players were also selected to the all-star team, rookie Andrew Thomson in the outfield, Victor Speciale at DH, and Justin Deleskie at shortstop.
Battlecats president Blake Frost and GM Ron Lutz were awarded the Ken Johnson Trophy as executives of the year.
The team is looking forward to the 2013 season as preparations are being made for winter workouts, tryouts, and recruiting. Any player with a rep, college, or professional experience interested in coming out is asked to contact Lutz at 416-708-7567.