 By Staff
August 16, 216
BURLINGTON, ON
New Street, between Guelph Line and Walkers Line is going on a road diet reducing the road from four lanes to three, and adding buffered bike lanes.
“The one-year pilot allows the city to collect data and listen to feedback on whether the painted bike lanes result in a positive experience for people who want to ride their bicycles, while causing a minimal impact for drivers who also need to get where they are going in a timely manner,” said Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. “Our new 25-year strategic plan identifies investing in convenient, affordable and green forms of transportation for everyone.”
 During a public information meeting the city provided pictures of the different options for they were considering for bike lanes on New Street – bike lanes will be put in on both sides. New Street currently has two eastbound and two westbound lanes east of Guelph Line. During the one-year pilot road diet, it will have one eastbound and one westbound lane, a two-way left-turn lane and the two bike lanes. City staff will use the year to collect data that includes average speed, number of collisions and cycling usage.
Road marking removal will take place starting Aug. 22 to prepare the roads for lane-painting, which will begin on Aug. 26. The road is expected to be ready on Aug. 27.
“We want to see everyone share the road in Burlington, and ensure that we all get around safely and can enjoy the streets where we live and work,” said City Manager James Ridge.
City Council approved the New Street Road Diet pilot on July 18, 2016. At the same City Council meeting, the Share the Road Cycling Coalition recognized Burlington as a silver-level bicycle-friendly city, an increase from a previous bronze. There are 31 communities in Ontario that are bicycle-friendly, according to Share the Road.
The province’s Book 18: Ontario Traffic Manual defines a road diet as using spare roadway capacity, such as extra lanes, for other modes of travel, such as public transit or cycling. The hope is to encourage a shift in road use to reflect the changes.
“Burlington has put road diets in place in other city locations, including in downtown Burlington on Lakeshore Road and on portions of Guelph Line, Walkers Line and Appleby Line,” said Vito Tolone, director of Transportation. “Our findings are that the number of car crashes is reduced and that there is better interaction between pedestrians, cyclists and the street.”
Chris Ariens, Burlington Cycling Committee said: “New Street connects existing cycle lanes on Walkers Line and Guelph Line to shops, recreation facilities, schools and the Centennial Path. It is a key link in the cycling network in south Burlington. It is our hope that by introducing lanes separated from car traffic—by more than just a painted line—residents will feel safe and comfortable riding their bicycles for more of their daily trips. This pilot project should result in a street that is safer for pedestrians as well as cyclists and motorists.”
James Schofield, Burlington Cycling Committee added: “It’s exciting to see New Street being transformed into a complete street. This reconfiguration gives people more choices to move around Burlington, and makes the street safer for everyone, whether on foot, on a bike, on a bus, or in a car.”
The city did not provide any comment from those who drive New Street on a regular basis.
 By Staff
August 16th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
This soggy weather is mucking up a lot of programs.
The city announced that the following Sportfields are closed Tuesday August 16th
All baseball diamonds
Maple Park – F1
 By Staff
August 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Toronto Maple Leafs forced Game 7 in the last remaining first-round series after a 4-3 win over the Brantford Red Sox on Monday night at Christie Pits.
The Burlington Bandits got taken out by the Barrie Baycats last week.
The best-of-seven quarter-final is tied 3-3 with the deciding game scheduled for Tuesday at Arnold Anderson Stadium in Brantford at 8 p.m.
Toronto’s Jon Waltenbury went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, two singles and three runs. Ryan White had two hits and an RBI, Justin Marra singled twice and scored once, and Jonathan Solazzo drove in the other run.
Brett van Pelt (1-0) picked up the win. He allowed two runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings, walking two and striking out two.
Dan Jagdeo hit a two-run home run for the Red Sox, while Chris Dennis added a solo home run. Nic Burdett singled twice and scored once, and Benjamin Bostick added three hits at the top of the lineup.
Brantford had the tying run on first in the ninth, but Mike Wagner struck out Josh McCurdy to end the game.
Jamie Richmond (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 7.1 innings. Richmond struck out six and walked one.
IBL PLAYOFFS SEMI FINALS
BEST 4 OF 7
(1) LONDON VS. TO BE DETERMINED
SERIES HAS NOT STARTED
(2) KITCHENER VS. (3) BARRIE
BARRIE LEADS SERIES 1-0
 By Staff
August 12, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Tonight’s only scheduled IBL game, the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Brantford Red Sox, was called this afternoon due to unplayable field conditions.
Game five in the quarter-final series, which is tied at two wins each, is now scheduled for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., at Christie Pits in Toronto.
Game six is scheduled for Sunday night in Brantford at 8 p.m. Game seven, if necessary, is slated to take place Monday night in Brantford, at 8 p.m.
 The London Majors, the Kitchener Panthers and the Barrie Baycats are positioned to move on to the semi-finals – everyone is just waiting for the Toronto – Brantford quarter finals to be completed.
Barrie will play Kitchener in the first of the semi-final games on Tuesday the 16th.
The other pairing in the semi-finals will be known when the Toronto – Brantford quarter finals is settled. The winner of those games – there are at least two games to be played will be up against the London Majors.
By Staff
August 11, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Barrie Baycats are one step closer to defending their Intercounty Baseball League championship.
Matthew St. Kitts threw a complete-game shutout as the Baycats blanked Burlington 5-0 at home Thursday night to win the best-of-seven quarter-final in five games.
 St. Kitts (2-0) scattered three hits and struck out 15 Bandits batters. He walked two.
Conner Morro had a double, two singles and an RBI for the Baycats, who finished third in the regular season and will face Kitchener in the semifinals.
Branfy Infante, Jeff Cowan, Kyle Nichols and Kevin Atkinson drove in the other Barrie runs. Jordan Castaldo had two hits and a run, and Kyle DeGrace doubled and scored twice.
Justin Gideon, Robert Tavone and Canice Ejoh had Burlington’s hits.
Christian Hauck (0-2) took the loss, allowing five runs on 11 hits in seven innings, striking out three and walking three.
2016 IBL quarter-finals
Series A
(1) London Majors vs (8) Guelph Royals
London wins series 4-0
Game 1: London 9, Guelph 4
Game 2: London 10, Guelph 0
Game 3: London 8, Guelph 5
Game 4: London 10, Guelph 9 (10)
Series B
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs. (7) Hamilton Cardinals
Kitchener wins series 4-0
Game 1: Kitchener 12, Hamilton 6
Game 2: Kitchener 6, Hamilton 2
Game 3: Kitchener 17, Hamilton 7
Game 4: Kitchener 11, Hamilton 4
Series C
(3) Barrie Baycats vs. (6) Burlington Bandits
Barrie wins series 4-1
Game 1: Barrie 6, Burlington 1
Game 2: Barrie 7, Burlington 3
Game 3: Barrie 14, Burlington 4
Game 4: Burlington 3, Barrie 2
Game 5: Barrie 5, Burlington 0
Series D
(4) Brantford Red Sox vs. (5)
Toronto Maple Leafs Series tied 2-2
Game 1: Brantford 9, Toronto 8 (10 innings)
Game 2: Toronto 6, Brantford 5
Game 3: Brantford 16, Toronto 6
Game 4: Toronto 6, Brantford 4
Game 5: Friday, Aug. 12 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 14 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
By Staff
August 10th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits avoided elimination by the Barrie Baycats with a 3-2 home game win
 Adam Odd singled and hit a solo home run for the Bandits. Kevin Hussey doubled and drove in a run, and Canice Ejoh singled twice and scored once.
Ryan Beckett (1-1) threw a complete-game five-hitter. He was charged with two earned runs and walked two while striking out six.
Jeff Cowan hit a solo home run for the defending champion Baycats. Kyle DeGrace had the other RBI. Ryan Spataro singled twice and scored a run.
Emilis Guererro (1-1) went eight innings and scattered nine hits and three runs, striking out 10 without issuing a walk.
Barrie leads the best-of-seven quarter-final 3-1.
 Things didn’t go as well for the Hamilton Cardinals. The Kitchener Panthers swept the first four games in a seven game quarter final play off and become the first IBL team Cardinals to advance in the IBL playoffs.
Kitchener took the fourth game in an 11-4 win Tuesday night.
Tanner Nivins went 3-for-6 with three runs and an RBI, while Sean Reilly singled twice and drove in two runs. Jonathan Brouse, Frank Camilo Morejon and Mike Andrulis each had a hit and an RBI, Mike Glinka singled, doubled, drove in a run and scored twice, Terrell Alliman had two hits and a run, and Justin Interisano singled once and scored three runs with three walks.
David Whiteside (1-0) went 5.2 innings for the win, allowing four runs on nine hits, walking five and striking out three.
Chris Beer homered and drove in two for the Cardinals, who finished seventh in the regular season. Tyler Hardie doubled twice and had an RBI and run, TJ Baker drove in a run, and Geoffrey Seto had two singles and a run.
Jonathan Palumbo (0-1) took the loss after giving up six runs (three earned) in 1.1 innings, walking four without striking out a batter. Chris Lazar started and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 4.2 innings, walking two and striking out one.
In Guelph the Royals were taken out of the quarter finals by the London Majors but it wasn’t easy.
London let a three-run lead slip away in the ninth inning before scoring the winning run in the top of the 10th in Game 4 of the best-of-seven quarter-final Tuesday night. The Majors won 10-9.
The Majors’ winning rally started with two outs when Chris McQueen walked and stole second. RJ Fuhr doubled on a full count to bring him home.
Guelph had runners on first and third in the bottom of the inning, but Todd Leavitt struck out Blake Kauer to end the game and the series.
Fuhr had two hits, an RBI and run, while Carlos Arteaga had two RBI. Brett Sabourin and Byron Reichstein each drove in a run.
Leavitt (1-0) threw a hitless inning for the win. London’s sixth reliever walked one without striking out a batter. Starter Cory Hammond went six innings and gave up a run on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
Guelph’s Chandler McLaren had four hits and finished a triple short of the cycle. He drove in four and scored twice. Matt Schmidt had two hits, an RBI and run, Jeff MacLeod added a pair of hits and scored once, while Keegan Marsden, Kyle Alarcon and Trevor Nyp all drove in a run.
Alexander Gowing (0-1) took the loss, giving up a run on one hit in 1.1 innings of relief. He struck out two and walked one. AJ Mackey started and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out seven and walking two.
Guelph outhit London 14-8 but committed five errors, while London committed three.
2016 IBL quarter-finals
Series A
(1) London Majors vs (8) Guelph Royals
London wins series 4-0
Game 1: London 9, Guelph 4
Game 2: London 10, Guelph 0
Game 3: London 8, Guelph 5
Game 4: London 10, Guelph 9 (10)
Series B
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs. (7) Hamilton
Cardinals Kitchener wins series 4-0
Game 1: Kitchener 12, Hamilton 6
Game 2: Kitchener 6, Hamilton 2
Game 3: Kitchener 17, Hamilton 7
Game 4: Kitchener 11, Hamilton 4
Series C
(3) Barrie Baycats vs. (6) Burlington Bandits
Barrie leads series 3-1
Game 1: Barrie 6, Burlington 1
Game 2: Barrie 7, Burlington 3
Game 3: Barrie 14, Burlington 4
Game 4: Burlington 3, Barrie 2
Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
Series D
(4) Brantford Red Sox vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
Brantford leads series 2-1
Game 1: Brantford 9, Toronto 8 (10 innings)
Game 2: Toronto 6, Brantford 5
Game 3: Brantford 16, Toronto 6
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, Aug. 12 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Toronto; TBD *Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 14 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
By Staff
August 9th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Motis, a Canadian action sports company, will be leading skateboard and longboard building workshops across Ontario at Lee Valley Tool stores.
Participants will get a hands-on education by using saws, sanders and drills to create their own skateboard or long board, which they will take home with them.
 Ward Councillor Blair Lancaster and Mayor Rick Goldring put their political reputations on the line and stand on skate boards. Is there one foot on the ground there? Don’t expect t see these two at the skate board workshop. These one-day workshops will run from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Participants will use templates to draw out their unique shape on a pre-pressed Canadian maple blank, and then use a band-saw to cut out their board.
They will then router and sand their board and will drill out holes. In the afternoon, participants will create their own custom artwork. With the use of a vinyl cutter, participants will create stencils to spray paint custom images onto their deck. Grip tape will be applied to the top. Trucks, wheels, bearings and hardware are not included in the workshop fee, but participants are encouraged to bring their own so they can complete their new boards by the end of the day.
 These are the guys that can get something out of the workshops being offered at Lee Valley Tools on Thursday. When? Thursday, August 11 at the Lee Valley location in the Plaza east of Guelph Line, immediately south of Mainway.
 By Staff
August 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
In 2016, the city chose to discontinue the sand castles content event in the Beachway that they had been hosting since 2008.
 Some of the sand castles done in 2015 were very complex. The event, which had a following of its own, was initially created to bring both awareness and visitors to the Burlington beach. This highly successful, award-winning event has done just that. Now the city is looking for a new a host in the community.
The city has received an event application to host a similar event on the beach for 2017. The organizer noted that they did not feel that they had sufficient time to plan the event for 2016.
 Clearly a labour of love. So – it looks as if there will be a sand castle event on the Beachway in 2017.
Not having the event this year was perhaps a piece of good planning luck – with Lakeshore shut down completely while the road is being rebuilt and raised by about as much as a metre in some place – traffic could not have gotten to the Beachway very easily. The map below show how messy traffic is down there.
 It would not have been easy to reach the Beachway Park this year if there had been a sand castle contest.
By Pepper Parr
August 7, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are going down like ten pins at a bowling alley.
The bottom three teams in the Inter County Baseball League may not win as much as a single game in the quarter finals the way the games are going so far.
 The Barrie Baycats inched closer to the second round of playoffs with a 14-4 win over the Burlington Bandits at home Sunday night.
Barrie leads the best-of-seven quarter-final 3-0.
Jeff Cowan had four of the Baycats’ 17 hits and also drove in a run and scored four times. Glenn Jackson had three hits, four RBI and two runs, Branfy Infante singled, doubled and drove in two while scoring twice, Ryan Spataro singled and tripled and had four RBI, Jordan Castaldo had two hits and two runs, Kyle DeGrace had an RBI, and Conner Morro had a single, RBI and run.
Adam Rowe (1-0) threw six shutout innings and scattered five hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
For Burlington, Matt McCue had two RBI, and Robert Tavone drove in a run. Justin Gideon singled three times and scored once, and Nolan Pettipiece had two hits and a run.
Christian Hauck (0-1) went five innings and allowed eight runs (three earned) on 10 hits with two walks and no strikeouts.
In London the Majors moved one win from the semifinal after an 8-5 victory over the Guelph Royals Sunday afternoon.
London leads the best-of-seven quarter-final 3-0 and can wrap up the series on the road Tuesday.
Byron Reichstein had three of the Majors’ nine hits and drove in three runs while scoring once. Cleveland Brownlee had two RBI, Carloa Arteaga drove in a run and scored once, and Keith Kandel and Humberto Ruiz each had a hit and two runs.
Owen Boon (1-0) went five innings for the win, giving up two runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking two.
Ben Runyon picked up the last seven outs for the save, giving up two runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Matt Schmidt and Keegan Marsden each had two run home runs for the Royals. Marsden added an RBI single. Chandler McLaren singled four times and scored once, and Aaron Loder picked up a pair of hits.
Daniel Marquez (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits over 5.2 innings, walking six and striking out one.
In Toronto, Brandon Dailey hit three home runs and drove in four to lead the Brantford Red Sox past the Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday afternoon.
Dailey homered to lead off the third inning and added a solo home run in the seventh and a two-run shot in the eighth as the Red Sox won 16-6 to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven quarter-final.
Ricky Murray singled, homered and drove in three, while Benjamin Bostick doubled, tripled and had four RBI and two runs. Chris Dennis drove in a pair of runs, Jeff Hunt added three hits, two RBI and two runs, Tyler Patzalek singled twice and had an RBI and run, Josh McCurdy had two hits and one run, and Nic Burdett singled, doubled and scored three times.
Jonathan Joseph went five innings for the win, allowing five runs on eight hits. Joseph struck out eight without issuing a walk.
Jonathan Solazzo had a two-run home run to pace the Leafs’ offence. Jon Waltenbury picked up three hits, two RBI and a run, Justin Marra singled, doubled and drove in two, Sean Mattson had three hits and a run, and Brendan Keys singled, doubled and scored once.
Marek Deska (0-1) lasted 3.2 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits with a strikeout.
While in Kitchener the Panthers beat the Hamilton Cardinals as Tanner Nivins continued his torrid start to the playoffs, hitting two home runs to lead the Kitchener Panthers to a 17-7 win over the Hamilton Cardinals Sunday night.
Kitchener leads the best-of-seven quarter-final 3-0.
Both of Nivins’ home runs were solo shots, and he now has four in three games. The Panthers leadoff hitter added a single to bump his average to .615 and also scored four runs. Mike Gordner had four singles, five RBI and a run, David Whiteside singled, doubled, scored three times and drove in two, Terrell Alliman had three hits, an RBI and run, Frank Camilo Morejon went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, and Luke Baker had an RBI and scored once.
Matt McGovern (1-0) went five innings for the win, giving up six runs on five hits, striking out three and walking two.
For Hamilton, Liam Wilson, TJ Baker and Callum Murphy all homered. Wilson finished with three hits, two RBI and two runs, Baker’s blast was a three-run shot, and Murphy’s home run was solo. Dre Celestijn had two hits and two runs.
Rhys Tapper (0-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings. Tapper walked six and didn’t record a strikeout.
2016 IBL quarter-finals
Series A
(1) London Majors vs (8) Guelph Royals
London leads series 3-0
Game 1: London 9, Guelph 4
Game 2: London 10, Guelph 0
Game 3: London 8, Guelph 5
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at London; 7:35 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Series B
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs. (7)
Hamilton Cardinals Kitchener leads series 3-0
Game 1: Kitchener 12, Hamilton 6
Game 2: Kitchener 6, Hamilton 2
Game 3: Kitchener 17, Hamilton 7
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Kitchener; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
Series C
(3) Barrie Baycats vs. (6)
Burlington Bandits Barrie leads series 3-0
Game 1: Barrie 6, Burlington 1
Game 2: Barrie 7, Burlington 3
Game 3: Barrie 14, Burlington 4
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
Series D
(4) Brantford Red Sox vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
Brantford leads series 2-1
Game 1: Brantford 9, Toronto 8 (10 innings)
Game 2: Toronto 6, Hamilton 5
Game 3: Brantford 16, Toronto 6
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, Aug. 12 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Toronto; TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 14 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
By Pepper Parr
August 8th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
How does he do it?
The guy gets the Prime Minister of the country to say nice things about him – on tape – it was almost an endorsement – and he isn’t even a Liberal? All true – check the video
 Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel) at Buckingham Palace. Ron Foxcroft almost had the Queen blowing one of his whistles when he was presented to her.
 Astronaut Clayton Anderson who took a Foxcroft whistle into space poses with the inventor of the thing. He gets the highest award available for sports officiating – The Golden Whistle and then gets his picture taken with the astronaut who took one of the things into space.
 Ron Foxcroft with wife Marie and the Golden Whistle He gets his picture taken with the woman who played basketball better than he ever did – made a smart move and married the woman.
 The Foxcroft men – what a blood line. Then he poses with his sons and grandsons – can you see another Ron in that bunch?
By Staff
August 6, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The three teams at the bottom of the IBL regular season appear to be repeating their performance. All three were soundly defeated in the quarter finals games played so far.
 Inter County Baseball League quarter final standings as of August 6, 2106 Matthew St. Kitts was dominant as the Barrie Baycats beat the Burlington Bandits 7-3 Saturday night to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven quarter-final.
St. Kitts (1-0) went seven innings and scattered four hits, allowing two runs while walking one and striking out eight.
Kyle Nichols homered, doubled and drove in five to lead the Baycats offence. Kevin Atkinson doubled and scored twice with an RBI, and Kyle DeGrace added a double and RBI.
Robert Tavone had both Bandits RBI. Grant Okawa added a double.
Jack Dennis (0-1) went 5.2 innings and gave up seven runs (six earned) on six hits, walking seven and striking out four.
In Hamilton the Kitchener Panthers took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven quarter-final against Hamilton with a 6-2 road win Saturday night.
Tanner Nivins and Mike Glinka each hit solo home runs as the second-place Panthers never trailed. Nivins added a single and had two RBI, while Glinka also walked and scored. Terrell Alliman added an RBI, David Whiteside singled twice, and Sean Reilly scored twice.
Noelvis Entenza (1-0) went seven innings for the win, giving up a run on four hits, striking out seven and walking one.
IBL batting champion Dre Celestijn singled and had a solo home run for the seventh-place Cardinals.
On the mound, Robert Wilson (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits in 6.2 innings. Wilson walked five and struck out two.
In Guelph the London Majors scored early and often in a 10-0 win over the Guelph Royals Saturday night.
London, which finished first in the regular season, broke open a scoreless game with five runs in the second inning and scored at least once in five different innings.
The Majors lead the best-of-seven quarter-final 2-0.
RJ Fuhr and Carlos Arteaga each had two hits and two RBI. Leadoff hitter Fuhr scored once, and Arteaga, batting eighth, scored twice. Keith Kandel added two hits, two runs and an RBI. Michael Ambrose, Cleveland Brownlee and Byron Reichstein all had a hit and RBI.
Oscar Perez (1-0) struck out nine over six shutout innings, scattering four hits and a walk.
For Guelph, Santino Silvestri and Chandler McLaren each had two hits.
Marc-Andre Major (0-1) lasted 1.1 innings and gave up two runs on one it, walking three and striking out two.
2016 IBL quarter-finals
Series A
(1) London Majors vs (8) Guelph Royals
London leads series 2-0
Game 1: London 9, Guelph 4
Game 2: London 10, Guelph 0
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at London; 1:05 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at London; 7:35 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Series B
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs. (7) Hamilton
Cardinals Kitchener leads series 2-0
Game 1: Kitchener 12, Hamilton 6
Game 2: Kitchener 6, Hamilton 2
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Kitchener; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
Series C
(3) Barrie Baycats vs. (6) Burlington Bandits
Barrie leads series 2-0
Game 1: Barrie 6, Burlington 1
Game 2: Barrie 7, Burlington 3
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Barrie; 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
Series D
(4) Brantford Red Sox vs. (5)
TorontoMaple Leafs Series tied 1-1
Game 1: Brantford 9, Toronto 8 (10 innings)
Game 2: Toronto 6, Hamilton 5
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Toronto; 2 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, Aug. 12 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Toronto; TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 14 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
By Staff
August 5th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The bats of the Burlington Bandits were quiet Friday night
In London the Majors took the Guelph Royals in a 9-4 win.
Elis Jimenez struck out nine in seven innings to lead the first-place London Majors to a 9-4 win over the Guelph Royals in Game 1 of their best-of-seven quarter-final Friday night.
Jimenez (1-0) allowed three runs on seven hits and walked one.
At the plate, Chris McQueen had two hits, two RBI and three runs. RJ Fuhr singled, doubled and had an RBI and run, Byron Reichstein singled twice and drove in two, Michael Ambrose drilled a solo home run, Carlos Arteaga and Cleveland Brownlee each had an RBI, while LeJon Baker and Keith Kandel had two hits and a run apiece.
Eight of nine batters had at least one hit.
For eighth-place Guelph, Santino Silvestri, Matt Schmidt and Trevor Nyp all had a single and RBI. Patrick Coughlin drove in a run, and Aaron Loder added two hits and a run.
Alberto Rodriguez (0-1) took the loss, giving up six runs (five earned) on nine hits in 4.2 innings, walking three and striking out three.
2016 IBL quarter-finals
Series A
(1) London Majors vs (8) Guelph Royals
London leads series 1-0
Game 1: London 9, Guelph 4
Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 6 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at London; 1:05 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at London; 7:35 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Series B
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs. (7) Hamilton Cardinals
Kitchener leads series 1-0
Game 1: Kitchener 12, Hamilton 6
Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 6 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Kitchener; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
Series C
(3) Barrie Baycats vs. (6)Burlington Bandits
Barrie leads series 1-0
Game 1: Barrie 6, Burlington 1
Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 6 at Burlington; 7:05 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Barrie; 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
Series D
(4) Brantford Red Sox vs. (5)
Toronto Maple Leafs Series tied 1-1
Game 1: Brantford 9, Toronto 8 (10 innings)
Game 2: Toronto 6, Hamilton 5
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Toronto; 2 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, Aug. 12 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Toronto; TBD *Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 14 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
By Staff
August 5th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits lost the first game of a seven game quarter finals series. The Barrie Baycats took the game 6-1.
Jeff Cowan singled and drove in three for Barrie, which leads the best-of-seven quarter-final 1-0. Kyle DeGrace doubled, scored once and had an RBI, Jordan Castaldo had two hits and scored twice, and Steve Lewis added an RBI.
Emilis Guerrero (1-0) went eight innings for the win, allowing one run on five hits, striking out three and walking one.
Nolan Pettipiece had a sacrifice fly for the Bandits and picked up one of five hits. Robert Tavone singled and scored.
Ryan Beckett (0-1) went 6.2 innings and allowed five runs on five hits, walking five and striking out two.
In Kitchener the Panthers won over the Hamilton Cardinals in that first-round playoff series with a 12-6 win Thursday night.
Tanner Nivins, Jonathan Brouse and Sean Reilly all homered in the victory. Nivins added a single, double, two RBI and two runs, and Reilly also doubled and scored twice. Brouse’s home run was solo.
Mike Gordner singled, doubled and drove in two runs, Frank Camilo Morejon had two hits, two runs and an RBI, Justin Interisano singled and scored twice, and Mike Glinka and Mike Andrulis each drove in a run.
Ian Rendon (1-0) went six innings for the win, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out eight and walking four.
For the Cardinals, Chris Beer had two hits, two RBI and two runs. Liam Wilson singled three times and drove in a run, Geoffrey Soto had two hits and an RBI, Tyler Hardie went 3-for-5 with a run, Lake Molleson singled, doubled and had an RBI, and Jake Foden drove in a run.
Chris Lazar (0-1) went 3.2 innings, giving up nine runs (four earned) on nine hits, walking four without striking out a batter.
In Toronto the Leafs turned a dramatic loss in the first game of their series into a 6-5 win over the Brantford Red Sox.
Justin Marra singled home Dan Marra with two out in the bottom of the ninth to give the Leafs a Thursday night and tie the best-of-seven quarter-final at 1-1.
Brantford won the opener Wednesday with a walkoff in the 10th inning and started Game 2 by scoring once in the first and twice in the second for a 3-0 lead. Toronto played catch-up most of the game and finally scored twice to tie it at five in the eighth, setting up the ninth-inning rally that started with nobody on and two outs.
Ryan White singled and hit a solo home run for the Leafs. Justin Marra finished with two hits and two RBI, Dan Marra singled, doubled and scored twice, Jon Waltenbury had three hits and a run, Brendan Keys had two hits and an RBI, and Jonathan Solazzo had an RBI.
Marek Deska (1-0) threw a perfect inning of relief for the win, striking out one. Brett van Pelt started and went seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking two.
Dan Jagdeo had a solo home run and RBI double for the Red Sox. Chris Dennis and Wayne Forman each had a hit and RBI, Nic Burdett singled, doubled and scored twice, and Benjamin Bostick had a double and two runs.
Matt Martinow (0-1) took the loss, allowing a run on three hits in 1.1 innings, walking one. Starter Riley Barr went seven innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking one.
2016 IBL quarter-finals
Series A
London Majors vs Guelph Royals
Game 1: Friday, August 5 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, August 6 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, August 7 at London; 1:05 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, August 9 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, August 11 at London; 7:35 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, August 12 at Guelph; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, August 13 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Series B
Kitchener Panthers vs. Hamilton Cardinals
Kitchener leads series 1-0
Game 1: Kitchener 12, Hamilton 6
Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 6 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Kitchener; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Hamilton; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
Series C
Barrie Baycats vs. Burlington Bandits Barrie leads series 1-0
Game 1: Barrie 6, Burlington 1
Game 2: Saturday, Aug. 6 at Burlington; 7:05 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Barrie; 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Thursday, Aug. 11 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Friday, Aug. 12 at Burlington; 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
Series D
Brantford Red Sox vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Series tied 1-1
Game 1: Brantford 9, Toronto 8 (10 innings)
Game 2: Toronto 6, Hamilton 5 Game 3: Sunday, Aug. 7 at Toronto; 2 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, Aug. 12 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 13 at Toronto; TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 14 at Brantford; 8 p.m.
By Staff
August 4, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It took 10 innings, nine pitchers and nearly five hours, but the Brantford Red Sox took Game 1 of the IBL quarter-final series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
 Dennon Koziol’s two-out single scored Chris Dennis to give the Red Sox a dramatic 9-8 win at Arnold Anderson Stadium.
The fourth-place Red Sox prevailed despite blowing a one-run lead in the top of the ninth. Toronto scored three runs and was on the verge of stealing home field, but Brantford scored twice in the bottom of the inning to send the game to extras.
Ricky Murray went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI for the Red Sox. Jeff Hunt doubled and drove in two, Josh McCurdy had two hits, an RBI and run, while Dan Jagdeo, Lee Delfino and Brandon Dailey all drove in a run. Nic Burdett singled twice and scored once.
Trevor Bayless (1-0) picked up the win, allowing three runs on five hits in two innings of relief. Bayless, who was the fourth Brantford reliever, struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.
Red Sox starter Nathan Forer went five innings and gave up five runs on 10 hits, striking out five and walking four.
Grant Tamane led the Leafs 16-hit attack with four singles. Tamane drove in two and scored three times. Sean Mattson had two hits and three RBI, Justin Marra added two hits, an RBI and run, Dan Marra singled and doubled, Connor Lewis had three singles and a run, and Jonathan Solazzo had an RBI.
Solazzo (0-1) also took the loss on the mound, yielding an unearned run on one hit in 1.2 innings. Solazzo struck out two and walked two.
Leafs starter Justin Cicatello went eight innings and gave up six runs on 10 hits, striking out four and walking three.
Game 2 is Thursday in Toronto at 7:30 p.m.
Future games:
Thursday, Aug. 4
Brantford at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Burlington at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 5
Guelph at London, 7:35 p.m.
By Staff
August 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The road to the Dominico Cup starts tonight when the 2016 Intercounty Baseball League playoffs begin with the Toronto Maple Leafs meeting the Brantford Red Sox in Brantford.
On Thursday, the Kitchener Panthers, who finished second in the league, will open their quarter-final series against the seventh-place Hamilton Cardinals.
 And he is out – the Bandits hope to be able to do this many times in the quarter finals. The Barrie Baycats opendefence of their championship at home against the Burlington Bandits.
The pennant winning London Majors open their series against the Guelph Royals on Friday at Labatt Park in London.
All quarter-final series are best-of-seven.
Series “A”
London vs. Guelph
Game 1 – Fri, August 5 at London; 7:35 pm Game 2 – Sat, August 6 at Guelph; 7:30 pm Game 3 – Sun, August 7 at London; 1:05 pm Game 4 – Tue, August 9 at Guelph; 7:30 pm *Game 5 – Thu, August 11 at London; 7:35 pm *Game 6 – Fri, August 12 at Guelph; 7:30 pm *Game 7 – Sat, August 13 at London; 7:35 pm
Series “B”
Kitchener vs. Hamilton
Game 1 – Thu, August 4 at Kitchener; 7:30 pm Game 2 – Sat, August 6 at Hamilton; 7:30 pm Game 3 – Sun, August 7 at Kitchener; 7:00 pm Game 4 – Tue, August 9 at Hamilton; 7:30 pm *Game 5 – Thu, August 11 at Kitchener; 7:30 pm *Game 6 – Fri, August 12 at Hamilton; 7:30 pm *Game 7 – Sat, August 13 at Kitchener; 7:00 pm
 Scott Robertson – in full array, is one of the owners of the Burlington Bandits. Series “C”
Barrie vs. Burlington
Game 1 – Thu, August 4 Barrie; 7:30 pm
Game 2 – Sat, August 6 Burlington; 7:05 pm Game 3 – Sun, August 7 Barrie; 7:00 pm Game 4 – Tue, August 9 Burlington; 7:30 pm *Game 5 – Thu, August 11 Barrie; 7:30 pm *Game 6 – Fri, August 12 Burlington; 7:30 pm *Game 7 – Sat, August 13 Barrie; 7:00 pm
Series “D”
Brantford vs. Toronto
Game 1 – Wed, August 3 at Brantford; 8:00 pm Game 2 – Thu, August 4 at Toronto; 7:30 pm Game 3 – Sun, August 7 at Toronto; 2:00 pm Game 4 – Wed, August 10 at Brantford; 8:00 pm *Game 5 – Fri, August 12 at Brantford; 8:00 pm *Game 6 – Sat, August 13 at Toronto; 2:00 pm *Game 7 – Sun, August 14 at Brantford; 8:00 pm
* If necessary
By Staff
August 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is all going to the dogs!
The woof woofs just might be getting one of the places in Burlington with a view that is to almost die for – Bayview Park.
The city is asking: Do you and your canine best friend use the leash-free area in Bayview Park?
If you do, the City of Burlington wants to hear your opinion about a possible leash-free area for small dogs.
We are looking at:
• Expanding the size of the total leash-free area from one hectare to 1.5 hectares
• Creating a separate leash-free area for small dogs only
• New six-foot (two-metre) high chain link fence with two double gate entrances
• Relocating the entrances
• Providing an accessible pathway from the existing parking lot into both of the leash-free areas
• Installing a new shelter in the small dog leash-free area.
Bayview Park at 1800 King Rd. is also known as W.A.G. (Where Animals Gather) Park. If you use the park, please take a moment to answer this short poll at www.burlington.ca/leashfree.
 The park has one of the best views of the Skyway bridge – you can see the ships coming and going. King Road is also the road that the city closes in the spring so the Jefferson Salamanders can do what they do to increase their population. The road closure takes place further up King Road. There is an added feature in taking your dog to this park – it is a nice way to get out of the city and on occasions a model Airplane club sends their small craft soaring through the skies. These guys are serious people and they have some pretty impressive model airplanes.
 This off leash park is in Toronto. The parks offer a different level of civil society – not even a hint of stress. Must be nice. Vote for the park – convince the city to make it as big as they can so the woof woofs have all kinds of space to run around. Convince them to create a shelter as well.
 By Staff
August 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The London Majors are the Intercounty Baseball League’s top seed heading into the playoffs.
London (28-9) clinched the pennant with a 4-0 win over the Kitchener Panthers Monday night in a one-game tie-breaker at Labatt Park. It was the fifth time in league history the pennant was won in a tie-breaker (1977, 1994, 1995, 1997).
Majors starter Cory Hammond (5-1) went the distance, scattering two hits while walking one and striking out three.
With Hammond and Panthers starter Matt McGovern going toe-to-toe, the Majors struck first in the seventh inning. Byron Reichstein led off with a line drive single to left field and then went to third on Michael Ambrose’s double past third base.
Kitchener brought its infield in, and McGovern got the next two hitters on a shallow fly out and ground out and was ahead 1-2 on
Brett Sabourin before the Majors’ first baseman ripped a single to left for the winning run.
London added three more runs in the eighth when Reichstein stroked a two-run double off the wall in left-centre field and came around to score on LeJon Baker’s two-out single.
RJ Fuhr had two hits and a run for London, which will face Guelph in the first round. Cleveland Brownlee also had two hits.
For Kitchener, McGovern (5-1) went seven innings and was charged with one run on seven hits, striking out six without issuing a walk.
Tanner Nivins and Mike Andrulis were the only players to record hits.
Defensively, Panthers first baseman Justin Interisano made a highlight-reel play to end the sixth inning. Interisano leapt to snag a soft liner and then doubled off Fuhr at second base.
Kitchener (27-10), which beat Brantford Sunday night to force a tie-breaker, will face Hamilton to start the playoffs. Other matchups include No. 3 Barrie vs. No. 6 Burlington and No. 4 Brantford vs. No. 5 Toronto.
Quarter finals schedule:
(1) London Majors vs (8) Guelph Royals
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3:
Game 4:
*Game 5:
*Game 6:
*Game 7:
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs (7) Hamilton Cardinals
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3:
Game 4:
*Game 5:
*Game 6:
*Game 7:
(3) Barrie Baycats vs (6) Burlington Bandits
Game 1: Thu, August 4 at Barrie; 7:30 PM
Game 2: Sat, August 6 at Burlington; 1:05 PM
Game 3: Sun, August 7 at Barrie; 7:00 PM
Game 4: Tue, August 9 at Burlington; 7:30 PM
*Game 5: Thu, August 11 at Barrie; 7:30 PM
*Game 6: Fri, August 12 at Burlington; 7:30 PM
*Game 7: Sat, August 13 at Barrie; 7:30 PM
(4) Brantford Red Sox vs (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1: Wed, August 3 at Brantford; 8:00 PM
Game 2: Thu, August 4 at Toronto; 7:30 PM
Game 3: Sun, August 7 at Toronto; 2:00 PM
Game 4: Wed, August 10 at Brantford; 8:00 PM
*Game 5: Fri, August 12 at Brantford; 8:00 PM
*Game 6: Sat, August 13 at Toronto; TBD
*Game 7: Sun, August 14 at Brantford; 8:00 PM
By Staff
August 1st, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The top team in the InterCounty Baseball League is not yet know – the winner of the game between the Kitchener Panthers and the
London Majors this evening in London will determine the finals standings and then who plays who in the quarter finals.
The Burlington Bandits will play a best out of seven series against the Barrie Baycats. The play dates are set out below:
Game 1: Thu, August 4 at Barrie; 7:30 PM
Game 2: Sat, August 6 at Burlington; 1:05 PM
Game 3: Sun, August 7 at Barrie; 7:00 PM
Game 4: Tue, August 9 at Burlington; 7:30 PM
Game 5: Thu, August 11 at Barrie; 7:30 PM
Game 6: Fri, August 12 at Burlington; 7:30 PM
Game 7: Sat, August 13 at Barrie; 7:30 PM
Burlington might be able to hold their own against the Barrie Baycats – it shouldn’t be a romp for either team.
While the Bandits were a little on the lacklustre side during the regular season they tend to pick up quite a bit when they get into the finals.
By Staff
August 1, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a thriller of a season, particularly for those who are fans of the top four teams in the InterCounty Baseball League.
 The Kitchener Panthers’ 9-3 win over the Brantford Red Sox Sunday night created a tie atop the standings, with both the Panthers and London Majors holding 27-9 records. They’ll play a 37th regular season game Monday night at Labatt Park in London at 7:35 p.m. to determine who will face Guelph as the top playoff seed. The loser will face Hamilton.
Tanner Nivins had two solo home runs against the Red Sox. He added a single and scored three times. Justin Interisano went 3-for-3 with a home run, four RBI and two runs, while Terrell Alliman and Mike Glinka each drove in a run. Mike Gordner had three hits and two runs, and David Whiteside and Frank Camilo Morejon each had a pair of singles.
Noelvis Entenza (9-4) went six innings for the win, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking two.
Benjamin Bostick had two hits, an RBI and run for the Red Sox, which finished fourth with a 20-16 record and will face Toronto in the first round. Chris Dennis and Brandon Dailey each doubled and drove in a run, and Tyler Patzalek singled twice.
Jonathan Joseph (0-1) took the loss, giving up six runs on 10 hits in four innings, striking out two and walking two.
Baycats go into playoffs with dramatic win TORONTO – The Barrie Baycats will head into their first-round playoff series with Burlington on a two-game win streak after a dramatic 9-6 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.
Barrie erased a one-run deficit with four runs in the top of the ninth to finish the regular season 25-11.
Zach Sardelletti hit a two-run home run and Jordan Castaldo hit a solo blast in the ninth as the Baycats went deep five times overall.
Sardelletti homered twice and added a single, driving in five. Kyle Nichols and Kevin Atkinson each hit solo home runs. Jeff Cowan singled and scored twice.
Adam Hawes (2-0) gave up a run on two hits in an inning for the win. Hawes struck out two without issuing a walk. Chris Nagorski threw a scoreless inning for his fifth save, giving up a hit while striking out two. Starter Matthew St. Kitts went three innings and allowed four runs on six hits, walking three and striking out one.
For Toronto, Sean Mattson homered, singled and doubled and had two RBI. Justin Marra singled and hit a solo home run, scoring twice, while Jon Waltenbury added a solo shot.
Brendan Keys had three hits and an RBI as the fifth-place Leafs dropped to 19-17 and missed a chance to pull into a fourth-place tie with Brantford, which will have home-field advantage against Toronto in the first round.
Adam Garner (1-1) was charged with four runs on four hits in an inning, walking one.
Brett van Pelt started and gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 4.1 innings, striking out three and walking seven.
Future games
Monday, Aug. 1
Kitchener at London, 7:35 p.m.
By Pepper Parr
July 31st, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Candidates must have a consistent record of presenting officiating in a positive light as well as exhibiting a “service above self” attitude. Public service to officiating, having a motivating effect on others and/or strong community involvement are considered.
Who would that be in Burlington?
 Ron Foxcroft – recipient of the Gold Whistle Award Say the words sports in this town and you follow it with Ron and those whistles. The guy who knew what it means to hustle before he got out of high school – actually he didn’t really get out of high school – he gave up on them.
If you’ve been to an event that Ron Foxcroft spoke at – you know the story of the whistle that failed him in a crucial basketball game.
From that experience came the spark that lit up his entrepreneurship that rolled into a company that sells a product in more than 140 countries.
All based on a whistle that has never failed him since the morning he blew on the thing in the corridor of a hotel that was holding a conference for sports officiating types.
Of such simple ideas are strong profitable businesses built.
 NASO’s Gold Whistle Award The media release from the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) that will be recognizing Foxcroft with the Gold Whistle Award at their conference in San Antonia Texas said “A primary determinant in awarding anyone NASO’s Gold Whistle Award is this: The recipient has to have a long and meaningful history of ‘shining a positive light’ on officiating. Further, any recipient must be someone who is held with some reverence within the officiating community of which he is a part.
“Ron Foxcroft”, said Barry Mano, NASO president “was an easy choice.”
“There are precious few individuals who place the wellbeing of sports officiating well in front of personal agenda or gain,” Mano added. “Members of this group have made outsized contributions to officiating. Ron is without doubt a member of that elite and critically important group. He is one of those unique individuals who, for decades, has fulfilled all of the requirements above. And, of course, he continues to do so.”
Although Foxcroft is best known as maker of the famous pealess whistle used by officials around the world, he has made his mark in the world in many other ways. As an NCAA and international basketball official, he worked five NCAA tournaments, an Olympic final and numerous other high level international games.
He has shone a positive light on the industry through his many charitable and leadership efforts, including serving as chair of the McMaster Campaign for Athletics & Recreation, founder and former chair of the Foxcroft Family Youth Fund held at the Hamilton Community Foundation and serving on the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation fundraising committee, the first healthcare charity in Hamilton to earn the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy’s Ethical Fundraising License.
He donated thousands of Fox 40 Classic whistles used by search and rescue professionals when they were saving lives following the San Francisco earthquake, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. Foxcroft has received awards from B’Nai Brith Canada and the Burlington (Ontario) Rotary Club.
Foxcroft was named Hamilton’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year, received an honorary doctor of law degree from McMaster University and had an award named for him by Sports Officials Canada. The award is presented annually to recognize excellence from an official in a professional sports environment, their contribution to the development of young officials and their example as a positive role model for officials by virtue of personal involvement at the community level.
 Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, receives Colonel Ronald Foxcroft (Honorary Colonel) at Buckingham Palace in London. He is an honorary colonel in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Canadian Army Reserve infantry battalion. After a member of his regiment was killed in a terrorist attack, Foxcroft met with Queen Elizabeth II and received her personal condolences.
 Foxcroft sometimes found time to shoot a couple of hoops at the office. Fox 40 received the Mel Narol Medallion Award in 2004, presented to a group or individual for outstanding contributions to NASO. Foxcroft is a former member of the NASO board of directors and currently serves as a special adviser to the board.
And he is still a young man.
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