 By Staff
August 28, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
What a game!
What a playoff season!
While Burlington didn’t make it out of the quarter finals the InterCounty Baseball League has been very exciting.
Will the hot playoff season do anything for the Burlington Bandits; probably not.
It’s hard to tell what the people who own and manage the Bandits think – they don’t return telephone calls or emails. Tough to build any franchise loyalty that way,
 The Barrie Baycats will be playing to win a third consecutive IBL title. The final game of the best of 7 semi-final series between the London Majors and the Toronto Maple Leafs went into the ninth inning with a 5-4 lead. They couldn’t hold it.
Toronto scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning to upset the regular season champion London Majors 10-6 Sunday night at a game played at Labatt Park. The Leafs, who dropped the first two games of the series, will face defending champion Barrie starting this week.
 With evening games usually starting at just after 7 pm spectators can expect to be watching the game under lights. London led 5-4 going into the ninth, but the Leafs tied the game when Connor Lewis doubled home a run. Grant Tamane gave the Leafs the lead with a two-run home run off a light pole in left field. Sean Mattson added an RBI single and Ryan White singled home a pair to finish the inning.
Dan Marra went 3-for-5 with two runs, Jonathan Solazzo added a pair of hits, and Jon Waltenbury had three hits, two runs and an RBI.
Justin Cicatello (1-1) picked up the win in relief, giving up an unearned run on two hits in 5.1 innings. Cicatello struck out four without walking a batter. Starter Brett van Pelt went 3.2 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out two.
For London, RJ Fuhr had two hits, two runs and two RBI. Keith Kandel had an RBI, Michael Ambrose had two hits and drove in a run, while Humberto Ruiz went 2-for-4 and scored twice.
Elis Jimenez (2-2) pitched into the ninth inning but gave up six runs (three earned) on 11 hits over 8.1 innings, walking one and striking out six.
 iNew 880 am in London put it very well when they reported: “The Majors will have great successes to look back on through the winter, but they were hungry for the team’s first title since 1976 and no matter what they try to focus on, the ninth inning of Game 7 will be tough.”
The finals will be between the Barrie Baycats and the Toronto Maple Leafs; a team that has proven to be very scrappy.
It will be an interesting and exiting series.
 By Staff
August 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They did it – the Toronto Maple Leafs have forced a seventh and final game against the London Majors . Game 7 will determine who Barrie in the IBL final. They crushed the Majors 16-4 Saturday night at Christie Pits to tie the best-of-seven semifinal 3-3.
Justin Marra homered and drove in four with a pair of runs to lead the Leafs, while Grant Tamane had a three-run blast in the eighth inning. Sean Mattson had two hits, two RBI and two runs, Jonathan Solazzo went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run, Ryan White had two hits with a pair of RBI and scored once, and Jon Waltenbury had four singles and two runs.
Dan Marra singled and scored twice, Brendan Keys drove in a run and scored twice, and Connor Lewis had a double, RBI and three runs.
Mike Wagner (4-0) picked up the win, allowing three runs on 11 hits over 6.2 innings, walking three and striking out seven.
For London, RJ Fuhr doubled, tripled and had an RBI with two runs. Byron Reichstein had two doubles and an RBI, Chris McQueen and Kyle Gormandy each singled twice and scored once, and Keith Kandel had an RBI.
Owen Boon (1-2) was pulled after five outs and gave up eight runs (two earned) on eight hits, walking one and striking out one.
Game 7 is Sunday night in London at 7:05.
London will have the home field advantage but that may not be enough to take a gritty baseball team that has come back again and again to win.
The Barrie Baycats are getting a rest – they are going to need everything they have if they find themselves going up against the Toronto team.
This just might be a Hwy 400 series final.
The Maple leafs ground out a seven game win over the Brantford Red Sox to win their quarter final series.
By Staff
August 26th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
One more game and London will be playing the Barrie Baycats for the Intercounty Baseball League pennant.
But don’t count on this semi-final series ending quite that easily.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have come back from the edge time after time.
The London Majors won a 7-5 game 5 over the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday night at Labatt Park.
London leads the best-of-seven semi-final 3-2 and can wrap up the series Saturday night in Toronto.
 They will be playing under the lights on Saturday. Cleveland Brownlee led the Majors with a single, double and three RBI. Carlos Arteaga singled and drove in two, LeJon Baker had an RBI and run, Chris McQueen had two hits and a run, and Keith Kandel singled and doubled.
Oscar Perez (3-0) went the distance, allowing five runs (four earned) on 13 hits with a walk and nine strikeouts.
For Toronto, Jonathan Solazzo singled, doubled and hit his fifth home run of the playoffs. Solazzo finished with two RBI. Ryan White and Jon Waltenbury drove in a run apiece, while Grant Tamane had three hits and scored once at the top of the order. Sean Mattson doubled twice and scored twice, and Brendan Keys added a pair of hits.
Marek Deska (1-3) took the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings. Deska walked one and struck out three.
The winner of the series will face defending champion Barrie in the final.
By Staff
August 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Game 4 of the Intercounty Baseball League semifinal between London and Toronto Wednesday night took almost four hours to complete and featured a little bit of everything.
There were four home runs, a bench-clearing incident and subsequent protest in which players left the field, an ejection, and a game that ended up 8-2 in favour of Toronto.
The Maple Leafs tied the best-of-seven series 2-2 with Game 5 scheduled for Friday night at Labatt Park in London.
 Toronto Leafs beat the London Majors in this game – stands could have been fuller. Justin Marra went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs in the win. Sean Mattson hit a three-run blast as part of Toronto’s four-run first inning, and Jonathan Solazzo added a solo shot to lead off the eighth. Brendan Keys singled and drove home a pair of runs.
Brett van Pelt (2-1) picked up the win after going eight innings and allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
Majors starter Elis Jimenez (2-1) took the loss, giving up eight runs on nine hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking three.
Offensively, Keith Kandel hit a solo home run, while Brett Sabourin had the other RBI. LeJon Baker singled twice.
Baker was also involved in the incident that led to a lengthy delay to end the top of the fourth inning. A close play at third base with Baker and Solazzo led to pushing and shoving and the benches clearing.
Words were exchanged between players from both teams, and an alleged racial slur directed at one of the London players resulted in the Majors leaving the field in protest for 65 minutes.
 Barrie Baycats will go up against either London or Toronto in the final playoff. Play resumed and the game was completed prior to the midnight curfew at Christie Pits, but not before Toronto reliever Adam Garner was ejected with two outs in the ninth inning for throwing a pitch after time was called.
The winner of the series will face defending champion Barrie in the final.
This is baseball at its best.
Will it be a 401 or a 400 series?
2016 IBL playoffs
Semifinals
Kitchener Panthers vs. Barrie Baycats
Barrie wins series 4-0
Game 1: Barrie 8, Kitchener 1
Game 2: Barrie 2, Kitchener 0
Game 3: Barrie 10, Kitchener 5
Game 4: Barrie 3, Kitchener 0
London Majors vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Series tied 2-2
Game 1: London 5, Toronto 0
Game 2: London 9, Toronto 6
Game 3: Toronto 7, London 4
Game 4: Toronto 8, London 2
Game 5: Friday, Aug. 26 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 27 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 28 at London; 7:05 p.m.
By Staff
August 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are not going to be beaten easily – in fact they just might not be beaten at all.
The Toronto Maple Leafs showed the Brantford Red Sox’s how to do it when they took the quarter finals in a seven game battle.
Now they are in a tight series with the London Majors and may have saved their season Tuesday night with a 7-4 win
Their four-run eighth inning thriller prolonged their semifinal to at least five games.
London leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.
 Toronto trailed 4-3 heading into the eighth and tied the game when Jonathan Solazzo doubled home Sean Mattson. The Leafs took the lead for good four batters later when Owen Boon’s wild pitch with the bases loaded allowed Ryan White and Dan Marra to score with one out.
Jon Waltenbury’s ground-rule double brought home Brendan Keys to finish the scoring.
London threatened in the ninth with runners on first and second and two out, but Mike Wagner struck out Brett Sabourin to end the game.
Wagner (3-0) went three scoreless innings for the win, scattering four hits and striking out four around a pair of walks. Starter Justin Cicatello lasted six innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits with two strikeouts.
At the plate, Waltenbury finished with three hits and four RBI, while Connor Lewis drove in the other Toronto run.
Kyle Gormandy went 2-for-2 for the Majors with an RBI and run. Carlos Arteaga had the other RBI. Michael Ambrose and LeJon Baker each singled and scored once.
Boon (1-1) took the loss, giving up three runs on two hits in two innings with a pair of walks.
Cory Hammond started and allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings, walking five and striking out four.
2016 IBL playoffs
Semifinals
Kitchener Panthers vs. Barrie Baycats
Barrie wins series 4-0
Game 1: Barrie 8, Kitchener 1
Game 2: Barrie 2, Kitchener 0
Game 3: Barrie 10, Kitchener 5
Game 4: Barrie 3, Kitchener 0
London Majors vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
London leads series 2-1
Game 1: London 5, Toronto 0
Game 2: London 9, Toronto 6
Game 3: Toronto 7, London 4
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Friday, Aug. 26 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 27 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 28 at London; 7:05 p.m.
This is going to be either a 400 or a 401 series
By Staff
August 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The London Majors left Christie Pits after defeating the Maple Leafs 9 – 6 in game 2 of the best-of-seven semi-final series Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland Brownlee hit two home runs to lead the London Majors; one a three-run blast in the third inning and added a solo shot in the ninth to finish with four RBI. Michael Ambrose hit four singles and scored once, Carlos Arteaga went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run, Byron Reichstein and Keith Kandel each drove in a run, and RJ Fuhr and LeJon Baker had two hits and two runs apiece.
Oscar Perez (2-0) went six innings for the win, allowing three runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out six.
Jonathan Solazzo had three hits, including his third home run of the playoffs, two RBI and two runs. Ryan White had three hits and two RBI, Sean Mattson singled three times and scored three times, and Dan Marra drove in a run.
Marek Deska (1-2) took the loss, giving up four runs on five hits in three innings, walking two and striking out three.
2016 IBL playoffs: Semifinals
Kitchener Panthers vs. Barrie Baycats
Barrie wins series 4-0
Game 1: Barrie 8, Kitchener 1
Game 2: Barrie 2, Kitchener 0
Game 3: Barrie 10, Kitchener 5
Game 4: Barrie 3, Kitchener 0
London Majors vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
London leads series 2-0
Game 1: London 5, Toronto 0
Game 2: London 9, Toronto 6
Game 3: Tuesday, Aug 23 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Friday, Aug. 26 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 27 at Toronto; TBD
Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 28 at London; 7:05 p.m.
By Staff
August 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Last year the Barrie Baycats took the NAME in a plaoff series against the Kitchener Panthers. This season they will do the same thing but against eiher the Toronto Leafs or the London Majors.
Emilis Guerrero (3-1) threw a complete-game two-hitter as the Baycats swept the best-of-seven semifinal with a 3-0 win over the Kitchener Panthers Saturday night. Guerrero scattered two hits with a walk and nine strikeouts.
Kevin Atkinson led the Kitchener offence with a solo home run, while Jordan Castaldo doubled, tripled and scored once. Jeff Cowan singled and drove in a run.
Matt McGovern took the loss for Kitchener, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits over 6.1 innings, walking one and striking out one.
2016 IBL playoffs – Semifinals
Kitchener Panthers vs. Barrie Baycats
Barrie wins series 4-0
Game 1: Barrie 8, Kitchener 1
Game 2: Barrie 2, Kitchener 0
Game 3: Barrie 10, Kitchener 5
Game 4: Barrie 3, Kitchener 0
London Majors vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
London leads series 1-0
Game 1: London 5, Toronto 0
Game 2: Sunday, Aug. 21 at Toronto: 2 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, Aug 23 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
By Staff
August 20, 2016
LONDON, ON
Elis Jimenez was nearly unhittable as the London Majors opened their semi-final with a 5-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Labatt Park Friday night.
Jimenez (2-0), pitching for the first time since Aug. 5 against Guelph, scattered three hits in the complete game and walked one with nine strikeouts.
Offensively, Byron Reichstein had three hits and two RBI as London improved to 5-0 in the post-season. Michael Ambrose and Chris McQueen each had a hit and RBI, and Brett Sabourin drove in the other run. RJ Fuhr and Carlos Arteaga each had two hits and scored once, and Keith Kandel singled twice and scored twice.
Connor Lewis had two of Toronto’s three hits. The fifth-place Leafs were coming off a Game 7 win in Brantford this week.
Brett van Pelt (1-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on nine hits in 6.2 innings. He walked two and struck out two.
2016 IBL playoffs
Semifinals
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs. (3) Barrie Baycats
Barrie leads series 3-0
Game 1: Barrie 8, Kitchener 1
Game 2: Barrie 2, Kitchener 0
Game 3: Barrie 10, Kitchener 5
Game 4: Saturday, Aug. 20 at Barrie; 7 p.m.
* Game 5: Sunday, Aug. 21 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
* Game 6: Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
* Game 7: Thursday, Aug. 25 at Kitchener; 7:30 p.m.
(1) London Majors vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
London leads series 1-0
Game 1: London 5, Toronto 0
Game 2: Sunday, Aug. 21 at Toronto: 2 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, Aug 23 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Friday, Aug. 26 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 6: Saturday, Aug. 27 at Toronto; TBD
Game 7: Sunday, Aug. 28 at London; 7:05 p.m.
Expect it to be London Barrie against London – however Toronto has managed to pull rabbits out of the hat before.
By Staff
August 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The IBL semifinal between the first-place London Majors and fifth-place Toronto Maple Leafs is scheduled to begin Friday, Aug. 19 at Labatt Park in London.
The Majors haven’t played since sweeping Guelph on Aug. 9, while the Leafs are coming off a Game 7 win over Brantford in 10 innings on Wednesday night.
The semifinal schedule is as follows:
(1) London Majors vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1: Friday, Aug. 19 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, Aug. 21 at Toronto: 2 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, Aug 23 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Toronto; 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: Friday, Aug. 26 at London; 7:35 p.m.
Game 6 and 7: TBD
The Barrie Baycats are playing against the Kitchener Panthers where the Baycats are up to games.
Prediction: It will be London Majors against the Barrie Baycats with Barrie taking the prize. We have been wrong before.
 By Staff
August 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
After several rain game cancellations the Toronto Leafs rallied from a two-run deficit to tie the game in the eighth inning and scored twice in the top of the 10th to beat the Brantford Red Sox 4-2 Wednesday night in Game 7 of their best-of-seven quarter-final at Arnold Anderson Stadium.
 They had to grind to win the series – but that they did and they now go on to play the London Majors.
Toronto also scored both of its runs in extra innings with two out, as Sean Mattson singled home Jon Waltenbury, and Marra scored on a passed ball.
Mike Wagner picked up his second win of the series, going four scoreless innings in relief and scattering two hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts. Marek Deska started and went four innings, allowing two hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
For Brantford, Nic Burdett and Josh McCurdy hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the Red Sox’s two-run sixth inning. Ricky Murray added a single and double.
Jonathan Joseph (1-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on two hits in an inning, with a walk and two strikeouts. Starter Nathan Forer went 6.1 innings, allowing two hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
In the other semi final playoff game the Barrie Baycats blew the Kitchener right out of the water with their 2-0 win.
Adam Rowe threw a complete-game shutout to lead the Baycats to a win in game 2 of the best of seven series.
Rowe (2-0) threw a 114 pitches and scattered seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
Kyle DeGrace had the lone RBI as the Baycats mustered just five singles against Panthers starter Noelvis Entenza.
Entenza (1-1) went 6.1 innings and allowed two unearned runs on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
Frank Camilo Morejon had two of the Panthers’ seven hits, while Mike Andrulis and Ryan Douse each doubled.
2016 IBL playoffs
Semifinals
(2) Kitchener Panthers vs. (3) Barrie Baycats
Barrie leads series 2-0
Game 1: Barrie 8, Kitchener 1
Game 2: Barrie 2, Kitchener 0
Game 3: Thursday, Aug. 18 at Kitchener; 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Saturday, Aug. 20 at Barrie; 7 p.m.
* Game 5: Sunday, Aug. 21 at Kitchener; 7 p.m.
* Game 6: Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Barrie; 7:30 p.m.
* Game 7: Thursday, Aug. 25 at Kitchener; 7:30 p.m.
Is it too early to suggest where this series is going?
By Staff
August 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Weather is playing havoc with Inter County Baseball schedule.
The Brantford Red Sox and Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait another day to decide their quarter-final series after Game 7, scheduled for Tuesday night at Arnold Anderson Stadium in Brantford, was rained out.
The game will now be played Wednesday in Brantford at 8 p.m.
The winner of the series will face London in the other semi-final.
Baycats-Panthers Game 2 rained out.
Game 2 of the IBL semi-final between the Barrie Baycats and Kitchener Panthers scheduled for Tuesday night in Barrie has been rained out.
It’s now slated for Wednesday in Barrie at 7:30 p.m.
The Baycats lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 after taking the opener 8-1 in Kitchener.
The Burlington Bandits were taken out of the playoffs by the Barrie Baycats in the first round.
 By Alison Webster
August 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The road re-building work taking place on Lakeshore Road at Maple Avenue and North Shore Boulevard in Burlington, Ontario, may have many residents wondering what this means for September’s 36th Annual Terry Fox Run, which usually starts at Beachway Park.
The Burlington Terry Fox Committee is proud to announce that for this year’s run, on September 18th, 2016, we will be starting and finishing at The Brant Street Pier, near the Waterfront Hotel at the east end of Spencer Smith Park. The route will remain roughly the same, only the starting point will differ.
 These ladies are in the homestretch of the Terry Fox 5k run. The Terry Fox Run promises to be the same family-friendly event participants and spectators have come to expect year after year. With face painting, balloon animals, and loads of other fun activities, the Terry Fox Run is not only a great cause, but also a fun annual event that is always a crowd pleaser.
We have music, a performance from the M.M. Robinson Drumline, food, and so much more!
Have you seen the Terry Fox monument yet? If you haven’t, make sure you check it out the morning of the run. Located near Spencer’s on the Waterfront restaurant, at the west end of the park, the monument marks Terry’s run through Burlington on July 13th, 1980. The structure is actually a distance marker, indicating how many kilometres Terry Fox had run by the time he reached this spot on Lakeshore Road.
 A monument put up by citizens to mark a point where Terry Fox paused during his Marathon of Hope run in 1980. The stone marker just to the left is where the famed Burlington Inn was located. Want to get involved? There are many ways you can participate in The Terry Fox run this fall. You can sign up to run or walk, collecting pledges from family, friends, and co-workers, you can create a team, and set a larger fundraising goal, or you can volunteer and help us make this year the best event yet!
If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the Burlington Terry Fox Run Committee Chair, Craig Gardner at the email address set out below or find our Facebook page to learn more!
Parking will be available in a variety of city parking lots downtown, including the parking garage located on Locust Street. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the 5 and 10k run will start at 9 a.m., with the walkers and groups going at 10 a.m.
Craig Gardner: scraiggardner@sympatico.ca
 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.
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