 By Staff
October 31st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 Before dedicated bike lanes on the lift – proposed lanes (and what is in place for the pilot) on the right. Will city council actually make a final decision on the one-year pilot on a section of New Street between Walkers Line and Guelph Line, reducing the number of lanes from four to three with buffered bike lanes?
This issue has been mired in the Transportation department and the subject of much debate between the cyclists and car drivers.
A staff report with findings from the one-year New Street pilot project will be presented to Burlington City Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Mon. Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. A copy of the report will be available beginning Nov. 18 and can be found on the city’s webpage dedicated to the project.
Throughout the one-year New Street pilot project, the city will be sharing updates and information collected.
Comparison of travel times on New Street before and after the implementation of the one-year pilot:
 All kinds of graphics material was made available to the public – problem was the public didn’t show up at the public meetings. Less than 20 people – more staff than tax payers. A Closer Look at the Numbers:
Travel time data on New Street between Walkers Line and Guelph Line was captured using BlueMAC technology. When an outbound bluetooth signal is detected from a passing mobile phone or car, the BlueMAC technology, located at New Street and Walkers Line and New Street and Guelph Line, is able to record the travel time of each vehicle.
While the number of recordings does not represent the total number of cars using New Street during the times above, it does provide a sample size that is significantly larger than one captured manually.
Ward 2 city Councillor sets out her position in her newsletter: “Residents have reported significant delays turning from side streets onto New St, increased traffic on side streets that weren’t intended to handle the volume, and delays in travelling at certain times of the day.
“More than 2000 people have signed a petition seeking an end to the pilot project. We need to consider the lived experience and input from residents as much as the Bluetooth data. We have yet to learn whether there has been an increase in cyclists due to the new lanes, but we know the lanes have impacted thousands of drivers.
“When there is an accident on the QEW or 403, there is no extra capacity to take the volume on our streets, including New, leading to significant gridlock. When people are commuting home from long work days, or meetings or errands, each extra minute in traffic is precious time away from family. Based on what I have heard and learned so far, it doesn’t make sense to continue the lane restriction.”
 Our experience was a little more than the time shown on this graphic.  This is about what the Gazette experienced. The Gazette’s experience on travelling the route: We experienced minimal delay – what we didn’t see was any more than two cyclist on the route at any one time – and most of the time there were none. On two occasions we did see cyclists using the sidewalk.
This has been one of the more divisive issues Burlington has had to contend with for some time.
Biggest question is – How much has the city spent on this project in terms of staff time?
 By Staff
October 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC) is hosting its annual gala, Volunteer Appreciation & Awards Night, to honour the achievements of its players and coaches, and to celebrate the contributions of its volunteers. This event takes place Wednesday, November 1st from 6:00 – 9:00 pm and will be hosted by event sponsor, and BYSC Partner, Atrium Banquet and Conference Centre.
 Soccer has thousands playing the game. At the Volunteer Appreciation & Awards Night, the BYSC will be presenting the following awards to the nominated recipients, including:
Referee of the Year (Youth),
Referee of the Year (Adult), Keith Grant
Referee of the Year, John De Benedictis (Recreational)
Coaching Award,
Volunteer of the Year,
Young Volunteer of the Year,
Competitive Coach of the Year,
Male Competitive Player of the Year,
Female Competitive Player of the Year,
Harry Newman (Competitive) Team of the Year,
and the Melanie Booth Award.
 During a car fee Sunday on Brant the pavement didn’t seem to be a problem. Get a dozen kids and a soccer ball plus two nets and you’ve got a game. The Melanie Booth award is named after former BYSC player and National Team/ Olympic Bronze Medalist Melanie Booth, and is awarded to a player with successes at the National Level.
Honoured guests expected include Melanie Booth, Ron Smale (President of Ontario Soccer), and Steven Caldwell (Toronto FC),
For information about BYSC events or programs, visit www.burlingtonsoccer.com or call 905-333-0777.
By Staff
September 26, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Herd today announced that the team has re-signed manager Kevin Hussey for the 2018 season. Hussey returns for his first full season as the skipper after replacing former Herd Manager Jeff Lounsbury in 2017.
 Kevin Hussey – won one game against a superior team – that got him the job of coach for the Burlington Herd. The 30-year-old Hussey was named the fourth manager in Burlington Herd history on July 13, 2017, the day he led the Herd to its first and only victory during the quarter finals – the London Majors took that series 4-1.
Looks as if the Herd felt that if Hussey could win a game against a tough team perhaps he was the guy to be given the task of somehow making a winning tram out of the Herd.
We wish him well,
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Kevin played four years of college baseball at Olney Central Junior College between 2006-2008 and Chicago State University between 2008-2010.
During his time with both colleges, Kevin was a two year starter in both the NJCAA Division I and NCAA Division I baseball programs.
 Hussy took to the field with the Burlington Bandits as the teams starting catcher. In 31 games played, Hussey recorded a .290 batting average with 12 doubles, one home run and 16 RBIs. This past season with the Herd, Hussey has recorded two doubles, three home runs and eight RBI’s.
“We are very excited to welcome Kevin back as the field manager for the Herd,” said Herd President Ryan Harrison. “Kevin is committed to winning and creating that winning atmosphere in the clubhouse.”
In addition to his duties as field manager, Hussey will have direct input in assembling the 2018 roster for the Herd, including scouting, signing players and handling all operational aspects of the on field team.
InterCounty Baseball came to Burlington in 2011, first as the Twins, then as the Bandits and now the Herd
 By Staff
September 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a photo op that will have gladdened the heart of Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon.
Anything to do with cycling and sharing the road in a responsible way gets her attention.
The announcement earlier today at the Appleby GO station that the province is going to install secure bike storage at GO station and car pool lots making it easier for cyclists to commute to and from work, school, and appointments.
 The construction of new, secure bike storage lockers at GO Transit stations and car pool lots across southern Ontario. This investment is part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.
Eight bike lockers will be installed at each of 15 commuter parking lots across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, Niagara, and Simcoe Region for a total of 120 bike lockers. Work will be finished by the end of March 2018.
In addition, 28 bike rooms will be installed at 26 GO Transit stations in the Greater Toronto Area over the next four years as part of Ontario’s GO RER program, expanding storage capacity while enhancing security. The first locations, which will be complete by spring 2018, include: Appleby, Markham, Mount Pleasant, Bronte, Unionville, and Stouffville.
 Minister of Transportation Steven De Luca and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Eleanor McMahon were in Burlington today to launch the new Commuter Bike Parking Program, which will help encourage people to take their bikes as part of their daily commute.
Eight bike lockers will be installed at each of 15 commuter parking lots across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, Niagara, and Simcoe Region for a total of 120 bike lockers. Work will be finished by the end of March 2018. In addition, 28 bike rooms will be installed at 26 GO Transit stations in the Greater Toronto Area over the next four years as part of Ontario’s GO RER program, expanding storage capacity while enhancing security. The first locations, which will be complete by spring 2018, include: Appleby, Markham, Mount Pleasant, Bronte, Unionville, and Stouffville.
Locations:
GO stations: Burlington and Appleby
Car pool lots: QEW at Guelph Line and Hwy 403 at Hwy 6/Plains Rd
No mention of any fee for use – they will all be in place before the June election – which is more than can be said for the Burlington GO station upgrades.
No report on whether or not the two politicians rode their bikes to the event.
This just might give cyclists a reason to use New Street now that it is still on its Road Diet.
Ontario is investing approximately $2.5 million from its carbon market to fund this project.
About 1.5 million people in Ontario ride their bikes at least once a week during the spring, summer and fall, and many cycle year-round.
The Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program is a commitment under Ontario’s five-year Climate Change Action Plan which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.
By Pepper Parr
September 12, 2017
BURLINGTON,ON
After winning their first game of the season, well into the season the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) Guelph Royals ownership decided to fold their tent.
The biggest reason was financial.
 Intercounty Baseball League commissioner John Kastner introduced the new owners of the Guelph Royals during a press conference Monday. The team will return to the league in 2018.
Burlington’s entry in the league, the Herd didn’t make it out of the quarter finals in the 2017 season. Our interest in the Royals situation is to give readers a sense of what it takes to run a baseball team in the league.
The Royals have been purchased from Jim Rooney by businessman Shawn Fuller along with Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.
Fuller, who grew up in Guelph and now lives in Kitchener, has had a life-long relationship with the Royals and added “you can see my mom’s house” from the ballpark.
“To be clear, this is a passion project,” Fuller told Guelph Today. “I don’t see it as a money maker. I see it as doing something for the love of the game.
“It’s a six-figure budget to do this thing and to do it right …. I’m sure this thing loses money its first year, two years of operation. But we’re here to weather the storm. We’re here to build it.”
 New Guelph Royals owners Cam Guthrie, left, and Shawn Fuller, middle, pose with IBL commissioner John Kastner at Hastings Stadium Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. Guthrie as Mayor of Guelph has got his photo ops set for the year. Photo by Tony Saxon/GuelphToday Fuller and Guthrie take over a team that ceased operations in June after going 1-15 to start the season. The team had struggled for several years and also took a leave of absence in 2011.
Fuller, who worked in sales with BlackBerry for 10 years, is the owner of Canadawide Sports, a sports equipment distribution company that operates out of a 65,000 square-foot facility in St. George.
Kastner said Fuller contacted him the day after Rooney informed him he was folding the team and the process to get baseball back in Guelph began that day.
The six figure budget was what caught our attention. If that is what the owners of the Herd are putting into the team – our hats are off to them.
By Staff
September 9th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Guelph Royals chose to drop out of the playing schedule during the regular season in June – at that time they had not won just a single game.
 Pitching just wasn’t what it needed to be. There was no reason given for the abrupt decision to cease operations.
 It was a team that at one point was the IBL Champions on nine occasions. The InterCounty Baseball League (IBL) announced on Friday that they would hold a media event in Guelph on Monday during which they would confirm that new ownership has been found for the Guelph Royals and outline plans for the future direction for the team.
The IBL has worked with former team owner Jim Rooney in the search for new ownership. They appear to have succeeded.
By Staff
August 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Most saw it as a slam dunk for the Baycats but the dreamer in every sports fan thought – that maybe – just maybe the Kitchener Panthers would take at least one of the games in the IBL best of seven play of series.
Dreamers do that.
It was four straight for the Baycats to take the 2017 final – which made it the fourth finals win in a row for the team.
The Baycats dominated in the regular season and were unbeatable in the playoffs.
The last time an IBL team did that well was in the 2008-2013 stretch when the Brantford Red Sox won six straight from 2008-13.
The Baycats opened the season with 26 straight wins and finished 33-3 to earn a first-round bye.
The 4-3 win for the Baycats in game one created some hope but it was downhill after that.The four playoff games looked like this:
 Kyle DeGrace with 2017 IBL trophy Game 1: 4-3
Game 2: 13-4
Game 3: 15-0
Game 4: 10-1
The Burlington Herd were taken out of playoff contention in the quarter finals when they were beaten by the London Majors in a best out of seven that went for five games. Burlington took just one of the five games.
 By Staff
August 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Dominating is the word that best describes a baseball performance that moved the Barrie Baycats one win from a fourth straight Intercounty Baseball League title.
 Claudio Custodio tossed a complete-game one-hitter, and the Baycats’ batters pounded out 19 hits in a 15-0 win over the Kitchener Panthers Sunday night at Coates Stadium.
Barrie leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and can clinch Tuesday in Kitchener.
Panthers starter Sean Ratcliffe (1-2) took the loss, allowing eight runs on eight hits with five walks and three strikeouts over 3.2 innings.
Future games
Tuesday, Aug. 29
By Staff
August 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
That there is a place for semi-pro baseball in this province – there is no doubt.
 Barrie Baycat’s batters did this more often than any other team in the InterCounty Baseball league – the team lost just two games in the regular season. More than 1,200 fans packed the Jack Couch Park and saw the Barrie Baycats take a two-game lead in the IBL final with a 13-4 win over the Kitchener Panthers Saturday night.
Game 3 is Sunday night in Barrie.
 Limited seating at the Nelson ball park. Can you imagine that many fans showing up for a game in Burlington? The ball park at Nelson could hold – perhaps 300.
We don’t know how many Burlington baseball fans are taking in these IBL final games – we do know that if there are any they are seeing great baseball.
Thrilling.
Future games
Sunday, Aug. 27
Kitchener at Barrie, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
Barrie at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
 By Staff
August 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It is going to be an interesting playoff series.
The Barrie Baycats took game 1 of the best of seven but they needed 10 innings to do it.
The Kitchener Panthers hung in and took the game into that tenth inning where it was lost 4-3
It is going to be an exciting series.
The Burlington Herd got taken out of the series at the quarter finals level.
 Future games
Saturday, Aug. 26
Barrie at Kitchener, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 27
Kitchener at Barrie, 7 p.m.
By Staff
April 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a reason media tend not to pay attention to news releases that get sent to us.
For the most part they are filled with information that stretches the truth and stays miles away from the issues. They seldom answer the questions people have on their mind.
 We got the following from the Burlington Herd, Burlington’s entry in the InterCounty Baseball League.
The team got taken out of the playoffs at the quarter final level with just the one win.
Thank you. You made this season special.
You increased average attendance by 26%. You made the Barn (Nelson Park) one of the most amazing atmospheres in the league. You are the reason our staff loves what they do and work so hard to make the Herd what they are.
Our 2018 season starts today and we have some big events and announcements planned for next year. Which is why we are already planning improvements to the ballpark, recruiting our roster, updating our ticket plans and more for the Intercounty Baseball League’s 100th season.
We are overwhelmed with the number of new fans we met this summer that have become hooked with Burlington Herd Baseball that we have decided to take season ticket deposits!
I can promise you that our owners and staff are 100% dedicated to making Nelson Park and Burlington Herd games the most unique and fun experience in the region.
What does one say to that?
 No mention of who did well for the team. No mention of the better players and no humbleness whatsoever on the really poor performance during both the season and the playoffs.
One can say that someone has to be last. Guelph saw that coming their way and suspended operations for the season.
IBL players do not get paid a salary and there are serious limits on what they can accept in the way of gift money. They do get travel money.
Revenue for the teams comes from ticket sales, sponsorship’s, food and beverage revenue. Anyone owning a baseball team has an expensive hobby.
A good team will draw a local audience – and a good team is a winning team. The Barrie Baycats lost just two games during the regular season and there is every reason to believe they will take the finals in four games straight. If that happens this will be the fourth year they have done just that.
What came to Burlington as the Twins in 2011 later became the Bandits and then became the Herd.
No word yet on if the coaching team is going to be invited to return.
By Staff
August 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The 99th IBL league final kicks off Thursday night at Coates Park in Barrie as the pennant-winning Baycats play host to the second-place Kitchener Panthers.
The Baycats set a number of records en route to their sixth first-place finish since 2001.
They started the season 26-0 to set a record for most wins to open a season, they went 33-3 for the best winning percentage (.917) in league history and tied the record for the most wins. They are also very tough at home, going 18-0.
 Looks like the ball and the bat are going to click. Kitchener Panthers are no slouch either and this is truly the marquee match-up for the IBL.
The Panthers cruised to a second-place finish with a 28-8 record, three wins better than the third-place London Majors. The Panthers were pushed to six games by the Hamilton Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs but had little trouble with the Majors, going just five games in the semifinals.
The Panthers also finished the regular season with an 8-2 run and are 8-3 in the post-season.
Both teams have some serious star power.
 Ryan Spataro hit .447 to lead the Baycats while Kevin Atkinson was third in the league in RBI.
On the mound, Claudio Custodio had the league’s lowest ERA at 2.29 and had six wins. Emillis Guerrero led the league in both wins and strikeouts with nine and 80 and hasn’t given up a run in the playoffs.
Kitchener’s Sean Reilly posted perhaps the best single-season performance in league history. He led the league in batting average at .447. He also led the IBL in home runs with 19, which was 11 more than the three players who were next at eight and just two fewer than his own league record of 21 in 2013.
He also had a stunning 56 RBI, which was 16 more than Barrie’s Jordan Castaldo. and just four off his own league record.
He is just the third player to win the IBL Triple Crown and the only player to do it twice (2015.) Noel Entenza, a right-hander from Cuba, led the Panthers on the mound with seven wins and Jasvir Rakkar has three wins in the playoffs and a league-leading 32 strikeouts and 2.60 ERA.
Game one Thursday night is a 7:30 p.m. in Barrie.
Game two is Saturday night in Kitchener at 7 p.m.
Game three Sunday, another 7 p.m. start in Barrie.
Game four is in Kitchener on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.;
Game five is in Barrie on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.;
Game six is scheduled for Kitchener on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
Game seven would be in Barrie on Sunday, Sept. 3, also at 7 p.m.
This could well be a four game playoff series.
Barrie is going for its fourth straight championship while Kitchener has not won the championship since 2001.
While the Burlington Herd didn’t do very well – it has been a very exciting baseball season for the IBL.
They go into their 100th year in 2018 – as auspicious as that occasion will be – it is going to be tough to come up with some of the really breath taking games seen during the 2017
By Staff
August 21st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Finally – after some exciting and at times very lop sided scores, we now know that the Kitchener Panthers will play the Barrie Baycats in the InterCounty Baseball league finals.
 Barrie Baycats celebrate their semi-final series win over Brantford Red Sox. The Baycats swept the Red Sox 7-4 in semi-final
 Kitchener Panthers high five each other after they defeat the London Majors in that semi-finals series. Kitchener got to the finals by defeating the London Majors 21-3 in that semi-final series that went for five games in a best of seven series.
The Barrie Baycats will get a shot at winning four straight Intercounty Baseball League championships.
There are 45 InterCounty Baseball players in the Major baseball leagues.
The IBL will announce the schedule for the final playoff later today.
By Staff
August 19th, 2107
BURLINGTON, ON
It looks as if the Kitchener Panthers will go up against the Barrie Baycats for the final series in the InterCounty Baseball league that saw the Burlington Herd drop away in the quarter finals when Hamilton defeated Burlington 4-1 in the best of seven series.
The Kitchener Panthers rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the London Majors 10-9 Friday night at Jack Couch Park.
Kitchener leads the best-of-seven semi-final 3-0.
The Barrie Baycats push Red Sox to brink with their 6-2 win over the Brantford Red Sox Friday night at Coates Stadium.
Barrie leads the best-of-seven series 3-0.
Future games
Saturday, Aug. 19
Kitchener at London, 7:35 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20
London at Kitchener, 2 p.m.
Barrie at Brantford, 8 p.m.
We should know who will be playing the Barrie Baycats in the playoff finals by thetime we all go to bed Sunday evening.
By Staff
August 17th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a much tighter game than the 14 – 1 licking the Barrie Baycats gave the Brantford Red Sox – the 5-4 win yesterday gave the Baycats a two-game lead in the best of seven semi-final series.
The Burlington Herd got taken out of the playoffs at the quarter final level when xxx beat them 4-1
Jordan Castaldo’s single in the top of the ninth scored Ryan Spataro for the winning run as the Barrie Baycats edged the Brantford Red Sox 5-4 Wednesday night at Arnold Anderson Stadium.
Spataro went 3-for-4 in the leadoff spot and scored twice while stealing a base. Kyle DeGrace and Jeff Cowan each had two hits, an RBI and a run, and Ryan Rijo had an RBI.
Adam Rowe (1-0) earned the win, striking out three of the four batters he faced in relief. Enerio Del Rosario allowed a hit and struck out one for his first save of the post-season.
Starter Claudio Custodio gave up four runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings.
Chris Dennis and Dan Jagdeo each had solo home runs for the Red Sox, who trailed 4-1 at one point before chipping away and tying the game in the seventh.
Benjamin Bostick singled, doubled and had an RBI and a run, and Nic Burdett added an RBI.
Tanner Guindon (0-2) took the loss after yielding a run on one hit and a walk in an inning.
Graham Tebbit started and allowed four runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Future games
Thursday, Aug. 17
Brantford at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
London at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Kitchener at London, 7:35 p.m.
By Staff
August 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A long layoff didn’t affect the Barrie Baycats, who defeated the Brantford Red Sox 14-1 to open their best-of-seven semifinal Tuesday night.
Barrie received a first-round bye after finishing atop the regular season standings and hadn’t played since July 30, but the Baycats scored twice in the second inning and added five more runs in the third to pull away.
Branfy Infante doubled twice and drove in four to lead the Baycats’ offence. Jordan Castaldo had two RBI and two runs, Kevin Atkinson and Ryan Spataro each scored twice, while Claudio Custodio and Kyle DeGrace both had an RBI and two runs. Jeff Cowan drove in two and scored once, Steve Lewis singled, doubled and had an RBI and scored, and Conner Morro plated a run.
Emilis Guerrero (1-0) earned the win, allowing an unearned run on seven hits while striking out eight in seven innings.
Nic Burdett had the Red Sox’s lone RBI. Dan Jagdeo and Nate DeSouza had two hits apiece, and Benjamin Bostick went 2-for-4 with a run.
Adrian Yuen (0-1) took the loss, giving up 13 runs on 11 hits in six innings. He walked seven and struck out three.
The other game in the semi-final playoff series has the \Kitchener Panthers playing the London Majors.
Sean Reilly went 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBI to lead the Kitchener Panthers to a 5-2 win over the London Majors Tuesday night at Labatt Park.
Kitchener leads the best-of-seven semifinal 2-0.
Reilly also singled twice and doubled while scoring a pair of runs. Mike Gordner had two hits and a run, and Yorbis Borroto and Mike Andrulis each had a hit and scored once. Zarley Cina singled twice.
Sean Ratcliffe (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits with five walks and seven strikeouts over five innings. Mike Schnurr gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth for his first save of the postseason.
For London, Carlos Arteaga had two hits and scored once, Michael Ambrose singled twice and had an RBI, and Cleveland Brownlee drove in the other run.
Luis Sanchez (2-1) allowed five runs (two earned) on 10 hits with a walk and three strikeouts over seven innings.
Future games
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Barrie at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Brantford at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
London at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
By Staff
August 16, 2017
BURLINGTON,ON
The Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC) has announced the introduction of its NEW Adult Indoor League for the upcoming Fall & Winter 2017/18 Season, as well as the expansion of several of its existing programs to offer players opportunities for a lifetime.
 New programs for adult players. After a successful launch of its outdoor Open Age Coed League, and in addition to its usual U21 offerings, the BYSC will expand its indoor recreational leagues for adults to include:
Men’s Open Age, Ladies Open Age, COED Open Age,
Men’s 40+, Men’s 30+ and Ladies 35+.
These recreational leagues will give players in the community a chance to continue with the BYSC, for an affordable price and at convenient times!
Teams can register for $2000 or players may register individually for $190. All games will be held at the BYSC Domes, located in Sherwood Forest Park, with qualified referees officiating each game.
Adults 50+ and/or those with mobility issues can take part in Walking Soccer to be able to enjoy the game without the impact on muscles and joints.
 Walking soccer inside the Dome BYSC is also expanding youth-focused programs:
• House League +, launched in the Summer of 2017, will continue to provide a professionally coached training session and House League game through the Fall and Winter.
• Embracing Ability, launched in 2016 for players between the ages of 6-14 with and/or without intellectual and/or physical disabilities will be offered throughout the Fall and Winter.
• Lil Burli started last year for toddlers 18 mos – 3 years and their parents will have an evening and daytime session.
There is additional information on the BYSC web site:
The office telephone number is: 905-333-0777.
By Sharon Kaplan
August 15, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 You may or may not know that gambling has become one of the biggest and most popular pastimes in the world.
Now with the internet, you can log on and play all of your favourite casino and slot machine games wherever you are and whatever you are doing.
Casino gaming online especially in Canada is taking over and has quickly become something that is very much a part of our day to day life. But how many phrases do you use in your day to day life that have their origin in gambling? Let us read on to find out more!
High roller
Used to refer to someone in a casino who plays and wins big, it has transferred into popular usage to mean someone who plays and wins big in the real life. Used to refer to those that spend large amounts of money playing at the best online slots casinos, or anything else for that matter, it has become a really popular way of describing someone who has lots of zeros after their bank balance and isn’t afraid to splash the cash in public and without much thought!
All bets are off
This phrase used in reference to betting on things like sports. When the outcome is unpredictable or it is unviable to place bets and the bookies get concerned, they reserve the right to take all bets off. This has been transferred into general usage and means that when any given situation is unpredictable or the result is impossible to gauge, it is impossible to place a hypothetical bet or prediction on the outcome any way.
Go for a spin
This phrase once referred to spinning the reels or even having a spin on the roulette wheel. Now it is often used to describe going out, going for a drive or going to do something fun!
 Shake, rattle and roll
The name of various songs, as well as meaning that someone is ready to go and do something fun,
Poker face
Not just the name of a Lady Gaga song, “poker face” refers to someone that keeps a straight face and doesn’t let on what they are saying, thinking, or doing.
Its origins come from poker and the art of bluffing and keeping a straight face so as not to give anything away in terms of what sort of hand they may or may not have.
Playing your cards close to your chest
Another phrase that has its roots in poker, this means to keep your fortunes close to yourself. It can also mean if you have a plan or an idea, you will keep it quiet so as not to give anything away.
Why don’t you try some of these in your day to day speech? Don’t wait to hit the online casino before busting out a couple of these phrases!
By Staff
August 14, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the beautiful things about sports is the way things can turn on the kicking of a ball, the passing of a piece of pigskin, the shooting of a puck or the crack of a bat.
And it was the crack of a bat that brought about a stunning 5-4 Brantford win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday afternoon in Game 7 of the quarter-final.
 A Kitchener Panther trying to beat the ball to the plate. Brantford will now face the Barrie Baycats in the semi-final starting Tuesday.
The Baycats lost just two games in the series – and those were to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With the Leafs out of the playoff series the Brantford Red Sox face a team they were never able to beat during the regular season.
The Red Sox win stunned the league with their game 7 comeback over the Leafs – the only team that managed to defeat the Barrie Baycats.
While the Brantford team battles it out with the league leading Barrie Baycats the Kitchener Panthers’ will take on the London Majors.
It has been an exciting series of baseball games for the league.
The Burlington Herd were taken out of the playoffs when Hamilton defeated then 4 – 1 in the seven game quarter finals.
By Staff
April 11th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
With the Burlington Herd out of the InterCounty Baseball League playoffs interest in the city has fallen off but there are people who want to be kept up on how the playoffs work out.
The Barrie Baycats are enjoying a long bye – waiting for the Brantford – Toronto quarter final and the Hamilton – Kitchener set to work their way to the semifinals.
The Brantford Red Sox forced a game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That game will take place Sunday afternoon in Toronto.
The Hamilton Cardinals won game five in that series and stayed alive enough to play game 6 against the Kitchener Panthers.
That game will be played Sunday, August 13 at 2:00 pm
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team who have beaten the Barrie Baycats this season – they did that twice.
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