Burlington Bandits pull off a comeback victory; now lead Hamilton in the standings.

 

element_sportsCBy Justin Lethbridge

July 17, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

After a hard-fought game Thursday night in Burlington, the Bandits pulled out a close 4-3 victory over rival Hamilton Cardinals. It was a mostly defensive affair, as the two teams traded scoreless innings. There was only one home run and many innings ended with runners left on base.

Bandit pitching

Burlington pitchers shut down the Hamilton batters – to take the game: 4-3

Hamilton got things going with two runs in the second before they showed off their defense. After keeping the Bandits off the board through two innings they got a critical double play with the bases loaded to end the third inning. Despite the defensive pressure, Burlington scored a run in each of the next four innings while allowing only one run by Hamilton.

After going up 4-3 in the seventh, it came down to Burlington’s last two pitchers. Blake Weston and Brandon Catena completely shut the Cardinals down, allowing only two hits over the last three innings.

Weston came in to close out the game in the ninth and despite an error by his left fielder he preserved the win.

The two teams face off in the second part of their home and home Friday night in Hamilton.

Barrie has a three game lead for first in the league followed by Kitchener in 2nd, Brantford in 3rd, London in 4th, Toronto in 5th, Burlington in 6th, Hamilton in 7th and Guelph in 8th.

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Outdoor Pool Schedules - Tuesday, July 14, 2015

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 13, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON
Outdoor Pool Schedules – Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Nelson and LaSalle Wading Pools are now closed for the day due to rainy conditions.

Splash pad LaSalle - swimmingThey will reopen Wednesday July 15, 2015 weather dependent.

All other pools are open for scheduled swims.

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Four Burlington athletes competing in the Pan Am games; two woman are strong in baseball

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 11, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington somehow managed miss out on the Pan American games.

The opportunity to have a facility in the east end of the city was lost – mostly due to a very strong reaction from the people who didn’t want anything done to Sherwood Forest Park

Now the biggest park the city has - and the furthest from the bulk of the population.

Now the biggest park the city has – and the furthest from the bulk of the population.

Burlington did get an excellent soccer pitch and a much improved park on the west side of the city.
City View Park is a superb site – with lot of room to walk and roam and 3  soccer pitches that the people of Burlington won’t get to use until the games are over.

The grounds are being used as a practice location for Pan Am soccer players. The city did collect a significant fee for the use of the grounds.
The soccer fields are covered with Astro turf which are seen as expensive to maintain.

In a media release the city sent out the names of eight Burlington affiliated competing in the Games: which is a cheaters way of saying there are eight Burlington or close by  athletes playing in the games. Why would the city add in the names of great athlete from Oakville, Mississauga and Hamilton ?

Mike Green, Racketball; is a Hamilton resisdent.
Melanie Hawtin, Wheelchair Basketball is an Oakville resident
Mark Oldershaw, Canoe, is a resident of Oakville
Ashley Stephenson, Baseball; is a Mississauga resident.

Hawtin and Oldershaw are well known to Burlington audiences; Hawtin in particular is one heck of a wheel chair basketball player.

The genuine Burlingtonians are

Brady Reardon, kayak
Autumn Mills, baseball
Tyler Muscat; the martial art of Taekwondo
Kate Psota, baseball

Autumn Mills,
Autumn MillsSince being selected to the Canadian Women’s National Team at age 16, Autumn Mills has competed in five editions of the IBAF World Cup and won three medals, including a best-ever silver in 2008. Her personal highlight has been playing on home soil in Edmonton at the 2012 World Cup where she got the save in closing out the bronze medal victory over Australia. Mills had played boys baseball throughout her childhood because she had no knowledge of any opportunity for girls in the game.

When she was 15 she was asked to try out for Team Ontario. That summer, she and her father commuted to Toronto from London every weekend for games. It was then that she finally heard about Team Canada and the chance to compete around the world, something she convinced herself she would be part of one day.

PERSONAL:   Family: Parents Daniel and Nancy Mills… Getting into the Sport: Started playing t-ball at age 4… She was on par or better than the boys and had a strong arm so stuck with it… Outside Interests: Earned her Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology and Bachelor of Education (primary/junior) at York University… Enjoys doing Crossfit, snowboarding, and going to Blue Jays’ games… Works as a police officer… Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: “Luck is the residue of hard work”… Admires smaller guys in MLB such as Dustin Pedroia who make big plays and hit the ball with power despite their size… Superstition: The ball must be on the ground before pitching; if someone throws it she puts it down, walks around the mound and takes a deep breath before picking it up… Has a good luck Pandora bracelet with baseball charms on her left wrist… Always travels with a lacrosse ball… Collects different Starbucks city mugs… Nickname: Millsy

Tyler Muscat
MuscatThe martial art of Taekwondo is fascinating to watch – two people in the rink, each lightly bouncing in anticipation of the other person’s hit while trying to calculate their own strike. The energy that flows between the two competitors when they dance around each other, throwing jabs and kicks when they see the opportunity, is tense and powerful.

“My first Nationals was when I was 12 years old. I ended up getting first place.”

Tyler Muscat is a confident 19-year-old Taekwondo athlete who knows the sport well; he’s practiced it for the past 13 years of his life and he doesn’t see a near end. At the age of 10 he got into the competitive part of Taekwondo and has been going to competitions and traveling the world since. “My first Nationals was when I was 12 years old. I ended up getting first place, and from then on it just got better,” says Muscat, who lives just outside Toronto in Burlington, Ont.

He is heading to Russia’s 2015 World Taekwondo Championships later this week with promising ambitions of making it to the 2016 Olympic Games – he’s currently ranked 10th in the world for his weight division.

His speciality is his speed. Muscat says that in his division, 54kg – the lowest in the senior category, many of his opponents are tall and do this move called the cut-kick. What saves him is his speed and technique, they give him an advantage that makes it easy to get around the move.

Muscat isn’t too worried about the Russian Games right now, he sees them as more of an opportunity to grab points and advance his world rank. His confidence stems from two practices a day, each an hour and a half, and from his trainer Carla Bacco. He met Carla in the beginning of his Taekwondo career at his school Kicks for Kids, and has practiced there under her guidance since.

Kicks for Kids has become his current University/College since he decided to postpone his post-secondary degree indefinitely after high school. “There’s a perfect time for everything,” says Muscat, “I’m trying to focus on the main things right now. School is always there for you.”

When he decides to return he wants to pursue a career in marketing (experience with interviews and advertising himself as an athlete is his first taste in the line of work) and complete his post-secondary education. “I don’t think I will ever stop Taekwondo, even if I was in school,” says Muscat.

A constant quirk of his that has followed him through every country and competition is his familial support; while he appreciates his family’s help and encouragement he doesn’t allow them to go to his competitions. “I get nervous,” he says, “even Nationals in Toronto, I didn’t let my family come out to support me just because I’m particular like that.”

But whether he goes alone or not, Muscat’s confidence is unwavering and his world rank can prove it – coming back home to his family to celebrate the wins makes them that much sweeter.

Kate Psota
Kate psotaKate Psota is a veteran of the women’s national team, having appeared in every IBAF World Cup since its inception in 2004. She has won four medals in six tournaments, highlighted by a silver medal in 2008. Psota was named national team MVP in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 and 2012 she was a World Cup all-star at first base. Psota played collegiate hockey for the Laurier Golden Hawks, winning five consecutive OUA championships from 2006 to 2010. In 2009 she was a CIS Academic All-Canadian.

PERSONAL:  Family: Parents Ed and Monique Psota… Younger brother Mike… Getting into the Sport: Started playing t-ball at age 4/5… Nobody in her family was involved in the sport, but when she was young she was obsessed with watching the Toronto Blue Jays and wanted to play baseball just like them… Outside Interests: Graduated from Wilfred Laurier University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in geography and kinesiology… Earned her Bachelor of Arts in education from Queens’ University in 2011… Enjoys going to the family cottage, boating, fishing, swimming, and gardening… Works at a garden centre… Odds and Ends: Worked and trained in Australia during the 2012 season where she developed friendships with their national team members… Nickname: Sodey… Tries to bring home something reflective of the culture wherever she travel.

Brady Reardon

BReardonrady Reardon is a second generation Olympian who was proud to have his father Jim on-site to watch him at Beijing 2008. Just like his dad at Munich 1972, Reardon competed in the K-4 1000m. Reardon has competed at every edition of the ICF World Championships since his debut in the K-2 1000m in 2007.

In 2012 he began racing K-1 internationally and won a silver medal in the first K-1 500m race of the World Cup season. A longtime training partner of Burloak clubmate Adam van Koeverden, the two focused on the K-2 1000m in 2013 and won a silver medal at the third World Cup stop in Poznan. In 2014 Reardon teamed with Andrew Jessop in the K-2 1000m at the world championships and recorded one of Canada’s best results of the competition with their seventh place finish.

PERSONAL:  Family: Parents Jim and Danny Reardon… Older brother Tucker… Getting married in September 2015… Getting into the Sport: Grew up in the sport because both of his parents paddled… Outside Interests: Enjoys mountain biking, DIY projects, being outside with his dog Banditt… Has a degree in kinesiology from McMaster University.  Volunteers with KidSport.  Odds and Ends: Always drinks a Guinness before race day.  Always keeps his racing numbers.

Favourite motto: “When you think you’re going as hard as you can, toughen up and go harder”…

 

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Bandits unable to finish off London Majors - lose the game 12-11. Darn!

 

element_sportsCBy Justin Lethbridge

July 10, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The Burlington Bandits started off hot but were unable to hold onto a lead and lost 12-11 to the London Majors.

Burlington’s Shaun Cooper got off to a great start with a two-run blast in the bottom of the first. Cooper’s 2nd two-run shot, combined with a few errors by the Major’s in the second and third innings resulted in a huge 8-0 lead for the Bandits after 3 innings.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Both teams look on as the Bandits try to bring a win home in the 9th – they missed

Despite the huge deficit, the Major’s came out swinging in the fourth. First Cleveland Brownlee got the Major’s on the board with a home run, than two batters latter Larry Gonzalez got a two-run dinger of his own to cut the lead in half. Hits in the fifth and sixth innings would bring London to within one, than an error by Burlington allowed the Major’s to tie the game at 8-8.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Bandits would respond. First Dan Franceschetti would steal home base than Shaun Cooper would add his third two-run shot of the night to retake the lead.

Two runs in the seventh followed by two more in the eighth allowed London to take the lead and their closer Braeden Ferrington shut the Bandits down. Through three innings he had five strikeouts while only allowing two hits to give London the dramatic victory.

Burlington has a week off until they start a home and home with Hamilton, while London is back at it on Friday at home against Guelph. The loss keeps the Bandits tied with Hamilton for second last in the league at 8-17 on the season. The full standings are: Barrie in 1st, Kitchener in 2nd, Brandford in 3rd, London in 4th, Toronto in 5th, Hamilton and Burlington tied for 6th and Guelph in last place.

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Bandits lose a shootout in Barrie - 9-8 leaves them sixth in an 8 team league

element_sportsCBy Clinton Dixon

July 8, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

On a cold summer’s day the Burlington Bandits made their way North up the 400 to once again battle with the reigning IBL Champion Barrie Baycats. Unfortunately Burlington was not able to come out on top in the game, losing in a shootout, the final score 9-8 in favour of Barrie.

The game almost never happened as Barrie experienced heavy rainfall for the majority of the day. In the end the rain let up just in time, allowing Burlington to try and redeem themselves after losing to Barrie 17-4 at home last weekend. “We’ve been better,” said Burlington’s Coach Kyle MacKinnon, “we still have to fight with the top dogs. Keep scratching out the wins we should, and beat someone we shouldn’t.”

After a 45-minute delay the field was finally ready and Colonel Doyon, Commander of Canadian Forces Base Borden, took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Military Day at Coates Stadium.

Baycat batter July 8

Luis Diaz tosses his bat after being walked.

When the game finally got underway it was easy to see that the wet conditions were making it tough for both teams. In the top of the first inning Adam Odd hit a ground ball right at Barrie’s second baseman Luis Diaz; the play should have resulted in an easy out, but the conditions resulted in Diaz losing grip on the ball, throwing into his own dugout. Odd would score shortly afterwards to open the scoring for the game.

From that point on there were several lead changes that saw Burlington put up the fight their coach was asking for.

However, they weren’t able to find that killer instinct and put the game out of reach. After holding the lead several times the Bandits found themselves going into the eighth inning down 8-5. After Brandon Hillier singled to left and Adam Odd singled to right Shaun Cooper stepped to the plate and belted a home run to tie the game.

The season needed a lot of improvement - but the community spirit is certainly evident.

Bandits lose to the Barrie Baycats – Close – but that doesn’t count in baseball.

Sadly the win wasn’t in the cards for Burlington, in the bottom of the eighth Luis Diaz scored for Barrie on a single by Kyle DeGrace, putting the Baycats on top for good as they went on to win the game 9-8.

The loss leaves Burlington with an 8-16 record, and in sixth position in the eight team league.

The Bandits now travel to Brantford to play the Red Sox tonight, Wednesday July 8 at 8:00 p.m.

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Burlington Bandits lose a tight one to Hamilton Cardinals: 2-1

SportsBy Justin Lethbridge
June 30, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON

Right up until the last hit of the game, it looked like the Burlington Bandits were going to steal a game from their rivals in Hamilton.

CardinalsBandits

Those stands weren’t exactly full were they? Hamilton took the baseball game in a close one – 2-1 for the other guys.

It was two errors committed by Burlington that allowed Hamilton to bring in two runs in the bottom of the ninth for their seventh win of the season.

The game got off to quick start as Burlington’s Shaun Cooper caught a fortuitous bounce in the top of the first, when the ball hit his helmet as he rounded third and allowed him to score.

That was the games sole hit until into the third inning in what was a pitching showcase. Hamilton’s Tim Black pitched all nine innings, giving up only three hits and one run while Burlington’s Dylan Perego threw all but three pitches through nine innings giving up three hits and two runs.

The win keeps the Cardinals in sixth place with as they prepare to greet the London Majors at home.

The Bandits are now mired in a four game losing streak as they head to Guelph for a battle between the bottom two teams in the league.

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Sport Field Status - grounds in D3 at Ireland are iffy

element_sportsCBy Staff

June 30th, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

All Sport Fields are currently open.

Please note: Ireland D3 outfield continues to experience wet patches. If inclement weather occurs please avoid use in affected areas.

Log into the Burlington Gazette daily to keep up on local news

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Sport Field Closures - Monday, June 29, 2015

Newsflash 100By Staff

June 29, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

For Monday, June 29, 2015 just the one sports field is closed:
Ireland D3

The Gazette publishes updates on sports facilities at city parks as soon as they are available.

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City sets out what will be open and what will be closed in the event of a strike by either the outside workers or the transit drivers. June 29th is a critical date

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

June 22, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

When they point out to you where the life boats are located – you kinda wonder what shape the ship is in.

The city of Burlington released a list of services that might be impacted if there is a work stoppage – polite word for a strike – the workers have withdrawn their services and decided they will go without a paycheque for a period of time unless their demands are met.

In the media release the city said it is “alerting residents that some city services may be affected by strike action that could take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 2.”

The city continues to negotiate collective agreements with unions representing outside workers and arena/pool operators and Burlington Transit workers. Both CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 44 and CUPE Local 2723 representatives have stated that if there is no agreement by the end of June, they will begin strike action as of midnight (12:01 a.m.) on July 2.

“The city continues to seek a settlement that is fair to the unions and to the taxpayers of Burlington,” said Roy Male, executive director of Human Resources who is on the city’s bargaining team. “While we will continue to be willing to meet with the unions to discuss a settlement, regretfully, we must prepare for a strike to ensure the best possible continuity of service.”

The city has posted a list of services at www.burlington.ca/labourdisruptions that would be cancelled, reduced or continued in the event of a strike. The city has also set up a dedicated phone line for questions related to labour disruptions at 905-335-7600, ext. 7803.

“We are sharing this labour disruption information as early as we can, and in as many ways as possible, to ensure Burlington residents have the information they need to plan ahead,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of Development and Infrastructure with the city. “If the service you or your family members use is among those that would be cancelled in the event of a strike, we encourage you to try to make other arrangements, if at all possible.”

The city will resume negotiating with CUPE 44 and 2723 on June 29 and will provide updates as they become available.

Service Impacts in the Event of a Strike

Services that would be cancelled

• Conventional Burlington Transit service
• Handi-Van Transit Service
• Non-emergency tree service requests
• Street sweeping
• Programs and services offered at:
o Appleby Ice Centre
o LaSalle Wading Pool and Splash Park
o Mainway Arena
o Mountainside Outdoor Pool and Splash Park
o Nelson Arena
o Nelson Outdoor Pool and Splash Park

Services that would be reduced

• Grass-cutting and horticulture along roadside locations and in parks
• Litter and recycling in parks

Services that would continue

• Normal garbage collection, recycling (Halton Region)
• Burlington Public Library services
• Sports field rentals
• Turf maintenance
• Festivals and events
• Tyandaga Golf Course
• Forestry emergency storm response
• Arena floor rentals
o Aldershot
o Central
o Mountainside
o Skyway

• Spray pads in parks (non-fenced)

o Dofasco WaterJet Plaza at Spencer Smith Park
o Norton Community Park
o Pinemeadow Park
o Millcroft Park
o Orchard Community Park
o Hidden Valley Park

• Recreation centres

o Brant Hills
o Burlington Seniors’ Centre
o Haber
o Music Centre
o Rotary Youth Centre
o Sherwood Forest Gym
o Burlington Student Theatre
o Tansley Woods

• Indoor pools

o Aldershot
o Angela Coughlan
o Centennial
o Tansley Woods
• Banquet facilities
o LaSalle Pavilion
o Paletta Mansion
o Discovery Landing/Waterfront Centre

• Preschool, child and youth programs
• City of Burlington camps: SNAP, O2, Camp Can-Do, youth centres, LIT, youth specialty
• Adult and seniors’ programs
• All services at City Hall (includes Planning and Building, Capital Works, Finance, Transportation, Engineering)
• Playground inspections
• Cemetery service
• Road and sidewalk maintenance
• Traffic signal and street light maintenance

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Ashley Worobec hands the Pan Am flame to Oldershaw who lights the cauldron on Sound of Music stage.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

June 20, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

It was a little chaotic – many people weren’t sure what was going on but when Mark Oldershaw finally got to the stage to light the cauldron with the flame of the Pan Am torch he was carrying, people knew that the Pan Am Games were not far off and that for Burlington the flame was bright and alive.

Worobec getting readt to light up Oldeshot

Mark Oldershaw, an Olympic paddler gets ready to be lit up by Ashley Worobec as he prepares to take the Pan Am flame to the Sound of Music stage.

Burlington’s Ashley Worobec handed over the flame to Oldershaw at a point on the Naval Promenade – it was tough to see the two – there were almost more police than spectators. Those police officers must have thought they were protecting some world leader.

Worobec looked a little lost in the crowd of people – and the uniform they gave her to run in certainly lacked for any style.

BTTB den mother

The Burlington Teen Tour Band Den Mother helps a band member get the uniform put together.

But the Torch did arrive – ushered in by the Burlington Teen Tour Band who did themselves and the city proud.

I don’t how much money the city spends on the Band but whatever it is – we are getting our money’s worth.

For those who knew what was going on – there was a level of expectation. I suspect many thought that Ashley Worobec was going to take the flame up onto the stage.

Oldershot lights flame

Mark Oldershaw uses the Pan Am flame to light the cauldron on the Sound of Music stage. The games begin next week.

Mark Oldershaw certainly has a bigger public profile and he is an Olympian but the people of Burlington chose Ashley Worobec – didn’t they?

The Olympian got to take the torch to the Sound of Music stage.  The Gazette may have been the only media to capture that moment on video – click to see the event.

A path was created for Oldershaw to run through while the crowd cheered him on.

When he got to the stage the emcee wanted to create some drama and excitement and asked Oldershaw to give him one word that described his feelings for the games that were going to soon begin.

Oldershaw paused, looked reflective and said – he really had two words that would be separated with a hyphen and then in a decent yell – shouted.

Kick Ass!

The audience went for that one

BTTB - O canada

There is never any doubt where this band comes from – our very own.

The politicians of course spoke, the sponsors found a way to deliver their message and then the Teen Tour Band took everyone through the singing of O’Canada.

Pan Am police coverage

Police security was so heavy it was difficult to see the torch bearers. In this picture there are at least five police officers – was this necessary?

It was a fitting way to close an event that was fun, if a little chaotic – but why all those police officers.

Did someone at police headquarters really think we were at risk.

Get a grip people!

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Sport Field Status

element_sportsCBy Staff

June 20, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

All sport fields are currently open

baseball playersPlease note that:

Ireland D3 bullpen remains closed

Maintenance has been completed on Ireland D3 in the outfield near third base. If inclement weather occurs over the weekend please avoid use in the effected areas.

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Nelson Wading Pool Hours Thursday, June 18, 2015

Newsflash 100By Staff

June 17, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Nelson Wading Pool will be open to the public noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2015 due to water main construction work in the area.
It will be closed the rest of the day.

The wading pool will reopen on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 11 a.m., weather dependent.

What did the people in the Nelson community do to deserve this?

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Local runner will hand off the Pan Am Torch to an Olympian on Friday during the Sound of Music.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

June 17, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

If you live in Burlington the main thing you hear about the Pan Am Games is that they are taking place in Hamilton and the people who run the province want us to reduce our time on the QEW by 20%.

The hotel that was to be built on Lakeshore Road for the games hasn’t even gotten as far as a hole in the ground.

Our piece of the Pan Am Games action looks as if it is going to be limited to having one of our very own carry the torch from the Discovery Centre to the pier – 200 metres.

Pan Am torchbearers  torch

The Pan Am Torch

The Torch is going to arrive in Burlington at the intersection of Brant and Leighland and be carried down Brant Street, cutting through a couple of local streets, until it gets handed over to Ashley Worobec, a local chiropractor who is a total fitness advocate and in superb shape.

At press time Ashley didn’t have her uniform yet but she is nevertheless pumped.

Worobec’s parents are flying in from Calgary to watch their daughter run that 200 metres – the plans are to have hundreds of people line the route.

The sports organizations in Burlington have been asked to encourage their members to line the route and cheer on our runner.

Parts of Brant Street will be closed to traffic as the Torch is brought to Spencer Smith Park in what Denise Beard, Manager of something with Parks and Recreation, described as a “rolling closure” – the security will lead and follow the runner.

Ashley Worobec - hair flying H&S

When she runs her 200 metres on Friday she will be carrying the Pan Am Torch – Ashley Worobec

Worobec says there is a “shroud of mystery” surrounding the proceedings. ”I get picked up at 3:45 and get taken to the hotel where I get my uniform and then they tell me what I am doing.”

“I know that I will be handing the torch off to Mark Oldershaw”, Canada’s Olympic paddling hero.  “We all end up at the Sound of Music stage where the Mayor is giving a speech.”

Worobec isn’t sure if she gets to keep her uniform but she will be able to buy one of the torches. “I don’t get to keep the one I run with – but I am allowed to buy one – for $550. We are going to put up in the lobby of the clinic.”

Pan Am Torch parade route

Pan Am Torch route – Worobec is expected to begin her run at the Discovery Centre at 5:45 pm on Friday.

No one is really sure how many people are going to be following the event – it takes place right in the middle of the last Sound of Music weekend – so there will probably be large crowds.

Worobec expects to start her 200 metre run at 5:45 on Friday  at the Discovery Centre.

Worobec knows that she will be running along the Naval Promenade and thinks she is going to end up somewhere near the gazebo.

Her husband is going to be buying a half a dozen white balloons he will fill with Helium “so I can see where my parents are.”

Sounds like a lot of fun – and very disorganized.

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Baseball's Bandits are still struggling - not quite at the bottom of the ladder - Guelph holds that spot. Burlington loses to Barrie 4-2

element_sportsCBy CM  Dixon

June 17, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It was a cool spring night in Barrie as the Burlington Bandits made their way North to Coates Stadium to take on the defending champion Barrie Baycats. After a slow start to the season the Bandits had finally filled out most of their roster and were looking to turn a corner for the rest of the season.  Didn’t make it this time – the Baycats took the game – 4-2

Going into the homes of the champions coach Kyle MacKinnon was confident with his clubs’ chances, “We just have to compete at their level. Obviously they’re a good team, but both times we came up here last year we were in a good spot, so if we come out with a high compete level, we’ll be okay.”

Bandits - Adam Odd - batter of week

Adam Odd was named batter of the game – but it wasn’t the one that the Barrie Baycats beat the Burlington Bandits 4-2

The game got going quickly and Burlington’s defence was soon on display with LF Justin Gideon making a sensational diving catch in the bottom of the first to steal a hit from Ryan Spataro. Only to one-up himself in the bottom of the sixth when he made a leaping catch as he crashed into the wall, stealing away what would have been an extra-bases hit for Kyle DeGrace.

“I tracked the ball off the bat and I thought it was going to be short, but it just kept carrying,” said Gideon as he described the play. “It just kept carrying and I found myself against the fence, I jumped and I didn’t even know I caught it until I looked at my glove.”

In the end it just wasn’t enough for Burlington as their own errors gave the game away to Barrie, most notably in the fifth inning. In the inning Barrie’s SS Branfy Arias was hit by a pitch; he then stole second, when sliding into second the ball got lost in the confusion and ended up in centre field, allowing Arias to make it to third safely. The very next batter hit the ball at 3B Nolan Pettipiece, who tried to tag Arias at third instead of getting the out at first, allowing Barrie’s DH Glenn Jackson to cash in a run on a fielders choice, making the game 2-0 Barrie, instead of potentially ending the inning.

It wasn’t all bad for Burlington though, as starting pitcher Dylan Perego gave the Bandits a strong start, pitching 6.1 innings and striking out four batters before the wheels came off in the seventh when he gave up three hits, walked one, hit a batter, had two bases stolen on him and gave up two runs before being replaced by Brandon Hillier.

The night belonged to Perego’s counterpart, Barrie’s starting pitcher Chris England. England threw 8 shutout innings to lead the Baycats to the 4-2 victory. England was just getting back into the role of being a starting pitcher, “it was a little bit different getting back into the swing of things, getting my momentum and getting my pitch count up too. It was just a little bit awkward last week, I hadn’t started in a long time, it’s a little bit about getting into routine and today I was able to follow my routine back from college and luckily I had success because of it.”

The season needed a lot of improvement - but the community spirit is certainly evident.

The season has a lot of room left – the Bandits are going to need it to catch up. They are one step from the bottom of the ladder.

Coach MacKinnon wasn’t happy with the loss “offensively we could have competed a bit better early,” said the coach, “maybe cashed in on a couple situations. Overall I’m never happy about a loss but it’s something to build off, that’s for sure.”

Burlington’s next game is at home against the Guelph Royals on Thursday night. The game goes at 7:30pm at Nelson Park as Burlington will try to snap a two-game losing streak.

The Bandits are real, real close to the bottom of the standings ladder – The team has won 4, lost ten games  – but things are a lot worse for the Guelph Royal.

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Sport Field Closures - June 16th, 2015

element_sportsBy Staff

June 16, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

One would have thought the close to depressing heat would have taken most of the water off the fields – apparently not – the following sport fields are closed for June 16th 2015

Ireland D1
Ireland D3
Brant Hills D3

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It's official - the Nelson Outdoor Pool will not open this summer.

element_sportsBy Staff

June 15, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The Nelson Wading Pool and Splash Pads are open, weather dependent, Saturday, June 13 to Monday, Sept. 7.

Swimming girls with masksThe pool was scheduled to open for the 2015 summer season. As part of preparing for the summer opening, city staff conducted a pool inspection after the winter season. The pool structure has been deemed unsafe for public use by a structural engineer. Attempts were made to see if any short term solutions could be found for this summer season however, repairs measures are too extensive. As a result, Nelson Pool will not open for the summer 2015 season.

The Tim Hortons free swims scheduled for July 6 and Aug. 9 at Nelson Pool will be relocated to Centennial Pool, 5151 New St.

The July 6 swim will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and the Aug. 9 swim will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Sport Field Closures - June 15, 2015

Newsflash 100By Staff

June 15, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The following Sport fields are closed for Monday June 15, 2015

All Clay Diamonds
Maple F1
Central F1
Tansley F1

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Ireland and Millcroft ball diamonds closed

Newsflash 100By Staff

June 12, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Millcroft Park diamonds D1, D2, D3 and

Ireland Park D1, D2, D3 are closed for today due to the rain.

All other sport fields remain open.

That’s the word from Parks and Recreation

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This could be a lot of fun - a colour run to ignite the spirit of Burlingtonians for the Pan Am Games that open in less than a month,

News 100 blueBy Staff

June 10, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Even though the city isn’t taking any official part in the Pan Am Games the residents of the city are being given an opportunity to ignite their Pan Am spirit and celebrate the Pan Am Games on Pan Am/Parapan Am Day in Canada on June 13 in LaSalle Park.

Competitors are showered with colour powders as they participate in the Color Run in Brighton, southern England September 20, 2014. Inspired by the Hindu Holi festival, participants take part in a five kilometre run dotted with locations where coloured powders are thrown over the runners.  REUTERS/Luke MacGregor  (BRITAIN - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY SPORT)

Competitors are showered with colour powders as they participate in the Color Run.  There will be different  locations where coloured powders are thrown over the runners.

Burlington is going to do its best to get into the Pan Am Games spirit by hosting a fun-filled day for families to experience Pan Am inspired sports from local partners and take place in a Pan Am inspired Colour Run.”

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features:

• Kids Pan/Parapan Am inspired sports
• Inflatables
• Colour Run at noon
• A 52-foot (16-metre) long Slip and Slide
• Food vendors
• Free admission to LaSalle Wading Pool

The Colour Run is an accessible one-kilometre route in LaSalle Park. Participants are encouraged to wear a white T-shirt they would like ‘coloured’ with the safe, non-toxic powder that participants will be coated in as they complete the course.

Those wishing to visit the LaSalle Wading Pool after the Colour Run will be required to rinse off in the Slip and Slide before entering the pool enclosure.

Ashley Worobec - hair flying H&S

Will Torch bearer Ashley Worobec take part in the colour run at LaSalle |Park on Saturday the 13th?

The question the Gazette has is – will Torch carrier Ashley Worobec be doing the colour run the week before she runs through Spencer Smith Park with the Torch?

Limited parking is available at LaSalle Park with additional parking available at Aldershot Pool, 50 Fairwood Place W.

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Rainfall closes down a number of ball diamonds and playing fields for the day.

Newsflash 100By Pepper Parr

June 9, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

There was more rain than anyone expected.

The Conservation Authority sent out water level warnings for the creeks that run into the city from the Escarpment.

The city decided that all clay diamonds and select soccer fields are to be closed to due water Tuesday, June 9, 2015

All clay diamonds are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9:

Ireland Park: D1, D2, D3, D4
Millcroft Park: D1 and D2
Nelson Park: D1
Other diamonds are “as is” condition as there may be some puddles on the infields

The following rectangular fields are closed the evening of Tuesday, June 9:
Maple Park
Tansley Woods Park
Sherwood Forest Park: F5
Central Park: F1

Less laundry for the parents if the playing fields are closed – what to do with the kids? The parents will figure that out.

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