By Staff
May 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A century of baseball in Ontario started in 1919, the IBL kicks off its 100th season this weekend.
The opening game will be a rematch of last year’s championship series as the defending champion Barrie Baycats play host to the Kitchener Panthers for a Sunday afternoon matinee.
The Baycats swept the Kitchener Panthers to win their fourth title in a row last summer.
Herd player sliding home in a 2017 game. Ph by Crystal Young
Meanwhile, down the 400, the Toronto Maple Leafs play host to the London Majors in another afternoon game. The IBL has a number of events planned to celebrate its 100th Season and thanks to Rawlings, the league will use commemorative baseballs this season.
Sunday is another milestone as this marks the 100th season for the Panthers and the 50th season for Toronto Maple Leafs owner Jack Dominico.
The IBL finishes off its first century with eight teams as the Guelph Royals return after failing to finish the 2017 season. The Royals, with new owner Shawn Fuller at the helm, have no intentions of living in the basement this season.
Veteran IBL baseball man Steve Scagnetti wasted little time in putting the Royals back in the mix. The Royals acquired reigning MVP Sean Reilly as well as first baseman Justin Interisano from the Kitchener Panthers and have former Panthers field manager Dave TeBoekhorst at the helm.
Hamilton Cardinals, who struggled last season, also have new ownership. A community group, led by P.J. Mercanti, looks to revitalize the Steel City franchise. In conjunction with that new ownership, the city of Hamilton has committed to major improvements to Bernie Arbour Stadium.
The London Majors have their home opener next Friday night while the Burlington Herd open up Saturday followed by home openers for the Brantford Red Sox and Kitchener Panthers next Sunday.
Fill out the form on the Herd website for your chance to win: Three Tickets to the Locker Room Lager Opening Day All-You-Can-Eat Seats behind home plate Three Burlington Herd T-Shirts Three tickets to a July Toronto Blue Jays Home Game Contest closes on May 10th, 2018 at 11:59 p.m.
