The Provincial Senior AA Baseball Championships held in Hamiota for the third straight year, were another outstanding success. Two out the last three games went to extra innings, with the first semi final going an unbelievable 16 innings, setting a new provincial record. The Baldur Regals won the gold medal by beating the Boissevain Centenniels 4-3. Bryce Watson crunched a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth, setting off a wild, crazy, boisterous celebration.
Hats off to both teams for a very well played game, but especially to Boissevain who had to "gut out" 25 long innings on a hot sunny afternoon.
I've been involved in baseball as a player, coach, manager and umpire for many decades but what I saw in Hamiota last weekend was simply outstanding baseball. There were so many sensational "TSN turning points" and highlights on Sunday; I don't know where to start. There were numerous diving, outstretched catches, both in the infield and outfield, behind the back ground ball knock downs, plus slick double plays and a few bombs, and all worthy of TV coverage. I mention this because Virden and Elkhorn have put in a strong bid to Baseball Manitoba to host the AA Provincials for the next two years and fans in this area might have the opportunity, and pleasure, to watch some of the best ball players around.
I have to mention the amazing streak the Blue Jays are on, winning nine in a row (12/13) and putting extreme heat on the front running Yankees. Baseball frenzy is back, not only in Hogtown but right across this great nation, reliving the glory days of '92 and '93. Third baseman Josh Donaldson has put himself right up there with Mike Trout in the running for the league MVP, with his 31 dingers and 82 RBIs.
The Oil Dome AAA Pee Wee baseball team is in Coquitlam, BC to participate in the Western Canada Championships after beating a Winnipeg based team in the final. McAuley's Jake Poole, along with Elkhorn's Jaycee Soder and Brady Frattinger, are part of the team that hopes to bring back a gold medal.
The MSBL finals are over and the Oak River Dodgers have won their first ever championship in their 15 year history in front of a huge and jubilant home town crowd. The Dodgers took out the Brandon Marlins in five games aided by their big bats, which once again came alive late in games and produced a ton of offense (51 runs), alleviating the need for outstanding pitching - which tends to dominate post season play. Manager Gord Paddock and coach Derek Shamray deserve a lot of credit for keeping this team alive over the years and I hope they get a chance to go to the Nationals next season. I say hope because, with the Brandon Cloverleaf situation (will they have a team next year?) up in the air, it remains to be seen if the MSBL is operating next season and you can't if only three teams are in the league.
Blue Bombers QB Drew Willy is hurt once again but this time it's much more serious (knee), so don't expect to see him on the turf for at least 2 months - which also means the blue and gold are in deep kaka. Like their "green" neighbours, they don't have a quality back up, which means no more wins.
I mentioned last week about how young Canadian tennis sensation Genie Bouchard is struggling, trying to find her game this season. Unfortunately, it happened again right off the hop at home; Bouchard lost her first round match to a "nobody" in the Rogers Cup, failing to capitalize on her many opportunities.
Until next time...
