The 2008 MSFL Championship Final will feature two very talented, very familiar teams: the 2007 Champion Mississauga Sox versus the 2006 Champion Etobicoke Royals.
The MSFL 2008 Regular Season Champions Royals had yet another stellar season, and for the first time in recent years, will represent the MSFL at the Ontario Challenge Cup in Innerkip, ON (Sept. 26-8) for a chance to go to the ISCII Tournament of Champions in 2009 (Quad Cities, IL-IA). Click here for the Royals' Schedule.
Both squads match-up well against each other in most respects, both having great pitching and a number of offensive threats to choose from. Look for the Royals to take advantage of their speed and youth early to put the Sox on their heels. The Sox, on the other hand, are an older, more experienced club who don't get rattled too easily. It's going to be an intense final series for sure. Game 1 will commence on Monday, September 8 at Dunton Park in Mississauga, with Game 2 to follow on Wednesday, September 10 at Norton Park in Brampton. Bring the family, bring the parents, bring the friends - it should prove to be a very intense and enjoyable ballgame. See you at the park!
Several members of the MSFL took part in the 22nd Annual World Senior Men's Fastball Tournament in North Bay this year and represented the league like true champions, with the Toronto Bingos making the finals in the AA division, losing 3-0 to the Cold Spring Cats and Todd Uhrig.
* Toronto Bingos place 2nd in AA finals
* Steve Love (Mississauga Sox) was co-MVP for the Bingos
Congrats to the Bingos and to Lovie.
A big congratulations is also in order for the Bingos' Bobby Smith, who was named 2008 World Senior Men's Fastball Honourary Chairman. For those who don't know, Bobby has been involved in fastball for many years, as well as hockey and baseball. He's a true "Master" of the game and an inspiration to all of us young pups. Read more about it here, on the Ontario Masters website.
In the A final, Rollie Williamson (of the MSFL's Coasters) pitched a gem of a game for the Shakespeare Isotopes, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, and striking out 6 to lead the 'Topes to the Cup.
* Rollie Williamson (Coasters) named Most Valuable Pitcher; Rollie also hit a double and had an RBI in the win.
Rollie also has a nice article from the North Bay Nugget on the Masters site, which you should read here.
I would like to thank Adam Smith for his time and hard work that went into keeping this webpage informative and interesting. His involvement is greatly appreciated and if what I hear is true he will be missed by the league next year. Although he will be able to keep updated by whomever is up to the challenge of replacing him. Thanks and good luck in your future endeavours!
If you want something posted to the website (stories, tournaments, etc...), send an email by clicking here
Tuesday, February 24
"Minutes" From February 10 2009 Meeting
Following is a condensed summary from our first meeting. It appears that all twelve teams are returning. The Coasters are represented by Paul, Dave and John and are going to try and keep the team going. Team fees will be $2400 this year and tournament $325. First payment of $1200 is due April 14 2009, second payment of $600 due May 10 2009 and final payment of $600 due June 10 2009. Tentative date for tournament July 11, 12 2009. Tournament committee to be set up. Meeting for "House Rules" to be set. All interested must attend and have their say be heard. New and existing rules will be reviewed/changed in a voting process.
**Erindale has now officially dropped out as of February 15 2009. It is looking like a ten team league at this point.
Email will be sent out to all on my list to remind about March 10 09 meeting.
Thursday, April 16
Chiefs Lose Biggest Fan
The Chiefs Fastball Club are sad to announce the passing of Betty Shanahan on Feb 27th / 09.
Betty just loved baseball!
Her love of fastball started young when she won many Championships including Ontario Intermediate P.W.S.U 1959Championship.
She had a passion for the game, and she started following the Chiefs in 1992. She also helped with stats, fundraising, team pictures etc. Being a true fan of the game , she would enjoy a close/fair game oppose to a lopsided win. She was a "mother" to all Chief players throughout the years and will be missed by many. The Chiefs and the game of fastball have lost an ambassador of the game.
We will miss you Betty.
Thursday, April 16
2008 Playoff Reports by Adam "Jimmie Olson" Smith
2008 MSFL Finals
Royals Regain The Crown, Beat Sox 7-3
Mississauga, ON
September 22, 2008
The Etobicoke Royals beat the Mississauga Sox last night at Dunton Athletic Fields by a score of 7-3 to take the best-of-five series 3 games to 2. This is the Royals' second time as MSFL Champions in 3 years, and also marks the fifth time the Sox have figured into the league finals in as many years (they won it last year).
It was pretty uncomfortable for the fans at the start of the game, but as time went by and more and more fans showed up, they thankfully blocked most of the wind (for me anyways). It was a good crowd and well-behaved too, considering it was game 5 after all. Approximately 80 fans came out to watch the two top teams settle some bragging rights.
The first two innings were essentially three-up, three-down, interrupted only by Sox 1B Klyke slicing double to the outfield in top 2nd and Royals C Rob Fields single to center in bottom half. Both Royals' SP Marv Smith and Sox SP Glen Dorrington were throwing darts to start.
Top 3rd Sox 3B Love HBP and advances to 2nd base on wild pitch. With runner in scoring position, SS Hendry is unable to cash him in, grounding out to SS Young to end the half. Royals get something going in their half when utility player Justin draws a one-out walk, followed by CF Demasi slap-single up the middle. Runners on 1st and 2nd will advance on wild pitch; Justin steals home on another wild pitch. Royals up 1-0. LF Cristobal strikes out but another wild pitch allows him to get to 1st base safely, runners on 1st and 3rd. SS Young strikes out. Yet another wild pitch from Dorrington cashes in 2 runs as both Demasi and Cristobal score, making the score 3-0 Royals. 3B Howie would ground out to end the threat.
The Sox would answer back in the 4th. A leadoff Glen Dorrington walk would start things off but Sox CF JDorrington unable to get on base or move the runner. GDorrington advances to 2nd base on wild pitch before Klyke hits an absolute no-doubt about it homerun to left-center, making the score 3-2. C Frankie Farrel follows up with a smack up the middle for a single, and would move to 2nd on wild pitch. But that's as far as he'd get as the next two batters unable to muster anything off of Smith, both striking out.
Royals three-up, three-down.
Top of 5 sees three-up, three-down for Sox.
Royals' Justin having a great game so far and lays down a beauty for a single. Demasi follows with single up middle. Cristobal smashes hard grounder to Sox 2B Moe but unable to handle it cleanly and would prove costly as 2 runs would score with Cristobal on 2nd base, making the score 5-2. Royals weren't done yet however, taking advantage of some control problems between Sox battery, advancing and eventually stealing home on wild pitches. 6-2 Royals lead.
In the 6th, Sox start 2-out rally with Klyke walk, followed by hard liner by Frankie that scores the speedy Klyke from 1st base. On the play however, Frankie is tagged out on running error. Score: Royals 6 Sox 3.
Pitching change - Sox Marty in for Glen.
Marty comes in to relieve Glen and is immediately tagged for a solo shot to center by Royals 2B Birch. 7-3 Royals.
Top of 7, Sox able to get SP Marty on via long infield single, followed by LF Davey's single. Both runners advance and both in scoring position. But it wasn't to be tonight as Moe grounds into a double play. Love would strikeout to end the game.
Sox unable to get runners across against Smith, who had a game-high 15 strikeouts on the night to lead the Royals to victory. Sox battery not able to get on same page, and ended up costing them the game.
Congratulations to the Sox for playing tough and coming back from a 2-0 Series deficit to make it close.
Congratualtions to the Royals for also playing a tough, gritty Series; the best team won the trophy, that's for sure.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams and players in the league for playing this great game and making the MSFL a success in many ways. I'd like to acknowledge the hard work of the umpires and officials who did a good job under the circumstances. To the players' friends, wives, girlfriends for showing their support of the league and the game by coming and watching games - wouldn't be the same without you all.
Finally, I'd like to thank MSFL Peter Sands for his dedication and commitment to the league and to fastball in the Brampton and Mississauga area. The MSFL is an expanding league and there is a good chance the number of teams will increase next year - if you are a player, or have a team, don't hesitate to get in touch with Peter as soon as possible.
See you all next year
Adam Smith
Sox Route Royals, Series Tied At 2 Games Apiece!
September 17, 2008 Brampton, ON
The Mississauga Sox were once again dominant in last night's 8-0 slamming of the Etobicoke Royals in Game 4 of the Mississauga Sportsmen's Fastball League Championship Finals, their second straight win in as many games, to even the Series at 2 games apiece.
The Sox have come out of the gates at a blistering and unrelenting pace in recent games, scoring 13 runs over that time while allowing 0. A big part of that is Sox ace Glen Dorrington, whom has struck out 25 batters in the last 2 games while allowing no runs for the consecutive shutouts. The Sox look to keep the momentum going into the deciding Game 5 finale.
The Royals, despite starting the Series with 2 quick wins (Game 1 - 8-6; Game 2 - 2-1) have fell flat recently, certainly not helped by SS Young and RF Smith missing games due to injury or other. They look to rebound from two tough losses and need to find a way to beat big Glen if they are to have a shot at reclaiming the title from the defending Champion Sox.
Game 5 is slated for Monday, September 22nd at Dunton Athletic Fields in Mississauga (401 & Kennedy) @ 730pm on the Main Diamond.
See you all at the diamond.
Adam Smith
Game Summary is below.
A lot of action in this one, starting in the 1st inning. Royals' 2B Aaron Birch able to get on base via walk but is soon caught stealing second, deflating the sails right away. Sox make good in their half inning, sending 8 men to the dish and scoring 4 runs in the process. SS Hendry single up middle, steals 2nd base, and is hit in by a clutch RBI single by CF J.D - Sox lead 1-0. 1B Klyke reaches on error, and is batted in when C Frankie Farrel blasts a 2-run double to make it 3-0. RF Marty trades places with another 2-out double to make it 4-0. Marty was also hurt on the play, ball hitting him in the face/nose - not expected to play Monday.
The score would go to 5-0 in the 2nd inning when Dorrington hit a 2-out single to score Hendry, who ripped a single earlier.
In the third, Royals' C Jeff hits a double and advances to third base on wild pitch, but again Royals can't capitalize and leave him stranded.
The Sox would add 2 more runs, starting with a Klyke double, followed by a Frankie RBI-triple and a LF Davey ground out that scored Frankie. 7-0 Sox.
The 4th was similar to the 3rd for the Royals, starting with back to back singles by Birch and LF Cristobal. They advance to third on wild pitch, but that's as far as they would be allowed, as Dorrington is able to bear down and get 3 consecutive outs to hold the shut out.
Royals' SP Smith is replaced by P Rob Fields, who gives up a single but gets out of the inning.
Royals able to put a man in scoring position after #3 - RF puts down a nice bunt and stealing second base but Royals not able to score him.
Klyke would single in the 5th, advances on a wild pitch, and is scored by Frankie's RBI single to make the score 8-0. Fields able to get out of the inning without further damage.
6th and 7th innings pretty quiet as Royals getting frustrated and Sox just trying to hold them down and preserve the win.
WP - Glen Dorrington
LP - Marv Smith
Dunton - Monday, September 8th
7:30 pm #1 Royals vs #2 Sox (Royals Win 8-6)
Norton - Wednesday, September 10th
7:30 pm - #2 Sox vs #1 Royals (Royals Win 2-1)
Dunton - Monday, September 15th
7:30 pm - #1 Royals vs #2 Sox (Sox Win 5-0)
Norton - Wednesday, September 17th
7:30 pm - #2 Sox vs #1 Royals (Sox Win 8-0)
Dunton - Monday, September 22nd
7:30 pm - #1 Royals vs #2 Sox
Sox Strike Back, Shut Out Royals 5-0!
September 15, 2008 Mississauga, ON
The Mississauga Sox won Game 3 on Monday evening by a score of 5-0 over the Etobicoke Royals here at Dunton Fields in Mississauga.
The Defending Champion Sox, down 2 games to none and facing elimination, were able to hold down the tough Royal offense, mostly the result of a 2-hitter by Sox SP Glen Dorrington (7IP, 2H, 2BB, 16K). Royals SP Marv Smith also pitched a good game (6IP, 5H, 3ER, 2BB, 10K) but had no help tonight from the bats.
Sox threatened a few times and had runners in scoring position several times, but Smith was able to bear-down and stifle the attacks. No scoring until the 5th inning, as both pitchers were racking up strikeouts, locating the ball well and throwing gas. In the 5th, Sox 3B Love singles, followed by SS Hendry single. Dorrington grounds into FC at third base (Love out) but throwing error to first base allows the speedy Hendry to score from second. 1-0 Sox. 1B Klyke rips RBI single up middle, Dorrington scores, Sox 2-0. C Frankie pop-out to end inning.
The Royals had something going in the 6th after a leadoff walk to C Jeff but the top of the order couldn't advance him, not an easy task as Dorrington still throwing darts. Frustration was high and Royals coach and SS Young were tossed at the end of the inning.
The 7th inning held more action for the Sox. Leadoff walk to Love, Hendry RBI-triple makes it 3-0 Sox. Hendry steals home on a wild pitch, 4-0 Sox. After Dorrington rips one back up through the middle, Royals change Smith in favour of Rob Fields. Dorrington makes it to third base on wild pitch and Klyke groundout. Eventually, RF Marty would cash in Dorrington on an infield single to make it 5-0 Sox.
Despite being a bit chilly there was a sizable crowd on hand to watch another exciting game. I think I was wrong about the sausage lady, didn't see her there.
Game 4 gets underway tonight, Wednesday September 17 at Norton Place Park in Brampton. (West Drive & Clark Blvd.) at 730pm.
Hope to see you all at the park.
Adam Smith
Thursday, April 16
Adam Smith Set To Retire
Special Thanks To Adam Smith
I would like to thank Adam Smith for his time and hard work that went into keeping this webpage informative and interesting during the 2008 season. His involvement is greatly appreciated and if what I hear is true he will be missed by the league next year. Although he will be able to keep updated by whomever is up to the challenge of replacing him. Thanks and good luck in your future endeavours!
