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Times Advocate, 1991-05-01, Page 18Page 18 Times -Advocate, May 1, 1991 1991 Baseball Review Co-opJuniorslook League By Fred Groves EXETER - Although the Western Jun - 7 24-4( for Baseball �League isonlya few days into its 1991 season, there already seems to be a mi- nor problem. The Seaforth entry has announced they will not be having a team. Good news however is that Listowel has joined the league which means each team will still play 24 games but the schedule will have to be slightly modified. Listowel is coached by Keith Bender, no details yet on how that team looks. There will be a couple of exhi- Don Currell have got a large nu- bition games which no doubt will cleus of their 1990 team return - be very exciting. ing. On May 20, at 5:30 p.m. in Ex- "We like to have them come eter, the defending league cham- back, but who knows, every year pion Exeter Co -Op Juniors will is a little different," said Russell. take on the league all-stars. Later, The infield will see Mark Rus - on August 5, it could be a rematch sell at first, Jeff Keller at second as the first place team will take on base, Jeff Butler is at short and the league all-stars, same place, Mike Agnew is at third base. same time. Shawn McFalis, Ben Riley, Fred The following is a brief look at Gregus, Brent O'Brien and Terry the teams. Genttner are all outfielders. Dave EXETER Schwindt is behind the plate. There is a relaxed, no pressure Scot Russell is the number one attitude in Exeter according to pitcher as the righthanded hurler manager Jim Russell. He said it's will be joined by the southpawed not important to repeat as champs Gregus and righthanders O'Brien but simply to keepproviding baseball for the playe. P and Gemmel-. Nevertheless, Russell and coach "Ourpitching should pretty good and we've got a goo od out- field," said Russell. If there is one weakness to this team, it's hitting. Last year, al- though they won the league, it seemed as though the bats were hot and cold. DASHWOOD An 11-0 loss is a tough way to start the season, but the boys from Dashwood have got high hopes. The biggest plus here is the fact they've got seven pitchers, most clubs would really like to have that. Coach Steve Merner has had these guys for quite a few years and he stresses pitching. "It's pretty well the same team, everyone just moved up," said Meurer. "There's raw talent but I don't Safe - Lucan's Chris Smith was safe as he slid Into third base, beating the tag by Dashwood's Mark Keller in Sunday's opener. know how that are three and fol do ur yyearnst s o d- ly �� good Mc formol' it's ral- e."Larry. Dashwood is shooting towards McCabe can also play first base the OBA midget title and playing and is°;1 good hitter, also playing against junior teams certainly fust will be Jason Cooke. Round - won't hurt. Ing out the infield are, Sean Pal - low at second; Jason Stanley will, Positions in Dashwood aren't know yet but what's certain is beill also p1a Y there for both teams, Andrew McLarty ' Shawn Gillespie, Scott Parsons, P Mark Glavin, Derek Masse, Dan_ At third is Jason Volland who is ny Masse, Jason Heywood and another righthanded pitcher.` An - Randy Johnston can all pitch. drew Scott is another pitcher/first LUCAN baseman. Out in the field will be A year ago, this club was carded Sam Hosack, Darryl Erb and Je- romemidget and finished second behind ec Fabian. Jeff eange will do Exeter. This year they've got a catching. couple of junior -aged players and GODERICH will be carded junior. Between the Saltford en "I think our strength is goingto a7' and the squad from Goderich, there's a be depth,' said coach Walt Parkin- son who as of opening day had 25 lot of baseball in that area. players signed. "We're having an incredible ex- pansion in baseball," said Gode- In their opener on Sunday after - rich coach Tom Fox. Q` _ noon against visiting Dashwood, " Lucan won 11-0 so they also have At the last count, we're looking got lots of hiuing power. at players, we're going to di- vide them up," he said. Although he didn't play Sunday, Like most teams, nothing is set righthanded Sandy Hyde is the ace in concrete and positions are up of the pitching staff but Chris for grabs. What is certain however Smith and Brad Coughlin who is where the bulk of the offence split Sunday's game also throw will come from. strikes. While a lot of positions are still undecided, look for shortstop Steve Nixon and catcher Jeff Hirt- zel to carry a lot of the team's of- fensive and defensive work load. SALTFORD This is a primarily midget -aged team out of Goderich and some of there better players will be moving 1 up to play with the Goderich juve- niles, also in the junior loop. Goderich ballS McLarty says having the two teams is beneficial. "We think so, 'we had a problem last year with some boys playing be extra innings and others not enough," said McCarty. p While he is the organizer, coach- ing the Saltford squad will be Ron the Pitcher Allan Hill was the sec- ond leading hitter on the team and returning second baseman Chris Fox was the number one slugger. Joining Hill on the mound will be Todd Papple, Mike McCabe and Andrew McLarty. ST. MARYS This is another team that has a of of young players and they will also be carded midget. Coach Bill McGirr has lost two good ones in cott Riddell and Danny Ryan but ook for first baseman Mike McDonald to be a big hitter. St. Marys finished third last year hind Lucan and Exeter and McGirr will have eight returnees lus eight more up from the ban- tam team. "I think it's too early to tell .but I nk we'll be better than last Year," said McGirr. Pitcher s D.J. Deline and Chris lackman are both young but McGirr says: they can get the job ne. They'll be joined on the ound by Mau King who also oes some of the catching. Goff. He pitched or the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. his No doubt Got willhand to Mfke. a help-. B a side- armer who is bxpiected' to` be the do ace of the pitching staff and play m for both the midgets and juveniles. d Junior baseball highlights Sunday's results - Lucan 11, Dashwood 0 Monday's results - Dashwood 3, St. Marys 1 Future games - Wedneseday, St. Marys at Exeter, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday. Goderich at Lucan, 12:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Goderich at Listowel, 7:30 p.m. Exeter express get ready for Senior schedule EXETER - There is a big shuffle in the infield of the Exeter Express this season, as several key players have departed. But fear not ball fans, for coach Joe Fulop has added to the lineup as the local senior club goes after the Great Lakes Senior Baseball League title. Six players off of last year's squad are gone. Designated hitter Walt Parkinson is coaching the Lucan Juniors this season and pitcher Dave Atthill and Doug Fairbairn are injured. Also gone are second baseman Dave Parsons, pitcher Jeff Fuller and outfielder Brian Mercer. "The guys that left were good players and good friends you don't want to lose them but we're kind of hopeful the young guys can Fastball League schedule May 2 - Millbank at Exeter, 9 p.m. 5 - Exeter at Stratford Memorials, 8 p.m. 9 - St. Marys Selects at Exeter, 9 p.m. 10 - Exeter at 'Wellesley, 8:30 p.m. 16 - St. Pauls at Exeter, 9 p.m. 23 - Exeter at Fullerton, 9 p.m. 26 - Exeter at Tavistock, 7 p.m. 30 - St. Mary's Nighthawks at Exeter, 9 p.m. 3 - Exeter at St. A Jure 6 gatha, 9 p.m. Milverton at Exeter, 9p.m. 91 - Exeter at St. Marys Nighthawks 9 p.m. 1- Exeter at Shakespeare Jia, 8:45 p.m. 13 - Sebringville at Exeter, 9 p.m. 20 - Tavistock Orioles at Exeter 9 p.m. 23 - Exeter at Millbank, 3.m. 27 - Si. Agatha at Exeter, July 9 p.m. 4 - Exeter at St. Paula, 9 p.m. 5 - Fullerton at Exeter, 9 p.m. 8 - Exeter at Mitchell Gladiators , 9 p.m. 11 - Stratford Memorials at Exeter, 9 p.m. • 18 - Sebringvile In. at Exeter, 9 p.m. 19 - Exeter a Stratford Scalers, 9 p.m. 24 - Exeter at Sebringville Royals, 9 p.m. 26 - Shakespeare Colts at Exeter, 9 p.m. Aum 1 - Mitchell Mets at Exeter, 9 p.m. 6 - Exeter at Milverton, 8:30 p.m. 9 - 10th Annual Exeter Royals Tournament help," said Fulop. Newcomers include former Exet- er Mohawk Jeff Warren who plays outfield and first base. Also added are third baseman Scot Davidson, a member of the Co-op Juniors a year ago and pitcher Scot Russell. Russell still plays for the Juniors but Fulop thinks he can contribute. "He's still junior age but he wants to play as many seniors games as he can. He can play most anywhere but probably mostly the infield." Fulop said he also expects Dave Shaw and third baseman -pitcher Brian Horner to join the team. Shaw, a member of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League will prQbably be the desig- nated hiller. "He used to be a pitcher - outfielder but we're not sure with Royals blank Selects in exhibition game EXETER - A Rod Johnston sacrifice fly was the difference as the Exeter Royals beat visiting St. Marys Selects 2-0 in South Perth Fastball League exhibition action Sunday afternoon. It was the only pre -season game for the Royals as they open their regu- lar season Thursday when they play host to Millbank at 9 p.m. In the fust inning on Sunday, centrefielder Darren Neil led off with a triple and scored what proved to be the winning run when Johnston flyed to right field. Exeter's only other nm came in the sixth inning when Dan Heywood walked, moved to second when Kevin Lightfoot was safe on aref lders' choice and scored on player -coach's Graham Nesbitt's single into right field. Lightfoot almost added another nm but he was tagged out at the plate by St. Marys catcher John Urquhart. Cook yand � to � mound for the Royals, gave way to Gary hitter. Hodgins struck out six batters.. The three combined to toss afour- Exeter looks to have a strong team this season es sally with the addi- tion of six players from Loan. Darren Neil is joined by his brothers Steve and Mike along with Lightfoot, Carty and catcher Brian Noyes. Also joining the learn is shortstop Billy 1 emeer from Seaforth whose quick gWle made four putouts in the first five innings. ' r. ■ his shoulder if he can pitch again ," said Fulop of Shaw who hurt his shoulder last year. Although Parsons has left, return- ees Rob Dickey and Marty Merner can play second and over at first, the Express will have either Dave Hayter or D'Arcy Martin. The Express open their schedule on Sunday with an exhibition game in Tillsonburg. The first league e is May 22 in Strathroy at 8:30 p.m. This year's league will be broken into a North and South division. In the North are Exeter, Seaforth, Kin- cardine and Listowel while Lake- side, London Kings, Strathroy and Tillsonburg make up the South loop. 28 30 2 7-9 11 13 18 19 23 23 27 28 2 7 9 12-14 19 21 23 25 30 4, 5 - Exeter at Tillsonburg, 1 p.m. (exhibition) 7 - Seaforth at Exeter, 6:15 p.m. (exhibition 9 - Exeter at Seaforth, 6:15 p..m (exhibition) 22 - Exeter at Strathroy, 8:30 p.m. 24 -26 - EXPRESS SLOPITCH TOURNAMENT - London at Exeter, 6:15 p.m. - Exeter at Seafroth, 6:15 p.m. June - Exeter at London, 1 p.m. - Tillsonburg Tournament - Seaforth at Exeter, 6:15 p.m. - Exeter at Listowel, 7:30 p.m. - Exeter at Seafroth, 6:15 p.m. - Exeter at Strathroy, 8:3Q p.m. - Lakeside at Exeter, 1 p.m. - Listowel at Exeter, 6:15 p.m. - Exeter at Kincardine, 7:30 p.m. - Exeter at Lakeside, 7:30 p.m. July - London at Exeter, 6:15 p.m. - Kincardine at Exeter, 12 noon (double -hitter) - Strathory at Exeter, 6:15 p.m. - Lakeside Tournament - Exeter at Listowel, 7:30 p.m. - Exeter at Lakeside, 7:30 p.m. - Tillsonburg at Exeter, 12 nodi (double -hitter) Listowel at Exeter, 7:30 p m. - Exeter at Kincardine, 7:30 p.m. - Seaforth at Exeter, 6:15 p.m.