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SPORTS: Thrilling walkoff advances Leafs (Sept. 2022)

September 27th, 2022 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Thrilling walkoff advances Leafs (Sept. 2022)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a flying start in their pursuit of the Intercounty Baseball League championship.

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Tags: Annex · Sports

ON THE COVER: Solazzo slams, salutes hillsides (Aug. 2022)

August 19th, 2022 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: Solazzo slams, salutes hillsides (Aug. 2022)

Toronto Maple Leafs third baseman Johnathan Solazzo salutes fans on the hillsides of Christie Pits after hitting a grand slam on July 24. The Leafs defeated the Guelph Royals 16-9.

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Tags: Annex · News · Sports

SPORTS: Leafs prepare for postseason push (Aug. 2022)

August 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Leafs prepare for postseason push (Aug. 2022)

Entering August, the Leafs trailed the Welland Jackfish, London Majors and Guelph Royals in the league standings, but all four clubs were separated by just four games.  There is no runaway favourite to win the championship this year.

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Tags: Annex · Sports

NEWS: Dominico’s vision changed Toronto sports history (Winter 2022)

March 14th, 2022 · Comments Off on NEWS: Dominico’s vision changed Toronto sports history (Winter 2022)

perched on top of the hillside behind home plate.  From there he was master of all he surveyed, and he let everyone know it.

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Tags: Annex · News · Sports

SPORTS: IBL Maple Leafs fall one win short of championship (Fall 2021)

November 11th, 2021 · Comments Off on SPORTS: IBL Maple Leafs fall one win short of championship (Fall 2021)

On October 1 in London, the Leafs season ended in disappointment. Despite taking an early 3-0 lead, the Leafs were unable to hold off the Majors and fell 8-4. Even though the Leafs lost their final game and the championship, fans would be hard pressed to argue this season was unsuccessful. Baseball was back at Christie Pits.

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Tags: Annex · Sports

SPORTS: Cross-border reinforcement bolsters Leafs for playoff push (Aug. 2021)

September 8th, 2021 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Cross-border reinforcement bolsters Leafs for playoff push (Aug. 2021)

Beyond the centerfield fence, a player emerges from the Leafs’ clubhouse.  He’s late arriving to the park, but it’s not a concern.  He’s a relief pitcher and won’t be called upon until later.  He also had to cross an international border to get here.  

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Tags: Annex · Sports

LIFE: A baseball ironman of a different sort (July 2021)

August 16th, 2021 · Comments Off on LIFE: A baseball ironman of a different sort (July 2021)

It’s a Sunday afternoon in July at Christie Pits Park. Standing near the baseball diamond, Alan Ross leans back and casts his gaze around the field. “I want you to make a note that I’m doing this under protest,” he says with tongue in cheek, in response to a request for an interview. “I’m not an interesting person.” Baseball fans at the Pits would beg to differ. To many, “Al the Ticket Man,” is a living legend.

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Tags: Annex · Sports · Life

LIFE: Baseball Leafs prepare for a summer of action (Jun. 2021)

July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on LIFE: Baseball Leafs prepare for a summer of action (Jun. 2021)

Christie Pits set to welcome fans back to the old ballgame By R.S. Konjek The sights and sounds of live baseball will return to Christie Pits this summer, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are raring to go.  After the 2020 season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic, players are dusting off their spikes and […]

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Tags: Annex · Sports · Life

SPORTS: Baseball Leafs look back on the season that wasn’t (Oct. 2020)

November 2nd, 2020 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Baseball Leafs look back on the season that wasn’t (Oct. 2020)

SPORTS (Oct. 2020): Baseball Leafs look back on the season that wasn’t. With Christie Pits locked down, local players endured a rare summer off the diamond

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Tags: Annex · Sports

ON THE COVER (JUNE 2016): PATROLLING THE PARK

June 15th, 2016 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER (JUNE 2016): PATROLLING THE PARK

PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK: Jon Waltenbury patrols the outfield at Christie Pits during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the Brantford Red Sox on May 22. Waltenbury’s three-run homer put the Leafs ahead for good, and ensured an 8-6 victory. R. S. Konjek summarizes a month of Maple Leafs in his baseball column.

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Tags: Annex · Sports · Maple Leafs Baseball