Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

ON THE COVER (May 2024)

June 14th, 2024 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER (May 2024)

Justin Marra slides home to score a run for the Toronto Maple Leafs at Christie Pits on May 12. The Leafs dropped their Intercounty Baseball League home opener to the London Majors, 7-5. COURTESY CRAIG AIKEN

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Tags: Annex · News · On the cover

SPORTS: Baseball in full bloom at the Pits (Summer 2023)

September 14th, 2023 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Baseball in full bloom at the Pits (Summer 2023)

Returning veterans, deep roster raise hopes for elusive championship

Toronto Maple Leafs outfielder Gregory Carrington connects on a pitch on July 30. The Leafs defeated the Hamilton Cardinals 9-5. (R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS)

By R.S. Konjek

Third time’s the charm.

Fans of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball are hoping that’s the case this summer.

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Tags: Annex · Sports · Maple Leafs Baseball

SPORTS: Baseball Leafs navigate a new era at Christie Pits (July 2022)

July 18th, 2022 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Baseball Leafs navigate a new era at Christie Pits (July 2022)

“Unfinished Business” the theme of this year’s squad

Starting pitcher Zach Sloan, seen here delivering a pitch on June 12, had a hand in two recent shutout victories for the Toronto Maple Leafs at Christie Pits. The Leafs defeated the Brantford Red Sox 14-0. R. S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS

By R.S. Konjek

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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)

Late baseball owner loomed large over amateur sports scene

Owner and lifelong fan at heart Jack Dominico ran the Maple Leafs baseball club for over 50 years.
COURTESY TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS BASEBALL

By R.S. Konjek

As local lore will have it, the Toronto sports scene was forever changed one afternoon in the summer of 1968.


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Tags: Annex · News · 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)

Long-time hurler overcomes travel restrictions to rejoin team

Justin Cicatello makes his first appearance on the mound for the Leafs on August 29. R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS

By R.S. Konjek

Summer is almost over, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to stretch it out a while longer.

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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)

Making the rounds with Alan Ross, the Toronto Maple Leafs ticket vendor extraordinaire

“Al the Ticket Man,” (Alan Ross, left) sells raffle tickets at a Toronto Maple Leafs Intercounty Baseball League game at Christie Pits. The team is the only one in the IBL that doesn’t charge admission. R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS

By R.S. Konjek

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Tags: Annex · Sports · Life

SPORTS: Many hats, one goal for Topolie (July 2018)

July 18th, 2018 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Many hats, one goal for Topolie (July 2018)

Player-manager Damon Topolie hits one out during a game in Burlington May 2018.
R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS

An interview with Toronto Maple Leafs’ player-manager

A recent ESPN column declared that “parts of baseball are disappearing before our very eyes”.

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Tags: General

SPORTS (AUGUST 2017): Leafs fall early this summer

September 13th, 2017 · Comments Off on SPORTS (AUGUST 2017): Leafs fall early this summer

Eliminated from 2017 playoffs after stunning first round defeat

PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Justin Marra blasts a home run for the Toronto Maple Leafs during a playoff game against the Brantford Red Sox at Christie Pits.

By R.S. Konjek

“Who are these guys anyway?”

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Tags: Annex · Sports

SPORTS (JULY 2017): The Maple Leaf(s) Forever

August 1st, 2017 · Comments Off on SPORTS (JULY 2017): The Maple Leaf(s) Forever

A Toronto baseball institution for over a century

PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Grant Tamane and his Intercounty Baseball League teammates in 2017.

By R.S. Konjek

In some quarters of Toronto, this year’s Canada Day celebrations were a time of spirited debate.

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Tags: Annex · Sports

SPORTS (MAY 2017): Leafs return with sights on a title

May 26th, 2017 · Comments Off on SPORTS (MAY 2017): Leafs return with sights on a title

Local nine look to take next step to winning championship

PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: The Toronto Maple Leafs take batting practice during a spring training session at Christie Pits on April 26.

By R.S. Konjek

It’s a casual April evening at Christie Pits Park.

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Tags: Annex · Sports

SPORTS (AUGUST 2016): Baseball Leafs head to the playoffs with high hopes

August 25th, 2016 · Comments Off on SPORTS (AUGUST 2016): Baseball Leafs head to the playoffs with high hopes

Fans celebrate another up-and-down season

PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Brett van Pelt of the Toronto Maple Leafs delivers a pitch on July 31 during the final game of the regular season.

PHOTO BY R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS: Brett van Pelt of the Toronto Maple Leafs delivers a pitch on July 31 during the final game of the regular season.

By R.S. Konjek

Baseball won’t be rushed.

It is a pastime to be sipped and savoured.

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Tags: Annex · Sports · General

ON THE COVER (JUNE 2016): PATROLLING THE PARK

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

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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

SPORTS: The bats are back at Christie Pits

May 13th, 2016 · Comments Off on SPORTS: The bats are back at Christie Pits

Page7WaltenburyMLBMay2016

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN HAMILTON/VANTAGE POINT STUDIOS: Toronto Maple Leafs baseball returned to Dominico Field at Christie Pits with a bang on May 8. First baseman Jon Waltenbury blasted one of the Leafs’ four home runs on opening day, powering the club to a 13 to 2 victory over the Guelph Royals. Next game is 2 p.m. on May 15 versus the Burlington Bandits. This summer, the Gleaner will feature a monthly Maple Leafs Baseball column by R.S. Konjek.

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Tags: Annex · Sports