The brand new Midwestern Ontario Senior Baseball League gets underway this Friday.
Chris Kurz of the Listowel Legionnaires organization, says the formation of the league came out of wanting more competitive local baseball.
"There's lots of interesting senior ball in the area. We were looking to get a league that was a little more competitive than it has been in years past, so that's how it came about. We have 10 teams for the upcoming season, and we're really excited to get started this Friday."
The new league features 10 teams (Listowel Legionnaires, Kincardine Cubs, Mitchell Astros, Hanover Hitmen, Ingersoll Blue Jays, Woodstock Nationals, St. Thomas Cardinals, London Area Angels, Lucan Irish Nine and the Byron Storm) playing an 18 game schedule, finishing with a playoff tournament in Listowel in August for the top 8 from the 18th to the 20th. Kurz says he's very confident Listowel will be the first ever champions of the new league.
"We've hand-picked this team to deliver, and I know with the coaching staff we have in place, the commitment from the players and ownership, there will be no problems."
Kurz says starting pitcher and 3rd baseman Steve Palmer could be an early MVP shout for Listowel. He also says that adding new teams in that weren't in the old league says a lot about how strong local area senior ball is.
"It is strong, Woodstock has a great young team. It's their second year with a senior team over there. Great diamond. Same can be said for Hanover, too. They did a lot of renovations to their diamond this off-season, and we're looking forward to playing competitive ball there, and with some of the other clubs we haven't played before."
Listowel host the Mitchell Astros this Friday at 7:30 at John Bell South diamond to kick off the season.
