 By Staff
July 9th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Hamilton Cardinals scored twice in the top of the ninth inning, with a little help from the Burlington Herd, to take a 7-5 IBL win at Nelson Park in Burlington Saturday afternoon.
 The Guelph Royals ceased operations earlier in the season. Burlington had tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the eighth but then Hamilton got the win with two runs in the ninth on just one hit, three errors and two walks.
Jake Chiaraville singled to open the inning, went to second, and then third, on errors by the pitcher and scored the winning run on a fielder’s choice.
Connor Bowie had a single and a double for Hamilton and TJ Baker hit a home run, scored twice and drove in two runs.
Justin Gideon had two hits for Burlington, including a home run, stole two bases and is now batting .414. Catcher Kevin Hussey also homered for Burlington.
Benson Merritt recorded the win and Kyle Symington was tagged with the loss.
It was the sixth win of the year for Hamilton and Burlington drops to 9-17.
Sunday is a big day in the IBL as the undefeated Barrie Baycats travel to London for a doubleheader with the second-place Majors.
 By Staff
July 8, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Pinemeadow Park splash pad is currently out of order due to an electrical failure.
It has been determined that the existing electric system is beyond repair and requires a full replacement.
The cost to replace the electrical system is not within a reasonable budget, therefore the splash pad will be removed and not replaced. There is an opportunity to add a Natural Playground to the park (see below).
Pinemeadow Park is still open. During the removal of the splash pad, some areas of the park may be closed for safety during construction.
Earlier this summer, the Ireland Park splash pad opened as planned, and was installed to replace Pinemeadow Park splash pad. The Ireland Park splash pad is accessible to people with disabilities, greater water conservation, has supporting park facilities, and serves the larger community.
Pinemeadow Park – Natural Playground Opportunity: A group of residents looking to construct a natural playground at Pinemeadow Park was successful at securing $5000 from the city to assist them in developing a natural playground (see below for What is a Natural Playground).
 Natural Parks are a totally different approach to what children get to play with and on. There is an opportunity to expand the natural playground and add a water element into the project, thanks to a potential donation from a private foundation but a show of community support is needed. The funder needs to see community is willing to assist in the design and build of certain aspects of the playground.
If you are interested in getting involved connect with Denise Beard, Manager of Community Development, at denise.beard@burlington.ca and follow the existing community Facebook group at www.facebook.com/BurlingtonNaturalPlaygrounds.
Becky Ellis, 905-335-7600, ext. 7363 is an additional resource person at city hall.
The city has substantial amounts of money in its various reserve funds – to tell the public that the Pinemeadows splash pad is beyond repair and that the “cost to replace the electrical system is not within a reasonable budget” is quite a bit less than the residents of the best mid sized city in the country deserve.
The ward Councillor might want to provide the constituents with a more detailed explanation and then find the funds needed to fully repair the splash pad.
 By Staff
July 8th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Brantford Red Sox player, Nic Burdett, went 4-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs as the Red Sox beat the Burlington Herd 10-5 Friday night at Arnold Anderson Stadium.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Red Sox scored twice in the bottom of the inning and tacked on four runs in the second to pull away.
Brandon Dailey, Benjamin Bostick and Dennon Koziol each had two hits, an RBI and a run, while Dan Jagdeo drove in a pair with two hits. He also scored once. Nate DeSouza had two RBI and a run, Andris Rizquez went 2-for-4 with two runs, and Cody Mombourquette had an RBI.
Matt Martinow (2-3) went six innings for the win, giving up three runs on eight hits with a walk and strikeout.
The Herd production came from John Whaley who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run. Justin Gideon added a pair of hits and scored twice, Nolan Pettipiece had two hits and a run, Andrew Mercier added two hits, and Quinton Bent picked up an RBI.
Ryan Beckett (1-3) allowed six runs on nine hits over four innings to take the loss. He walked three and struck out one.
Guelph Royals cease operations.
Future games:
Saturday, July 8
Hamilton at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 21-0
London Majors 19-2
Kitchener Panthers 15-6
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-13
Brantford Red Sox 8-13
Burlington Herd 9-16
Hamilton Cardinals 5-14
Guelph Royals 1-24
 By Staff
July 8, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The InterCounty Baseball League got shaken up yesterday when the Guelph Royals decided that a 1 for 24 record was so bad that the team had to cease operations for the rest of the 2017 season
 That decision meant the playoff schedule needed a new format which will be as follows:
First-place team gets a bye;
2 vs. 7;
3 vs. 6;
4 vs. 5
in best-of-seven quarter-finals.
Teams are re-seeded and the pennant winner plays the lowest survivor.
Two middle finishing survivors play in best-of-seven semifinals, followed by a best-of-seven final.
 By Staff
July 7th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette got a request from the Burlington Sports Alliance asking if we had any photographs they could use in a celebration of Terry Fox and Courage in Sport at the Art Gallery of Burlington on July 14th at 7:00 pm.
The event is part of the Canada’s 150 celebration with the Burlington Sport Alliance inviting people to show up at the Gallery.
We had a picture in our photo data bank that was given to us a number of years ago by Mark Mulholland who was on Lakeshore Road when Terry Fox ran through the city. We wrote a short piece on that picture which produced a note from John Oakes who was also on the sidewalk waiting for Terry Fox to pass by.
Oakes tell of his experience:
“When I took those photos I was 21 years old and about to start the Applied Photography course at Sheridan College.
“His run of course was followed by all. And I arrived early to get some photos of what was to become historic event. I easily recall that even before he appeared you could feel the electricity in the air, the anticipation was so great.
“I have never experienced anything like that since. The crowd was electric!
“When he came into view, the crowds began cheering increased as he grew closer. People who had been milling about now lined the road, waiving and cheering. People stepped out placing donations in the plastic cup.
“When he waived to me it was an incredible moment I could feel. It conveyed so much. In that flash; how much he appreciated everybody coming out and the agony that he must be in. I could see on his face even making a wave took a lot of effort on his part.
“He was bigger than life. Everybody felt so special as he ran past. To this day making eye contact with him is a wonderfully vivid and everlasting memory.
“Looking at those photos today I can see the Odeon movie theater was still in operation. At least it looks like their marquis sign is still up; you can see the Royal Bank building at Brant Street.
“These pictures are real time capsules now. That prosthetic leg strapped must have been miserable. I remember reading about the chafing and sores he developed.
“Hero’s like him are not made any more.”
The next annual Terry Fox run takes place September 17th – it will be the 37th time that Burlingtonians remember the man that started it all.
 First of a four part photo sequence. Fox is approaching. We get a view of a Burlington that doesn’t exist anymore.  Second photograph in the sequence: Terry Fox is getting closer and, as John Oakes tells the story: the crowd was electric. 
By Staff
July 7th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Six home runs helped the Hamilton Cardinals pull away for a 12-4 win over the Burlington Herd Thursday night.
Jake Chiaravalle, Chris Beer, Jon Dziomba, Mike Hart, Callum Murphy and Laine Renaud each went deep for the Cardinals.
Chiaravalle’s was a solo shot, and he also plated three runs. Beer hit a two-run blast and added a single. Dziomba went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, Hart ripped a grand slam in the seventh to give the Cards a five-run lead, Murphy added a two-run shot in the ninth, and Renaud’s home run came with the bases empty.
Connor Bowie singled twice and scored once.
Chris Lazar (2-2) earned the win, going six innings and allowing four runs on eight hits with three walks and a strikeout.
For Burlington, Nolan Pettipiece went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Justin Gideon had two hits, an RBI and run, Carlos Villoria drove in a run, and Marquis Kidd singled twice and scored twice.
Rich Corrente (1-2) took the loss, giving up nine runs on 11 hits in 6.1 innings. He walked two and struck out one.
Future games:
Friday, July 7
Burlington at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 8
Hamilton at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 21-0
London Majors 18-2
Kitchener Panthers 14-6
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-13
Burlington Herd 9-15
Brantford Red Sox 7-13
Hamilton Cardinals 5-13
Guelph Royals 1-23
By Staff
July 5th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
When you are up against a team that has yet to lose a game – getting out of town with your shirt still on your back is a feat.
The Herd was in Barrie playing the Baycats and lost 5-2 on Tuesday night at Coates Stadium.
What is impressive is that Barrie didn’t score any of their runs until the seventh inning, taking advantage of two hits, an error and five walks.
So the Herd, in the bottom half of the InterCounty Baseball League standings, held off the top team in the league for six innings? THAT was an achievement to be remembered. To be 2 and 0 at the top of the seventh when you are playing a team that has yet to lose a game says something.
The Baycat production came from Jeff Cowan who singled home the first run and Barrie took the lead for good three batters later when Ryan Spataro reached on an error that allowed two runs to cross the plate. Kyle DeGrace followed that up with a two-run double to score Spataro and Conner Morro.
DeGrace and Cowan each had two hits as the Baycats had six hits in total.
Emilis Guerrero (6-0) picked up the win, going 7.1 innings and giving up two unearned runs on six hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. Enerio Del Rosario threw a scoreless ninth for his fourth save. Del Rosario walked one and struck out one.
Ryan Freemantle singled, doubled and drove in two for the Herd. Justin Gideon added a pair of hits.
Adam Prashad (3-3) took the loss, allowing five runs (one earned) on six hits in 6.2 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
The Herd may just have found their footing.
Future games:
Thursday, July 6
Hamilton at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, July 7
Burlington at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 8
Hamilton at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 20-0
London Majors 18-1
Kitchener Panthers 13-6
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-12
Burlington Herd 9-14
Brantford Red Sox 7-13
Hamilton Cardinals 4-13
Guelph Royals 1-23
By Staff
July 1st. 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Every member of the Brantford Red Sox got a hit when the team slaughtered the Burlington Herd 11 -2.
The Red Sox, whacked the ball 20 times in total during their visit to Burlington Friday night.
 Nate DeSouza had three of Brantford’s hits, including his second home run of the season. He drove in four and scored twice. Blake Kauer singled twice and added a solo home run, while Dan Jagdeo had two hits, two RBI and two runs. Dennon Koziol singled four times and had an RBI and a run, Benjamin Bostick went 4-for-6 with two runs and an RBI, and Andris Rizquez drove in a run and scored once.
Matt Martinow (1-3) went five innings to get the win. He allowed two runs on four hits with a walk and no strikeouts.
Justin Gideon and Nolan Pettipiece drove in Burlington’s runs. Quinton Bent had two of the Herd’s six hits – a single and double – and scored once.
Christian Hauck (2-1) took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) on 11 hits in 5.2 innings. He walked five and struck out five.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 18-0
London Majors 14-1
Kitchener Panthers 13-5
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-10
Burlington Herd 9-13
Brantford Red Sox 6-12
Hamilton Cardinals 3-12
Guelph Royals 1-22
By Staff
June 26, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Had the Burlington Herd been able to board the bus after their first baseball game on Sunday in Kitchener it would have been a good day.
But it was to be a double header between the Herd and the Panthers and ended up in a draw with each team taking a game apiece.
Burlington won the first game, 4-0. Adam Prashad (3-2) threw a complete-game two-hitter with three strikeouts. Matt Schmidt drilled a three-run home run in the third inning, and Kevin Hussey hit a solo blast in the fifth.
Yulexis La Rose and Colin Gordner had Kitchener’s hits.
Matt McGovern (1-1) went the distance for the Panthers and allowed four runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out four.
In game two, Ryan Douse scored on an error in the 10th inning as the Panthers won 9-8. Kitchener led 8-3 before Burlington scored five in the seventh inning.
Jeff Pietraszko homered and drove in four with two runs scored in the win. Douse doubled twice and scored once and drove in a run. Justin Interisano had a pair of RBI and a run. Zarley Cina had the other RBI. Yorbis Borroto scored twice.
Noelvis Entenza (3-0) picked up the win after going 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, scattering two hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Ian Rendon started and allowed an earned run on four hits over 3.2 innings with three walks and three strikeouts.
For Burlington, Kevin Hussey homered and drove in three. Quinton Bent went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Cooper Lamb had a hit, RBI and two runs, and Justin Gideon drove in a run.
Ben Braun (0-2) took the loss, allowing a run on a hit in one-third of an inning. Rich Corrente started and went four innings, giving up five runs (one earned) on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
The game between the Barrie Baycats and the Hamilton Cardinals was rained out as was the game scheduled between the London Majors and the Brantford Red Sox. No make-up date has been announced for either game.
Future games:
Tuesday, June 27
London at Barrie, 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday, June 28
Kitchener at Toronto, 7:35 p.m.
Hamilton at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 15-0
London Majors 14-0
Kitchener Panthers 12-5
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-9
Burlington Herd 7-12
Brantford Red Sox 4-11
Hamilton Cardinals 3-10
Guelph Royals 1-19
By Staff
June 25, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Five different Burlington players went deep as the Herd beat the Hamilton Cardinals 15-9 Saturday afternoon at Nelson Park.
Justin Gideon, John Whaley, Andrew Mercier, Carlos Villoria and Cooper Lamb all homered in the win. Gideon added a single and drove in three, Whaley went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, Mercier’s home run was a pinch-hit solo blast, Lamb added a single and scored twice to go with his solo homer, and Villoria hit a two-run shot.
 Lamb lambasted the ball – again. Canice Ejoh had two hits and a run, Matt Schmidt singled once and scored twice, Nolan Pettipiece singled twice, doubled, drove in two and scored twice, Grant Okawa had two hits and two runs, and Marquis Kidd had a hit, RBI and run.
Burlington pounded out 17 hits in total.
Christian Hauck (2-0) picked up the win, giving up a run on three hits in five innings of relief. He walked two and struck out two. Starter Jesse Anderson went four innings and allowed eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
TJ Baker hit a pair of home runs for the Cardinals, swatting a two-run blast in the first inning before adding a three-run shot in the fourth. He also had a sacrifice fly in the second inning for a five RBI afternoon.
Jake Foden singled four times and scored twice, while Chris Beer added a pair of hits and three runs. Connor Bowie and Mike Hart drove in the other runs.
Dan Weagle (0-4) gave up nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits over four innings. He struck out one without issuing a walk.
Future games:
Sunday, June 25
Burlington at Kitchener, 2 p.m. (DH)
Standings
Barrie Baycats 15-0
London Majors 14-0
Kitchener Panthers 11-4
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-9
Burlington Herd 6-11
Brantford Red Sox 4-11
Hamilton Cardinals 3-10
Guelph Royals 1-19
 By Staff
June 23rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s tough to eke out a win when you are up against the team that has yet to lose a baseball game this season.
On Thursday in Burlington, the Barrie Baycats’ won yet another game: 11-4
The win left the Baycats at 14-0 and vying for a fourth straight title.
For the Herd, Canice Ejoh doubled and had two RBI.
Resse O’Farrell singled three times and had an RBI and scored a run.
Nolan Pettipiece had the other RBI.
Ben Braun (0-1) took the loss, giving up seven runs on nine hits in four innings with three walks and four strikeouts.
Future games:
Saturday, June 24
Hamilton at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 25
Burlington at Kitchener, 2 p.m. (DH)
Standings
Barrie Baycats 14-0
London Majors 13-0
Kitchener Panthers 11-3
Toronto Maple Leafs 8-9
Burlington Herd 5-11
Hamilton Cardinals 3-9
Brantford Red Sox 3-11
Guelph Royals 1-15
By Staff
June 21, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
This is good news – timely as well.
The Nelson pool and splash pad are targeted to reopen on Saturday, July 15
The Recreational swims will be held daily between 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Lap time swims can be found at: www.burlington.ca/
 Bigger and better – but no sponsorship. In 2015 the city announced that “with two severe winter seasons back-to-back, the steel tank at Nelson Pool has seen an accelerated rate of deterioration,” said Chris Glenn, director of parks and recreation. “Ensuring public safety is our top priority, and thus the need to keep Nelson Pool closed.”
Getting the pool re-built generated some vociferous debate when Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison wanted to hand the job off to the private sector and have a new pool in for the following summer
City manager James Ridge suggested a plan like that was not very prudent and that 2017 was the more likely with 2018 a possible opening date as well.
When the announcement on the made on the size of the pool and when it was most likely to open the city also released a report on possible sponsorship for the pool.
During a discussion on fund raising for the Nelson pool reference was made to the consultant’s analysis which estimated value for a Facility Naming Sponsor could range between $300,000 to $350,000. It is also recommended that the payment terms could be as follows:
• $30,000 – $35,000* annually for an agreement term of 8 to 10 years
• Incentive to pay upfront: 15% discount = $297,500 – $250,500
• Paid within 3 years: 10% discount = $315,000 – $270,000
There doesn’t appear to have been a taker for this deal.
Look for the photo ops when the pool opens. We recall watching Mike Wallace get himself soaked at the opening of a splash pad in Ward 3 – he was the Member of Parliament at the time.
Perhaps all seven members of city council will take a leap into the water.
By Staff
June 21, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Herd let the Barrie Baycats got undefeated this season – it was a 10-3 win the the league leader.
 Cooper Lamb doubled home two of the Herd’s three runs. Cooper Lamb doubled home two of the Herd’s three runs, all of which came in the ninth inning. Carlos Villoria had the other RBI. Canice Ejoh singled twice and scored once.
On the mound, Ryan Beckett (1-2) gave up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in 3.2 innings. He walked five without striking out a batter.
Barrie will be in Burlington on Thursday – chance for the Herd to take down the league leader.
Burlington dropped to 5-10.
Future games:
Thursday, June 22
Barrie at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 13-0
London Majors 12-0
Kitchener Panthers 11-3
Toronto Maple Leafs 7-9
Burlington Herd 5-10
Hamilton Cardinals 3-8
Brantford Red Sox 3-10
Guelph Royals 1-15
By Staff
June 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Eight games in 11 days proved to be too much for the InterCounty Baseball League Toronto Maple Leafs – they lost 6-1 to the Burlington Herd Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.
Christian Hauck went seven innings on the mound for Burlington (5-9) to pick up his first win of the season. The Leafs (7-9) managed 10 hits and three walks off the Burlington starter, but Hauck got the big outs when he needed them.
Early rainouts have forced IBL teams to condense their make-up games into a small window. Toronto opened the week Monday at home against Kitchener before hitting the road for stops in Hamilton and Barrie on Tuesday and Thursday.
The Leafs won in Guelph Saturday, but looked like a weary team when they hit the diamond Sunday.
Toronto starting pitcher Zach Sloan got into trouble early and the Herd made him pay. Struggling to find the strike zone early in counts, Burlington opened the scoring in the top of the first when Cooper Lamb’s single brought home Canice Ejoh.
 Cooper Lamb added his second RBI of the afternoon. Burlington added runs in the second and third innings, before Justin Marra cut the lead to 3-1 when he drilled a Hauck pitch over the right-field fence for his fourth home run of the season.
 The Herd would get that back and more in the top of the fourth inning when it scored three times off Sloan. John Whaley drilled a two-run single and Lamb added his second RBI of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly that scored Ejoh.
Sloan would pitch one more inning before being relieved by Marek Deska in the top of the sixth, with Toronto trailing 6-1. Sloan gave up six earned runs on nine hits and three walks, while striking out two in five innings of work.
Whaley had a big day at the plate for the Herd, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored.
Julian Johnson and Justin Marra led the Leafs with a pair of hits each.
By Staff
June 18, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting outhit didn’t stop the London Majors from outscoring the Burlington Herd.
Despite Burlington’s 13-9 advantage in the hit column, the Majors made the most of their contact with an 8-3 road win Saturday afternoon.
Chris McQueen went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, while Cleveland Brownlee and LeJon Baker each doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Humberto Ruiz picked up a pair of hits and had an RBI and a run, and Brett Sabourin singled twice and scored once. Byron Reichstein walked three times and scored twice.
Cory Hammond (3-0) went six innings and allowed two runs on 10 hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Burlington leadoff hitter Justin Gideon went 3-for-4 with a run and stolen base. Ryan Freemantle had two hits and an RBI, and Carlos Villoria drove in a pair of runs. Canice Ejoh singled and scored.
Jesse Anderson (0-1) took the loss, giving up eight runs on five hits in 3.1 innings with seven walks and four strikeouts.
London improved to 12-0, and Burlington fell to 4-9.
Future games:
Sunday, June 18
Burlington at Toronto, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 20
Burlington at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 12-0
London Majors 12-0
Kitchener Panthers 11-3
Toronto Maple Leafs 7-8
Burlington Herd 4-9
Brantford Red Sox 3-10
Hamilton Cardinals 2-8
Guelph Royals 1-14
By Staff
June 17, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The season series between the Hamilton Cardinals local rival Burlington Herd finally got off the ground following three postponements as the Herd took the opener by a 7-0 score.
Winning pitcher Adam Prashad (2-2) threw eight innings of shutout baseball, allowing three hits, a walk and striking out 10. Branden Kuzyk pitched the ninth inning, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two to finish up.
The Herd were led at the plate by Justin Gideon’s two solo home runs, one in the first and the other in the seventh inning. John Whaley also had a solo home run in the fourth. Carlos Villoria and Canice Ejoh each had two hits for Burlington.
Cal Murphy had two hits for Hamilton.
Dan Weagle (0-3) took the loss going six innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out one. Jackson Jones pitched the final three innings allowing two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out four.
The loss drops Hamilton to 2-8, a full game behind Burlington (who are in fifth place)
Future games:
Saturday, June 17
London at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 18
Burlington at Toronto, 2 p.m.
By Ken Pagan
June 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Rich Corrente has had two Tommy John surgeries on his left elbow, so how hard can he throw now that he’s recovered and back on the mound?
Doesn’t matter.
Corrente, 25, who is back in baseball after sitting out the 2016 season, is proving that less is more during a strong early showing for the Burlington Herd (3-8).
 Rich Corrente The three-year IBL veteran threw a career-high 115 pitches in a complete-game 4-1 win over the Brantford Red Sox on Saturday, his most impressive outing yet that leaves him second in the IBL with a 1.12 ERA. In 24 innings this season, he has given up just three earned runs with a 0.75 WHIP (11 hits and seven walks).
The numbers are quite a contrast from when he last picked up a baseball during the 2015 IBL season (7.33 ERA over 54 innings with the Burlington Bandits) and in 2014 (5.76 ERA in 39 innings).
“I don’t even know,” Corrente said when asked to explain his early success. “I took last year off and rested my arm. Every time I get my chance to go in, I’m just doing my thing. This is my third year in the league and I always tell guys, ‘you have to know how to throw to guys in the IBL.’ You’re not going to throw hard enough to throw a fastball by anyone, so you have to trust your offspeed stuff and go with that.”
The six-foot-two southpaw, a Chatham native now living in Burlington, had his first Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in 2010 while attending Erie Community College. He had the procedure again in 2013 while pitching at St. Catharine College in Kentucky.
He has emerged post-Tommy John with more of a three-quarter delivery, which not only limits elbow soreness, but probably adds some movement to his pitches.
He thinks he can probably still gas up his fastball to the low-80s if he had to. But he doesn’t have to. And good luck if you go up against him looking for a fastball.
“Honestly, I don’t even care how hard I throw,” said Corrente. “In my mind, it’s not how hard you throw, it’s how consistent you are. You have to throw strikes and you’re not going to blow a fastball by anybody. If it’s down the middle, they’re crushing it.”
The year away from baseball in 2016 wasn’t so much about letting his arm rest as much as it was about enjoying his personal time, but he’s refreshed and glad to be back on the mound with the Herd.
“I just wanted to enjoy my summer,” he said of sitting out last season. “You don’t get much of a summer when you’re playing ball.
“I’m having fun. I’m glad to be back. I feel like I bring some experience and we have a young team.”
Corrente will return to the mound this weekend with the Herd preparing for three games in three days. Burlington visits Hamilton to face the Cardinals (2-7) on Friday night before hosting the London Majors (10-0) on Saturday at Nelson Park at 1:05 p.m. The Herd then travel to Toronto on Sunday afternoon for a date at Christie Pits with the Toronto Maple Leafs (6-7).
By Staff
June 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Well – everyone knew it wasn’t going to last forever – and they were up against the top team in the league – Barrie Baycats with a 10-0 record.
 Rich Corrente Carlos Villoria earned the Burlington Herd’s RBI.
Justin Gideon and Eddie Chessell had two hits apiece atop the lineup. Gideon also scored a run.
Brad Smith (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits in 2.2 innings before leaving the game with an injury. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out three.
Barrie improved to 10-0, and Burlington dropped to 3-8.
Standings
London Majors 10-0
Barrie Baycats 10-0
Kitchener Panthers 9-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5
Burlington Herd 3-8
Brantford Red Sox 2-9
Hamilton Cardinals 1-7
Guelph Royals 1-11
By Staff
June 11th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Now that they know just what they are supposed to do on the baseball diamond the Burlington Herd is clearly on a roll.
The won their Saturday afternoon turnout against the Brantford Red Sox 4-1 to sweep the home-and-home with the Red Sox. Third game in a row that the team has won
Canice Ejoh, Cooper Lamb and Grant Okawa all picked up a hit and drove in a run. John Whaley and Justin Gideon each singled, doubled and scored. The host Herd broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run sixth.
That was enough offence for Burlington hurler Rich Corrente, who tossed a five-hit complete game. Corrente (1-1) struck out four and walked two and has a 1.12 earned-run average in four games (three starts).
Tyler Soucie (1-1) took the loss for Brantford, giving up three runs, three hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning. He relieved Justin DAmato, who went the first five and allowed a run on five hits with three strikeouts.
Burlington improved to 3-7, and Brantford dropped to 2-8.
The Herd is feeling a lot better about their game these days. They are up against Barrie Baycats on Sunday who have yet to lose a game.
Future games:
Sunday, June 11
Burlington at Barrie, 7 p.m.
Standings
London Majors 9-0
Barrie Baycats 9-0
Kitchener Panthers 8-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-5
Burlington Herd 3-7
Brantford Red Sox 2-8
Hamilton Cardinals 1-6
Guelph Royals 1-10
By Staff
June 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Now that they have won a baseball game in the InterCounty Baseball League, the Burlington Herd appears to like that idea and went on yesterday to defeat the Brantford Red Sox 4-2
Trailing 2-1, the Herd took the lead with two runs in the seventh inning and added an insurance run in the ninth. Carlos Villoria had two hits and an RBI for Burlington, which improved to 2-7 – the same record as Brantford.
Canice Ejoh and Nolan Pettipiece each singled and drove in a run. Justin Gideon went 3-for-5 with a run, and Eddie Chessell singled, doubled and scored.
 Herd player sliding home. Photo by Crystal Young Ryan Beckett (1-1) threw four innings of relief for the win, giving up a run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Starter Brandon Hiller lasted five innings and allowed one run on one hit with two walks and two strikeouts.
Chris Dennis homered for the third time this season and drove in both Brantford runs. Benjamin Bostick singled and scored.
Matt Betts (0-2) took the loss, giving up two runs on five hits in an inning. He took over for Graham Tebbit, who went six innings and gave up a run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
A Herd that is not in the basement is nice to see.
Future games:
Saturday, June 10
Brantford at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 11
Burlington at Barrie, 7 p.m.
Standings
London Majors 9-0
Barrie Baycats 8-0
Kitchener Panthers 7-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-5
Brantford Red Sox 2-7
Burlington Herd 2-7
Hamilton Cardinals 1-5
Guelph Royals 1-9
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