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![[Expanded Senior Slo-Pitch Association]](images/essa_logo.jpg){kind=logo}
As we have reached 98 full-time players (7 teams of 14 players), further full-time registrations will be placed on the wait-list unless/until we reach 104 players (8 teams of 13 players). Note that players on the wait list may become full-time players before the season starts as some may drop out before the Team Draft, or some rookies may not meet the Minimum Standard to play.
Tony Peluso has been appointed Assistant Commissioner for the 2024 season.
Tony has been a dedicated teammate and player. He has both leadership and management experience including work in volunteer organizations. Congratulations Tony!
The Association would like to take this opportunity to thank Gregg (Mac) Macaulay for his contribution to the ESSA Board. Mac was instrumental in making the transition from the City of Toronto and worked many hours in the planning and execution of that transition. He will be returning this year as a Captain.
Thanks to the efforts of Bill Law, we now have a Facebook page!
We know some of you are not FB addicts / enthusiasts, but for those of you that are, please sign up our FB page. It is not intended to replace the information provided to you on our ESSA website, but an opportunity to be in touch with each other and hopefully expand our reach. We always need new players!
Dave Williams has been working on the new ESSA web site for some time, and it will become the main resource for the Association for the 2024 season.
You can check it out here.
The Etobicoke 55+ Slo-Pitch League (ESL/ESPL) started play in 1994. The League was founded by Anne Colhoun, under the auspices of the City of Toronto Department of Parks and Recreation; she is also an Honorary Association Member. It is open to players of all genders.
In 2021 the Etobicoke Senior Slo-Pitch Association (ESSA) was formed as an unincorporated non-profit association to run the day-to-day activities on behalf of the members (players).
In 2023 the name was changed to Expanded Senior Slo-Pitch Association (ESSA) to better reflect that players come from all over the greater Toronto area to play.
See the Association Information notes for more information on the history of the League/Association, and how it operates.
Games are ON unless specifically cancelled. If possible we will try to cancel by 8 AM, so if you don't hear anything by e-mail or on the web site by then, assume you are playing.
We have one player who has been in the League/Association since inception:
John Hughson (30 years).
Vic Leonard has played 25+ years, Steve Bozicevic has played 25+.
In 2013, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Anne Colhoun, Art Wade, Barb Wade, Bert Chalmers, Bob Goddard,
Bob Weston, Clare Jones, Lorne Christie, Mike Forestell, Ralph Currie,
John Hughson.
In 2014, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Bill Chambers, Danny Ryback, George Turriff, Glenn Shields, Jim Luscombe.
In 2015, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Jim Jennings, Vic Leonard.
In 2016, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Steve Bozicevic, Hank Elnicki, Kiene Stewart, Stan Wilson, Vince Abate.
Steve Bozicevic, Hank Elnicki, Kiene Stewart, Stan Wilson, Vince Abate.
In 2018, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Dan O'Handley, Larry Adler, Paul Graham.
In 2019, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Art Zan, Marilyn Hawkins, Rolf Bjordammen.
In 2022, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Alan Rouse, Nick Hnatiuk, Graeme Swift.
In 2022, this player was inducted into the "30 Year Club":
John Hughson.
In 2023, these players were inducted into the "20 Year Club":
Ray Hipolito, Ted Talbot.
Mon May 6, 9:30 AM, ESSA Rookie Camp, Dunton Park. Tue May 7, 9:30 AM, ESSA Rookie Camp, Dunton Park (rain day). Thu May 9, 10:00 AM, ESSA Team Draft, Canadiana(?). Mon May 13, 10:00 AM, ESSA General Meeting, Etobicoke Legion Branch #643. Wed May 15, 9:15 AM, ESSA season starts; get Memorial Tournament players. Mon May 20, no ESSA games - Victoria Day. Mon May 27, ESSA team photos. ??? ??? ??, 12:00 Noon, ESSA CPR / First Aid / Defibrillator Training, Dunton #4. Fri Jun 7, 9:00 AM, ESSA Memorial Tournament, Centennial Park #3. Mon Jun 10, ESSA first round ends; team rebalancing(?). Mon Jul 1, no ESSA games - Canada Day. Mon Jul 8, ESSA second round ends. Wed Jul 10, ESSA playoff qualification rounds start. Mon Aug 5, no ESSA games - Simcoe Day. Mon Aug 12, Get ESSA Fall Banquet lists. Wed Aug 28, ESSA playoff qualification rounds end. Wed Aug 28, 12:00 Noon, ESSA End Of Season Lunch; Dunton pavilion. Mon Sep 2, no ESSA games - Labour Day. Wed Sep 4, 9:15 AM, ESSA Semi-final games, Dunton #3, Dunton #4. Mon Sep 9, 9:15 AM, ESSA Championship game, Dunton #4. Wed Sep 11, 9:15 AM, ESSA pick-up games start, Dunton #4? Wed Oct 2, 10:30 AM, ESSA General Meeting and Banquet, Canadiana. Wed Dec 4, 16:30 PM, ESSA Christmas Event / Karaoke; Shebeen's?
For those looking for indoor activities over the fall/winter/spring, there is drop-in volleyball at the following locations:
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Excess registrants (over 98 - 7 teams of 14 players) will be put
on a wait-list and would be eligible to be used as spares.
If we get 112 players or more, the Association will be expanded to 8 teams.
To sign up for the 2024 season as a full-time or spare player,
you can fill in and submit the form online:
Association Registration Form - Submit Online,
or you can register by mail
(fill in the form on-line in the browser then print it,
or print it out and fill it in):
Association Registration Form - Print And Mail.
To complete your registration, you must pay the fee ($130 for full-time
(early bird, by December 1, 2023); $150 after December 1, 2023;
$50 for a spare),
by sending an e-transfer to 'jmacaulayssl at gmail.com',
or by mailing a cheque made out to 'Etobicoke 55+ Slo-Pitch League' to:
ESSA 8-2400 Neyagawa Blvd Oakville, ON L6H 7P5
You can check your registration status here:
List of Registered Players.
Note that it may take a few days (for online registrations) to a few
weeks (for mailed registrations) to show up here.
Same applies for payments by e-transfer or mailed cheques.
You can also register to be a spare only - submit the form as above.
The fee to be a spare is $50, which can be paid either by cheque or
e-transfer, as above.
2023 Association Advertizement (PDF format).
NOTE: The Association has established a minimum safety standard for rookies to play (click here for details).
![[Canadiana Restaurant & Banquet Hall]](images/canadiana_logo-700-full-final_small.png){kind=logo}
Canadiana Restaurant & Banquet Hall (5230 Dundas St. W, Six Points Plaza, Toronto, ON M9B 1A8 (Dundas W. / Islington); 416-239-1114)
![[Renpark Security]](images/renpark_logo-new1_big.jpg){kind=logo}
RenPark Security (#6 - 2400 Dundas St W, Suite 655, Mississauga, Ont L5K 2R8; 416-925-1771)
![[Roto-Rooter Toronto]](images/rr-logo-default.jpg){kind=logo}
Roto-Rooter Toronto (923 Oxford St, Toronto, ON M8Z 5T3 (Kipling Ave / Queensway); 416-503-4444)
![[Mudhens]](images/mudhens.png)
The Mudhens (Joe Parisani)
![[Westowne Mazda]](images/logo-mazda-big.png){kind=logo}
Westowne Mazda (5511 Dundas St W, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9B 1B8 (Dundas W. / Shorncliffe); 416-232-2011)
A pizza lunch will be provided by the Association after the meeting.
Details to be announced.
Rolf Bjordammen, played in the Association/League for many years and still going, TwinPro Graphics team sponsor for 5 years (2005-2009). Also played for Mississauga Legends tournament team including Huntsman World Senior Games, Oakville Mens Master Slo Pitch League, Oakville Senior's Slo Pitch League (still going too!), 3 Score Softball Club (Florida), and a huge Blue Jays fan.
Graeme Swift, played in the Association/League for many years and still going. Always very helpful with setting up the equipment on the diamond, cheerleading and pitching batting practice even when he couldn't play due to injury.
She has demonstrated extraordinary leadership with the League from its inception. Anne's numerous contributions have paved the way for the thriving success the League enjoys today.
The Anne Colhoun Builder Award will be given each year to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and continued growth of the League/Association for a minimum of 5 years.
The contest has 3 categories:
For 2019, first prize was a new Samsung Galaxy A50 phone, unlocked with 64 GB memory, black, triple camera - amazing pictures. Approximate retail value with tax $500.00 All categories may not be awarded each year.
See the Photo Contest Flyer for the full details.
![[Clare Jones, August 12, click to enlarge]](images/2019/img_2147.jpg)
click here for original size image
![[Gail, Roto-Rooter, click to enlarge]](images/2019/img_3931_002.jpg)
![[2019 Memorial Tournament, click to enlarge]](images/2019/img_3558.jpg)
![[Abacus Jerseys, click to enlarge]](images/2019/abacus_jerseys.jpg)
click here for original size image
![[2019 Memorial Tournament, click to enlarge]](images/2019/img_3519.jpg)
League/Association information and pictures from past seasons:
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.