Etobicoke Senior Slo-Pitch Association - 2021

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 ONWARDS - PICK-UP GAMES.

We play pick-up softball on Mondays and Wednesdays, weather permitting. Come to Dunton Park Diamond #4 around 9:45 AM if you want to play, and we'll make up some teams on the spot; play will start at 10 AM.

Social distancing is strongly suggested, and masks very strongly encouraged on the sidelines.

Please do not come out if you are feeling ill, or have been in recent contact with anyone even suspected of having COVID-19.

Shebeen's for lunch, BEvERages and other nonsense afterwards.

Watch your e-mail or this web site for cancellations as it is day-by-day at this point of the season.

Infield Water

Please do not rake/squeegee water from the infield onto the outfield, as it is killing / has killed the grass (especially on diamond #1).
If there is pooled water, squeegee it towards/under the fence if possible. If you can play around what's left safely, do so; if not cancel the game.
The City of Mississauga is working on addressing the issue on diamond #1, and the water around the dugouts on diamond #2.

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.

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).
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.

These players have been in the League/Association since inception (the "20 Year Club"): Bert Chalmers, Clare Jones, John Hughson, Lorne Christie, Ralph Currie.
In 2015, these players were inducted into the "Club": Jim Jennings, Vic Leonard.
In 2016, these players were inducted into the "Club": Vince Abate, Steve Bozicevic.
In 2018, these players were inducted into the "Club": Larry Adler, Paul Graham, Dan O'Handley.
In 2019, these players were inducted into the "Club": Marilyn Hawkins, Rolf Bjordammen, Art Zan.

2021 Season Plan

The City of Toronto decided not to operate the 2021 season but we are running the season ourselves, purchasing the required permits.

We will play this season (ONLY) at Dunton Park in Mississauga (Kennedy Rd, near the 401/403/410 interchange); there are 4 excellent quality diamonds there.
Dunton Park Map
NOTE: there is no exit to Kennedy from the 401 (or 410); use Courtney Park Dr off the 410, or Hurontario N off the 401.

Stage 2 which started June 30 allows outdoor sports leagues, with outdoor gatherings up to 25 people. This allows games to be played with 12 player per team; we have 8 teams playing each other in full round-robins.

The season will go from July 5 to September 15, playing twice a week as usual. There will be no Memorial Tournament and no playoffs. There will be a End of Season BBQ / Karaoke lunch, at the Dunton Park pavilion; tickets go on sale soon. We will hold the Banquet at Canadiana Restaurant. There a number of new rules regarding the COVID protocols; the main ones are that teams will be re-balanced at game time if necessary; no defaults; each team supplies 2 game balls that are only used when they are in the field; the batting team supplies the catcher (who plays) and the umpires.

COVID Safety Plan

Registration

Player / Team / General Info / Rules

Spares

Round-Robin Schedules / Standings

Memorial Tournament

Tournaments

ESSA Board of Directors

Association Spring General Meeting

Association End Of Season BBQ Lunch / Karaoke

Association Banquet / Fall General Meeting

Rookie Camp

The Grille Restaurant

The Irish Shebeen

Bob Stewart Award

Calvin Katz Memorial Photo Contest

League/Association Champions

Pictures

Historical Information / Pictures

HOTMAIL / OUTLOOK USERS - CHECK YOUR 'JUNK' FOLDER / 'BLOCKED SENDERS' LIST.

There have been reports of players not getting the ESSA/ESL e-mails; these appear to be mainly HotMail / Outlook users. Check your 'Junk' folder and mark the e-mail(s) as 'Not Junk' so they appear in your 'Inbox'.
You should also remove all sender addresses like 'mikep@rubberchickencult.ca' from your 'Blocked Senders' list; click here to find out how to check / fix this.
If you still can't find them, they are being dropped without notification by Microsoft, and the only solution is to get an e-mail address with a more reasonable provider.

GMAIL USERS - CHECK YOUR 'SPAM' FOLDER

For Gmail, some messages may end up in your 'Spam' folder. If that is happening,you can create a filter so that mail from 'mikep@rubberchickencult.ca' is never sent to 'Spam'. To do that:

Find a message from me in any mailbox.
Click on the 3 vertical dots in the icon bar above the message (it will pop up a label 'More').
Click on 'Filter messages like these'.
Click on 'Create filter' (don't fill in any of the other fields).
Select 'Never send it to Spam'.
Click on 'Create filter'.

A similar option may be available to HotMail / Outlook users.

Registration

At this point, please contact Mike Peterson directly to register to play: "mikep@rubberchickencult.ca" or call 647-393-4661.

Note that you must provide proof of age to register for the League.

Association Spring General Meeting

The 2021 Spring General Meeting has been cancelled. All player information will be available on the web site, and a summary will be e-mailed out. Each player will get an information package including the team rosters, player contact info, game schedule, rule changes, etc.

Association End Of Season BBQ Lunch / Karaoke

There will be a BBQ Lunch / Karaoke on the final day of the season (Wednesday September 15) from 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM, at the The Irish Shebeen. It is located at 5555 Eglinton Ave W, in Centennial Park Plaza, which is on the south side of Eglinton, between Eastgate Parkway and Centennial Park Boulevard.

Click here for a map.

Tickets must be purchased in advance; they will be available from your team Captain, or contact Mike Peterson (mikep@rubberchickencult.ca) directly.
Cost is $15 per person, including tax/tip.

Association Banquet / Fall General Meeting

The 2021 Association Banquet will be held Wednesday, October 6, 2021, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, at the Canadiana Restaurant & Banquet Hall (Six Points Plaza, Dundas W / Islington).

Tickets must be purchased in advance; they will be available from your team Captain, or contact Mike Peterson (mikep@rubberchickencult.ca) directly.
Cost is $32 per person, including tax/tip, payable by cheque only made out to "Etobicoke 55+ Slo-Pitch League"; cheques will be destroyed if the Banquet does not proceed (e.g. due to 4'th wave COVID restrictions). Guests are invited to attend.

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OF DOUBLE VACCINATION (2 DOSES + 14 DAYS) BEFORE ENTRY.

The Fall General Meeting has been cancelled.

Rookie Camp

The 2021 Rookie Camp was held Wednesday, June 16, at Dunton Park in Mississauga (Kennedy Rd, near the 401/403/410 interchange); there are 4 excellent quality diamonds there.
Dunton Park Map
NOTE: there is no exit to Kennedy from the 401 (or 410); use Courtney Park Dr off the 410, or Hurontario N off the 401.

The Grille Restaurant & Bar

The Grille Restaurant & Bar is the official Association bar, and also a team sponsor. It is located on the Queensway, just east of the East Mall, on the north side of the road. Players and teams are invited back after the game for lunch and beverages.

The Irish Shebeen

The Irish Shebeen will be the Association bar for the 2021 season as The Grille is not convenient to Dunton Park. It is located at 5555 Eglinton Ave W, in Centennial Park Plaza, which is on the south side of Eglinton, between Eastgate Parkway and Centennial Park Boulevard.

Click here for a map.

Players and teams are invited back after the game for lunch and beverages. There will be lunch "specials" including a burger, wings, chicken kabobs, chicken bacon wrap, Irish spring rolls and pizza rolls. Beer is on tap for a good price!

Bob Stewart Award

In 2015, the Association established the Bob Stewart Award, in honour and memory of Bob Stewart who was the longest serving ESSA/ESL team Captain. Bob's philosphy of playing was: don't criticize, cheer each other on, and most of all have fun. The award is given each year to people who, through the years, have been a wonderful teammate and demonstrated what the Association is all about. The honoree(s) must have been involved with the Association for at least 5 years.

Calvin Katz Memorial Photo Contest

In 2019, the Association established the Calvin Katz Memorial Photo Contest, in honour and memory of Calvin Katz who was a great teammate and usually had his camera out recording the action and events in our Association.

The contest has 3 categories:

Best action shot
Best funny shot
Open category

Prizes to be determined and presented by RenPark Security Inc.

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.