Expanded Senior Slo-Pitch Association

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S

&

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R

New ESSA Web Site

Effective May 2024, the authoritative resource for the Association is https://www.essaslopitch.com/.

While attempts will be made to keep the information on this site up to date, it will primarily be for historical data.

Registration for the 2025 season is now open for full for both full-time and spare players!

Please don't wait until the last minute to sign up - we have to make decisions about player numbers, which determines how many teams we will have and how many diamond permits to get, well before the season actually starts!

Also, please pass the word about the Association to anyone you know who might be interested - thanks!

There is more information about Registration here, including a way to check your 2025 status (registered, payed up).

December 2024 - Seasons Greetings!

As our thoughts turn to celebrations of the Holiday Season, Christmas and the coming New Year, your Enhanced Senior Slo-Pitch Board members would like to express our gratitude for the camaraderie, dedication and sportsmanship that makes our league so special. Thanks to each one of you for your contributions to a successful 2024 season.

May your holiday season be filled with happiness, good health and cherished moments with family and friends.

Here's to a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

Looking forward to seeing you on the fields next spring.
Tony Peluso, Mike Peterson, Jan Macaulay, Diane De Souza, George Cushing, Nick Hnatiuk, Sandy DiLena, Bing Young, Bill Law, Eric Burton, Ian Schell, Joe Parisani, Manfred Maier, Terry Jackson, Vince Pileggi.

Paul Davey

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Paul Davey on November 18, 2024.

Paul was an integral part of the ESL for many years.

He was a gifted athlete and was a die-hard Blue Jays and Leafs fan.

Our thoughts are with family and friends during this difficult time.

For celebration of life details are here.

Barb Wade

It is with sadness that we share the passing of our friend Barb Wade on December 6, 2024.

Barb was a valued member of the ESL/ESSA team since its inception 30 years ago. She played in the League for 20+ years and she had a tireless dedication to it and volunteered endless hours to support it through various activities such as organizing trivia games, special event planning and of course scorekeeping.

The Memorial Tournament was started in memory of her late husband, Art, and to raise money for amateur baseball.

In recognition of her commitment and contributions over the years Barb was presented with a Special Award at this year's banquet.

Her loss will be felt by everyone that knew her.

Our thoughts are with family and friends during this difficult time.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3055 Bloor St W, Toronto on Thursday, January 16'th, 2025, 11:00 AM.
There will be a Celebration of Life at a nearby location immediately following.

The Toronto Star obituary is here.

ESSA Facebook Page

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!

Click here to Join!

ESPL / ESL / ESSA

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.

2025 Schedule

Here is the tentative schedule for the 2025 season:

Mon May  5,  9:30 AM, ESSA Rookie Camp, Dunton Park.
Tue May  6,  9:30 AM, ESSA Rookie Camp, Dunton Park (rain day).
Thu May  8, 10:00 AM, ESSA Team Draft, Legion.
Mon May 12, 10:00 AM, ESSA General Meeting, Legion.
Wed May 14,  9:15 AM, ESSA season starts.
Mon May 19, no ESSA games - Victoria Day.
Mon May 26, ESSA team photos.
Mon ??? ??, 12:00 Noon, ESSA CPR / First Aid / Defibrillator Training, Dunton.
Mon Jun  9, ESSA first round ends; team rebalancing(?).
Wed Jun 11, ESSA first playoff seeding round starts.
Mon Jun 30, no ESSA games - Canada Day.
Tue Jul  1, no ESSA games - Canada Day.
Wed Jul  9, ESSA second playoff seeding round starts.
Mon Jul ??, no ESSA games - Mississauga Youth Summer Games?
Wed Jul ??, no ESSA games - Mississauga Youth Summer Games?
Mon Jul ??, no ESSA games - OSGA Mississauga 55+ Summer Games?
Wed Jul ??, no ESSA games - OSGA Mississauga 55+ Summer Games?
Mon Aug  4, no ESSA games - Simcoe Day.
Tue Aug  5, no ESSA games - OSGA Ontario 55+ Summer Games, Sudbury.
Wed Aug  6, no ESSA games - day off / OSGA Ontario 55+ Summer Games, Sudbury.
Thu Aug  7, no ESSA games - OSGA Ontario 55+ Summer Games, Sudbury.
Mon Aug 11, ESSA third playoff seeding round starts.
Mon Sep  1, no ESSA games - Labour Day.
Wed Sep  3, ESSA playoff seeding rounds end; collect player ratings sheets.
Wed Sep  3, 12:00 Noon, ESSA End Of Season Lunch; Dunton pavilion.
Mon Sep  8,  9:15 AM, ESSA Quarter-final games, Dunton #2, #3, Dunton #4.
Wed Sep 10,  9:15 AM, ESSA Semi-final games, Dunton #3, Dunton #4.
Mon Sep 15,  9:15 AM, ESSA Championship game, Dunton #4.
Wed Sep 17,  2:00 PM, ESSA player ratings review, Legion?
Wed Oct  1, 10:30 AM, ESSA General Meeting and Banquet, Canadiana Restaurant.
Fri Dec  4, 17:00 PM, ESSA Christmas Event / Karaoke; Legion?

Players Creed

Captains Creed

Players / Teams / General Info / Rules

Round-Robin Schedule / Playoff Schedule / Standings

Memorial Tournament

Tournaments

Spares

ESSA Board of Directors

Registration

Association Spring General Meeting

Association End Of Season Picnic Lunch

Association Banquet / Fall General Meeting

Rookie Camp

Bob Stewart Award

Anne Colhoun Founders Award

Calvin Katz Memorial Photo Contest

League/Association Champions

Bristol Bar & Grill

Pictures

Historical Information / Pictures

Co-Ed Older Adult Volleyball

For those looking for indoor activities over the fall/winter/spring, see my personal web site.

Registration

Registration for the 2025 season is now open for both full-time and spare players.

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 may be expanded to 8 teams.

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.

NOTE: The Association has established a minimum safety standard for rookies to play (click here for details).

Bristol Bar & Grill

The Association bar for 2025 is Bristol Bar & Grill (512 Bristol Rd W #15, Mississauga, ON L5R 3Z1 (Bristol Rd / McLaughlin); 905-890-2500).
It's on the SW corner of Bristol Rd / McLaughlin Rd, and an easy way to get there from Dunton Park is go south on Kennedy, turn right on Matheson, then left on McLaughlin (past Hurontario).

Bristol Bar & Grill Map

Association Spring General Meeting

The 2025 Spring General Meeting will be held Monday, May 12, 10:00 AM, at the Etobicoke Legion Branch #643 at 110 Jutland Rd, Etobicoke (near Islington just north of the Queensway).
Please note there is overflow parking across the street at the church parking.

Click here for a map.

All player information is now available on the web site.

A pizza lunch was provided by the Association after the meeting.

End Of Season Picnic Lunch

There will be a picnic lunch on the final day of the season (Wednesday September 3) from 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM, at the pavilion at Dunton Park.

Everyone bring their own lunch, camp chairs, barbecue, etc.

There will be a 50/50 Draw, so please bring your cash!

Association Banquet / Fall General Meeting

The 2025 Association Banquet / Fall General Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM, at the Canadiana Restaurant & Banquet Hall (Six Points Plaza, Dundas W / Islington).

For full-time players, the Banquet is included in the registration fee, but you must indicate your meal preference (roast beef, salmon, chicken, veggie) to your team Captain.
Spares and guests are invited to attend; cost is $45 per person, including tax/tip.

Rookie Camp

The 2025 Rookie Camp will be held

Monday, May 5, 9:45 AM, at Dunton Park in Mississauga (Kennedy Rd, near the 401/403/410 interchange).
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.

Rain date was Tuesday, May 6; same location and time.

Spares

For the 2025 season, the spares process has been significantly changed. Details to come.

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.

2022 Honoree

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.

2023 Honoree

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.

2024 Honoree

Barry Thompson, played in the Association/League for many years and still going. Served in several capacities on the Board of Directors for a long time, including Treasurer and Team Captain.

Anne Colhoun Founders Award

In 2022, the Association established the Anne Colhoun Founders Award, in honour of Anne Colhoun who founded the Etobicoke Senior Slo-Pitch League, under the auspices of the City of Toronto Department of Parks and Recreation.

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.

2023 Honoree: Anne Colhoun.

2024 Honoree: Mike Peterson.

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.