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.
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.
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.
Abacus Furniture (Oxford St., Evans / Islington)
Canadiana Restaurant & Banquet Hall (Six Points Plaza, Dundas W. / Islington)
Glen Cade Pharmacy (West Mall / Bloor)
M&M Food Market (Six Points Plaza, Dundas W. / Islington)
Roto-Rooter Toronto (Zorra St, Kipling Ave / Queensway)
Renpark Security (Dundas W., Mississauga )
The Grille Restaurant & Bar (Queensway / Hwy 427)
The Mudhens (Joe Parisani)
Westowne Mazda (Dundas W. / Shorncliffe)
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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!
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.
2015 Honoree
Howard Hall ("Howie"), a long-time player and member of the
League Executive, including Commissioner.
2016 Honoree
Glen Shields, a long-time player, Captain, member of the
League Executive and umpire.
2017 Honorees
Mike Forestell, a long-time player, Captain and
member of the League Executive, including Commissioner; instituted the
player packages.
Paul Booth, a long-time player, Captain and member of the League
Executive, including Commissioner; handled all sponsorship for many years.
Bob Goddard, a long-time player, Captain and member of the League
Executive, including Commissioner; instituted the playoff tiebreaker format.
Herm Dyck, a long-time player, Captain and member of the League
Executive, including Treasurer and Commissioner; arranged Fall Banquets for
many years.
Anne Colhoun, founder of the League in 1994, long time supporter
of 55+ sports in Etobicoke while working for City of Toronto Parks and
Recreation, and when retired.
2018 Honorees
Bob Weston, first Commissioner, Captain for 5 years and played
for 11 years (1994-2003); then took up score keeping until he could
no longer come to the games; along with others, was instrumental in
organizing teams for the Bobcageon Tournament, and also for Huntsville
and Richmond Hill.
Ralph Currie, played 22 years (1994-2015), also Commissioner,
Captain for four years; retired a few years ago from playing softball,
but kept playing hockey.
Ken Ward, played 2001-2015; he was a rules and tournament guy;
organized very competitive teams for tournaments in Keswick, Oshawa,
Scarborough, and the Ontario and Canada 55+ Games; also involved in
player rating and creating balanced teams.
Alan Rouse, a long-time player and still going; Equipment Manager
for many years, Rules and Business Committee, Captain for 3 years.
Vic Leonard, a long-time player and still going; Equipment
Manager for many years.
2019 Honoree
Nick Hnatiuk, played in the League for many years and still going,
long-time Executive member, keeps League records, assists with Player Draft.
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.
2019 Winners
Picture Of The Year - Jim Corbett
click here for original size image
Best Action Shots - Eric Burton
Funny Shot - Harvey Wallace
click here for original size image
Field Of Dreams Shot - Sportman's Award - Eric Burton
League/Association information and pictures from past seasons:
2014,
2015,
2016,
2017,
2018,
2019,
2020.
This page created and maintained by Mike Peterson,
mikep@rubberchickencult.ca.
Created October 30, 2013. Last updated October 6, 2022.