Expanded Senior Slo-Pitch Association

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.

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.

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

Registration

Registration is now closed for the 2024 season.

To get your name on our mailing list for the upcoming season, 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.

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.
You will be contacted on how to pay the spare fee of $50, which can be paid either by cheque or e-transfer.

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

Bristol Bar & Grill

The Association bar for 2024 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 2024 Spring General Meeting was held Monday, May 13, 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 was a picnic lunch on the final day of the season (Wednesday August 28) from 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM, at the pavilion at Dunton Park.

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

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

Association Banquet / Fall General Meeting

The 2024 Association Banquet / Fall General Meeting was held Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM, at the Canadiana Restaurant & Banquet Hall (Six Points Plaza, Dundas W / Islington).

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

Rookie Camp

The 2024 Rookie Camp was held

Monday, May 6, 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 7; same location and time.

Spares

For the 2024 season, the spares process has been significantly changed.

See the following for part 1:

Spares / Substitutes Process (DOC format)
Spares / Substitutes Process (HTML format)

and here for part 2 (clarification of the process):

Spares / Substitutes Process - Part 2 (HTML format).

and here for part 3 (clarification of the circumstances when a team will request a spare player from the bye team):

Spares / Substitutes Process - Part 3 (HTML format).

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.