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Doubleheader for me today; before watching part two of the shootout at the SkyDome corral, I'll be at Talbot Park coaching the Ursula Franklin Academy Flames in our season opener. This game is reminiscent of the Jays' first series of 2003 -- might as well start against the best. In our case, it's 3-0 Leaside. Ranked #2 in the Star poll, they've already won the Ontario Showcase tournament (MVP pitcher/SS Mark Sikorski was the paper's Athlete of the Week) and are strong contenders for the provincial finals at the Dome June 10-12.

Our much smaller school competed in Tier II last year, and had a fine season, reaching the city semi-finals. This year, with a number of graduating seniors, a Team Ontario righthander and a talented crop of Grade 9 and 10 players, we decided to move up to Tier I. So it's a David-Goliath scenario this afternoon (Bayview & Eglinton, 4:00, weather permitting) and we're hoping to benefit from the experience. But we're starting our ace, and they might take us lightly. I hope we stay relaxed and have fun; if we win the first inning, youneverknow.
Posted by Coach on Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 12:32 PM EDT.
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Dave Till - Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 12:36 PM EDT (#102880) #
When I was in high school, I used to work across the street from Talbot Park (in the Consumers Distributing in Sunnybrook Plaza, now defunct).

May your team launch many balls over the left-field screen and onto Eglinton Avenue this afternoon!
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Gerry - Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 12:39 PM EDT (#102881) #
My son used to play with Joel Thorney. If you see a lanky 6' 4" RHP on the mound, its going to be a long day.
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_M.P. Moffatt - Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 12:40 PM EDT (#102882) #
http://economics.about.com
Good luck today Coach! I hope your Flames have more success than the NHL club. :)

MP
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_jason - Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 02:49 PM EDT (#102883) #
Does anybody else think that the Cat is slowing getting better out in RF? He'd probably make a good LF if Toronto decides to trade Stewart at some point to the loser of the Beltran sweepstakes.
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_Rob Andrew - Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 03:54 PM EDT (#102884) #
The Jays claimed Doug Davis as was suggested they should on this site. I'd like to see him given a shot at Pete Walker's rotation spot immediately.
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_rodent - Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 09:36 PM EDT (#102885) #
Leaside 4, Ursula Franklin 1. That's the tightest game the Star's #2 seed has been in so far. Well done Flames and Coach.
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_A - Wednesday, April 30 2003 @ 11:33 PM EDT (#102886) #
http://www.battersbox.ca/flames.htm
It was a great game, aside from a mistake pitch that their two hitter (who's on a hot enough streak to have been named TorStar's Athlete of the Week) popped onto Eglington in the first and one defensive error, we kept up with Leaside the whole way through.

Leaside was held to just two other hits (both weak bouncing singles up the middle) and they K'd 9 times...If they don't make it to the Dome it'll probably be due to a lack of offense (that said, they crushed Father Gothez over the weekend 16-3).

Facing them two or three games into the season, we could have come away with a win but their experience in last week's tournament was a large advantage.

Regardless, we gained alot of confidence knowing we can play along side the creme de la creme in Tier 1 and we certainly got their respect.
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Coach - Thursday, May 01 2003 @ 08:15 AM EDT (#102887) #
Great to hear from UFA players and supporters here, and "A" has done a fine job on the team Web page. I wish I knew when and where we were playing next, but the convenors have their hands full with the city's Parks department this year. We'll be at a batting cage somewhere on Monday.

We missed some opportunities against Leaside -- loaded the bases twice in the first three innings, and had a runner thrown out at the plate, or it could have been even tighter. In addition to a superb start by Krys, who threw just one pitch (the changeup to Sikorski) that he wanted back, our hitters were patient and our defence was solid; one late miscue but several fine plays. I'm proud of my team.
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