Congratulation to our LMBA Champions!
18+ Whalley Chiefs
30+ Langley Knights
45+ Richmond Red Sox
SOUTH DELTA PADRES BRING HOME PROVINCIAL SENIOR AA TITLE
“The boys grinded it out . . . . . ..” Ryan Buchanan
Courtesy Baseball BC
The 2023 Baseball BC Senior AA Provincial Championship concluded Monday afternoon in Maple Ridge with the South Delta Padres completing a perfect 5-0 weekend, to win gold with a 13-8 win over the defending champion Poco Blue Jays. The Padres opened the round robin with a 19-3 win over the Poco Phillies before sneaking past the Vancouver Gunners (VRBL) 2-1. A 3-0 win over the South Delta Brewers in the final round robin game, gave the Padres a direct berth into the semi-finals and a Sunday evening off to watch others battle through two dramatic quarter-final games.
The first QF was a battle between two BC Minor JR Men’s teams, with the South Delta Brewers beating the previously undefeated Vancouver Minor Expos 2-1. The nightcap was a back-and-forth battle between the Kelowna Jays and Poco Blue Jays, with the host Poco side plating the go ahead run with a two out single in the top of the 7th before holding on for an 8-7 win.
Championship Monday began with a marathon as the eventual champion Padres outlasted the Brewers 5-4 in ten innings. The Poco Blue Jays got revenge for an opening night loss by the Kelowna Pirates in the other semi-final, cruising to an 11-1 win.
The South Delta Padres became the 4th different team from the 4th different league to win the Senior AA Provincial, in the event's four-year history.
This year’s tournament was the most competitive thus far as 12 teams entered: three teams from the POCO Men’s 30+ Division, top three teams from BC Minor Junior Men’s (U26), the VRBL’s top team, two teams from the Kelowna Senior Men’s League, and one team from Vernon and Kamloops. “Recreational” baseball continues to expand in British Columbia, but the term does not represent the level of competition in this year’s event.
Congratulations to the Padres – they took a full roster of sixteen players including three Under 22 pick ups. Throughout their LMBA tenure, they have always had good pitching and steady, often spectacular defense. In this tournament they added some heavy offense and the overall factors resulted in a well-deserved championship. Congrats and thank you for being outstanding representatives of the LMBA.
BC CAPITALS BRING HOME 60+ CNOBF TROPHY
LMBA teams have been attending Canadian National Oldtimers’ tournaments since 2001 and part of the 2023 tournament was held in Port Alberni over the August holiday weekend. A well hosted and superbly organized event saw championships for the 57+ and 60+ Divisions. The BC Capitals competed in the 60+ Division and brought home the Tier Two Championship trophy defeating the hometown Alberni Cubs in the bracket final.
The Capitals, composed of players from the LMBA’s 45+ and 50+ Divisions, were up against teams from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Following a winless opening pool play, the Capitals put it altogether in the Tier Two final defeating a tired Alberni team by a 10 – 2 score. The Caps pounded out 15 hits and played errorless ball in the field.
Oldtimers’ baseball is alive and well across Canada and thanks to the Caps for their efforts and being such great representatives of the LMBA. Well done, guys!
2023 Season
The 2023 season kicked off the weekend of April 14/15/16 with 12 teams in the 18+ league, 8 teams in the 30+ league and 4 teams in the 45+ league. We also have the return of the 60 division.
Players are reminded to register for each team they play for. A separate login is required for each team a player is registering for.
