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2006 Kingston Braves
Provincial Champions
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  • Welcome to the home of the Kingston Braves 2006 OBA Provincial Champion, 2004 %26 2005 OBA Provincial Silver Medalists
  • Braves 2006 EOBA record 12-6. Season record 22-12.
  • Updated Sept.14, 2006, 2006, 7:07am
  • Four Braves selected for 2006 EOBA 18U Elite team...Devine, Kerstens, Lake and Vallier
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Welcome To the Home Of The Braves


2006 OBA Provincial "A" Midget Champions

2005 OBA Provincial "A" Midget Silver medalists

2004 OBA Provincial "A" Midget Silver medalists



The Braves are the rep team of the Kingston Baseball Association / Greater Kingston Little League and play in the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association Midget Division.


Midget Braves try-out information can be found on the KBA website



Click Here
to go to the 2007 MIDGET BRAVES web site.


2006 Braves team photo - Click here


Visit Kingston Diamond Dogs website for more Kingston baseball news.


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Braves Win Ontario Provincial "A" Championship!


Sept.1,2006

The View from the Dugout

Third Time Is The Charm


After consecutive silver medals in 2004 and 2005, the Kingston Braves won the Ontario Baseball Association Provincial "A" Championships in convincing style with an 11-1 mercy shortened game on Sunday in Mississauga.

The Braves were scheduled to play their first game of the Ontario Baseball Association Provincial Championship against Thunder Bay on Friday night, but the Mavericks withdrew from the tournament and the Braves won by forfeit.The win placed the Braves in the "A" column of the tournament and thier next game was Saturday morning against EOBA rival Pickering Red Sox. In their last EOBA regular season meeting, the Red Sox jumped out to a 14-3 lead after 3 innings before the baseball gods unleashed a furious explosion of rain and lightning, cancelling the scheduled double header and allowing the Braves to dodge an unpleasant loss.

Saturday against the Sox there was a different type of Divine intervention. Braves catcher Brad Devine was a homer short of the cycle,hitting a single, double and triple and driving in 3 runs in the 9-1 win over Pickering. Devine, a veteran player who catches for the Senior Ponies when not in action with the Braves, caught the game for Craig Hunt who went the distance, allowing five hits enroute to the victory. Veteran cleanup hitter Jed Vallier slammed a towering Babe-Ruthian 2 RBI homer over the right field fence.

Next up for the Braves was the Whitby Chiefs, another EOBA rival of the Braves. The game became an ugly and boring marathon that lasted over three hours to play a five inning mercy-shortened 27-11 victory for the Braves. With a strike zone that appeared the size of a postage stamp without corners, Whitby pitchers walked 20 Braves batters. Dom Lazzarino, a veteran of a previous provincial campaign, carried the big stick for the Braves driving in five runs on two hard hit doubles into the gap. Ryan Kerstens drove in three RBI's with three hits while Ken "K-Mac" McIlroy got the win, allowing six runs on nine hits.

On Saturday night, which was dubbed EOBA Day At The Provincials, in a critical game for the Braves in the double-elimination format, Kingston called on veteran and graduating player Jed Vallier to take the mound against the Ajax Spartans. The hard throwing right hander, used primarily as a closer for the Braves, held Ajax bats in check until the bottom of the seventh with the score tied 3-3, thanks to a spectacular sliding catch in right field by Doug Jarrell earlier in the game to save a run.

Vallier gave way to Marcus Sullivan, the hard throwing righty from "The County", a 16 year-old who plays baseball with a linebacker mentality and promptly dispatched the three Ajax batters he faced in the top of the eighth. Leading off the bottom of the eighth with a walk, the speedy Sullivan advanced to second on a theft and was sacrificed to 3rd base by a well placed bunt by rookie Jeff Lake.

Veteran Braves player Doug Jarrell came to bat with two out and with a count of two strikes, smashed a line drive up the middle, the ball hitting 2nd base and bouncing harmlessly into left center field, driving in the game-winning run. Without a doubt, "Wild Thing" Jarrell produced the biggest hit in current Braves'history with the team's version of "the shot heard 'round the world", and it was a fitting ending for the graduating player as he had struggled at the plate most of the season. Jarrell was mobbed by his teammates and coaches at first base as the Braves' fans went wild. The Braves won 4-3 and would enter Sunday playoff action with a perfect 4-0 record.

At the team's post-game meal, Mr. Jarrell was a unanimous choice for induction into the Braves Hall of Fame,if such a shrine is ever created. The restaurant echoed with the thunderous chant of "Dougie!Dougie!Dougie", and the chant continued until the quiet outfielder / pitcher acknowledged the cheers. As is the way with Doug, an ear-to- ear smile and a nod spoke volumes.

Pitching, defense, timely hitting and luck win championships and the Braves exhibited proficiency in all aspects of the game. After suffering their first loss of the weekend on Sunday to the Tecumseh Rangers by a score of 5-3, the Braves won the bye to the final. In previous years the Braves have been stung by the pulling "the name from the hat" trick, and when coach Gurney announced Kingston won the bye, the Braves and their fans cheered loudly while breathing a sigh of relief.

The Braves faced the Tecumseh Rangers in the 6:00pm title match, and when the Flipping Coach lost the coin toss, the Braves bats went to work.

Staked to a 3-0 lead in the first inning courtesy of a relentless lumber assault, Braves pitcher Craig Hunt stymied the Rangers and went the distance to pick up his second win of the tournament in two days. Hunt, also known as the Surgeon, began the season as a reliever and eventually became the go-to guy in the starting rotation and was undefeated this season with a magnificent 8-0 record.

With his head-to-toes breaking ball and sneaky fastball, the Surgeon was almost unhittable and on more than one occassion had batters muttering to themselves as they went back to their bench. It was later revealed the confident Hunt told Manager Steve Vallier before the game that "he wanted the ball and there was no way anyone else was going to pitch in the final." Hunt allowed only 2 runs over the course of two complete game victories.

Determination was the Braves mantra this day, exhibited by the talented second baseman Ryan Kerstens. Kerstens calmly made the double-play relay from shortstop Lake to 1st baseman Storring, while a sliding Ranger tried to nullify the soft-handed infielder's attempt at the DP. Kerstens prevailed as always, making the spectacular play look routine.

Pounding hit after hit, the Braves' Lumber Kings connected with every pitch they saw and overpowered three Tecumseh pitchers, putting the championship contest out of reach early, possibly fuelled by a players-only meeting held in left field prior to the start of the game. The players discussed Tecumseh's smack-talk about how the Rangers would whup the Braves, based on their earlier matchup.

Brad Devine sat out the Sunday morning game vs Tecumseh due to injuries and was the designated hitter in the Championship game.
Team rookie Marcus Sullivan wore the pads in both games on Sunday and did an outstanding job in filling the void. Sully, speaking of his most memorable moment of the tourney, aside from scoring the winning run against Ajax on Saturday night, referred to the perfect throw from left fielder Chris Cull to gun down a runner at the plate and the contact engaged by the sliding runner trying to score. Not on Sully's watch...

Sullivan, a solid 16 year old who displays expertise in the five baseball skills required to be a player, showcased his strong arm from right field in an earlier tourney game by throwing the ball to the plate on a sizzling line to prevent a run from scoring. Primarily a short stop, Sully is also one of eight pitchers on the Braves roster, used as both a starter and closer, overpowering hitters with his fastball.

After clinching the Championship, the Braves savoured the moment and paid a fitting tribute to the Original 6 Braves - six players who have proudly worn the Braves uniform and have been the cornerstone of the team since 1999. Jed Vallier, Brad Devine, Doug Jarrell, Ryan Kerstens, Chris Garrison and Chad Storring congregated together with original coaches Steve Vallier, Joe Devine and Brian Zufelt in a special moment of celebration - this being their seventh appearance at the Provincials. Coaches Ed Jarrell and Pete Gurney joined the merry-making and each Braves player joined the group of coaches for an individual photo-op while holding the Championship Trophy.

After the celebration, coaches Vallier, Devine, and Jarrell announced their retirement from the coaching ranks.

Brandon "Juice" Fleming, a graduating player and veteran of three provincial campaigns also announced that his playing days were over. In a gesture fitting the lasting legacy of this Braves team, Fleming left his cleats on the ball diamond, an offering of thanks to the baseball gods and a tribute to the spirit this baseball team displayed on the field.



August 29,2006

MIDGET BRAVES IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
Kingston Whig Standard article by Doug Garham

Local Sports - The Kingston Midget Braves, facing what was the final opportunity for an Ontario Baseball Association title for several players, didn't let the prize slip away.

The Braves jumped on Tecumseh Rangers for five straight first-inning hits and scored three runs and never looked back in an 11-1 victory in the OBA midget A championship Sunday in Mississauga.

Pitcher Craig Hunt nailed down the title with a four hitter as the Braves finished with a record of 4-1.

Six of the Braves - Jed Vallier, Brad Devine, Doug Jarrell, Ryan Kerstens, Chris Garrison and Chad Storring - have played together in seven provincial finals, including back-to-back runnerup finishes in 2004 and 2005.

"It's kind of a sweet swan song for them and for myself," said Braves skipper Steve Devine, who along with Joe Devine and Ed Jarrell has had the team since the players were 10 and 11 years old. "It was a long time coming. It's very sweet," Vallier said. "I can retire [from baseball managing] a happy man now."

The Braves' only defeat at the championship had come at the hands of Tecumseh, a 5-2 decision that left three teams each with one loss in the 12-team double knockout draw.

Kingston drew the bye and when Tecumseh disposed of Pickering, it was a rematch between the Braves and Rangers. Manager Vallier said his players were fuelled by comments from the Tecumseh players who apparently wanted a second shot at Kingston which they implied was a weak team.

"Our guys heard the comments and that got everyone up. We jumped on Tecumseh in the first inning," Vallier said. "It felt really good thumping them because of their attitude."

Skipper Vallier said when the final out was secured in the championship game, the Braves savoured the moment.

"We took quite awhile celebrating. It was special," he said.

"It was our seventh trip to the provincials. There have been a couple of thirds [place finishes] and two seconds and to finally win is nice to experience."

Hunt, who finished the season with a 7-0 record, registered two pitching wins while the others went to Ken McIlroy in a wild 27-11 victory over Whitby and Marcus Sullivan in relief in a 4-3 extra-inning win over Ajax.

Jed Vallier went seven innings in that won but left with the game tied at 3-3 after Ajax rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh. In the extra inning, Sullivan set down Ajax and then drew a walk in his at bat. He stole second, was sacrificed to third by Jeff Lake and came home on an infield hit by Doug Jarrell.

Kingston caught a break in the draw when opponent Thunder Bay decided to forfeit. In the second round, Brad Devine had a double and triple and drove in three and Vallier hit a two-run homer in a 9-1 win over Pickering. Hunt gave up just five hits.

In the third round, Whitby pitchers issued 20 walks in the five-inning mercy-shortened game. Dom Lazzarino drove in five runs with two doubles and Ryan Kerstens had three hits and drove in three. McIlroy got the win, giving up six runs on nine hits.

Kerstens and McIlroy will be a couple of the seven players eligible to return next season.

"Eight of fifteen graduate but there is still a foundation of players coming back. I won't be back but there are a couple of coaches talking about running the program," Vallier said.


Check out the "Links" at the left

KBA Alumnus Heading To Hockey Hall of Fame?
KBA Alumnus Coaching Hockey in Montreal
Former Braves Manager Running For Mayor of KTown
Visit Kingston Diamond Dogs


August 25,2006

The Braves are 1-0 at the Provincial Championships, winning their first game by forfeit, as the Thunder Bay Slam Mavericks withdraw from the Championship Tournament.

The Braves play at 10:30am Saturday.


August 23,2006

The Adam's Shopper's Drug Mart Midget Braves are playing the Kingston Loyalist Farm Senior Ponies in an exhibition friendly tonight at the old ball yard on Bagot Street.

The Ponies are hosting the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association Senior Championships this weekend at Megaffin Park and Woodbine Park.

The Braves are playing in the Ontario Baseball Association Provincial Midget Championships this weekend in Mississauga, ON.

Tonights match is the final tune-up for both squads


August 18,2006

Contrary to previous post, all four EOBA "A" teams - Pickering, Whitby,Ajax and the Braves will be playing in the OBA Provincial "A" Championship in Mississauga, ON on the August 25-27 weekend.

Headlines from Braves vs Brockville, Aug.17, 2006:

Oh, the logistics of a 5:30pm Thursday friendly in Brockville...

Right side of infield lured by Havelock twang enroute to Honky Tonk Heaven.

Braves call up a pair of Colts to complete roster.

Braves pitching staff at work: 8 pitchers, one per inning.

Surgeon Can't Close:Participating in real work-a-day world.

Spidey Sensation: Outfielder/infielder pitches 3 outs with 2 K's, pop up.

Cully & Sully unhittable.

K-Mac & Bickerstaff facing former team baffle Bunnies' bats.

Sully: "Here it comes!" Umpire: "Sounded like a strike."

Cully got his Groove again.

Quirky Bunnie Ballfield:No lights, communal outhouse located a league away, a batter's dream left field, and a concession stand.

Bunnies launch mistakes over left field fence("What is that? 201 feet down the line?" asks Coach Devine)

Devine Goes Deeper: Left-center power alley HR.

The Braves thank the Bunnies for the game and wish Brockville the best of luck in the OBA "AA" Provincial Championship in Sarnia, ON, August 25-27.


August 14,2006

The Braves have received a bye into the OBA Provincial A Championships that will take place in Mississauga, August 25-27.

Meanwhile, Pickering, Whitby and Ajax will be playing off to determine the other EOBA representative at the Provincials.

The Braves are in action Thursday, August 17 in Brockville against the Bunnies at 5:30pm at Fulford Park.

August 6,2006

The OBA 2006 Classifications have been published by Baseball Ontario. The Braves are one of 12 teams vying for the Provincial "A" title on August 25-27 in Mississauga,ON.


August 1,2006

The Braves wish the Kingston Loyalist Farm Ponies the best of luck in the upcoming OBA Senior Eliminations this weekend in Windsor. Play Ball!


August 1,2006
Unearned runs send Braves to loss

from July 31, 2006 Whig Standard

Infield errors led to two Pickering runs as the visiting Red Sox beat the Kingston Braves 6-4 in Eastern Ontario Baseball Association midget action yesterday [July 30] in Kingston.

Jareth Vallier's grand-slam homerun in the fourth inning staked the Adam's Shoppers Drug Mart locals to a 4-2 lead. The Red Sox tied the game with two runs in the sixth, but Pickering added unearned runs in the eighth and ninth frames for the win.

Chad Storring and Marcus Sullivan combined for four of the Braves' seven hits.

The loss lowered Kingston's record to 12-6.



July 30,2006

Braves Rained Out Saturday




July 25,2006

From the July 24, 2006 Whig Standard
Orioles Swoop Into Town For Victory
The Clarington Orioles rode a complete-game six-hitter from Luke Leoen and a bat-around first inning to a 5-4 win over the Kingston Braves in EOBA midget play at Megaffin Park Sunday.

The Orioles tallied three times in the first and one in each of the next two innings off losing pitcher Doug Jarrell, who walked four batters.

Kenny McIlroy relieved Jarrell in the third and fashioned six innings of one-hit ball. Jed Vallier accounted for four Kingston runs with a pair of two-run homers, in the sixth and eighth.

The Adam's Shoppers Drug Mart Braves (12-5) play a home and home set next weekend against the Pickering B and C teams.



July 23,2006


Clarington 5 Braves 4

HEADLINES:
Moment of Silence Observed Before Game.
Braves Wear TM On Hats In Memory Of Troy May.

Jarrell Can't Shake Off Rust: Countless Pitches, 2 2/3 Innings, Losing 5-0.

Braves Early Inning D & O: Missing In Action.

K-Mac Controls Clarington: McIlroy Throws Six Innings of One-Hit, No-Run Flawless Rookie Relief.

Jed Jacks Two 2-Run HRs: Clarington 5 Vallier 4

Cull Creates Chaos in 9th: From 1st to 3rd on SB & WP

But Braves Tying Run Stranded At 3rd, Bottom Of Ninth, Again.

Who Is That Masked Man? Garrison as Spider-Pudge.

Disappearing Ball Trick: Yott at Hot Corner Can't Believe Eyes

Player(s) of the Game: Jed Vallier and Ken McIlroy

Braves EOBA Record 12-5


July 20,2006

The Kingston Braves send their condolences to the May family on the passing of Troy May, president of the EOBA and Oshawa Legion Minor Baseball.

Troy, his wife Laurie and their two sons Jamie and Connor were involved in a very serious motor vehicle accident this past Sunday, July 16th. The accident caused serious injuries to the entire May family.

The Eastern Ontario Baseball Association is taking donations on behalf of the May family and certainly in Troy's memory. For those interested, please make your donations payable to the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association and forward them to and care of: Treasurer Carol Steele, 1042 Hudson Drive, Kingston, Ontario, K7M 5K8. Carol may be reached at (613) 389-6484 or by e-mail at carols@eoba.net.

Our thoughts are with the May family...


July 19,2006

from the July 19 Whig Standard
Braves rebound from six run deficit

Playing for pride in the consolation final of a midget baseball tournament in Oshawa last weekend brought out the best in the Kingston Braves- and none too soon.

Trailing 7-1 in the fourth, the Braves scored seven times over the next four frames to tie Scarborough 8-8.

Brad Devine, in his first game back from an injury, doubled home the tying runs in the bottom of the seventh, but was stranded at third with the winning run.

Mark Beckstead and Kenny McIlroy combined on an eight-hitter for the Adam’s Shoppers Drug Mart Braves.

Kingston followed a 13-3 mercy mauling of Erindale in the opening game with a 3-2 loss to EOBA league rival Oshawa.
Losing pitcher Marcus Sullivan was victimized by a three-run uprising in the fifth inning, one he helped fuel by throwing away a potential double-play ground ball. The error led to three un-earned runs.
Ryan Kerstens scored both Kingston runs.

And this from the website of the Braves friendly rival, the Oshawa Legionaires :
The Oshawa Legion Minor Baseball Association (OLMBA) hosted its annual Midget tournament this past weekend. With sunny skies and temperatures hovering around the 35C mark, games commenced on Friday night at Kinsmen Civic Memorial Stadium and at the new Clarington Sports Complex.

The Oshawa Midget Legionaires opened the tournament at Kinsmen Stadium against the Scarborough Stingers. With veteran Ben Meredith on the mound and some quality defensive plays behind him, Oshawa prevailed 4-3 with the winning run scored on a run down diversion play, which Oshawa’s Kenny Harman stayed in long enough to score Mike Lusty from third for the winning run.

Oshawa’s next game was against their arch rivals and EOBA friends from Kingston. This game could have gone either way with both teams playing solid defence and the starting pitching from both teams was excellent. Mat Heney picked up the win 3-2, which for all intents and purposes clinched the division for Oshawa as long as Scarborough defeated Erindale in the next game. Oshawa knew its fait well before their third and final round-robin game as the Stingers came through, eliminating Erindale and with both head to head tie-breakers, Oshawa clinched the division.

In game three Oshawa sent Mike Lusty to the mound and with Anthony Qaqish in relief defeated Erindale 4-2 and finished the round robin with a 3-0 record.

In Sunday’s first semi-final Oshawa drew Brockville. A 9:00am start was not beneficial for the Legionaires as the Bunnies came away with a 4-0 victory and a place in the Championship game. The turning point in this game was obvious, in the first inning Chris Jones led off with a single, was sacrificed to second by Ben Meredith and with Mike Lusty pounding a liner, which would have produced a run and put a runner in scoring position but the third baseman used all of his vertical jump and snagged the liner and killed the threat. Brockville never looked back and scored three runs in the fourth inning to earn the birth in the final.

The Championship game pitted the North York Blues, who defeated the Mississauga Southwest Twins against Brockville. The OLMBA would like to congratulate the team from North York as this year’s Midget champion.

Tournament chair-person Dave Sheridan would like to thank all the volunteers, score keepers, grounds crew and convenors for their efforts over the hot weekend as the tournament, as usual was a big success. Further the OLMBA would like to thank the Clarington Orioles Baseball Association for show casing their new facility for this tournament. Hopefully both organizations will continue to assist each other in future endeavours.



The Braves wish the Junior and Minor Colts the best of luck in their quest to represent District 7 at the Provincial Little League Championships.
GO COLTS!


July 16,2006

Braves 3 and Out:Tourney Hopes Dashed
Beckstead Surrenders 3 Base On Balls,3 Runs in 1st frame
Errors, Unearned Runs Cause For Concern


July 15,2006 Game 2 Oshawa 3 Braves 2




July 14,2006 Braves 13 Erindale 3


Game Headlines:

Braves Being Braves:All Hands on Deck!
Chris Culls Cardinals in 4
Jarrell Lets Big Stick Do His Talkin':Bases loaded 3 RBI triple
Welcome Back Brad:Devine off DL with walk, single, double
Helluva Game:Rookie Lake steps game up a notch; 3 hits
Yotting in Oshawa:Brad hits the deck to snare fly ball; 2 hits
Game over:Surgeon completes the operation


Braves in Oshawa Tourney this weekend July14-16

The Braves open the weekend tournament tonight against the Erindale Cardinals at 8:15pm at Oshawa Kinsmen Stadium. Scheduled to play three games in less than 24 hours, the Braves play at 9am Saturday against EOBA rival Oshawa and then at 2:15pm against the Birchmount Stingers.


Braves Rally in seventh for baseball victory

From the Kingston Whig Standard, July 11, 2006
Two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted the Kingston Adam's Shopper Drug Mart Braves to a 5-4 win over the Pickering Red Sox Sunday in the second game of an Eastern Ontario Baseball Association midget doubleheader at Megaffin Park.

The Braves, 12-4, trailed 4-1 from the second inning until the bottom of the sixth, when they scored twice. An error and and two walks loaded the bases for Kingston in the seventh. Pickering pitcher Justin Galego then hit Chad Storring with a pitch, forcing in the tying run.

The winning run came on Marcus Sullivan's ground ball, when the Pickering second baseman failed to get Craig Hunt at the plate.

In Sunday's first game, Pickering erased a 1-0 Kingston lead with three runs in the fourth inning and the Red Sox broke the game open with two in the fifth. Matt Beckstead took the loss.

Saturday Kingston scored three runs in the first inning, two of them on a Jareth Vallier double, but it was 4-4 going into the bottom of the fourth when Storring's two-run single gave the Braves the lead.


July 9, 2006

Pickering 7 Braves 2; Braves 5 Pickering 4

Headlines:
Game 1
Beckstead bases on balls haunt Braves: Down 4-1 after 4
Surgeon can't stop bleeding: Fabric Softener fails
Pickering pitching saws off Braves bats
The Jedi dons the tools of ignorance
Defensive FundaMENTAL breakdown, again

Thanks to the Braves' parents and friends for the between game BBQ
Baseball, hotdogs & watermelon... mmmmmm!

Game 2
Juice more potent as game progresses
Load 'em up: Waves of Braves on the path
Surgeon has warning track power-doubles off screen monster: Who knew?
Robbie and Dom collide: Coaching staff concerned as Robbie begins throwing with left hand and picks up debris from dugout.
Safe at the plate:Bottom of the seventh victory as Hunt beats throw
But 14 LOB...my bad says Braves


July 8, 2006

Braves 7 Tigers 6

Headlines:

McIlroy & Lake: Rookie Battery Energized
K-Mac Strong Start: Surgeon Finishes
Surgeon's Success Secret: Fabric Softener
Defensive FundaMENTAL breakdown
Garrison's uniform malfunction reveals secret identity: Spiderman to dugout roof after foul.
Cully delivers screen monster RBI double
7-2 putout: Boomer to Laker for critical out
Vallier 2 RBI double
Storring 2 RBI single
Tigers out hit Braves 17-9
Braves' Vallier records another save for Senior Ponies earlier in the day


July 5, 2006

Click link below for
The Kingston Whig Standard's report on the Orillia tournament action


July 1-2, 2006

Tournament Entry Fee- $350
Cost of broken bat - $ 80
Kilometers travelled - 608
Hours on the road - 7
Dollars donated to casino- undisclosed
Amount of hits allowed by Jed Vallier, Sunday morning game: 0

Spending Canada Day weekend in the Orillia baseball tournament with the Braves: PRICELESS


Devine, Vallier Lead Braves to Tournament Semi-Finals


Strong pitching and solid defense helped the Kingston Adam's Shoppers Drug Mart Braves advance to the semi-finals of the Orillia Canada Day Weekend Midget tournament with the Kingston trio of pitchers, Chris Cull, Marcus Sullivan and Jed Vallier exhibiting gutsy performances in pressure situations.

Cull took the mound for the Braves in the opening game Saturday morning and was in complete control of the situation, striking out 11 Waterloo batters en-route to a complete game, three-hit, 5-0 shutout.

In the second game Saturday afternoon, starter Doug Jarrell in his first appearance since being sidelined with the flu, held EOBA rival Ajax in check for five innings before handing the 2-0 lead and a base runner at first, over to middle reliever Matt Beckstead. Beckstead loaded the bases and gave up a run before giving way to closer Jed Vallier. Vallier was tagged with the loss after Ajax third baseman and ex-Brave Brent Bain connected with a breaking ball and hit the ball backfield into right, and eventually scored to win the game 3-2.

Braves defence highlights this day were a perfectly executed relay 9-3-2 from Dom Lazzarino in right field to first baseman Brandon Fleming to catcher Brad Devine to gun down a runner at the plate. Another was a double play run-down executed by the Braves, scored 1-5-4-3, Cull to Vallier to Kerstens to Storring.

Sunday morning, Vallier was given a chance to redeem himself in a must-win situation to advance to the semi-finals. Vallier was up to the task leading the Braves to victory, throwing a no-hitter over the High Park Braves. Again the Braves bats pounded out a 5-0 victory, led by Brad Devine's bases loaded, 3 RBI double to put the game out of reach in the seventh inning.

In the semi-final game against North York, played an hour later, Braves manager Steve Vallier handed the ball to Marcus Sullivan, his first start since a no-hitter over Ajax the previous week. Sully, an intense, hard throwing righty, held NY in check before giving way to lefty-reliever Chris Cull, down 3-1. Cully, pitching on adrenaline, heart and fumes did the job asked of him by dispatching three left handed batters back to their bench.

In the seventh inning, the top of the Braves order came through led by Brad Devine with yet another RBI double to make the score 3-2. With Chad Storring's big bat at the plate, the Hollywood ending fell short as Storring grounded out to end the Braves tournament.


June 27 Update

from the Whig Standard, June 27, 2006 edition
Sullivan spins no-hitter.

Left hander Marcus Sullivan threw a no-hitter as the Kingston Adam's Shoppers Drug Mart Braves defeated the Ajax Spartans 8-2 in the first game of an Eastern Ontario Baseball Association midget doubleheader on Sunday.

The runs allowed by Sullivan, who struck out 10, came after he walked one batter and hit another. One run scored on a groundout and another on a steal.
Jed Vallier drove in two runs for the Braves with a triple and a double.

The Spartans came back to win the second game 7-1.

On Saturday, Kenny McIlroy threw a three-hitter and struck out nine in a 13-3 win over the Spartans C club. Sullivan and Matt Beckstead each had three hits and two RBIs.
Tha Ajax B team won the opener 7-6. Sullivan had two hits and drove in three runs while Ajax capitalized on 10 walks and four Kingston errors.

The Braves(10-3) are in Orillia for a tournament this weekend

June 24 - 25, 2006
Braves win 2 of 4 on weekend. EOBA record now 10-3

Headlines:

Game 1 Sunday, June 25, 2006 Braves 8- Ajax A 2

Good Ol' County Hardball: Sully Throws No Hitter
10 K's, 5 Walks, 3 Hit batsmen, 1 Broken catcher's mitt

Speedy Sully Safe At Second, Outruns DP
Heart of the Order Delivers: Doubles Deluxe
Devine, Vallier, Storring Deliver RBI doubles.
Vallier, Storring back to back deuces.

Game 2 Sunday, June 25, 2006 Ajax A 7- Braves 1
Baserunning Blunder Bursts Braves Budding Big Inning
Hit 'em Where They Ain't: Boomer Mound Magic Missing
Not Guided by Voices: Fundamental Breakdown

Game 1 Saturday,June 24,2006 Ajax B 7-Braves 6
Chris Culled:Cully Pitching Woes
Sully Swings Stick: 2 hits 3 RBI

Game 2 Braves 13 - Ajax C 3
K-Mac Up To Task: Twirls Three-hitter,9 K's
Sully & M-Train Derail Ajax:3 hits, 2 RBI each

Player of the Week:
Marcus Sullivan
********************************

Click on the link below for the Kingston Whig Standard's report of the recent Braves victories.

Braves Game Report, June 18, 2006


June 19, 2006

Braves Improve EOBA Record to 8-1
Game 1: Braves 7 Oshawa 2
Game 2: Braves 6 Oshawa 4

HEADLINES

Sons Of Kingston Deliver Father's Day Wins
M-Train Derailed But Surgeon Prevails
The Way of the Jedi: Vallier Demonstrates Ball, Bat, Glove Weapons
Happy Father's Day Tom and Steve: Vallier HR, Unassisted DP and Save
Lumber Kings: Devine, Vallier, Storring Ball Busters
Devine Pounds Four Hits And Controls Game Behind Plate
Robbie Bats Lead-Off: Continues On Base Assault
The Art of Yapper: Bit of Bat Brilliance and Defensive Diving
K-Mac & Cully Deliver Twin Hits Apiece On the Diamond
Braves Fashionista: Papa G Models Unique Designer T-shirt
Welcome Back, Postman: Safe and Sound From The Land of Soccer


Player(s)of the Game:

Jed Vallier 2 RBI HR, Unassisted DP and Save in first mound appearance this season for Braves

Brad Devine was 4 for 4 and played his usual outstanding game behind the plate.
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Sunday, June 18, 2006

Ponies Lose One, Win One On Kids Day

The Ponies didn't have to worry about Mother Nature raining on their annual Kids Day at the old ball park on Montreal Street. The Whitby Canadians' bats produced homerun thunder and handed Ryan Babcock a 7-1 loss.

In the second game of the EOBA Senior Division twinbill, Ponies ace Sean Light took the mound, yielding half a dozen hits before being relieved by Jed Vallier in the seventh inning. Vallier notched his second save of the short season as the Loyalist Farm Ponies won 8-5.

Vallier will be in action again today for the Kingston Midget Braves as the league leading Braves host second place Oshawa. Oshawa is a game behind Kingston in the EOBA Midget Division.
Game time is noon at Megaffin Park.
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June 13, 2006
from the June 12, 2006 Kingston Whig Standard

Braves split twinbill against Whitby

The Kingston Adam's Shopper's Drug Mart Braves ran into a red-hot Whitby pitcher in the opening game of Saturday's EOBA midget doubleheader at Megaffin Park.

The Braves managed just one hit in the 4-0 loss, the team's first setback of the season. Kenny McIlroy's fifth inning single accounted for the lone Kingston run. Whitby scored two runs in each of the first and third innings off losing pitcher Matt Beckstead, whose three-hitter deserved a kinder fate.

In the nightcap the Braves upped their league-leading mark to 6-1 with a 4-2 decision. Marcus Sullivan capped a three-run sixth-inning comeback with a run-scoring single.
Craig Hunt pitched a scoreless seventh to earn the save in relief of winning pitcher Chris Cull (2-0). Once again pitching ruled the day. Both teams split a half-dozen hits.
Next Sunday[June 18]the Braves play a doubleheader against Oshawa beginning at noon.
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Braves in Nation's Capital For Double Friendly, Sunday, June 11

Braves Nine split games with Ottawa team
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June 10
Headlines:
Game 1: Ajax 4 Braves 0
Base On Balls Bites Beckstead: M-Train Twirls Three-Hitter In Losing Cause.
Lumber Slumber: "Montrelle" To Sue For Lack of Run Support.
Dead Ball: Rotary Park Infield Grass Is Rawlings Vortex.
Mittens & Toques, Again: This Ain't Baseball Weather…

Game 2: Ajax 2 Braves 4
Cully & Sully Get 'Er Done!
Sully's Scorching Single in Sixth Scores Game Winning Run.
Pitcher Of Record: Cully Throws A Win From The Dugout.
Devine Digs In: Vallier Assists Critical Out At Plate.
The Surgeon's Soliloquy: Bending Balls And Saving Scores.

Braves 6-1 in EOBA play.
Current Season Record: 7-2
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Braves Battle Bunnies: Braves 6 Bunnies 4

Game Headlines:

Devine Does Damage!
Lazzarino Swinging Heavy Lumber!
The Surgeon Operates:Hunt Goes the Distance for the Win
Braves Now 5-0 in EOBA play

From the June 8, 2006 edition of the Kingston Whig Standard:
Devine, Lazzarino lead baseball Braves
Timely hits by Brad Devine and Dom Lazzarino enabled the Kingston Shoppers Drug Mart Braves to edge the Brockville Bunnies 6-4 in Eastern Ontario Baseball Association midget play Tuesday night at Megaffin Park.

Devine's three-run home run to left center in the fifth inning of lefthander Dylan Lowry gave the Braves a 4-3 lead. Lazzario doubled with two outs to drive home two runs for the winning margin.

Pitcher Craig Hunt went the distance for the Braves. he allowed 10 hits in nine innings, striking out six and walking five.

Scott Derbyshire homered for Brockville. Shortstop Russ Graham singled twice and drove in a run in the seventh to tie the game at 4-4.
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6/6/6

The Kingston Midget Braves are in action tonight[June 6]when they stake their 4-0 record against the 10-2 Brockville Junior Bunnies. The Bunnies roster showcases some local Kingston area players and Bunnies assistant coach Fred Leavitt previously managed in the Kingston Braves organization.

So c'mon down to the old ball yard tonight to see exciting EOBA Midget division action.Game starts at 7:00pm at Megaffin Park.

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Braves double header in Ajax rained out June 3rd.Tentatively rescheduled for June 24.

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High School Baseball Championship Frontenac 12 QECVI 3

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KBA Alumnus Heading To Hockey Hall of Fame?
Visit www.ktowndiamonddogs.blogspot.com/

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BON VOYAGE: Postman and Better Half Embark On Barnstorming & Scouting Tour.
Baseballman journeys to the heartland of UK football during the World Cup.That's not the Massachusetts game...Beware of cricket bowlers and their weird, balking delivery. Godspeed folks!
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From the May 30, 2006 Edition of the Kingston Whig Standard:

“BRAVES SPLIT EXHIBITION TWINBILL
Adam’s Shopper’s Drug Mart Stores Braves dropped the opening game of a midget baseball exhibition doubleheader, but came back for a 10-6 victory against the Brossard Cubs of Quebec at Megaffin Park Sunday.

Playing the role of visitors, the Braves rallied for five runs in their last at-bat to win the second game. Brad Devine drove in two runs and Chad Storring one.
Craig Hunt picked up the win, giving up only one run in three innings of work.

In the opener, the Cubs broke open a 2-2 game with four runs in the fifth against pitcher Matt Beckstead. Kingston was held to five hits, including a double by Ryan Kerstens.
The Braves are back in Eastern Ontario Baseball Association action Saturday for a doubleheader in Ajax.”

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Braves Devine and Vallier Contribute to Ponies Win.

The Kingston Ponies,playing in their EOBA Senior Division season opener on May 27th,swept a twinbill from the Pioneers of Markham by scores of 4-3 and 6-0. Two Kingston Midget Braves were called up by Manager Tom Carty -Jed Vallier took the mound in the first game with runners in scoring position and recorded the save while Brad Devine drove in two runs with a double in the first inning of the second game. Scoring on the play was Tim Leonard, the 36 year old veteran who re-joined the team after a brief retirement.

Vallier and Devine play with the Senior team when not on duty with the Braves.

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Headlines: Friendly Double Header vs Brossard Cubs, May 28th.


Visitors Wield Metal vs Braves Lumber!
Storring Steals Second Twice in One Day!
Vallier Chewing Dirt After Moving Hot Corner to SS!
Hunt On The Hill:The Surgeon Sews Up Another.
Jarrell's K-Wobbler Flys Off Metal Bat for HR!
Devine Intervention:Stopping Runs & Producing Runs
"Robbie" "Ray" Continues On Base Pursuit
Rookie Hurlers Tested Early by Metal Bat Cubs
Monette Paints Rope to Plate and Pounds in Run.

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From the May 23 Edition of the Kingston Whig Standard:

Braves' first road trip nets four victories

Kingston Shoppers Drug Mart Braves opened the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association Midget season this weekend with four victories on the road.

The Braves swept a doubleheader from the Peterborough Tigers Saturday, 6-1 and 7-4, and they defeated the Pickering Red Sox 11-5 and 12-5 Sunday. Kingston reached double figures in base-hits in three of the four games, collecting 49 in 27 innings of play.

Marcus Sullivan and Jeff Lake had three hits apiece in Sunday's opener, Brad Devine drove in three runs and Chad Storring hit a three run home run in support of pitcher Doug Jarrell, who struck out six in an eight-hitter.

Brad Yott had four hits, scored twice and drove in a run as Kingston came from behind to win Sunday's second game. A five run Pickering third erased a 4-0 Kingston lead, but the Braves answered with five in top of the fifth. Ryan Kerstens had three hits and three RBI and Chris Garrison had two hits, scored twice and drove in four for the Braves.

Jareth Vallier and Garrison had two hits apiece in Saturday's season opener. Brendan Fleming scattered five hits over six innings for the pitching win.

Three runs in the top of the fifth inning reversed a 4-3 Peterborough lead in the second game. Vallier had four hits and Sullivan and Storring each delivered three for the Braves. Chris Cull struck out two in three and a third innings of no-hit relief for Kingston.

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Opening Weekend Headlines.


Blast Off:Storring Smashes Spaulding Sphere!
Yott Clubbing:Ship-shape on opening weekend!
Jarrell Quietly Gets the Job Done, Again!
Lazzarino Lashes Lumber!
Rookies Cully and Sully (Sullivan) bring the heat on a cold 24th weekend!
Fleming Flips Funky Five-hitter!
Rookie Catcher Lake Lunges and Dives to snag sphere for critical out!
Dazzling DP: Dial 2-3-6 for Inning Busters!
Devine's DH Debut: Still Blocking,Slugging & Scoring (Literally)!
Garrison Being Garrison: The Art of Being Yapper!
Rookie Hurlers Pitch In: McIlroy and Beckstead Tested!
Heads Up: Vallier Steals Two Bases - One Inning!
Ryan "Robbie" "Ray" Dazzles Defensively and At the Dish!
Hunt on the Hill: The Surgeon Operates!

But...28 LOB first two games: "My Bad.." says Braves.
"A masterpiece…" says the Cold, Rain and Hail Maker.
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"... anyone who has ever picked up a ball and a bat, who has felt the ground fly beneath spiked shoes, who has stretched out a gloved hand to spear a baseball hurtling against a backdrop of sky, who has memorized the sensation of a ball striking the sweet part of a bat, knows the game will be part of our lives till the daylight fails and there is no one left to turn on the lights."
- from The Short Season by David Falkner





 


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