Page 31 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 44

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A Surge of Orange on the Ball Field

By Dan Piche to play at a more competitive level for the Surge this season. There are
against teams both inside and outside also kids from Brockville, Prescott,
ecently, a new surge of orange of Eastern Ontario. In past seasons, and from the townships and villages
Rhas been seen on baseball competitive ball would not start until of Kemptville, Williamsburg,
diamonds throughout Eastern Ontario the middle of June, and would be Morrsiburg, Winchester, North
as the Seaway Surge Ball Club is wrapped up by the third or last week Gower, and South Gower.
competing in its inaugural season. of July, depending on whether or not
Seaway are playing their home
you were fortunate enough to make
The arrival of the Seaway Surge games in Brockville, Cornwall,
it to the Provincials. This season,
is a natural evolution and testament Chesterville, and Kemptville to
by the middle of June each of these
to the growth of baseball in Eastern help the organization gain exposure
teams had played over a dozen games
Ontario. Similar to what has around the area.
and had been on the diamonds since
happened with hockey the past 15-20
the end of April. If there were any “Hopefully with the exposure it
years with the establishment of AA
doubters as to the length of the season will encourage not just the other
and AAA programs for more skilled
and quality of play, you need to look kids at these age groups to come out Simon Piche Photo Submitted
and competitive kids, the Surge are
no further than the Peewee team. On next year, but also younger kids to

filling that same need on the baseball
June 4th, they played in their 15th and play baseball”, Bantam Coach Steve
diamond. There are already similar
16th games of the season, winning White said. “Baseball seems to be
programs in the Ottawa area playing
both ends of double-header against blowing up at the younger ages, I
in the Ontario Baseball Association,
the local power-house East-Nepean think probably because of the success
but the Surge have established a
Eagles who finished second in the of the Blue Jays. I can’t help but

boundary that provides high level
country last season. When they met think the success of the Blue Jays is
competitive baseball opportunities to
this year, the Eagles were just getting going to rejuvenate and replenish the
young ball players from the Ontario/
started while the Surge were already system a little bit, let’s hope at least.”
Quebec border to Kingston and north,
in mid-season form.
to just south of Ottawa. With the growth of ball expected to
Before the season started, many continue, it is important that there’s
The club currently has four
players at all age levels went down an opportunity for all players to play
teams: mosquito, major peewee,
to the State University of New at the level that they are best suited
minor bantam, and minor midget
York (SUNY) in Canton for indoor to play. The Seaway Surge may be
with each team drawing players
training sessions during the winter. in their inaugural season, but they
from throughout Eastern Ontario,

Having access to the multi-million have already filled a gap for those
including the Cornwall area. At the
dollar facility and being taught by players wishing to play at a higher
older ages of Bantam and Midget,
their coaching staff and players has level without having to commit to an
the teams play in the Eastern Ontario

paid huge dividends on the field. Ottawa based team.
Baseball Association, playing against Michael Edwards of Cornwall
teams from Ottawa, Kingston, and “It’s exciting” says Jason Broad, The Surge will be hosting a Photo Submitted
even as far as Toronto. While at the coach of the peewee team. “By tournament from July 7th to 10th.
younger ages, they play at the Select drawing players from throughout the With 32 teams expected to participate,
level of Baseball Ontario, playing in area and by exposing them to more some from as far as Southern Ontario
exhibition games, double-headers, ball and better ball, we’ve been able and NY State, people are encouraged
and select tournaments throughout to compete against the bigger clubs to come out to catch some great
the region. Kids at this age can also and to participate in tournaments that baseball games. When you see kids
continue to play with their Little we may have shied away from in the at the age of 12 hitting balls over a
League house league teams. past”. 270 foot fence, or striking out players
by mixing in a 70 mph fast ball with
The idea to join the Ontario The Surge rosters are made up
a nasty slider or change-up, you will
Baseball Association was started from all over the area. Locally,
see what all the Orange Surge fuss is
last season as there was a desire by Michael Edwards, Parker Ouderkirk,
about.
many local Little League coaches Wyatt Zimmer, Shane McFarlane,
and players to have a longer ball and Bailey Geneau are amongst the To learn more about the Seaway Wyatt Zimmer of Cornwall
season, and to have an opportunity Cornwall players who are playing Surge, visit www.seawaysurge.com Photo Submitted