Boys of summer take to the field

By Ken Johnston
Editor

The boys of summer took to ball fields across the Rainy River District last Tuesday for the 2011 season.
While the Rainy River Royals lost their opening game 14-7 to Stratton, the team is optimistic about the season.
Mat Ashworth of the Royals said, “This years team is looking good! (Veteran) Murray Armstrong is returning to pitch again so he always gives the team a chance to win.
There is lots of youth movement in the team, average age on our team has dropped from about 40 to early 20s in the last couple years with lots of up-and-coming talent that are well under 20.
The Royals play all their home games on Tuesdays and the public is welcome to attend. There is no admission charge.
Ashworth said, “The league is looking strong with ten teams across the district, which is a great thing to see! I would say there is no clear favorite to win the league this year, any team could take it.”
Playing in the league this year is Rainy River, Stratton, Barwick, Manitou, Sight & Sound (Fort Frances), Big Grassy Lightning, Big Grassy Braves, Beef’s Warriors, Big Island and Northwest Bay.

Scores from May 17th
Stratton 14 Vs Rainy River 7
W.P Guy Arpin
L.P Murray Armstrong
No Homeruns

Sight & Sight 3 Vs Barwick 7
W.P George Oltsher
L.P Beeker Watson
1 Homerun Dale Jerry

Beefs Warriors 12 Vs Manitou 2
W.P Sean Councillor
L.P Sean Brown
Homeruns Rob Mcginnis 2, Alain Tanguuay 1, Will Windigo 1, Ryan Windigo 1, Mike Wilson 1

NWB 3 Vs BG Braves 15
W.P Travis Tom
L.P Terry Smith
Homerun Travis Tom 1
Mitch Seguin

BG Lightning 18 Vs Big Island 10
W.P Nathan Jack
L.P Matt Comegan
No Homeruns

Scores from May 19th
Big Island 7 Vs Stratton 17
WP Guy Arpin
LP Patrick Handorgan
Homerun by Guy Arpin 1

Rainy River 2 Vs BG Lightning 7
WP Melvin Major
LP Murray Armstrong
Homerun by Tom Jack 1

Manitou 11 Vs Sight & Sound 10
WP Jason Wilson
LP Marcel Pagee
Homeruns by Paul Visser 1, Grant Swire 1, Marcel Pagee 1

Barwick 25 Vs Northwest Bay 0
WP Brandan Pratt
LP Don Smith
No Homeruns

BG Braves 3 Vs Beefs Warriors 1
WP Travis Tom
LP Sheldon Kelly
Homerun by Kevin Gemmell 1

Upcoming games
The schedule for this Thursday and next Tuesday is as follows:
Thursday
Sight & Sound @ Beef’s Warriors
RR @ Big Grassy Lightning
Barwick @ NW Bay
Big Grassy Braves @ Big Island

Tuesday
Sight & Sound @ Stratton
Beef’s War. @ RR
BG Braves @ Barwick
Manitou @ Big Island
NW Bay @ BG Lightning