Toronto Burby League Season Preview
2022. Another Burby season is upon us. And finally one without Covid interference.
And for the first time in the leagues history the schedule will now start at the beginning of May as opposed to a frigid April. This is good news for all the gas throwers in the TBL. And there are a lot of teams who are already warmed up and ready to dominate. Let’s look at the teams this year in both conferences and see who is the early front runner and the early basement dweller.
PREMIER RANKINGS
Birchcliff Bears 1st - Shawn Leah is here
I’m pretty sure the Bears don’t want to be ranked number one for fear of a jinx but you can’t deny that the addition of Shawn Leah to this already potent offense is going to be a near impossible win for opponents. His pitching is also lights out. And if the World Cup was any indication then the relief pitching for the Bears in the form of Rob Scotland is probably the best in the league. We can’t forget one of the best hitters in the league in Art Stoner. It’s a force to be reckoned with. The only thing that could possibly stop this juggernaut could be Jeff Snow and the 2nd ranked Leslieville Brickies.
LeslieVille Brickies 2nd - The Snow Factor
The defending champs have the same team, same attitude, and of course they have Jeff Snow. Snow is the reigning pitcher of the year and slugger of the year. He can literally take a game over at will. As well with 2 trusted relievers in Joel Heard and sophomore Andrew Fuller the Brickies are poised for a another Cup run. The only caveat? Jeff Snow will have conflicts with Dodgeball Canada this year.
Beach Dusters 3rd- “Jacked”Cherry
The three time world champs were none too happy to not make it to the finals last year. So in the off-season Jack Cherry decided to get in the best shape of his life. Kevin Macdonald is seeing a trainer to mould him into a burby God and of course Kevin Obrien has been jacked for quite some time. When it’s all said and done the TBL may have to implement a drug testing program.The X factor will be Chris Toman. Will he come in as fit as his teammates or will the pleasant distractions of a new family and house get in the way of Burby stardom.
Cliffside Heights 4th- Hunger Games
This squad boasts a 2 time pitcher of the year in Marcus Belardi. Coming off a heartbreaking 14 inning loss in last years playoffs the Heights are desperate for a chip. The back up pitching is suspect, and at times the hitting has gone MIA. The 10 year drought however is eye opening and this may be the year that Luciano,Gino, Marcus and Mark say enough is enough. 2nd year player Mark Andrade will be a beast at the plate.
Scarborough Bluffs 5th- Is Dave Enough?
The Bluffs are coming off an impressive playoff run last year that saw them beat the former world champ Dusters and then almost take down the champion Brickies. They did this on the back of one man. Dave Atkinson. His arm was pretty much toast by the end of the year and if the Bluffs don’t find back up pitching then it could be a painful season. Still they are a dark horse and the team no one wants to play.
Roncesvalles Rockets 6th- Who’s on 1st?
On paper this team is one of the best. In reality there are just too many part-time players for the Rockets to gel with. To add stability they’ve picked up journeyman TJ McCann from the former Cedarbrae Storm. He could be the silent leader that they need. They also signed slugger Mike Wesson who may or may not show up. It’s an unknown team with devastating potential. Joe Callaghan will be away for at least a month this summer in Croatia. Looking for Burby Players.
KINGS RANKINGS
The Kings will have a different feel this year. It’s the first time ever they will be experimenting with a pitcher being able to go seven innings. This could bode well for teams with aces but it could also be a curse.
Don Mills 1st - Time to 3 peat
The undisputed champions the Blue Jays have their core four and they are ready for a Sweet 3 peat. Led by their MVP Mike Murphy who shows no fear on the mound and can crush all pitching. Kevin Sleigh could be the most underrated bat in the conference. What can stop this Juggernaut? Only themselves.
Van Horne 2nd - Dan Long Show
While manager Albert Meskawy had been pushing for the seven inning rule, he knows it’s a chance for Dan Long to cement himself as the best hurler in the Kings. The Vipers lost Nick Wadden but gained an extra at bat for the rest of the team. Second year player Andy Deodarine is poised to crush some balls this year. After an embarrassing loss in the finals last year the Snakes are looking to slither back into contention.
Junction Cobra Kai 3rd - Is this the Year?
We ask this question every year and it always seems to end up with the same result. What’s different? Well the 7 inning rule will allow Andreas Constantinou to lull Opponents to sleep at Guildwood Yards for a full game. Darren Osborne and Rob Skasko are not getting any younger so there is an urgency in 2022. But the best regular season team needs to get out of their heads if they are going to move up in the playoffs.
Riverdale Spartans 4th - Renewed optimism
Riverdale may even be the 3rd or 2nd ranked team in the conference but we just don’t know what kind of attendance new Slugger and Pitcher (Marty Patience) will provide. If he shows up then the Spartans will ball out. Look for Scott Baker to have another career year and finally take home some hardware at the end of the season.
Birchmount Burbarians 5th - Long Season
Who is the leader of this team? It used to be Jerome Persaud but he’s now a part-time player. Same could be said for Muzafar Malik. Throw in another part time star in Mark Herbert and you have a mixed bag of great players that can never get on the field at the same time. Adding trusty veteran Nick Wadden should help with attendance. If this team makes Burby a priority then they have a shot at winning some games.
Agincourt Hitmen 6th- Will They Survive?
The once proud franchise that won a championship only 4 years ago is now a team struggling to get players on the field. What the team really needs is their trusted Swiss Army knife in Nick Liontas. He’s been No where to be found when counted on. Jeff Walter used to be the best bat in the conference. Now he’s just waiting for his HOF call from his lazy boy. Agincourt used to talk a big game and back it up. Now they just talk a big game and dont show up. It’s a sad state of affairs for the purple and silver.
