Play Ball! It’s a phrase that long awaited the ears of many baseball players across the world – including the more than 200 members of the London Mens Baseball League (LMBL).
After 658 days (that sometimes felt longer), the LMBL was back on the field. July 4th is celebrated every year by our neighbours south of the border, but we celebrated with a great day being back on the field playing a game we all love.
It took a lot of work for the LMBL Executive team to craft a schedule that would work for Baseball Ontario and the provincial government to ensure the safety of our players, umpires and, of course, the family members that our players go home to after the game (or after a few pops post-game).
To make the schedule work, the LMBL created two temporary expansion teams for a total of 16 teams – so that the LMBL would now have four separate 4-team divisions that would fit the rules outlined by the provincial government.
These new teams were made up of both current players from current teams and also some new players, as the league opened up the draft again to fill out the remaining roster spots.
This allowed some new players to give the LMBL a try.
“I haven’t had this much fun playing ball since little league” said Stefan Vince of the Expansion London Area Dodgers.
“It’s amazing we get to play at historic Labatt Park. I feel like a professional – until I actually start to play …” joked Chris Giffen of the expansion Rockies.
After a long layoff, there was, of course, some pulls and strains from muscles that were long forgotten about. But it was well worth it to get back on the field.
Play Ball? Yes please.
Submitted by London Mens Baseball League
