Home field advantage flipsThe Hobos battled through the injury bug and took game 1 of there best of 5 series from the Hens on Tuesday Night as the Vintage division playoffs kicked off.The Hobo bats managed to produce 14 runs on way to victory. The win flips the home field advantage over to the BO’S who did everything in there power to hand the game To the Hens. With injury’s affecting the Battery, Offence and Defence the win will bye time for the line-up to be re-stored for game 2 Friday 7pm at Nelson.For those driving you may want to car pool as parking is limited.For all others HOP ON THE TRAIN!!
BO’S look to putt for Dough!
Like a Championship golfer who has been there before, there is sometimes one thing they can rely on to beat the Yipp’s Experience.As the saying goes “Drive for show and putt for dough” The Hobos will count on a number of veteran players who have been there before. Manager Jim Hambrook“There is absolutely nothing easy about winning championships ask any of the black 49ers who are 12 – 0 in the past two National Championship’s, Seems like it must have been an easy run??Trust me if you were on the field, on the bench or in the stands and know the slightest thing about this great game then you know the gritty effort required by all members to accomplish the thrill of Victory When you win one you achieve something that can never be taken away. There are never assurances that another one will ever come along again”.We are not talking World Series here but we are also not talking the Rock, Paper, Scissors title either. Baseball is a game driven by competition, this is not slow pitch or some other rendition of Toss & Giggle this is the game! , the very game that makes you Successful if you can hit the ball three out of ten times. The game that has humbled the very best players ever over and over again.The Train hoppers will be facing a 16 – 3 team that is fresh off a ten game run and a pennant winning Lutz cup. Manager Jim Hambrook “Hat’s off to the Hens for putting together the season That they did they were full blast May 2nd and never looked back, the Lutz cup shows that this team is for real, and these guy’s are ready to go”. My guess is the BO’S are also ready to go …and will be looking to putt for Dough!Hop on the Train to Nelson Stadium Tuesday 7pm
HOBOS CLINCH!!!
It took 19 games and 7 innings to finally clinch the final spot in the League Championship Vintage division.A 3-3 tie versus a very tough Yankee team assured the Trainmen of another run at the Vintage Cup.A win or a tie were the only options available and the Yankees were in a win only situation. Steve Austin, Brad Tupper, Scott Bailey and Mark Messier kept the Hobos pinned at 3 runs but could not manage to hold a 2 run lead or add to there own totals. Mark Messier hit a huge 2 run blast in the third inning for the yanks and the run production hit a wall.The biggest surprise about this game was the fact that both these teams had no business being in the situation they found themselves in. The Hobos are three time defending champions and the Yankees have won the league title the past 2 years, both teams have players who can handle the heat when it gets turned up and both have proven it many times over. That being said the Yankees will be the #1 seed in the Legends pool and the Hobos will be the #4 seed in the Vintage side. Manager Jim Hambrook said “It is too bad that the Yankees have not qualified for the Vintage Cup it is hard to believe one of our 2 teams would not make it. I know what our issues were and I can’t speak for the Yankees this much is clear this is a rare situation for us to be entering the playoffs as huge underdogs but we will show up and do our best.”The Hobos will open up there first round at Nelson Stadium vs. the Cardinals or Mudhens at 7pm Tuesday Sept. 2ndHop on the Train
HOBOS getting HUNGRY
After playing 19 League games, 4- 5 exhibition tilts and 4- 10 Tournament games the Train Hoppers will have to wait until Sunday night to get a clear picture of what lies ahead.The BO’S will wrap up the regular schedule with part 2 of there back to back series with there long time rival the Yankees. While the Hobos had there way Tuesday with the bombers with a decisive victory there is still some heavy lifting ahead. The Yankees have been caught shorthanded of late due to various circumstances and will receive some valuable help Sunday with the return of some of there veteran players Manager Jim Hambrook stated “The bottom line is the Yankees are two time back to back Lutz cup winners Lutz Cup indicative of 1st place overall) They didn’t get those titles handed to them they earned them and we expect that same pride will show up Sunday... remember they are also looking to keep there Vintage Cup hopes alive” The Hobos are also looking to return some key players to the lineup for there last game.Hop on the train and see you at the yard
HOBO’S GEAR UP FOR RUN
The BO’s will have to bring there “A” game if they want to defend the Vintage Cup. With only three games remaining, nothing short of winning out will allow the defending Champs. The opportunity to chase down a 4th straight Title. Manager Jim Hambrook said “We have 3 games left, we put ourselves in this position and we will have No choice but to start the playoffs early and battle it out with the Cards and Yankees for a spot in the Vintage Pool.“We know all the Teams are pulling for us and that means a lot to us” There looks to be a potential Newcomer in the Vintage pool as the Sox, Yankees and HOBOS fight for the last 2 spots.NAT’S NOTESThe HOBOS sent an unprecedented 15 player’s to represent the 49er program over the Aug. 1st long weekend.Casey Cosgrove managed and played on the defending National Champion Black 49ers and was joined by Hobo teammates ,Randy and Richard Stanbury, Craig Carroll, Mike Bennett ,Jay Lack, Colin Lalonde and last but not least Justin Pysar.The Blue 49ers had 3 Hobos in there line up Shawn Pomfret, Craig Frohlick, and Brian GregoryThe 44 Grey 49ers were managed by Jim Hambrook and was joined by Hobo teammates Blake Fisher, and Doug “BO” CameronThe Silver 49ers were Coached by Hobo vet Jake Timmis and lost in the final to a team from B.CGreat work BO’S ….way to support the cause!!- Mike “Benny” Bennett came in to finish the Championship game on the hill in the 6th inning and after a severe collision at the plate knocking J Mckay out of action the 49er Pitcher was joined by his lifetime battery mate Randy Stanbury , Benny and Babe simply did what they have done for the last 30 years CLOSED THE DOOR!!!- Our deepest Sympathy goes out to Justin and Kirstin Pysar as Justin was notified at the sudden passing of his Mother in Edmonton at the conclusion of the semi final game which he started and was the winning picture of record.- Look forward to seeing you soon Justin- Dylan Depodesta was the honorary bat boy in the Final game for the Blacks, his late father Paul was the Knicksake for the 49er program as he wore the 49 with great pride prior to his passing in 2005. Hop on the Train and see you at the Yard!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
For the third consecutive game and the 5th time this year the Rains have fallen and had an impact on the HOBOS. After playing rain shortened games against the Marauders and Giants the BO’s started late against the Cards and storm clouds and heavy rain put an end to a 3 1/2 inning 7-0 Hobo lead. On the following Friday night it was the Yankee’s and BO’s getting into a half inning of play before Tornado conditions once again set in.Moving on to Fathers day (Sunday) it looked like the train hoppers were finally going to get there feet back in the dirt!But as fate would have it Mother Nature (on Fathers day?) reared her ugly head and said your day is over!! Unbelievably more Tornado conditions! All that was left over after the storm was 10 runs scored 0 against (Stanbury, Bennett) 1 home run (Bennett) 2-2 4rbi (Pysar) Mgr Jim Hambrook remarked “we’ll see what Mother Nature unleashes next year when we are playing on Mothers day” The BO’s look forward to the weekend where they will get re-acquainted with there long time friends the RED SOX Friday 8:30 Nelson Stadium.“Hop on the Train”
HOBOS ROLL into SAM’s DAY
The Hobos wrapped up there season series with the Giants Tuesday with a 7-0 rain drenched victory over the Large Men. Blake Fisher, Jim Hambrook and Craig Carroll hit the hill for the BO’s and combined to put another goose egg on the board. The Hobos will now venture into a stretch in the schedule where they will face some of there long term rivals the Red Sox, Yankees, and the stubborn Cardinals who they face next on Sunday at 6pm at Ireland.Please take some time on Saturday 7th and bring the kids and family out for games ,food and refreshments at Brant Hills community centre from 1:00 – 4:30 pm. It’s Sam’s Day a community fundraiser named in honor of Sam Lack the son of B.V.B Hobo Jay Lack. Sam’s day is an annual birthday and Cancer remission celebration for Sam as he will be turning five and celebrating his third year of being cancer free. The Olympic –themed Sam’s day will feature the Raptors Dance Pak ,rhythmic gymnastics, cheerleading and a jump rope demo as well as a host of other entertainment, games, activities and interactive exhibits such as reptile Party, SOAR Birds of Prey and Pap Kids Trains, There will also be an extensive silent auction.Family pass only $25:00 single adult only $10:00Kids cuts for the cure will take place at 4pm as a group of fundraisers will shear there locks for the cause .All proceeds go to the James Fund for Neuroblastoma research at SickKids.Manager Jim Hambrook said “This is the kind of event our league shows its character ,there is No room for this terrible disease in the lives of these young kids”Please visit www.samsday.org“Hop on the Train and we’ll see you there”
Goodbye May …Hello June
The HOBOS closed out the Month of May and kicked off the month of June with back to back victories. On Friday the BO’s jumped out early and shutout the feisty Marauders as Rich Stanbury and Jim Hambrook managed to toss a 4 inning blank and the rain did the rest. The Game was halted 2/3rds into the 5th as the sky opened up and sent the teams packing. Mick Bennett turned his game up a notch and was selected player of the game. Benny received a can of beans for his efforts. As the Month of June reared it’s head the BO’s picked up where they left off on Friday, Craig Frohlick tossed a couple of scoreless innings and gave way to Casey Cosgrove and Justin Pysar The Hobos opened the game up in the 4th and never looked back .The Giants hung in for 4 innings and are showing that once they Gel they will be a formidable combatant in the B.V.B. The Train hoppers will face the very same Giants on Tuesday then rest up for a slugfest in the Ireland Band box with the cards on Sunday Craig Frohlick picked up the beans.Hop on the train BO’s fans and we’ll see you at the Yard!
Giants Fall / BO’s Build / Hens Win
Well Hobo fans you are going to have to hold on tight as the ride is still a little bumpy. The Hobo’s had a Good news, Great news, Bad News weekend, The Bo’s started the weekend with a solid outing against the Giants and picked up there 2nd win of the young season, Lefty Blake Fisher, Right hander Craig Carroll (fresh from the cooler) And rookie lefty BO Cameron mowed down the G-Men and got the weekend started. It was the first ever save for the grizzled Scot Cameron and he was awarded the game ball and a lawn chair. The Good news arrived in the player department as BO’s Mgr. Jim Hambrook announced the signing of Edmonton Native and current Welland legend Justin Pysar. After months of ongoing discussions The former Edmonton Tiger had a change of plans on a move to the U.S and has signed with the defending champs. Justin will fill a number of key spots when he is on the field and you can consider him a key candidate to line up with the Black 49ers as they defend the National Championship this summer in Hamilton. Justin competed in the 07 Nationals in Red Deer with his hometown Edmonton Navigators And pitched against the Black 49ers in the National semi final fanning 5 of the 6 men he faced .At some point this summer Justin will have the opportunity to line up with his former California College roommate and Burlington native Jamie Evans. Jamie and Justin will both be welcome additions as the BO’s gun for another Vintage Cup On Sunday night the BO’s and Hens played Jekyll and Hyde as both teams showed flashes of what they are capable of and flashes of …well.. What they are capable of!! The Hens pulled out a dramatic victory after leading by 3 falling behind by 3 then clawing back to take a 1 run lead that came curtusey of a 2 run blast off the bat of Brian Ferguson who then trotted to the hill to battle off 6 batters and pin the BO’s as the dreaded curfew reared it’s 6 inning head. Newcomer Justin Pyser was the lone bright spot for the Train raiders as he clubbed 2 bombs en route to a 4rbi afternoon. The BO’s are back in action at 8:30 Friday the 30th at Nelson vs the 2 – 1 Marauders Hop on the train…and come on down.
BO’s Back in Town!
The HOBOS picked up there first victory of the young season with an 8 – 0 win over the Cubs. Colin Lalonde, Blake Fisher and Jim Hambrook combined to toss a complete game 2 hitter at the Bears. The BO’s will be back in action Friday night as they face the Giants in an 8:30 tilt at Nelson. The HOBOS are in the process of finalizing there roster and Manager Jim Hambrook says “We will have significant news to report by the end of the Week”Stay tuned and hop on the train!
