There is once again a successful Slo-Pitch league in Greater Sudbury.
The same couldn't be said in 2015, when the Coniston Old Timer League was forced to disband due to a lack of participation, but some hard work and determination from league convener Bill Rivers has revived the league.
The 2016 season featured four teams, The Cardiac Kids, The Colonial Inn, The Garage Guys, and The Geriatric Goons.
Each team played twice a week and got in 21 games thanks to a summer that didn't see much rain.
“We were fortunate that the weather really co-operated with us,” said Rivers. “We didn't have any rain-outs and it wasn't until the playoffs that we had to play a game in the rain.”
The Geriatric Goons took first place in the regular season, while Garage Guys took home the playoff championship.
Games were competitive and hard-fought, but always good-natured according to Rivers.
“It was a competitive league, but not too competitive,” he said. “Teams didn't have any problem with lending players if another team was short a few guys, it really was a gentleman's league.”
A successful season in 2016 has built some momentum and Rivers expects two more teams to be added to the mix in 2017.
“There were a couple teams of older guys who were getting blown out playing in the industrial league so they're looking at coming over and joining up with us next season,” said River.
Any teams interested in joining the Coniston Old Timer Slo-Pitch League can contact Bill Rivers at [email protected] or 705-853-1483 before the 2017 season.
