Time to go to bat for Labatt Park

In his bid to underline London’s status as the “cradle of baseball in Canada,” Joe O’Neill is urging everyone to vote for his baby — Labatt Memorial Park.

The venerable ballpark at the forks of the Thames River is competing for the title of Canada’s Favourite Ballpark in a contest staged by Baseball Canada.

The field, built in 1877 as Tecumseh Park, is one of 16 finalists from across the country and is in a four-way battle for votes this week with three other contenders.

“Show a bit of pride,” O’Neill said Wednesday, urging supporters to come forward. “We have this little gem that sits down by the Thames River that to baseball people is a shrine.”

O’Neill, president of the London District Baseball Association, nominated the park

Voting began Aug. 1 and goes to Aug. 8 at www.baseball.ca.

O’Neill said the contest will raise awareness of the facility and help promote the city as a great place to live. “To do that, you highlight the unique things this city has and no other city in the world has,” he said.

Labatt Park, the longest-serving ballpark in North America, is up against three rivals from Prince George, B.C., Coaticook, Que., and St. John’s, Nfld.

If the London park wins this round, it will continue on to the further rounds after which a winner will be announced Sept. 7.

Emslie Field in St. Thomas, a contender in the first group of four, was eliminated when it failed to muster as many votes as a park in Okotoks, Alta.

The toughest rival in this round for Labatt Park is Citizen Park in Prince George, O’Neill figures. It is only five years old but has been the site of many international events including the World Baseball Challenge.

O’Neill said while each supporter of Labatt Park can vote only once on each computer, other votes can be cast with each computer, laptop or personal communication device available to a voter.

“It’s important that London beats is chest and really emphasizes the things that make us unique,” he said.

The London region has a strong attachment to baseball going back to a game played in Beachville in 1838. The London Base Ball Club was listed in the first city directory of 1855. In 1877 the London Tecumsehs christened their new ballpark at the forks by winning the International Association, defeating Pittsburgh.

Kerry/Donegal have it easy in Connaughton final

Kerry/Donegal had an easy victory over a very disappointing Fermanagh squad in the final of the Peter Connaughton Cup on Saturday at Gaelic Park. Once Niamh Cunningham got the scoring going with an early brace of points, this lethal full forward line would end up with a very impressive tally of 6-11 in the rout of Fermanagh. The combo squad was in total control as Catriona Brady and Michelle McVann kept the forwards well supplied while defenders  Lilly, Foley, McGovern and company summarily snuffed out any Fermanagh attacks.

Star of the show Denise Dunnion followed Cunningham’s scores with a brace of goals while Noelle Brophy also landed a pair of points . With five minutes to the break Kerry/Donegal led by 3-8 to zero and then Loretta Cunningham blasted a powerful shot to the combo net climaxing good support play by Caroline Murphy. This score temporarily energized the Fermanagh forward line as Murphy landed two points with Maria Walsh and Roisin Toner providing assists, though with a bit of luck the latter shot could have gone under but there was little luck or joy for Fermanagh on this occasion. Kerry/Donegal cruised to the break leading by 3-11 to 1-2.

The rout continued in the second half as Eilish Ward blasted two early goals, indeed they would add a total of 3-5 while limiting the opponent to just five points. Overall this was a superb team performance by Kerry/Donegal as every aspect of their game was perfectly synchronized and synergized. Though Fermanagh were completely outplayed and outclassed, still the efforts of McArdle, Fitzpatrick, Toner, Cunningham and Murphy were commendable as they were just shoveling the proverbial sand against the relentless waves of  Kerry/Donegal attacks.

The American monthly review of reviews

JAMA., The Journal of the American Medical Association

Proceedings of the Board of West Chicago Park Commissioners

Annual register

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