Micksburg — After an early exit in last year’s quarter-finals of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League (GOFL), the Micksburg Twins are anxious to return to the diamond this spring to reclaim their previous title as the top team in the nine-team league.
Player-coach Jamey Mick told the Leader Monday the team had been holding weekly work-outs indoors at Opeongo High School since April and were chomping at the bit to start play this week (May 15) when the team travels to Stittsville.
“Everybody’s real hungry and a little bit pi—d off from last year, so everybody is really excited about getting back and winning the title again,” he stated.
Mick said he certainly expects the Twins to be a force to be reckoned with this season despite the absence of one member of their always strong pitching duo of Corey Costello and Joran Graham. He said while Costello hurt his knee and will not be available this year, Graham, who missed much of the second half and play-offs last year due to working outside the area, should be a regular with this year. He noted Graham, who battled an ankle injury in the play-offs two years ago, is healthy and will carry the brunt of the pitching duties.
Matt McIntyre, who stepped in to fill the role last year, will be the number two guy, with John Enright and Brendan Hennessy, two younger members of the team, filling in when necessary. The catching duties will be shared by veteran Chad Costello and Scott Conroy, both of whom are very good receivers and who handle any member of the pitching staff very well.
Joe Mick, who is in his last year of minor ball eligibility, may also see some time behind the late this season.
After missing the second half of last year with knee surgery, Mick will return to first base, where he will have Paul Griffith ready to back him up once again when necessary. Matt McIntyre will beat second, Andrew McIntyre is at short and Jared Steege is at third, giving the Twins a very solid defence around the diamond.
The outfield will include Connor Moss, Quinton Rook, John Enright, Ryan McIntyre, and Kyle Jackson.
Mick said both Rook and Andrew McIntyre were named to the GOFL All-Star squad last year as they had strong seasons both at the plate and in the field. He said the Twins continue to incorporate some youth into the team each year, noting Ryan McIntyre and Enright are now too old for minor ball and his son, Joe, is in his final year.
“It will be John and Ryan’s first full year and Joe will fill in whenever needed,” he remarked. “It’s nice to have that option to join the team after minor ball. Not everybody does.
“We always try to accommodate one or two players from the Micksburg minor system,” he added.
He said the mens’ teams in Micksburg have been incorporating youth into the program for over 30 years and that is the main reason the team continues today.
“I was 17 when I started with some other younger guys. That’s what happened to the local league, a lot of other teams didn’t do that and that’s what kills the league.
“Micksburg has done a great job over the years doing that,” he added. “We’re paying it forward for what they did for us years ago.”
Mick noted the Mens’ Rec League, formed two years ago to give those too old for minor ball an opportunity to keep playing, will return again this year.
He expects the younger members will be okay defensively but, as expected, getting used to the tougher pitching with more speed and movement on the pitches, may take a little while.
“But they’re good athletes, so it shouldn’t take them too long,” he said.
Mick said the team has expanded to nine teams this year with the entry of Orleans and a Kemptville team that was in on a trial basis last year. The Twins are in the West Division with Stittsville, Fitzroy Harbour and Quyon, last year’s champs, and will play three times against each one of those squads and twice against each team from the East.
“It will cut down on our travel,” he said.
Mick said the Twins’ home games will be Thursday nights at 8 o’clock with their home home opener slated for May 30.
