2010/2011

Signing #5 - Braves busy!

JAN-5-2011

The Braves are pleased to announce the addition of Dennis Sasek to the squad. Dennis is another veteran of the Mississauga League's tier 1 division, having starred in that loop since 2001, when he was named an all-star in his rookie season. He last played in 2007, when he led the Yankees squad in home runs.

Dennis is a 3rd baseman who possesses an absolute cannon for an arm. He also has the prototypical left-handed power hitter's swing. Dennis gives the Braves yet another excellent defensive infielder to add to what already was one of the slickest fielding infield defense in the league last year.

Braves Announce 4th signing of winter

DEC-22-2010

The Braves are pleased to announce the addition of catcher John McNeil to the fold. John is a 9 year veteran of the Mississauga Baseball League's tier 1 division, having spent the past few seasons with the "Yankees", and before that with the Mets. John is a 3-time all-star, who at one point had a stretch of leading his team in home runs for 6 consecutive seasons.

Defense is John's calling card, as he possesses a gun for an arm, with baserunners rarely attempting to run on him. John is also a "pitcher's catcher", the kind of receiver who builds a rapport with the pitcher and is known for calling a great game.

The Braves have now gone from having no catcher at the start of last season, to 3 top backstops - our returning team MVP Chris Frizzell, and new additions Jeff Crouse and now John McNeil. Make no mistake - all 3 will be heavily counted on next season, regardless of which position they are manning in any given inning.

Welcome to the Braves, John!

Braves Add Pitching

DEC-9-2010

The Braves made their third signing of the off-season, inking pitcher Paul Valentini to a contract. Paul features a plus fastball and solid curve in his reportoire, and will begin the season in the bullpen. Paul is also an offensive threat, bringing power to a Braves offense that last year was more station to station.

Special thanks to Matt & Greg Froese for the signing. Stay tuned for more  announcements, as the Braves are currently in serious negotiations with several others.

Braves sign Matt Munn

October 29, 2010

The Braves announced their first signing of the hot stove season, inking Welland Legends pitcher Matt Munn. Matt also played for Thorold in 2010, and also played 2 seasons with the BVB's Marauders. Matt has also represented the BVB at the Nationals.

Matt is a left-handed pitcher with plus velocity, who will be counted on to hold leads through the middle innings and get the game to the Braves closer. But Matt is also a professional hitter with home run power, and gap power to all fields. During his time in the BVB, Matt was a fixture as a #3 or #4 hitter in the batting order.

The Braves project Matt as a middle of the order type hitter, who will play a big role in leading the Braves to a playoff spot in 2011.

Welcome to the Braves, Matt!

Braves sign Jeff Crouse

November 2, 2010

The Braves are excited to announce the signing of 30 year old Jeff Crouse, a former Ontario Blue Jays player who brings an impressive resume with him.

As a teenager, Jeff was scouted as a catcher, as he starred for the Ontario Blue Jays squad - an under 18 touring team playing against major US college squads. He also played a year for a similar tour team, the Welland Renegades, which competed in tournaments organized by the prestigious National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF). During the Regional Playdowns in 1997, Jeff was named tournament MVP.

Jeff played junior ball for Oshawa, where at age 18 he set a record for most home runs in a season with 19.

In 2005, playing for the Durham College Lords of the Canadian Intercollegiate Baseball Association (CIBA),  he was named the CIBA's top hitter, winning the league's batting title, and was also named the league's top catcher. His performance led the team to the National Championship tournament. (Click here for media link).

In recent years, Jeff has been one of the top slo-pitch players in Ontario, playing in the premier division, where his home run prowess is well documented. Jeff is excited to be returning to hardball.

The Braves recently watched Jeff play in the Golden Horseshoe Baseball Association's 18+ tournament in October, where in 2 games he went 3/4 and added 2 walks, with 2 of his 3 hits being screaming line drives that rang off the center field wall. With any kind of air beneath them, those doubles easily go for home runs. He also showed off a cannon for an arm, throwing a bullett to 2nd base from the left center field warning track on what initially looked like an easy double.

Jeff will immidiately become the team's #1 power threat, and as per the Braves philosophy, will come prepared to play many different positions on the field. Welcome to the Braves, Jeff!