From the Annex Gleaner: Free Seats, Scoresheets and Athletes

A new season of Maple Leafs baseball launches at Christie Pits

Pitcher Wilgenis Alvarado stares down a Hamilton base runner as thousands of fans take in the action at Christie Pits on May 17.

The world is going to hell, but we still have Maple Leafs baseball.

As the cost of living skyrockets, baseball at Christie Pits remains free for everyone.  This is one of the last unspoiled pleasures of our times.

The 2026 season has gotten under way and the Leafs have upped their game.  They are part of the newly-christened Canadian Baseball League, a professional circuit with clubs in nine Ontario cities.

Thousands flocked to the Pits for the Leafs' season opener.  Many more are expected in the months ahead.

Every ballgame is someone's first ballgame.  Taking inspiration from the Gleaner's annual "Grading Our Greenspaces" park reviews, here follows a kind of gazetteer for newcomers who may find Toronto's sunken ballpark a curious place.  Which corner of Dominico Field is best for you?  Let the degree of your fanhood be your guide.

Street Level.  Recommended for: the unadventurous.

At the park but barely in the park.  Well away from the action, but with a view that takes in everything.  Players' parents will often sit on the lip of the Pits, content to watch without being involved.  This is also a favourite roost for less-mobile fans who don't want to have to climb back up from field level.

The Hillsides.  Recommended for: the good-timers.

These are the all-embracing slopes that surround most of the diamond.  Find a spot, throw down a blanket and set your cares aside for a few hours.  Families, friend groups and spontaneous communities sprawl across the hillsides.  Kids romp, dogs frolic.  It's a summertime idyll.

The Bush.  Recommended for: the party animals.

This dense cluster of trees and scrub sits on the east slope of the park.  It is home to the Leafs' famous fan group, The Bushmen.  Founded by three hardcore fans over a decade ago, the group has swollen in numbers and is famous for relentlessly cheering the home side and heckling opposing players.  Always funny, never vulgar.

The Seats.  Recommended for: the diehards.

Three modest tiers of bench seating wrap around the infield.  Here you will find the regulars, those fans who know all the players and know their stats, their slumps and their triumphs.  Fan-player intimacy is at its peak here.  You are closest to the action and hear every interaction on the diamond.

The Members' Zone.  Recommended for: the status seekers.

Behind the third base fence is the only paid seating in the park.  Members get reserved seats, food and drink, and other VIP perks.  The pizza is great.  Single game passes are also available.  It's an exclusive bubble for people who prefer not to rub elbows with the hoi polloi.

The Fences.  Recommended for: the associates.

Two long fences stretch from the infield to the outfield corners.  Onlookers drape their arms over these fences, happy to stand and watch the entire game.  This is where you will often find teams' front office staff, clusters of photographers, or ex-teammates who stop by to visit and chat.

The Outfield and Beyond.  Recommended for: the distant observers.

Furthest from home plate, but still a great view of the entire diamond.  A nice vantage point to watch plays unfold with no obstructions.  Fans set up blankets, folding chairs, even tents from which to sit and watch.  Also conveniently close to the snack bar and restrooms.

On the diamond, there has been a huge turnover.

Fans arriving at Christie Pits will want to grab one of the free program sheets that are handed out by club staff.

As of this writing, the Leafs have signed 17 new players for the 2026 season.  That’s well over half of the 28-player roster.

Among the players who have departed are long-time veterans Greg Carrington, Jordan Castaldo, Marek Deska, Ryan Dos Santos, Connor Lewis, and all three Marra brothers, Adam, Dan and Justin.

Some returning favourites include pitchers Wilgenis Alvarado and Luis Florentino, and outfielders Marcus Knecht and Dennis Dei Baning.

Returning for his fourth season at the helm is field manager Rob Butler, joined by assistant coaches Rich Butler and Brian Sewell.

The Leafs go from being one of the league's oldest teams to one of the youngest.  The newcomers bring plenty of youth and energy.  This summer, fans can start getting attached to the next generation of Maple Leaf stars

As well as Yasiel Puig.

Yes, that Yasiel Puig.  In late April, social media erupted over a Toronto Star report that the Leafs had signed the ex-MLB All-Star to the Canadian Baseball League's largest-ever contract.  The report turned out to be true.

In the Leafs’ season opener, Puig made his Toronto debut in style.  Before an estimated crowd of 4,000, he hit a pair of home runs to lead his new club to an 8-6 victory over the Kitchener Panthers.

If Puig sticks around for the entire season, he will continue to be a huge draw.  Even if he doesn’t, there is still plenty of baseball to be had as the Leafs pursue their first league championship since 2007. 

The regular season continues to the end of August.

More information about the Leafs and their schedule can be found at mapleleafsbaseball.com.

[This story was originally published in the June 2026 edition of the Annex Gleaner.]

Crash! Bang! Wallop! (negative connotation)

Maple Leafs Weekly Recap - May 25 to 31, 2026

Week 3 in Maple Leafs baseball was tough sledding.

The Leafs were back in action and found beating the league leaders no little task.

After a rained out week caused a 10-day layoff, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced three of the CBL's top teams.

In all three games, the Barrie Baycats, London Majors and Welland Jackfish gave the Leafs a big dose of reality in this new professional league.

The Leafs were swept and a five-game losing streak sees them sink to a tie for the bottom of the standings.

After showing promise in an 8-6 opening day victory, the Leaf offence has gone colder than yesterday's pizza.  Since their only win of the year, they have scored ten runs in five games.

On the mound, the club continues to roll out its arsenal of new arms.  Most of the hurlers put in decent performances so far.  It's the lack of offence and failure to get runners home that is costing the team.

On the plus side, fans continue to flock to Christie Pits in great numbers.

The club also rolled out some cool new short-sleeve hoodies, modeled by some of the guys below.

And now, here's the recap of Week 3 in Maple Leafs baseball.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - Barrie Baycats vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Newcomer Nick Veselinovic's first home start resulted in a no-decision.

The Barrie Baycats chose violence.

This week, the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted their first Wednesday Nighter of the season.

The Baycats came to Christie Pits and hit five home runs, including a grand slam, to win a 13-3 laugher.

Early on, it didn't look like the game would go that way.

In the bottom of the first inning, right fielder Marcus Knecht worked a full count off starter Frank Garces, then deposited the next pitch over the fence with a solo swat.  The Leafs banged out three more hits including a double by DH Yasiel Puig, and roared out to a 3-0 lead.

There was barely time to enjoy the advantage.  In the top of the second, crash!  Barrie roared back with three runs off starter Nick Veselinovic, including a homer by Francisco Hernandez.  The game was tied 3-3 after two frames.

Veselinovic pitched one more scoreless frame, then departed.  

In the top of the fourth, reliever Rolando Hermida took the mound for the home side and surrendered back-to-back home runs to Noah Hull and Canice Ejoh.  That put the 'Cats ahead 5-3 and there they would stay.

In the top of the sixth, Hull hit his second home run of the day off reliever Ben Sitarenios to make it a 7-3 game.

Wilgenis Alvarado and Graham Sim each pitched a scoreless inning for Toronto, as fans hoped for a late rally.  After that big first inning, the Leafs were unable to bring any more runs across the plate.  Not for lack of trying.  They recorded 10 hits on the night and stranded nine runners. 

Instead, it was the visitors who capped off the night with a rally.  In the ninth inning, reliever Ryan Capuano gave up four hits and a pair of walks.  Barrie scored six runs and Nolan Machibroda delivered the final blow with a grand slam.  

In the bottom of the ninth, pinch hitter Ben Sterritt doubled off of the ageless Brad Grieveson but that would be the final futile action for the Leafs who went down in a 13-3 FINAL.  Garces went five-plus innings for the win.  Veselinovic escaped with a no-decision while Hermida took the loss. 

One bright spot in the evening was the first glimpse of new sleeveless hoodies sported by Leafs players.  Baby blue with royal blue trim, they are a reverse-retro-city-connect kind of thing.

Barrie 13 12 1

Toronto 3 10 3

W - Garces (2-0, 3.38)

L - Hermida (0-1, 10.80)

BOXSCORE

Friday, May 29, 2026 - Toronto Maple Leafs at London Majors

Ducks on the pond? Leafs shortstop Yordan Manduley is backed up by some feathered friends. (image: London Majors YouTube)

Friday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs hit the road to Labatt Memorial Park and didn't hit much else.

The Mapes recorded a pair of singles and a double by shortstop Yordan Manduley in a 6-2 loss to the London Majors.

Newcomer Frankie Gulko made the start for Toronto against Victor Payano for the home side.

In the bottom of the first, bang!  The Majors jumped to an early lead thanks to a two-run home run by Tucker Zdunich.

They added a run in the second and another in the fourth to build a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth the Leafs showed signs of life.  A hit-by-pitch and a single by second baseman Spenser Ross put two men aboard.  Left fielder Matt Fabian cashed in both runners with a line drive to centerfield.  That cut London's lead in half, 4-2.

Payano hunkered down and completed seven innings on the mound.  The Leafs went hitless the rest of the way, racking up 12 strikeouts on the night.  

Toronto relievers Ben Sitarenios and Kyle Poapst each gave up a run and the Majors made off with a 6-2 FINAL.  Payano with the win, Gulko with the loss.

Toronto 2 3 1

London 6 14 0

W - Payano (1-1, 3.31)

L - Gulko (0-1, 6.75)

BOXSCORE

Sunday, May 31, 2026 - Welland Jackfish vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Justin Gideon opened the scoring with a first inning homer.

Another game of lost opportunities.

On a sunny afternoon at Christie Pits, the Leafs hosted the Welland Jackfish.  The pitching gave up an early lead and the bats could not rally until it was too late.

Home runs continue to hurt.  Top of the first inning, wallop!  Justin Gideon launched a Yadian Martinez pitch over the fence.  Two batters later, Brendan Luther hit a two-run bomb.  Just like that, the visitors were off to a 3-0 lead.

They would need little else.  

Yoilan Quinonez pitched five shutout innings for the Jackfish, scattering 6 hits and walking none.  He struck out three.

The Leafs were frustratingly consistent across those first five:

1st: single, runner stranded

2nd: single, runner stranded

3rd: 2 singles, runner stranded

4th: single, runner stranded

5th: single, runner stranded.

It was a rough outing for Martinez.  He also went five but gave up five runs (four earned) off of seven hits and no walks.  He struck out four.

Through five, the Jackfish enjoyed a 5-0 lead.  The rest of the game belonged to Wilgenis Alvarado.  He pitched the last four innings for Toronto, giving up five hits and a walk while striking out three.  

In the bottom of the eighth, the home side finally put together some action.  Catcher Matt Brandt led off with a solo blast over the Solazzo Wall, his second of the season, off reliever Danny Howat.  First baseman Matt Fabian followed with a double.  The next man up was centerfielder J.J. Dutton and he also doubled to bring home Fabian.  Fans liked this action!  Owen Ozanich took to the mound to put out the fire, and the score was 5-2 after eight innings.

In the top of the ninth, the 'Fish grabbed one more run to make it a 6-2 game.

Bottom nine, the Leafs gave it the old college try.  Second baseman Spenser Ross and Fabian both hit singles, but in keeping with the pattern of the day they both remained stranded after three outs.  Welland took the 6-2 FINAL and Quinonez got the win.  Martinez, who has claimed the "Sunday starter" role at the Pits, suffered his second loss of the season.

And that makes it a five-game losing streak for the Leafs.

Welland 6 12 1

Toronto 2 11 2

W - Quinonez (1-0, 0.00)

L - Martinez (1-2, 7.20)

BOXSCORE

The Leafs' record drops to 1-5 and they are tied with the Guelph Royals for eighth place in the CBL standings, 3.5 games behind the Barrie Baycats and Welland Jackfish.

The week ahead:

Wednesday, June 3 - Guelph Royals vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 pm at Christie Pits (rescheduled rainout)

Friday, June 5 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Hamilton Cardinals, 7:35 pm at Bernie Arbour Stadium

Sunday, June 7 - London Majors vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 2:00 pm at Christie Pits

That's a Wash

Maple Leafs Weekly Recap - May 18 to 24, 2026

Week 2 in Maple Leafs baseball was completely rained out.

(image: StockCake)

No action for the Toronto Maple Leafs this week.

Both of their scheduled games - Saturday in Welland and Sunday at home - were rained out.

The Jackfish have not yet announced when the Leafs will head to Welland Stadium for the make up game.

The Leafs have announced that Sunday's postponed matchup against the Guelph Royals will now take place on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30pm at Christie Pits.

While the team looks ahead to the next slate of games starting this Wednesday night, there is also an update on outfielder Yasiel Puig's status with the club.  For the time being, there is no change.

Puig was scheduled to be sentenced on May 26 for obstruction of justice and making false statements in an investigation into illegal gambling.

However, an acquittal motion filed by the defence has resulted in a postponement of the sentencing, which is now scheduled for June 30.  The delay means that Puig can play over one-third of the Leafs' scheduled regular season before learning his legal fate.

At the sentencing, Puig faces a possible prison term, fines or probation.  Prosecutors have asked for an 18-month prison sentence followed by three years of parole.  The defence has asked for parole.

The Cuban ex-MLB All-Star opened his tenure with the Leafs with a bang, hitting two home runs on opening day.  

Yasiel Puig

Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Welland Jackfish

This game was rained out.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Guelph Royals vs Toronto Maple Leafs

This game was rained out.

The Leafs' record remains 1-2 and they are tied for sixth place in the CBL standings, 1.5 games behind the Kitchener Panthers and London Majors.

The week ahead:

Wednesday, May 27 - Barrie Baycats vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 pm at Christie Pits

Friday, May 29 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Brantford Red Sox, 7:05 pm at Labatt Memorial Park

Sunday, May 31 - Welland Jackfish vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 2:00 pm at Christie Pits

Dei Week Was Dei Baning’s

Maple Leafs Weekly Recap - May 11 to 17, 2026

The Leafs opened the season hot (yes! more please!), but then cooled off (no! reverse!) to wrap up Week 1.

Dennis Dei Baning swats his third home run of the season, three games into the season.

He's the man for all seasons.  

From the frozen north to the sweaty south, he hits home runs in all weather.  He's been knocking round trips since the day he was born.

He's Dennis Dei BANG, the new legend of Christie Pits.  The Toronto Maple Leafs centerfielder opened the 2026 campaign with a three-game home run hitting streak.  Total power move.  Easily the CBL player of the week.

So far this season, the Leafs are living and dying by the long ball.  Nine of their eleven runs scored this week came via the home run.  They beat the Kitchener Panthers with a three-bomb barrage.  After that, things tightened up and they lost their following two.  The power was still there - three homers in two games, but all solo shots.  The boys need to get on base to make the most of this energetic start.

Bang Man is setting the tone.  His teammates need to get on it.

Here's the recap of Week 1 in this new season of Maple Leafs baseball.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 - Kitchener Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs

A full recap of the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2026 home opener can be found at this link. 

Kitchener 6 6 0

Toronto 8 10 1

W - Martinez (1-0, 5.40)

L - MacNeil (0-1, 12.00)

S - Poapst (1)

BOXSCORE

Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Barrie Baycats

Dennis Dei Baning completes his home run trot to score the Leafs' only run of the game. (image: Barrie Baycats TV)

New league!  New roster!  New hopes and dreams!

After months of hyping the newness of things, the Toronto Maple Leafs went to Barrie and delivered a result that fans would find hauntingly familiar.

On a frigid night at Athletic Kulture Stadium, the Leafs fell behind early and managed a single run in a 6-1 defeat to the Baycats.

Some of the Leafs' new arms took the mound and they did well.  Starter Nick Veselinovic pitched a couple of innings and gave up a run.  Reliever Mike Ribis went three-plus innings and gave up the bulk of Barrie's runs.  Frankie Gulko and the returning Ben Sitarenios closed things out clean.

At the plate, the Leafs were unable to put much of a dent into starter Frank Garces.  Centerfielder Dennis Dei Baning launched his second moon shot in as many games to produce the visitors' lone run.  Marcus Knecht stroked a couple of doubles but was left on base both times.  All told, the Leafs stranded nine men in the losing effort.

Garces earned the win in the 6-1 FINAL.  Veselinovic took the loss.  Barrie fans went home frozen but happy.  Plus ça change...

Toronto 1 6 0

Barrie 6 8 1

W - Garces (1-0, 0.00)

L - Veselinovic (0-1, 3.00)

BOXSCORE

Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Hamilton Cardinals vs Toronto Maple Leafs 

Matt Brandt got in on the home run action with a solo shot in the ninth.

Sunday at Christie Pits, the Leafs scuffled again.

The visiting Hamilton Cardinals churned out 15 hits en route to a 9-2 victory.  

The Mapes managed five hits including a pair of solo home runs.

After a ceremonial first pitch toss from Bushman Elliot Hill, Opening Day starter Yadian Martinez returned to the mound but did not fare as well.  In his second appearance of the season, he was tagged for five earned runs off nine hits including a home run early in the game.  He struck out two and walked two.

In the top of the second inning, Reyny Reyes's solo dinger gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Under hot sunny skies, Hamilton pecked away at Martinez.  They added a run in the third and three more in the fifth to end his day.

In the bottom of the fifth, centerfielder Dennis Dei Baning whacked a double for the first Leaf hit of the day off starter Hector Yan.

Alex Lanigan pitched a scoreless sixth for the Leafs.  Left fielder Yasiel Puig robbed Darlin German of what looked to be a home run with a leaping catch against the fence to end the inning.  It was the highlight of the day for the former MLB All-Star who went 0-4 at the plate.

Through six innings, the Cardinals led 5-0 and the Leafs had come up with just a pair of hits.

Wilgenis Alvarado entered the game in the seventh and pitched a scoreless frame.

Bottom seven, Dei Baning got one he liked from reliever Luis Ramirez and smashed it over the fence in left, his third home run in as many games.  That put the Leafs on the board but they still trailed 5-1.

In the top of the eighth, German avenged himself with an RBI single to make it 6-1.

In the ninth, the Cardinals tacked on three more runs off reliever Kyle Poapst to make it 9-1.  

Redbirds roosted on the bases all afternoon.  Not only did they score eight runs but they also left 13 runners aboard.  It could have been a lot uglier.

In the bottom of the ninth, catcher Matt Brandt knocked his first professional home run, putting his name alongside Babe Ruth who also achieved that milestone in Toronto.  

That was it for the home side as the visitors secured a 9-2 FINAL.  Yan with the win, Martinez with the loss.  Ramirez pitched the final three innings for what should be recorded as a save (unless the CBL is not acknowledging that stat).

Two losses in a row for the Leafs, but there were some pleasant sites on the day: another huge crowd blanketed the hillsides, with more people lining the fences all around the park.  

A couple of new additions to the Pits this season are a warning track, and assistant coach Rich Butler.  Rich, who is the size of two Robs, made a formidable baseline presence.

Hamilton 9 15 0

Toronto 2 5 1

W - Yan 

L - Martinez 

S - Ramirez

BOXSCORE

So ends the first week of the 2026 CBL season.  The Leafs went 1-2, good for seventh place, a game-and-a-half behind the London Majors and Welland Jackfish.   

The week ahead:

Saturday, May 23 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Welland Jackfish, 6:05 pm at Welland Stadium

Sunday, May 24 - Guelph Royals vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 2:00 pm at Christie Pits

**POST-CREDITS SCENE**

People come up to me and ask "where's this person?" "where's that person?"  I did some searching and have updates.

Janice Bellmore - this Maple Leafs superfan has been absent from Christie Pits for a couple of summers.  I tracked down a contact at a downtown church where she used to volunteer.  They report that Janice has moved to the west side of town.  She is doing well and helping out a church there.

Roger Lajoie - the longtime voice of Maple Leafs baseball left the club in 2023.  He continues to work as a host on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.  This season, he has become a member of the Hamilton Cardinals broadcast team as colour commentator.

Johnathan Solazzo - after many years working the hot corner for the Maple Leafs, The Conductor spent last season in Hamilton.  Things did not work out and Solazzo left the club.  This season he is not playing baseball.

If there is anyone else in the Dominico Cinematic Universe whose whereabouts you are wondering about, shoot me a message and I'll try to track them down.