The 2016 IBL Awards were presented at the commissioner's annual dinner at the Toronto Airport Hilton last night.
As always, the star-studded gala took place in a smoke-filled banquet room festooned with colourful bunting and leftover Ottawa Fat Cats posters. Players and staff from all eight IBL clubs were on hand. The collegial and celebratory atmosphere was bolstered by a free bar.
The evening was almost marred when the Canadian Tenors -- booked ages ago -- attempted to sing "O Canada". They were quickly bustled out of the room by Kitchener Panthers manager Dave teBoekhorst and his coaching staff.
The awards were then announced by Commissioner John Kastner.
Kitchener outfielder Tanner Nivins won the John Bell Memorial Trophy as the league MVP.
Barrie Baycats infielder Connor Morro won the Brian Kerr Memorial Trophy as the Rookie of the Year.
All Star honours were bestowed upon three Toronto Maple Leafs.
Catcher Justin Marra and outfielder Jon Waltenbury were named First-Team All Stars. Marra also finished second in MVP voting.
Infielder Ryan White was named a Second-Team All Star. If there was a comeback player of the year award, White would arguably have won that one too, after rebounding from an injury that cut his 2015 season short.
After Maple Leafs owner Jack Dominico wowed the room with a rendition of "My Way," it was on to the port, cigars and spontaneous fisticuffs that are a staple of this annual event.
Congratulations to all the winners.
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| JUSTIN MARRA |
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| JON WALTENBURY |
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| RYAN WHITE |
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