Five Leafs Named IBL 2021 All Stars

This week the Intercounty Baseball League announced its 2021 All Star Teams, and half the Toronto Maple Leafs starting lineup made the cut.

That five Leafs were selected is tribute to the all star lineup that the club fielded all season.

First team selections from the Leafs were outfielder Marcus Knecht, catcher Justin Marra, designated hitter Sean Reilly, and second baseman Garrett Takamatsu.

Leafs third baseman Johnathan Solazzo was a second team selection.

The first and second all star teams are selected by a poll of IBL coaches and management.

MARCUS KNECHT

JUSTIN MARRA

SEAN REILLY

GARRETT TAKAMATSU

JOHNATHAN SOLAZZO

Takamatsu Named IBL's 2021 MVP

As the flow goes, so goes the nation.

Garrett Takamatsu has been named the Intercounty Baseball League's 2021 Most Valuable Player.

After a Rookie of the Year season in 2018, Takamatsu returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs full-time in 2021 and dominated most offensive categories.

In 29 regular season games, the Christie Pits fan favourite led the league with 52 hits, a slugging percentage of .815 and an OPS of 1.325.  His 13 doubles also led the league.

He placed second in every other major category: batting average (.419), home runs (12), runs batted in (38), on-base percentage (.510).  Late in the season, he made a run at the triple crown but the entire Leafs' batting order ended up winning it.

Tak proved capable in the field as well.  An anchor at second base, he also played the outfield when situations demanded it early in the season.  

Having written his name in the league's history books so soon, a ring has to be next for Takamatsu and his swashbuckling teammates.

The Leafs' 2021 season was one of their best in recent years.  They finished 2nd in the standings and made it to the IBL Championship Series for the first time since 2016, falling short in the series' deciding game.  

Maple Leafs baseball will return for a 53rd season at Christie Pits in May, 2022.

Marra and Takamatsu Win IBL Honours

The Intercounty Baseball League yesterday announced its year-end awards and all-stars. 

Two Toronto Maple Leafs were given the highest honours.

Justin Marra is the league's 2018 Most Valuable Player.

In his third season with the Leafs, Marra was the undisputed engine that drove Toronto's high-powered offence for most of the year.

The big-swinging slugger led the club with 10 home runs and 31 runs batted in. He also led in hits (41), slugging percentage (.690) and OPS (1.143). His batting average of .353 was second only to his brother Dan.

Marra also led the club with six RBIs in the postseason, and he hit two home runs. 

In MVP voting, Marra received 28 votes. Barrie's Kevin Atkinson received 17 votes, and Hamilton's Grant Arnold received eight.

Garrett Takamatsu is the league's 2018 Rookie of the Year.

Takamatsu burst onto the scene with an aggressive approach at the plate. First pitch swinging for the win.

He rose to the upper ranks of the league's offensive stats early in the season, and racked up some solid numbers by season's end. He hit .320 with a home run and 17 runs batted in, and tied Marra for the team lead with nine doubles. 

He also hit two electrifying game-winning homers in the Leafs' first round playoff series against Guelph.

Takamatsu's boundless energy and flamboyant flow quickly made him a fan favourite at Christie Pits.

In Rookie of the Year voting, Takamatsu received 22 votes. Brantford's David Mendham received 20 votes, and Guelph's Ethan Mohan received 19.

The league also announced its 2018 All-Star selections. Justin Marra was named first team catcher, and Dan Marra was named second team second baseman.

Congratulations to the Marra brothers and Tak.

Maple Leafs baseball will return for a 51st season at Christie Pits in May, 2019.

Orchard Wins Rookie of the Year Honour

Zac Orchard is the 2017 IBL Rookie of the Year.

Anyone who followed the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer will not be surprised by the news. Shortly after the season began, Orchard exploded on the scene like a Roman candle, blasting four home runs and 20 RBIs to go with his .456 batting average.

With his Ballplayer demeanour and heroics at the plate, Orchard won the appreciation of Leafs fans, and the envy of everyone else.

Orchard was not the only Leaf to win recognition in the league's season-end awards.

Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo received a First Team All Star honour, and shortstop Ryan White was named a Second Team All Star.

The Leafs will return in 2018 to celebrate their 50th season in the IBL.

Three Leafs Honoured With League Awards

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.

JUSTIN MARRA

JON WALTENBURY

RYAN WHITE