TORONTO — When the Battalion Sports Grizzlies take to the field Saturday for the first ever preseason game in franchise history, it will mark a culmination of sorts.
It will take place at the LCI Dome in Etobicoke for Wayne Barrs LCI Dome Tournament series. The first game is scheduled around 10pm Saturday night.
Long eager to build a championship-caliber slo-pitch team, coaches Mike Forgette, Matt Barbara and Doug Bennett have seemingly done just that in their first foray into the land of Super Series softball.
“I think the team we’ve built thus far has the ability to challenge just about anyone out there” said Forgette. “We’ve got speed, power, defence, and I’m extremely proud to say I’m a part of this team.”
Building a team from the ground up can at times be an intimidating process. You are trying to put together pieces like a puzzle and if those pieces don’t go, it can get frustrating. The Grizzlies have been lucky in that everything has gone smoothly to this point.
“We started with essentially the 4 of us,” remarked Forgette, referring to teammates Barbara, Kyle Sisson and Mike Simmons, “and we’ve been lucky in that we’ve been able to surround ourselves with not just fantastic players, but great guys who want to succeed.”
One of the key pieces of the offseason was the addition of infielderBennett. DB came in with Super Series experience, having played last season with Burn, and a drive to improve. Batting practice multiple times a week have refined a great inside-out swing and made Bennett a dangerous addition to any lineup. He also brings a great attitude, and an outgoing personality that has helped the Grizzlies become a known commodity before their first game is played as well as secure a great sponsorship with Team Battalion.
From there, the ball began rolling. Infielder Dan Douglas, and outfielders Travis Boudreault, Jesse Bachelor and Dave Marsh were the first signings, adding some offensive and defensive weapons. The pitching staff of Barry Bolt and Chris Noah were ironed out, and in one of the biggest moves of any teams offseason, the Grizzlies were able to get Terry Schriver, Shaun McBratney, Ryan Ruznisky, and Andrew Baird to join the team.
“I think getting those 4 guys was huge for us” remarked Forgette. “Any one of those guys is a difference-maker to a team, and to add all 4 is just insane. I was extremely happy and proud to be able to call those guys teammates.”
“Team is looking mint” opined Simmons.
While the club still has some spots left to fill, the Grizzlies are off to a tremendous start. The teams WhatsApp chat group has been a huge success, with every member of the Grizzlies taking part in it, and they have already planned group outings such as a dinner before Saturdays games. If a family-atmosphere is what they are looking for, it seems to already have succeeded.
“I’m really excited to get the wheels rolling” exclaimed Barbara, about Saturdays first preseason game. “[It’s] not going to be our full squad, but it will be a good bonding time for the team and we will get to have some fun.”
“I’m getting fired up for this Dome” added Sisson. “I miss ball!”
Despite missing a few key members, a good contingent of players will be there and pre-season stats will be kept, Forgette insists its not the results that matter this week.
“Whether we win the whole thing on Saturday night, or go 0-3, it’s not really the result that matters right now. I want to see how the team gels together, how guys play in certain positions and kind of get an idea of what we have. I know the skills of the guys, I just now want to see how they all fit together.”
Like a puzzle. One that the Grizzlies hope is on display for many years to come.
Grizzly Den 