Toronto's Ballpark- "Dominico Field" at "Christie Pits"

The city of Toronto has a long history of  the game of Baseball played in the city. That history goes back to 1896. When the Maple Leafs Ball Club was established. The baseball Leafs. Played in the International A Ball league from 1902 to 1911. Then they participated in the Double A league from 1912 until 1945. In 1946 The Toronto Maple Leafs Ball Team played in the prestigious AAA International League. Which is one level below major league baseball. They were the farm team for the Boston Red Sox. Historic "Maple Leaf Stadium". Would be their home ball-park to the end of their time in Toronto. From 1926 until 1967. The Toronto Maple Leafs would be moved to Louisville Kentucky in 1968. The same year Maple Leafs Stadium would be demolished!

Professional baseball would return to Toronto. When the American League would expand to Toronto and the Toronto Blue Jays would begin play at Exhibition Stadium in 1977. In 1969 Lynne & Jack Dominico would not let the Maple Leafs Ball tradition end in Toronto. As they established the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise into the "Intercounty Baseball League in 1969. The Maple Leafs have played all of their 47 seasons at Toronto's Ballpark located at "Christie Pits".

Christie Pits is a very nice green space located in Toronto. The park is located at Christie and Bloor Street. The main Ball Park is located at Christie and Barton Street. The ballpark home of the Maple Leafs was named in the honor of the teams founder and owners Lynne & Jack Dominico "Dominico Field" May 9th 2010.

My brother John and I attended the game played at Dominico Field on July 10th. The Maple Leafs were hosting the Guelph Royals. It was a perfect summer day for a ball game. The temperatures were in the low 80's and a bright and sunny day! After arriving at the Park. My brother John and I had brought our baseball gloves with us. And enjoyed a nice game of catch. Before the game between the Maple Leafs and the Gueph Royals began.

Christie Pits has been a baseball mecca in Toronto for many years. As my dad Sheldon Wolfe was a prolific pitcher playing in amateur Toronto leagues in the 1940's and early 1950's. My dad did play and pitch many games over his baseball career at Christie Pits.

The game was enjoyed as my brother and I watched the Maple Leafs came from behind in the game. To defeat the Royals 11 to 6. Their is not much seating at Dominico Field as their is only a few rows of bleachers behind the screen. However their lots of opportunity to sit or lay on the slopes that surround the ballpark. You can bring your own chairs and sit at street level and still get a wonderful view of the game! The ballpark does have a snack-bar that serves traditional hot-dogs, snacks & soft drinks. No beer is served as the ballpark is located in a City of Toronto Park. Their is a Convenience Store located right across from Dominico Field at the intersection of Christie and Barton. Where you will find a wide selection of soft drinks and snacks. Also an ice-cream truck did stop by during the game. A soft ice-cream cone is a  perfect treat to enjoy while watching a baseball game. I have included my photos of our day at Christie Pits!

Alburg Sand Dunes State Park

The rear of the "Old Schoolhouse B&B

It has been another wonderful Vermont experience! I have so much praise and love for the wonderful "Green Mountain" area!

Today I completed two short bike rides. The first in the morning was riding down Main Street. Until I reached West Shore Rd. I then rode my Raleigh Road Bike until I reached School Street. Then I returned home to the Old School House B&B.

After another great lunch. Which was purchased from the "Harborside Harvest Market. It is located on U.S. route 2. Just before the bridge that connects North Hero Island with Alburg. I have eaten extremely well on part two of this Vermont Adventure. Because of shopping at Harborside Market. The store is small but the quality of the food served is excellent!

In the afternoon. I rode all the way down Vt. Route 129. Until I reached the turnoff. For "Alburg Sand Dunes State Park". I rode until I entered the State Park. Local people have told me it is the best place to swim on "The Vermont Islands". After I entered the park. I was greeted by a friendly lady. Who works at the Park. She advised me. If I was just riding my bike though the park. I would not be charged the entrance fee. She went on to tell me. That their was a bike riding trail in the Alburg State Park. That would lead me to "Poor Farm Rd. Which would  be an easy way to get back to U.S. 2. Sounded like a good plan to me. So I rode through this unique State Park located in Vermont. I found the "Poor Farm Rd" without any difficulty. It was about 1 1/2 miles. Until I made it out to U.S. highway 2. I came out by the west side of the bridge. That connects Alburg with North Hero Island. I was at this point only a short ride away from. The Harborside Market. However I made the choice to ride back to Old Schoolhouse. As the bike riding conditions for a July 2. Were not ideal. As it was windy a cool today. I have included some photos from today.

The bike path located in Alburg Sand Dues State Park.

This photo of the beach located in Alburg Sand Dunes Park" was not taken by me. The photographer is unknown.

Vermont Baseball & Centennial Field 1906

I will always be a fan of a good sporting event. Also I will always enjoy the game of Baseball. My dad was a very good baseball player pitcher. What makes the game of baseball so much fun to watch? It is the strategy involved, skill required, and the drama that is created when the game unfolds. Also I love the vivid history of the game of Baseball. Which includes the wide assortment of different people(some heroes & some were villains) who help to manage, develop and play this great sport!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit one of the oldest surviving Baseball Parks located in The United States. Which is Centennial Field that had it's birth going all the way back to 1906. Today this simple but comfortable sporting venue is the home of "Vermont Lake Monsters". Which competes in the N.Y.-Penn League. This A Ball league is designed for development of future Major League Players.

I must say I enjoyed last night's game and the experience. The prices are far less for the tickets and concessions. Compared to attending a Major League game. This experience is a humble reminder of what is really important. That will really don't need; large stadiums that sell gourmet concessions. And also all of the amenities that the large modern baseball parks provide. That the real fun in enjoying the great game of baseball. Is the thrill and excitement of watching the participants play the game. That will always be what game is all about!

Play Ball!

Vermont Pounds Aberdeen 7-2 Thursday

Sean Murphy 4-for-4 (HR) and Luis Barrera 3-for-5 (HR, 4 RBI)

By Paul Stanfield / Vermont Lake Monsters

BURLINGTON, VT --- Luis Barrera went 3-for-5 with an RBI double and three-run homer, while Sean Murphy was 4-for-4 with a solo homer to lead the Vermont Lake Monsters to a 7-2 victory over the Aberdeen Ironbirds in New York-Penn League action Thursday night at historic Centennial Field.

Barrera gave Vermont a 1-0 lead in the third inning with the line drive RBI double that extended his current hitting streak to 12 straight games. Murphy made it 2-0 in the fourth with a 394-foot home run to leftcenter, but the Ironbirds were tied the game in the fifth as Daniel Fajarado connected on a 2-out solo homer for Aberdeen's first hit of the game off Lake Monsters starter Ivan Andueza, who also allowed a Chris Clare RBI single later in the inning to tie the score 2-2.

Vermont quickly got the lead back in the bottom of the fifth on a Barrera leadoff bunt single and one-out Miguel Mercedes RBI double. The Lake Monsters put the game away in the sixth as they scored four more times for a 7-2 lead. They started the inning with three straight hits that included a Brett Sunde RBI double after back-to-back singles from Murphy and Eli White. One out later, Barrera lined a 380-foot, three-run homer to rightfield for his third hit of the game and a five-run Vermont lead.

Murphy collected his fourth hit of the night with a two-out single in the seventh, marking the first four-hit game for a Lake Monsters player at Centennial Field since Addison Russell on August 4, 2012 against Batavia. Mercedes and White also had two hits on the night as Vermont collected a season-high 15 hits, including five for extra bases (three doubles and two homers).

Andueza allowed the two Aberdeen runs on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts over six innings to earn his first win of the season, while Will Gilbert tossed two scoreless frames with three strikeouts and Dalton Sawyer a perfect ninth with one strikeout as the Lake Monsters completed their first-ever three-game sweep of the Ironbirds in the 25th three-game series between the teams all-time.

Aberdeen starter Lucas Humpel tossed two scoreless innings before reliever Steven Klimek (1-2) came on in the third to allow six runs on nine hits over three-plus innings for the loss. Cole Billingsley had two hits and Fajardo's home run was his first of the season for Aberdeen (5-9).