User:Cleitch/The Isotopes
 |
| Cleitch/The Isotopes |
|---|
The Isotopes are a professional slo-pitch team based in the borough of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. They belong to Cambridge Ice Park Co-ed Slo-Pitch's 'B' division. One of Ice Parks original franchises, the club was founded in Kitchener, Ontario in 2008 as The Anchormen and moved to the city of Cambridge in 2010 as the team took on some new talent, becoming known as The Isotopes.
History
Origins: The Beginning of an Era (2010 season)
62-year old Ed Stevenson had a vision, playing slo-pitch with his children. And his dream was realized in the summer of 2010.
Julie, the middle of 3 Stevenson kids, talked to her older brother Darren, and together they developed a plan of winning and drinking beer. Clearly, brother Andrew was all in. And just like that the Isotopes were born. The Stevensons are considered the first family of Isotopes Slo-Pitch.
The first practice didn’t go well, with Ed Stevenson taking a ball off the ankle, and being injured in the first practice in Isotopes history.
The Next Chapter
Despite the request of the Isotopes to be put back in the 'C' divison for the 2011 season League Coordinator, Steve Duncan, decided to give The Isotopes another try at 'B'.
Bash Family
Mark Bowden (known as MB1 or Bash Brother 1), crushed a ball in the first practice, and everyone knew he would be the star of the team. General Manager Darren Stevenson immediately signed MB1, to a long term contract. Mark would be the first Tope to hit a home run, thus beginning the Bash Family tree.
Dan Gazarek, is the other half of the Bash Brothers, with MB1. Dan has been swinging for the fences in life and softball, and has been more successfull ON the field hitting home-runs, then OFF the field. Dan's home runs usually are singles, and 3 bases errors. But in the box-score, it is lsited as a home run.
Chad Leitch also became a member of the Bash Family in 2010. Chad has become known as Jose 50, for his ability to crush the ball, and his sweet swing. Darren Stevenson is an honourary member of the family, despite never hitting a home-run in his life, and starting the 2011 season 0-9.
Natasha Dunn is a bash sister, blasting a home-run during the 2010 season.
Rivalries
Boron Brothers
More of a friendly rivalry, The Isotopes and Boron met numberous times in the 2010 season. After Boron Brothers took the first game by a final of 13-11, The Isotopes looked toward their next meeting at the annual Ice Park Slo Pitch Tournament where they would find redemption with an 18-8 whomping over Boron. When it came to their next regular season matchup The Isotopes were ready and pulled off a 6-5 victory to split the season series one game a piece. It was then Boron who got the final blow, defeating a depleated Isotopes squad in the third game of the playoffs by a 14-11 final.
Mulligan Gators (aka Blood, Sweat & Beers)
Players
Current Roster
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |  |
Darren Stevenson | Util | 34 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 14 | |
Chad Leitch | 1B | 24 | 2010 | London, Ontario |
| 1 | |
Mark Bowden | CF | 27 | 2010 | Brantford, Ontario |
| 2 |  |
Dan Gazarek | LF | 24 | 2010 | Chatham, Ontario |
| 7 | |
Andrew Stevenson | SS | 24 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 19 | |
Scott Zettel | INF | 25 | 2011 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 6 |  |
Edward Stevenson | P | 63 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 11 | |
Talyn Pride | C | 24 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 18 | |
Ashley Grinham | 2B | 26 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 15 | |
Ashley Cross | RF | 26 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 21 | |
Kyle Bowden | Util | 29 | 2010 | Brantford, Ontario |
| 13 | |
Sheila Dietrich | R | 29 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 8 | |
Natasha Dunn | Util | 26 | 2010 | Milton, Ontario |
| 10 | |
Emily Henderson | 3B | 26 | 2010 | Milton, Ontario |
| 4* | |
Brody Steinman | BB | 3 | 2011 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| Subs | ||||||
| # | |
Greg Simpson | SUB | 25 | N/A | Waterloo, Ontario |
2010 Roster
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | |
Darren Stevenson | Util | 34 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 14 | |
Chad Leitch | 1B | 24 | 2010 | London, Ontario |
| 1 | |
Mark Bowden | CF | 27 | 2010 | Brantford, Ontario |
| 2 | |
Dan Gazarek | LF | 24 | 2010 | Chatham, Ontario |
| 7 | |
Andrew Stevenson | SS | 24 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 6 | |
Edward Stevenson | P | 63 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 11 | |
Talyn Pride | C | 24 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 18 | |
Ashley Grinham | 2B | 27 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 15 | |
Ashley Cross | RF | 26 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 16 | |
Barry Bowden | P | 56 | 2010 | Collingwood, Ontario |
| 10 |  |
April Walker | 3B | 26 | 2010 | Guelph, Ontario |
| 21 | |
Kyle Bowden | Util | 29 | 2010 | Brantford, Ontario |
| 13 | |
Sheila Dietrich | R | 29 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 8 | |
Natasha Dunn | Util | 25 | 2010 | Milton, Ontario |
| 3 |  |
Julie Stevenson | 2B | 28 | 2010 | Kitchener, Ontario |
| 12 |  |
Katy Howell-Escobar | Util | N/A | 2010 | Unknown |
| Subs | ||||||
| # | |
Jeff Bottomley | SUB | 24 | N/A | Fergus, Ontario |
| # | |
Greg Simpson | SUB | 24 | N/A | Waterloo, Ontario |
| # | |
Shaunacey Moon | SUB | N/A | N/A | Unknown |
| # | |
Denise Colegate | SUB | 25 | N/A | Unknown |
| # | |
Mark Bordman | SUB | N/A | N/A | Waterloo, Ontario |
| # | |
Win Rideout | SUB | 25 | N/A | Guelph, Ontario |
| # | |
Emily Henderson | SUB | 25 | N/A | Milton, Ontario |
| # | |
Stephanie Watson | SUB | 30 | N/A | Waterloo, Ontario |
| # | |
Stephanie Morrison | SUB | N/A | N/A | Kitchener, Ontario |
Championships
None.
Award Winners
| Year Received | Award | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Team Most Valuable Player | Mark Bowden |
| 2010 | Ill Suited to Field a Ball | Darren Stevenson (Self Voted) |
| 2010 | Sore Shins Award | April Walker |
Retired Numbers
#16 - Barry Bowden
Barry was the heart and soul of the Isotopes defence during his one season with the club. He never missed a chance to dive off the mound to catch an errant pop-up. He is the all-time strike-out leader, and won the most "People's Jewellers Defensive Gem" awards in franchise history.
He will honoured at a ceremony during the 2011 season.
Popularity
Fan Support
The Isotopes have loyal fans, even though the team is known for their slow starts. Fan bus co-ordinator Joel Bowey is known for his loud "let's go topes" chant. This often sets off Murdoch, the team mascot, into a barking rage.
Stephanie Watson brings her voice to the Topes frequently. Stephanie is often seen laughing at the mishaps on the field, and enjoys the beer drinking aspect of the Isotopes team motto.
Scott Zettel, a young inexperienced pitching prospect, attended numerous games in 2010, as a fan. After struggling badly in a men's league, he decided to join he Isotopes for the 2011 season.
Fans often turn into players with the Isotopes, because fans want to feel the "Isotopes experience" on the field too, not just in the stands.
CTV Sports Director Randy Steinman, is a fan who witnessed one of the greatest, most talked about plays in Isotopes history. Randy was in the stands, rooting for the Topes, as Talyn Pride made a snow-cone remarkable grab behind the plate during the 2010 season. It is simply known as "the catch".