User:Cleitch/The Isotopes

Cleitch/The Isotopes
File:Isotopes Logo (2011).png The Isotopes Logo (2011)

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

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.

2010 Season

Looking to build a franchise from the rubbles, the Stevenson family enrolled the young 'Topes squad into a tough 'B' Division in the Cambridge Ice Park Slo-Pitch league. With the weight of the tri-city on their shoulders, The Isotopes struggled in their off-season training.

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.

To follow up their off-season struggles, The Isotopes would go 1-4 through the relegation round, being sent down to 'C' division for the remainder of the season. A decision the Stevenson family took as a learning experience.

Once in 'C', the 'Topes decided to readjust their lineup, solidifying a few starting positions. Moving a precision glove infielder in Chad Leitch to man first base. Andrew (AJ) Stevenson was nailed into the shortstop role, after showing his strong arm and game smarts earlier in the season. All-around player Mark Bowden (MB1) was not just a 'no doubter' at the plate, but as a strong captain in the outfield, holding down centre field. April Walker was chosen for third base, after proving she wasn't afraid of anything, dealing with line drives and the bruises that came with them. April's strong arm was also a huge benefit at the hot corner. The adjustments made were the start of what was soon to become a dynasty. The Isotopes rolled through 'C' division with a 6-2 record, scoring an untouchable 72 runs in 8 games and finishing in first place in the division.

The 2010 playoffs were no different for the young squad from Southwestern Ontario, going 2-0 to start the post-season. However, the dream would come to an end. A late scheduling change would cause the final two games of the championship to be moved back one week. Team RBI leaders Mark Bowden, Chad Leitch, Dan Gazarek and manager Darren Stevenson were due in Phoenix, Arizona during the newly scheduled championship weekend, leaving a depleated 'Topes squad. Heartbroken that they had to strand their teammates at such a crucial time, the four members of the Bash Family tuned in to the streaming coverage of the semifinal game, but the international support was not enough as The Isotopes season came to an end, falling 14-11 to the Boron Bros.

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)

The 'Topes – Gators rivalry is one of the oldest, most famous and fiercest rivalries in co-ed slo-pitch. The rivalry is sometimes so polarizing that it is often a heated subject, like religion or politics, within the Ice Park family. Since the relegation in 2010, the 'C' division rivals have squared off three times, with The Isotopes defeating Mulligans in all three encounters. The rivalry is often termed the best rivalry in co-ed sports.

Season-by-Season Record

Season	GP	W	L	T	PTS	RF	RA	RD	Finish	Playoffs
2010	13	7	6	0	14	133	129	+4	1st, 'C' Division	Lost in Game 3, 11-14 (Boron Bros.)
2011	5	2	3	0	4	44	52	-11

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	2011	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

Weekly Lineups

Isotopes' management is widely-regarded as being the most fickle in the league. Hours (and even days) are literally wasted, while a bickering management team pores over meaningless stats in an effort to field the strongest lineup for the next game.

Players know that one good at-bat can literally make their season. A timely hit has been known to vault a horrible hitter into the lead-off spot for the rest of the summer.

On the other hand, a crucial two-out pop-up could result in the 'topes best batter riding the pine for a month.

It has been said that, had Willie Mays (who went hitless in his first 12 Major League at-bats) been an Isotope, he would have been cut from the team after two games.

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

Uniforms

Current

• 
  Home
• 
  Away

Retired Numbers

• 
  Barry Bowden #16

#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.

Farm System

The Isotopes' future is widely-considered to be the best in slo-pitch. The club is already building its 2030 campaign around current batboy Brody Steinman. The three-year-old switch-hitter has only one apparent flaw -- the annoying habit of running toward THIRD base whenever batting from the right side.

The irony of having Steinman under contract is that the Isotopes' home field, the Cambridge Ice Park, is a mere two miles from where the youngster's father was reared.

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".

Media

Currently, the Isotopes receive no media coverage. This is expected to change with the Spring, 2012 launch of the franchise's new 24-hour cable network.

'TOPE-TV' will feature round-the-clock information about the team, including a call-in show where anyone can phone any 'topes player at home and simply talk to them.

Social Media

Facebook The Isotopes on Facebook

After popularity for the club spiked during a successful first season, the Stevenson family decided to boost fan support by joining the ever-so-trending Facebook network. Since the creation of the fan page, the organization has used the social media source to upload highlights and keep fans in the know about the current season.

Twitter

Also new in the 2011 Isotopes season is the microblogging service Twitter. The club does not have many (0) followers as of yet, but hopes to turn that around (much like the season).

UStream.tv

During the 2010 playoffs, UStream.tv was used to stream the semifinal game between the Isotopes and Boron Bros.

External links

• Cambridge Ice Park

• Cambridge Ice Park 'B' Division
• Cambridge Ice Park 'C' Division