Defunct IBL teams are gone but not forgotten
The Ottawa Fat Cats were an Intercounty Baseball League team from 2010 through 2012.
By: Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
The 2018 Intercounty Baseball League season is in the books.
The Barrie Baycats marched their way to a fifth consecutive title and made headlines along the way. One of which was a bat flip seen around the world.
The IBL’s 100th anniversary was a celebration of achievements from the past century. While eight teams currently occupy the league, it’s important not to forget those who have come and gone.
To wrap things up let’s take a trip back in time. A look back at twelve former teams that once called the IBL home.
Galt/Cambridge Terriers
The Galt/Cambridge Terriers are one of the most recognizable franchises in IBL history. The Terriers were a charter member of the IBL in 1919 and won 13 league titles. Known as the Galt Terriers from 1919-1972, they switched to the Cambridge Terriers in 1975 until 1983. The Terriers last league title was won in 1983. The team played their home games at left field fenceless Dickson Park.
Listowel Legionnaires
The Listowel franchise, known as the Legionnaires, then Mustangs, then Legionnaires again, played 10 seasons the the IBL. They never won a championship and went 134-161 overall.
Mississauga Twins
The Twins that occupied Meadowvale Park in Mississauga played just two seasons in the league before uprooting to Burlington where they currently play as the Herd. The team never came close to glory and stumbled to a 26-46 record.
Niagara Falls Mariners
It was a short stint for the Niagara Falls franchise, but a relatively successful one on the field. The Mariners went 78-56 over five seasons.
Oakville Oaks
Another franchise that is a speck in the history of the IBL. The Oaks lasted just two seasons but accumulated a 39-15 record, including a league pennant in 1958.
Oshawa Dodgers
From the Merchants, to the Motors, to the Dodgers, the Oshawa franchise won one pennant in 1955. Unfortunately for the team and their fans they were never able to hoist the championship trophy. A few current IBL players once suited up for the Dodgers, including Jordan Castaldo (Toronto, Ont.) of the Barrie Baycats and Marcus Knecht (Toronto, Ont.) of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ottawa Fat Cats
One of the most interesting team names in league history belongs to the Ottawa franchise. The Fat Cats played three seasons from 2010-2012 and had success both attracting fans and on the field. Their best season came in 2011 when they lost to the Brantford Red Sox in the IBL final four games to one.
Preston Riversides
It hard to find information on the Riversides but they did take part in the IBL during the 1920s and 1930s.
St. Thomas Elgins
The IBL championship has traveled to St. Thomas six times, most recently in 1984. The team was known as the Saints, Legionnaires and Elgins during their tenure.
Waterloo Tigers
The Tigers date back to the 1939 season and have two championships to their name. They finished at the top in both 1941 and 1950.
Stratford Hillers
Another founding member of the Intercounty was the franchise based out of Stratford. Initially known as the Seniors, the team occupied eight names from 1919-2008, twice being branded as the Nationals. Best known as the Hillers, the team claimed 15 league championships.
Windsor Chiefs
The history of the Windsor Chiefs seems odd at first glance. The team originated in Essex County Senior League and entered the IBL in 1979. They lasted just three seasons from 1979-1981 but won the pennant in each of those years.
Top 100
Below is a snapshot of players on the IBL’s Top 100 players list who played for teams that are no longer in the league.
Outfielder Kevin Aitcheson, Stratford
Aitcheson played in the league from 1978-1991 and was a six time All-Star for Stratford. In 250 games he hit .337 with 56 home runs and 193 RBIs. He also stole 49 bases. Named MVP in 1986 and playoff MVP in 1987, Aitcheson is 13th all-time in home runs.
Catcher/Outfielder Roger DeWaele, Galt
DeWaele led the league in home runs in 1964 (7), 1965 (7) and 1967 (5). The Terrier also drove in the most runs in 1965 (23), 1967 (21) and 1969 (28). A steady performer, DeWaele was named an All-Star seven times. He swatted 39 home runs and drove in 178, while hitting .298 in 205 career games from 1962-1971.
Second basemen/Pitcher Dick Krol, Galt
It’s not hard to figure out what made Dick Krol one of the IBL’s top 100. Karol hit .335 and slugged .485 in his career at the plate. Add to that a 7-7 record with a 2.87 ERA on the mound and the two-way threat was impossible to ignore. He was named a first-team All-Star three times as a second basemen.
Second baseman/Third basemen/Designated Hitter Darrell Kemp, Niagara Falls
Five-time All-Star Darrell Kemp was a .373 career hitter. Kemp was named the league MVP in 1987. He hit 42 career home runs and drove in 201.
Second baseman Barry Petrachenko, Stratford
Petrachenko swiped 150 bases in the IBL, good for fifth all-time. Speed wasn't his only strength, as he was also strong with the bat. He hit .363 and won the batting title in 1988 when he hit .452. He was named an All-Star six times.
First baseman Phil Turner, St. Thomas
Turner won two batting titles, one in 1981 when he hit .441 and another in 1983 when he hit .464. He finished his career with a .396 average and a .594 slugging percentage. In 1981 he was named the MVP after winning the Triple Crown.
Another season has passed and the league looks strong. The Barrie Baycats will try to tie the 2008-2013 Brantford Red Sox record of six straight championships in 2019. It will be interesting to see what unfolds in the next 100 years of Intercounty baseball.