Braves & Rockers are Canadian Champs

The Dufferin-Simcoe Braves are crowned champions at the Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Federation Championships on Aug. 4, 2024. The Braves, who participated in the 43 plus age division, are pictured, back row from left, Brad Soules, Sean Ellis, Dan Lemmon, Chad Purchase, Craig Bessant, Stephen Warden, Steve Westbrooke, Matt Van Geene, Jeremy Uylenbroek, Brett Trott, Jason Thompson. Front row, from left, Steve Bowman, Shawn Chalmers, Mike Wallace, Ron Mercer, Jeff Akitt, Lance Bryan, Kerry Dupuis, Shane Walker. (Stephen Warden Photo)

The Dufferin-Simcoe Rockers won the 60 plus age division National Championship on Aug. 4, 2024. Pictured, back row from left, John DeGroote, Steve Harrison, Dave Speers, Jim Halliday, Rick Coker, Greg McKee, Terry Gowan, Greg Campbell, Bob Forbes. Front row from left, Don Bartley, Zac Nunez, Max Gaitan, Pete Lennox, Rob Hubbard, Steve Scott, Gord Zeggil, Brent Bailey. (Steve Scott photo)

Since 2012 when the Dufferin-Simcoe Rockers last won a Canadian Championship, two players, Tom Anderson (#17) and Roger Maes (#5) have passed away. The Rockers made sure to recognize both former teammates holding shirts with their numbers with the championship trophy. Pictured are Steve Scott, Brent Bailey, Bob Forbes, Zac Nunez, Terry Gowan, Greg McKee, Max Gaitan, and Don Bartley. (Steve Scott photo)

August 5, 2024

The Dufferin-Simcoe Braves and the Dufferin-Simcoe Rockers have new titles as Canadian champions after a stellar National Championship tournament over the holiday weekend.

The Braves entered the 43 plus age category and the Rockers were in the 60 plus age category, each team playing five games en route to their victory during the Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Federation Tournament.

In opening round action the Braves lost their first game to the OSBA Aces 3-1 before picking up wins against the Tecumseh Green Giants, 7-3, and the Hamilton Stealers, 9-6.

Entering Sunday semi final play, the Braves defeated Scarborough Maroons 11-7 to face the OSBA Aces again.

The Braves didn't allow the earlier defeat to keep them down, scoring ten runs after three innings keeping the Aces off the scoreboard in the championship game.

The next two innings went the opposite direction as the Aces scored nine runs and limited the Braves.

In the sixth frame the Braves stormed back with three more runs and added an additional three in the seventh to maintain a healthy lead.

The Aces scored five runs in their half of the seventh mounting a comeback, but fell short before the final out ended the contest with a 16-14 score for the Braves.

This is the first national championship for the team who have been competing on and off at the Nationals for the last eleven years. The Braves were tournament finalists in 2022 and in the 35 plus age division in 2015.

Meanwhile the Dufferin-Simcoe Rockers played in the 60 plus age division championship.

The Rockers completed in a four-team loop finishing the round robin in third place picking up a 9-5 win over the Great West Legends, a 11-11 tie with Spring Lake Masters and a 8-1 loss to the Hamilton Stealers.

In semi final action the Rockers took down the Great West Legends 12-4 and met Spring Lake for the final, winning the game 9-5.

This is the Rockers fifth Canadian championship, last winning the 50 plus title in 2012. They were tier two champions last year.