Interviews
Subscribe to our NewsletterINTERVIEW #1: Nolan Revin, Manager, Thornhill Reds
I'll attempt to catch up with someone as often as possible. This week, I was fortunate enough to get in contact with Thornhill Reds manager and VP of the GTBL, Nolan Revin.
The Reds are off to a tremendous start this season. They are 9-2-1 in the GTBL, and 13-2-1 overall. They already have a tournament title under their belts after winning the Tillsonburg tournament.
Q: What was the biggest difficulty in your transition from player to manager?
Revin: I have had previous coaching experience (at York University and Thornhill midgets), so it wasn't the actual coaching that was the hard part. The biggest difficulty was learning to transition from playing with a handful of the players on the team (four to six of them) to coaching them. I needed to find the fine line between being their teammate to earning their respect as a coach.
Q: What are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of your team?
Revin: Our biggest strength is our offence. We have five or six guys who can hit the ball out of the park, and one through nine are all tough outs. Also, guys get along great and play for eachother. Adding eleven guys, it was a concern, but guys have gelled quickly. Our biggest weaknesses are our overall team speed, and our pitching has always been a question mark. This year's staff has improved, but how far will they carry us?
Q: What are your biggest personal strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
Revin: You would have to ask my players. I'm sure they will have a long list of both, with more weaknesses than strengths. (Laughs).
Q: The Reds have been talked about a lot this year. What are your own expectations for your team?
Revin: I'm not sure if "expectations" is the right word to use. We do in fact have some goals though. Some of those include showing well at the elims and hopefully representing Ontario at the Nationals. Aside from that, we would like to do well in our league and win it.
Q: You guys have been very successful so far, but what has been your biggest disappointment?
The biggest disappointment is losing Andrew Bergman until September. Work commitments require him to be in Manitoba, and he will be greatly missed. (Note: Bergman is 1-0 with a 3.14 ERA in 14.1 innings pitched).
Q: What are your thoughts on Newmarket's start?
Revin: I'm not surprised at all. They have always been a good team. I'm more surprised about Leaside and Markham's slow start to the season.
Q: If the Reds won the elims, who would you add to your roster for the Nationals?
Revin: The good thing is I would not have to choose, because I have 24 guys signed that I would feel comfortable taking to the Nationals. The hard part will be cutting three guys for the Nationals roster.
Q: Who do you feel are the top players in Senior baseball?
Revin: Justin Pennell and Geoff Cullen are the best hitters in Senior ball. As for pitching, you can take your pick of Windsor's top three or four guys. They're all so dominant and would be the aces on any team.
Q: Who are the biggest contenders to win the elims?
Revin: Obviously Windsor will be tough to beat. We've played against and heard great things about Glanbrook. Leaside will always be a threat. Newmarket will be tough. Tecumseh also comes to mind. The great thing about the elims is that anyone who gets hot at the right time can go on a good run and have a shot at it.
Q: Is the Hap Walters a good indication of who will do well at the elims?
Revin: There will be a lot of great teams there and it will be tough to win. However, you never know who will have their full roster there, because at the end of the day it is not the elims (where everyone will likely have their entire rosters). It's obviously a guage, but it won't dictate who will and won't be a factor at the elims.
Q: Finally, a lot of teams have been folding in recent years (Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Dundas, etc). Does this pose a problem for Senior baseball going forward?
Revin: I don't think so, because of the fact that the major centres will always have teams. That assures that guys will always have places to play. All that does is maybe create a more competitive environment, because the existing teams will be better.
INTERVIEW #2: Ryan Colling, P, Glanbrook Grizzlies
Over the last few seasons, Glanbrook has emerged as one of the better teams in Senior baseball. With guys like Colling on the hill, it is no wonder why they are considered to have one of the better pitching staffs around.
I recently got a chance to catch up with the COBA veteran, and ask him a few questions.
Q: How long have you played for Glanbrook, and did you play for any other teams (senior, college, etc)?
Colling: I've played for Glanbrook for 12 years. I started playing baseball at the age of 13, and continued on to play on scolarship at Monroe College in Rochester, New York. (Note: Monroe College is a member of the NJCAA).
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a member of the Grizzlies?
Colling: I've had a couple of memorable moments: one was pitching a no-hitter against the Milton Red Sox, and another was witnessing a triple play started by shortstop Lou Proietti.
Q: There have been some new faces joining the team over the years (Justin Czorny, Chris Cooney, etc). What have the new faces added to the team?
Colling: The new faces have added a mix of experience, leadership and a passion for the game.
Q: What is the best part about playing for Glanbrook?
Colling: The best part has got to be the camaraderie amongst the members of the team.
Q: Who is the biggest threat to Glanbrook in COBA?
Colling: I don't necessarily look at any particular team as a threat; however, I look at each game individually as a challenge.
Q: What are your thoughts on your first round matchup in the elims with the Windsor Stars?
Colling: This isn't our first matchup with them. We played them in round one a few years ago. We are really looking forward to the challenge this time around and may the best team win.
Q: The Grizzlies have a reputation with some as being a "Circus" (in fact you guys refer to yourself as the Circus). What would you say to the people who feel the Grizzlies might be a little "rough around the edges"?
Colling: At the end of the day, we are like a family and we understand one another very well. We definitely have our own style, and lets just say that makes us very unique.
INTERVIEW #3: Ron Smith, Manager, Windsor Stars
We often don't hear or talk about one of the main guys behind the success of the team, manager Ron Smith. Ron has been a member of the Stars coaching staff for 38 years. He has countless league and provincial titles under his belt, and he doesn't seem like he's about to slow down any time soon.
It was an honour to have a few words with "Smitty" this past week.
Q: What has made the Stars so successful over the years?
Smith: I think the team unity has been the biggest factor in our success over the years. "Team" defined in our case: players, wives, girlfriends, and parents. They are all included in everything we do as a team. Kritter (Keith Sanford) and I have always had an open-door policy with our guys, and this helps the players know where they stand on the club. Having a very good Junior program here in Windsor doesn't hurt either.
Q: What has been your most memorable Eliminations title?
Smith: 2005 in Sarnia might be the most memorable. That year we lost the first game to Peterborough and then came back to win seven straight games, including beating Crank's (Greg Cranker) Erindale team twice in the Finals. 1998 in Ottawa also ranks right up there for me, as it was our first ever title as the Windsor Stars.
Q: How would you rank teams 2-5 in the province?
Smith: Rankings don't really mean that much to me but I must admit that I enjoy reading your take on the matter. With the parity in the Senior leagues this year I think you have done a pretty good job in ranking all the teams. The London bloggers should take a little more time in researching the teams like you do, but I guess it's more of a sounding board and a lot of the time a good laugh. So keep up the good work G.
Q: Outside of anyone on your team, who would you say are the top two hitters and top two pitchers in the province today?
Smith: That's a tough question. I like a lot of guys and it's nice to see graduating Junior players coming to our Senior leagues rather than the IBL. Niagara's Evan Baglieri is a great young hitter and so is Thornhill's Justin Pennell. But Pennell is finding out pitchers are trying to pitch around him. Erindale's Geoff Cullen is another one, and he's been a good one for a lot of years. In terms of pitchers, young guys like Markham's Brad Binns and Ilderton's Jordan Townshend are pitchers that can shut down any good hitting team.
Q: Who is the best pitcher and hitter you've seen play Senior baseball at any time?
Smith: From the 1970's through the early 1990's, Gary Weiss from the Windsor Chiefs and Sean O'Connor from the Ottawa Canadians were great pitchers. I loved to watch that pitching match-up in the Elims. Today it's got to be Steve Carter and John Picco. The best hitter has to be Dave Cooper. He could beat you in so many ways.
Q: Over the last few years, the Can-Am league has lost Woodslee, St. Clair, and Detroit just to name a few teams. What type of impact or effect has that had on the league?
Smith: The Can-Am as it is today only being a six team league is good. I know some people think it's more of a house league because we only play 7 innings, but we get 30 games plus playoffs. We can add 10-20 more games with tournaments. Losing the others teams allowed us to do this.
Q: What would you say is the main difference between Senior baseball and the Intercounty League?
Smith: Another good Question! Senior Baseball vs the IBL might make for a good All-Star game. To me, the main difference is the money and travel involved in the IBL. They have owners who have money to cover travel expenses. We have managers and coaches who have players that will travel and spend their own money to play ball. Senior ball has come a long way with a lot of younger guys staying home to play with their club teams. If the IBL had to play under OBA rules and guidelines, I think they would be in our Senior leagues. Brantford, Barrie, Toronto, and London all have very good Ontario players (I wouldn't mind getting our Windsor players back from London). I think if they joined our ranks it would only improve the ball in Ontario. Attendance at all Senior games would increase and new rivalries would evolve.
Q: Earlier this year, you guys got no-hit by Markham's Brad Binns. When is the last time the Stars have been no-hit?
Smith: To the best of my memory, Zac Breault of the Windsor Junior Selects did it to us a few years back, when he was a midget aged player! Not that bad though, considering he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays last Fall.
Q: What is the easiest and most difficult thing about managing the Stars?
Smith: The toughest thing is making up a line-up when we are short position players. All the pitchers want to play and we worry about them getting hurt. The easiest is when we have a full squad. Each guy on the team knows he will play and nobody has complained about playing time.
Q: With such a deep pitching staff, what is the thought process involved in deciding which pitcher to pitch in tournament games?
Smith: I know our players would like me to answer that by telling you we put nine names in a hat and draw one, but that's not the case. Kritter usually sets up the rotation for the first three games and we see who best fits in against our next opponent(s). This past Elims we decided to go with our Horses up front, knowing who could come back strong on two days rest. Luckily we got through without having to use anyone twice.
Q: Other than Pennell, were there any other players you considered taking with you to Nationals?
Smith: Playing 50 games during the season and having a 23 man roster makes it very difficult to drop three or more players to make room for pick-ups. We have always favoured taking our own players and competing as a club team. I would like to see Baseball Canada limit the number of pick-ups (two in my opinion) and have them come from your own province. Choosing who to pick up was made easier this year because of injuries,
a wedding, and the fact one player could not be there all tournament. Choosing Justin Pennell was easy because he fit in with what we needed and he fits in with our team concept. Telling a guy after 50 games your not going may be easy for some managers and coaches but not for me.
Interview #4: Steve Breitner, Manager, Etobicoke Rangers
I recently had a chance to ask Steve "Whitey" Breitner (manager of the Etobicoke Rangers) a few questions as he prepares for the Eliminations this weekend. As a former player of Breitner's from 2006-2007, I have known him for nine years. After I left the team abruptly and without notice to go play for Burlington, Whitey still treated me courteously. To me, that showed a lot about him as a person, and I have kept in touch with him since.
Breitner's success as both a player and a manager are unparalleled. As a player, Whitey had the second most strikeouts in a season in the history of the Leaside Junior League (when he played for the Queensway Junior team) with 149 in 1976, and is second in wins in a season in the history of the league with 11. In 11 incredible years as a Senior player, he had 10 OBA championships 9 with Leaside and 1 with Etobicoke, 107 wins and over 1000 strikeouts. That incredible Senior career was capped as Breitner was picked up by the Windsor Chiefs in 1984 to participate in the Nationals- which led to his induction into the Ontario Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Windsor Chiefs. He also had a brief stint in the Detroit Tigers' farm system.
As a manager, Breitner has led the Rangers to five Elimination finals and three titles. He has also won numerous league pennants and playoff championships, both in the Toronto Metro league in the 90’s and the COBA Major league since.
Q: How does it feel to be able to coach with both of your sons on the same team?
Breitner: Having both of my sons able to play and compete at this level has been fantastic! Coaching them has been nothing short of terrific! It’s a great way to stay in touch, as all children grow up and have their own lives. It guarantees me seeing them at least a couple of times a week and it is really cool watching them compete.
Q: What is the most rewarding thing for you coaching-wise?
Breitner: I think the ability to provide a program that lends itself to playing good, meaningful, competitive baseball that creates good memories on and off the field. It’s not so much about coaching at this level, but more about managing. I find there is so much more than just the game in order to be successful.
Q: What are your best and worst attributes as a manager?
Breitner: I’m glad you asked me this and not other people as it would be interesting to see the comments. I believe I bring a winning attitude and an organized, honest approach to the game. I find at this level it is more about winning than at any other level. In terms of my worst attributes, I think that I might bring too much visible emotion. At times, it is not a good thing and I have been working on it and trying to remain more positive in all situations (both on and off the field). I tend to say what I think and a lot of people do not always like the answer, even though they ask to hear it.
Q: How does Steve Breitner, the manager, differ from Steve Breitner, the player?
Breitner: I think when I played it was more about my ability rather than my knowledge of the game. I really began to learn this game when I was in my last year of Junior and was able to play some Senior games with the Leaside Maple Leafs. I was able to contribute to their first of many OBA Championships. The coach at the time was the late Ric Fleury, and we took a liking to one another. I ended up playing 11 years for Ric after being released by the Tigers. A lot of what I learned about the game- I learned from him. After every single game, Ric and I would talk about that night’s game. I would be able to ask him anything about the game and he told me why he did what he did, whether it was a good move or bad. I had a lot of respect for him.
Q: How would you compare this current team you have to your last Elimination winning team of 2004?
Breitner: I think today’s team is stronger overall but does not have the experience the '04 team had. The parity today is also much more than it was 10 years ago. We were right near the end of a great run where we were the team to beat from '98 until about '05. We were in the Elimination finals in '98, '99, '00, '02 and '04 (winning in '99, '02 and '04). We had some great players in '04 like P Roman Kula, P/OF Krys Doiron, C Rick Malinowski, 2B Ken Rogers and rookies like 1B A.J. Iafrate and P Kevin Breitner along with veteran guys like P/ OF Peter Saweczko. The team today is faster, younger and plays better defense. It would be fun to match them up but only in the fantasy world could that happen! I think this year’s team would come out on top if they could score off of Kula.
Q: Which team was the best team you have had that didn't end up winning the Elims?
Breitner: Well, we have had a few real good teams over my 20 plus years, but I guess it would have to be '98 when we lost to Windsor in the finals in Ottawa. It was the first year we had the pros in the lineup (Greg O’Halloran, Warren Sawkiw and Denny Berni), to go with Roman Kula, David Smilsky, Rick Malinowski, Mike Gauthier, Joe Jurus, Frank Macintyre, Chris Rogers, Steve Sidoriak, Bobby McGee et al. We got it done the next year but should have won in '98.
Q: Who is the best hitter you have ever managed, and who is the best pitcher you have ever managed?
Breitner: You really can’t pick from guys like Greg O’Halloran, Mike Gauthier, Warren Sawkiw, and Denny Berni. I would say though the best amateur would have to be Mike "The General" Gauthier. Boy could he hit! Pitchers are the same story as there have been several that have been absolutely outstanding. Roman Kula, Mike Gauthier, Sean Conlin, Mike Janes, Chris Rogers. Any of those guys could win any big game. Kula was the most resilient as he could go 3 plus games in a weekend. Gauthier would go out and strikeout out 12 and give up 3 hits and go 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 RBI’s and a HR hitting in the 4 hole!! You don’t seem to hear about those kind of guys anymore. Today, we have a couple of guys that will be added to this list in due time as Andrew Hyde and Kyle Breitner are on their way to sharing space with those other great pitchers.
Q: Who is currently the best hitter and pitcher in the province and in your league?
Breitner: You sure ask some tough questions. I don’t see everyone, but in our league there are several guys that are out front and would be most people’s number one choice I'm sure. You have Tim Sogan, Billy Hurley, Andrew Hyde, Kyle Breitner, Jordan Petruska, and Paul McKenna. You also have Steve Teno and Zack Breault outside of our league. These are all guys who I am sure any manager would have no trouble putting out there in the biggest game. I am going to be a little biased here when it comes to the best hitter, but (2013 Ontario MVP) Brett Sanders does it all. I have had him for six years now as he played three years of Junior for me and is now in his third year of Senior. Being able to watch his raw ability transform into a great all-around hitter with better than average power. has been fun to watch. I really can’t comment thoroughly on other guys, because I don't see them enough to make a fair assessment. That being said, we all know how good Sean Bignall is. Kevin Mailloux and Mitch Delaney of Tecumseh also come to mind.
Q: In your opinion, which team is the biggest threat to you?
Breitner: I don’t see any one particular team as a threat as there is so much parity. There are way more teams today that can beat anyone on any given day. I think all teams are a threat and you have to play your best in almost all of your games if you are going to win. You have to respect the Stars and the Twins, as they are the Champs.
Q: In your opinion, which league is the best in Ontario?
Breitner: I honestly think that the league we play in is the best around night in and night out. I know all of the records do not indicate that, but playing against these teams, I realize how hard it is to win games in our league. Now, the Can-Am league will have its supporters, but I am not convinced the teams in that league on a whole are any better. Both leagues have their pros and cons, but at the end of the day I feel the COBA Major League is the best. The Can-Am has two of the best teams in Windsor and Tecumseh, but we have Mississauga Southwest, Niagara, us, Burlington, Oakville (who has struggled but is still a good team), Milton, Brampton and Erindale. Again, the records might not indicate it but if you look at the rosters of all the teams, I am not sure any other league stacks up with our league from top to bottom. There are no easy games.
Q: In your mind, are the Etobicoke Rangers the favourites to win the Elims?
Breitner: I’m not sure we would be considered favourites, but I would have to think that we should be in the mix. The draw this year is an extremely tough one as our first two games are deadly. If we can get to a third game, then I think we can play on Monday. We do have some history on our side as we have won multiple times before. There are only two other teams playing this weekend that can say that. There’s a reason why this tournament has so few repeat winners.
Q: Is anything less than a provincial championship this year a disappointment?
Bretiner: Yes! I think disappointed is a fair description as we know we have a legitimate shot again to win this thing. We have worked very hard to be ready for this tournament, playing 33 games and winning 26. I think that is the most wins in the province right now. This team will be together for a while and we will continue to add pieces as my junior team will continue to produce quality players that will keep us in the upper echelon of Senior AAA for years to come!!. If it is not this year that we win the Elim’s then it could be next year or the next year as I know with the players we have and the ones on the horizon it will happen again. I am sure of that!
