NEWS
Sunday, August 15, 1999
The Fat Lady Sings
The Dogs exited the playoffs Sunday night, 9 -4 to Delaware, going out the same way they'd started the season - fighting every inch of the way.   The season was a special one for everyone involved, and we'll take away many fond memories of the summer of 1999.   Among them: From your coaches to all of the Dogs, our very best wishes.   We're glad you had a good summer of baseball.    We enjoyed spending it with you.    See you next year.
Saturday, August 14, 1999
Playoffs:   Doggies Nip Ilderton Again:  Stay Alive With 11 - 8 Win
Following their usual m.o., the Dogs built an early 8 - 2 lead on Ilderton in game two of the playoffs, sat back long enough to watch it evaporate, then dodged a last minute bullet with two runs of their own to record an 11 - 8 win.   Adrian Pytka came in to put the fire out in the final inning, after the Dog lead (dog lead - get it?  ...    sorry) had been cut to 9 - 8 in the fifth frame.    A surging Jon Wu and an aggressive Tris Bradley led the Dogs with two base hits each.   Next playoff game for the Devil Dogs From Hell will be Sunday at 8:30 p.m., under the lights in Ilderton against the Delaware Dinosaurs.   The loss eliminated Ilderton from the playoffs.   Our congratulations to the Ilderton team and their coaches, Andy, Jim and What's Your Name - I Know Your Face, for the good sportsmanship and good baseball they've provided all season.     The Dawgz and their coaches always enjoy the friendly atmosphere which surrounds Mud Dog - Ilderton games.
Playoffs:   Dogs' Comeback Cut Short By Curfew: Lose to Belmont 9 - 7
In a dramatic come-from-behind bid in their opening game of the playoffs in Ilderton today, the Dogs mounted a three run sixth inning rally to pull within two runs of the Belmont Bantams, only to have the game called by curfew.   Adrian Pytka threw a strong first two innings, giving up only three runs, and Chris Hughes contributed a solid three inning pitching performance, but the Dogs continued to struggle defensively, giving up six runs on errors and squandering a balanced nine hit attack.   Despite their defensive lapses, the Dogs turned in a solid team effort against an older, larger and more experienced Belmont team (last year's Southern Ontario Bantam Select Champions), and appeared on the verge of a comeback win had the game not been called under the curfew rule.  Playoff game number two is scheduled for later today.
  Friday, August 13, 1999
Playoffs Starting Tomorrow
The Dogs are waiting to learn if they'll be playing Belmont or Thorndale in the opening round of the playoffs Saturday afternoon, August 14, in Ilderton.   Missing tomorrow will be outfielders Matt Powell and Matt Cassidy (who'll once again be consorting with knights and fairye queens at a medieval faire in Camelot - woops, that should read Milton - Ontario).   The Dogs have no plans to call up any players from the PeeWee Division and will go with an 11 player roster tomorrow.   Hopes are high that the Dogs' bats will be back in action following a brisk team workout Thursday night.
Monday, August 9, 1999
Delaware 9 - Demon Dogs From Hell 6
The Dogs failed to impress on Monday night, losing 9 - 6 to a lacklustre Delaware team.   Today's question:   If Delaware was lacklustre, what's that make the Dogs?    Perhaps some things are better left unanswered.    Next game, North London, Wednesday.
Sunday, August 8, 1999
Mutts 9 - Ilderton 6
Four strong innings from pitcher Chris Hughes and two more from Adrian Pytka propelled the Dogs to a 9 - 6 win over Ilderton Sunday afternoon at Centennial Park, Ilderton.   Matt Cassidy broke out of a slump to lead the Mud Dogs with two hits, and Oakridge PeeWee call-ups Andrew Nimetz and Dan Knight both turned in impressive performances.    The two must be wondering about Bantam baseball though - between them they were hit by pitched balls three times and again on a pick-off throw to first.   Bruises aside, the boys looked good in Mud Dog black (as had their team-mate Bryan Teevin on two previous occasions), and we'd like to extend them our thanks for their help.   That must be some PeeWee team you guys play for.     
Dogs Unveil Secret Weapon
Read all about it in the Wu Chronicles.    Jon Wu will never look the same to you again.   Move over Roger Clemens!
If You're Reading This How Come You Haven't Signed The Guestbook - Huh?
Really, it's the only way we know if anyone's reading these pages.    We've already had Guestbook entries from visitors from as far away as Ireland, the U.S. and Singapore .    Now's the time to add yours.   Here's your link:    Mud Dog Guestbook.     Go now, and don't you dare come back till you've added something witty, pithy and profound to show your support for the greatest little ball team this side of Springbank Park.
More Pictures On The Way
We've had positive feedback on the Photo Page, so more pictures are on the way.   Look for them within the next week.   In the meantime, team members and parents, if there's anything you'd like to see on that page, let me (Gerry) know.   I'd be more than happy to scan in your photos.
Friday, July 30, 1999
Dog Days - Mud Dogs On Vacation
A skeleton staff of Mud Dogs, featuring only seven regulars and five call-ups, lost 12 - 1 to Thorndale in St. Mary's Friday evening.    Despite the score, the Dogs enjoyed their chance to play on the beautifully manicured field at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.   Highlight of the game for the undermanned Mutts was a masterful inning of pitching from 12 year old PeeWee Bryan Teevin, and a spectacular base hit off the bat of 11 year old PeeWee Craig Courneya.   (Bryan and Craig, stacked on top of each other, are still shorter than Adrian Pytka.   Bravo boys!   Well done.   You're really going to be something when you hit that adolescent growth spurt!)    Also with the Mutts was Ian McPhail from last year's championship edition of the Dogs.     Great to have you back, Ian - even if it was only for one game.    And thanks too to Stephen Rich and David Masseo, called up from Bantam Division Two and the Oakridge PeeWee Division, respectively.
Wednesday, July 28, 1999
Mutts Make It to Hall of Fame
The Dogs will play Thorndale at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Mary's this Friday.  Game time is 6:30.    The Dawgz will be down to seven players, with six players off on holidays, including four of their top six hitters.   The park features an irregular outfield fence, varying from 285 feet down the left field line (too bad Adrian P. will be in Chicago Friday - he'd have liked that) to 404 feet in dead centre, four feet deeper than SkyDome.    If the blue seats look familiar, they should.    They're from the Blue Jays' former home, the recently demolished CNE Stadium, Toronto.
Monday, July 26, 1999
Dogs Play Like ... well, Dogs      -      And Still Win!
In an uninspired outing Monday night, the Dogs survived a last inning rally and hung on to edge a game Ilderton team 7 - 6.     Highlight of the game, which featured mediocre pitching and next to no hitting from either team, was the field umpire's seven inning battle with a loose rubber on the mound.     
Next Game At Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame?
We're still waiting to hear if this Friday's game against Thorndale will be played at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's facility in St. Mary's or in Thorndale, as originally scheduled.   Stay tuned.
Saturday, July 24, 1999
Werewolves of London Welcome Mud Dogs
Twenty plus Mud Dogs and Mud Dog parents joined a crowd of 3700 at Labatt Park Saturday evening to watch the Werewolves defeat the Richmond (Indiana) Roosters and solidify their hold on first place in the Frontier League.    Highlight of the game for the parents was the discovery that the Werewolves have their own private label wine on sale at the beer concessions.    Owwwwooooo ...
Friday, July 23, 1999
Thunderstorm Stops Dogs vs. Ilderton
A line of thunderstorms moving through the area caused the cancellation of the Dogs' game with Ilderton Friday night.   The game will be rescheduled to a later date.  
Monday, July 19, 1999
Dolgos Gives Dogs Bite In 21 - 11 Win Over Thorndale
In an extraordinary performance Monday evening, catcher Matt Dolgos hit two home runs and a triple, cashing eight ribbies in the process, to lead the Dogs to a 21 - 11 win over Thorndale.  A devastating Mud Dog offence which also saw Adrian Pytka stroke a triple to the fence, as well as a double and a single in four trips to the plate, and Ryan Cole and Dan Gray each go three for three on the evening, spelled trouble for Thorndale from the outset.    A thirteen run barrage settled matters for good in the fourth inning and the game was called under the mercy rule after pitcher Adrian Pytka shut down the visitors in the top of the fifth.    As a point of interest, Matt Dolgos reached base on his fourth at bat as well - that time when he was hit by a pitch.
Saturday, July 17, 1999
Dogs Plan Werewolves Game
The Mud Dogs and Mud Dog parents will attend next Saturday night's London Werewolves game against the Richmond (Indiana) Roosters.    ...  ...  roosters???
Matt P. Goes to Camp
Following a week in Ohio, Matt Powell will clear his lungs at a Muskoka camp this week.
Matt C. Goes Medieval
Outfielder Matt Cassidy will supervise a bocce ball game (and possibly joust with fyre-breathing dragones and cavort with faire damsels) at a medieval festival in the London area this weekend.   Then  again, maybe he'll just do the bocce thing.   Have funne big gye.
Hitka Pytka Outpaces 5 Km. Field
The Mud Dogs' ace pitcher and leading hitter, Adrian Pytka, 15, ran to a first place finish in the Boys 19 and Under division in a London City 5 kilometre race Friday evening.
Brian B Gets a Brother!
Congratulations to Tim and Sandra Blaker on an addition to their family this week, a baby brother for Brian, Mud Dog outfielder extraordinaire.
Sunday, July 11, 1999
Dogs Runners-up in Thorndale Tournament
Drained by a 3 1/4 hour extra-innings win over Strathroy immediately preceding the championship game, the Mud Dogs put up a gallant fight before falling to a well-rested Belmont Select team in Thorndale Sunday afternoon to finish second in the eight team tournament.   Enroute to the final, the Dogs had recorded wins over North London, Thorndale and Strathroy, while losing only once, to the same Belmont team they faced Sunday.
Adrian Pytka - Home Run King
A 320 foot blast over the left centre field fence left no doubt who the tournament's home run derby winner was.   Adrian Pytka hit two other long balls to the fence to outpace his opponents from the other seven tournament teams.
Bradley and Hughes - Speed Demons
The base-running contest, featuring 16 runners from the 8 teams, saw Tris Bradley and Chris Hughes record the tournament's second and fourth fastest times, respectively.   Those attempting to take pictures of the speedy pair were disappointed to find only blurs on their processed prints.
Monday, July 5, 1999
Delaware Sneaks By Dogs
In a well-played contest highlighted by a towering Adrian Pytka triple which cashed three runs and came within inches of clearing the centre field fence, the Dogs dropped a close 6 - 5 decision in Delaware Monday evening.    Disappointed Mud Dogs saw the margin of victory determined by a questionable officiating decision which awarded two bases (and the winning run) to a Delaware base runner on second base after a ball went out of play.   The game featured another outstanding performance on the mound by Adrian Pytka, who allowed only one hit in the three innings he pitched.
Friday, July 2, 1999
Dogs Devour Delaware
Great Defence, timely hitting and superlative pitching powered the Mud Dogs to a 6 - 2 win over the Delaware Dinosaurs Friday night at St. Thomas Aquinas Park.   Adrian Pytka threw four innings of one hit ball and Chris Hughes allowed only three hits over the three innings he contributed.  Left fielder Brian Blaker made a great catch to save a certain triple and shut down a promising inning for the Delawarinians, and Adrian Pytka, Derek Heersink and Dan Gray each contributed two hits to round out one of the best games the Dogs have played this season.    Return match is scheduled for Delaware Monday.   Heavy hitter Adrian P. was seen licking his lips at the prospect of batting in a park with a porch as short as the one in Delaware is said to be.
Wednesday, June 30, 1999
Dogs Drop Close One to North London
Despite exceptional pitching from Adrian Pytka and Matt Dolgos, the Dogs came out on the short end of a 7 -5 score in their Wednesday night game against North London.   Once again the Mutts turned in a generally good performance, but took one inning off.   That inning, the fourth, featured a number of defensive lapses by a sleepy-looking group of Dogs and saw them give up four runs.   That was all it took for a solid looking North London team to take the lead (and the game) away from the comatose canines.   Mud Dog coaches, of course, do not subscribe to the adage "let sleeping dogs lie," and plan a vigorous practice for Saturday morning.
                                                      Tuesday, June 29, 1999
Rescheduled Game
The Thorndale game, originally scheduled for June 18 and postponed to enable the Dogs to play in the Jim Ashton Memorial Tournament has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 7.   Game start time is 6:30 p.m.    Location: Thorndale.
Picture Day
Team and individual player pictures will be taken by Action Cards at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 7 at St. Thomas Aquinas Park.  Be there on time, because as soon as the pictures have been taken, the team has to travel to Thorndale for its 6:30 game.
Thursday, June 24, 1999
Another Forfeit - This Time It's Belmont's Turn
Thursday night saw more of the same, only this time it was the opposition which could only field eight players.   For the record, the game will show up as a 7 - 0 Mud Dog win.
Monday, June 21, 1999
One Dog Short of a Pack - Dogs Forfeit to Southwest
School finally caught up to the Mud Dogs on Monday night as the team, missing several players who had final exams the next day, could only put eight players on the field and had to forfeit to Southwest.
June 20, 1999
Curs Crush South For B Division Championship In Jim Ashton Memorial Tournament
The afternoon tournament finale saw the Dogs come back to pound the South A Team they'd beaten by only one run the previous day  15 - 5.   Paced by a 13 hit attack and their usual aggressive running game, the Dogs struck early and often and had put the game out of reach for South by early in the third inning.   The tournament's mercy rule was invoked and the game called in the sixth inning after the Dogs had built a ten run differential against weary South pitchers.   The Mud Dogs were presented with hats, pendants and individual trophies in an on-field ceremony immediately following the game.

Congratulations Brian, Dan, Derek, Tris, Ryan, Jon, Rob, Adrian, all three Matts and both Chrises!    And thanks to our Friday-night call-ups: Bryan Teevin, Chris Harvey and our old friend Andrew Lowry from last year's Mud Dog championship peewee team.
Reds Edge Dogs
A characteristic Mud Dog last inning rally fell one run short as the Nelson Park Reds held on for a 9 - 8 win in a well-played contest this morning.

June 19, 1999
South Goes South
Rallying from a 6 - 3 deficit, the Mud Dogs scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning this morning to defeat South's A Team 7 - 6.   Adrian Pytka fattened his batting average with two hits in three trips to the plate, one a booming double, and threw three flawless innings, giving up just two hits.   The Dogs displayed excellent defence throughout, holding South to nine hits for the game.
Cubs Nose Dogs
The Nelson Park Cubs edged the Dogs 7 - 6 in the day's second game, which saw versatile Matt Dolgos give up only one hit in the two innings he pitched and go three for three at the plate with a double and two singles.    The Dogs received outstanding outfielding from Jon Wu, Rob McLean and Derek Heersink, and catchers Matt Dolgos and Dan Gray were steady behind the plate.   Brian Blaker was taken out of the game after being hit with a pitch, but his arm injury is not expected to keep him out of tomorrow's championship round.   
June 18, 1999
Mutts Maul Southwest
In the Eager Beaver Tournament opener played at Nelson Park, East London, on Friday evening, June 18th, the Dogs defeated a game Southwest Bantam team 26 - 4.   The game was called by curfew after the fourth inning.
June 16, 1999
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Rob McLean and Dan Gray, members of the Riverside Rams softball team which defeated the Churchill Bulldogs today to win a bronze medal in the London
City Public School Championship Playoffs.
June 13, 1999
Eager Beaver Tournament, London: June 18 - 20
- see Schedule page for times and parks
- 8 teams, divided into 2 divisions
- 1 game Friday night, June 18 - 6:15 (Nelson Park)
- 2 games Saturday, June 19 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (Kiwanis Park # 2)
- Sun. - 10:00 a.m.: top team in each division vs. 2nd place team from opposite division
- Sun. - 12:30 p.m.: winning teams play for Championship (Kiwanis Park # 1)
- Sun. - 12:30 p.m.: losing teams play for Consolation Championship (Kiwanis Park # 2)
- everyone who plays Sunday gets a trophy
- food and refreshments available at Kiwanis Park
- bring water, sun block and sun glasses
- try to be at park 1/2 hour before game time
- go Dogs!
Directions to Eager Beaver Tournament Parks:
Nelson Park
- east on Dundas to Hale (1st lights past Highbury, at railway crossing)
- right on Hale to Trafalgar (2nd left after lights at Brydges)
- left on Trafalgar to Admiral Road (first left after Clarke Road)
- left on Admiral to Kipling (first right)
- follow Kipling, watching on left side for 140 Kipling
- walkway to park is between 140 Kipling and next house
Kiwanis Park
- east on Dundas to Hale (1st lights past Highbury, at railway crossing)
- right on Hale to Brydges (1st lights)
- left on Brydges to Kiwanis Park Drive (second left)
- left on Kiwanis Park Drive  - leads directly into diamonds
PLEASE NOTE - IMPORTANT
The following five Mud Dogs will be on school trips and miss the Friday game:
    Chris Dieterle    Ryan Cole    Jon Wu    Matt Powell    Chris Hughes
Friday's lineup will include ten players, as follows:
    Matt Dolgos    Matt Cassidy    Dan Gray    Brian Blaker    Tris Bradley
    Adrian Pytka    Derek Heersink    Rob McLean      call-up      call-up
If, for any reason, you're not going to be able to make it, please let Gerry know a.s.a.p.  (We don't want to risk a forfeit.)
June 9, 1999
Next Practice
- batting practice at Oakridge Park - Saturday, June 12
- 8 - 9 a.m.:     Chris H., Tris, Adrian, Derek, Rob, Matt C., Matt D.
- 9 - 10 a.m.:    Jon, Dan, Brian, Ryan, Chris D., Matt P.
Team Pictures
- originally scheduled for next week
- postponed because 6 players will be on school trips over next 2 weeks
- new date to be announced shortly
Standings/New Schedule
- Mud Dogs finish 6 game mini-schedule in 4th place in 12 team league
- based on results, Dogs go into 7 team Division 1
- Division 1: Dogs, Southwest, Ilderton, Belmont, Thorndale, Delaware, North
- Division 2: Oakridge 2, Oakridge 3, Thamesford, North 1, North 2
- 18 game schedule to be released before week-end
- schedule will be distributed at Saturday's practice
- Dogs' first game: Monday, June 14 - 6:15 - St. Thomas Aquinas
Eager Beaver Tournament
- Dogs in Eager Beaver Tournament, London, beginning evening of Fri., June 18
- details to follow at practice on Saturday, June 12
Thorndale Tournament
- Dogs in Thorndale Tournament, beginning evening of Friday, July 9
- details will follow when we have them
Oakridge Tournament
- possibility of an Oakridge Bantam Tournament first week of August
- more on this later, if it materializes
Championship Tournament
- scheduled for Ilderton during the week starting Friday, August 13
Call-ups
- 4 players will be on a school trip when we play June 18 tournament game
- call-up will be Andrew Lowry, from last year's PeeWee Mud Dog champs