Ottawa Champions

Last updated

Ottawa Champions
Ottawa Champions logo.svg Ottawa Champions Cap logo.svg
Team logoCap insignia
Information
League Can-Am League
Location Ottawa, Ontario
Ballpark Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park
Founded2014
Disbanded2020
Nickname(s)Champions, Champs
League championships1: (2016)
ColoursBlue, red, white
   
MascotChamp
Playoff berths
1
2016
Manager Sebastien Boucher
Media Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit, CKDJ-FM, CJFO-FM
Website www.ottawachampions.ca

The Ottawa Champions Baseball Club (French: Les Champions d'Ottawa) were a professional baseball team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Champions made their debut as a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am League) in 2015. [1] They won their first league championship in 2016 defeating the Rockland Boulders 3-2 after being down 2-0 in the series, winning game 5, 3-1 with a complete game win by Austin Chrismon. They played their home games at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park. The Champions mascot was Champ.

Contents

After the 2019 season, the Can-Am League merged with the Frontier League and five of the six teams remaining in it joined the latter league. The Champions were not invited to take part, but it was not immediately clear if they would fold or go on hiatus as owner Miles Wolff, the former Can-Am League commissioner, looked to sell the team. He could not find a buyer, however, and the team folded operations. Eventually, the Frontier League decided to expand to Ottawa anyway, announcing in September 2020 that the league would be granting a franchise to a group led by Sam Katz, the former mayor of Winnipeg and owner of the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, who owns the Ottawa 67’s junior hockey team and the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League; the league considers this to be an expansion team and not to have any connection to the Champions. The new team are the Ottawa Titans, which started their season in May 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

The City of Ottawa granted a 10-year lease of the Ottawa Baseball Stadium to establish a Can-Am Baseball League team for the 2015 season in September 2013. [2]

In June 2014, the Ottawa Champions team name was announced followed by the unveiling of the team logo that August. [3] [4] [5]

The Champions announced the signing of Hal Lanier as the team’s first on-field manager on 18 November 2014. [6] Lanier is a former Major League Baseball player who began his MLB career in 1964 as a member of the San Francisco Giants; he also spent time as a New York Yankee at the end of his playing career. [7] He worked as a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and won a World Series with them in 1982. He was the manager of the Houston Astros from 1986 to 1988 and was named the NL Manager of the Year in 1986. [8] He has managed numerous independent league teams before including the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Can-Am team the Sussex Skyhawks. Along with Lanier, the Champions also announced the signing of their first player, Gatineau native OF Sebastien Boucher. Boucher was drafted 213th in the 2004 MLB Draft and was selected to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic in 2006. [9] The team's founding president is David Gourlay. [10]

The Champions played their first game in franchise history on May 22, 2015, at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park against the Sussex County Miners. [11]

In the 2016 season, the Champions qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the opening round, the Champions defeated the New Jersey Jackals 3 games to 1 and advanced to Can-Am League Championship Round for the very first time in franchise history. In the championship round, the Champions defeated the Rockland Boulders 3 games to 2 to capture their first championship.

On June 28, 2017, Phillippe Aumont threw the first no-hitter in Ottawa Champions history against the Dominican Republic national baseball team.

After the 2019 season, The Can-Am League merged with the Frontier League. However, the Champions were left off the 2020 Schedule.

Shortly after the Champions were left off the 2020 schedule, Winnipeg Goldeyes owner Sam Katz was attempting to bring either an Atlantic League or a Frontier League franchise to Ottawa by 2021. Then, Katz became the owner of the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League.

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park renovations

The Ottawa Champions played their home games at RCGT Park, a 10,000-seat baseball stadium just east of downtown Ottawa. As part of the plans to revitalize baseball in Ottawa, the city and the team invested more than $2 million worth of renovations into the stadium. These renovations included a brand-new video scoreboard. [12]

Along with the stadium renovations, the city built a new pedestrian bridge to help make it easier to get to the ballpark using public transit. The pedestrian bridge crosses over Highway 417 to connect the ballpark to the Transit Way and is named in honour of the late Max Keeping. [13]

Season-by-season records

Ottawa Champions (2015–present)
SeasonTotalFinishedPlayoffs
2015 (6 Teams)46-50 (5).479Did not qualify
2016 (6 Teams)51-49 (4).510Won Opening Round over New Jersey Jackals 3-1
Won Championship over Rockland Boulders 3-2
2017 (6 Teams)42-56 (5).429Did not qualify
2018 (8 Teams)41-60 (6).406Did not qualify
2019 (9 Teams)41-54 (5).432Did not qualify
Regular Season Totals221-269.451
Postseason Totals6-3.667
Combined Totals227-272.455

The baseball cap logo is a detailed representation of Ottawa’s traditional landscape with the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill as the focal centrepiece. The Peace Tower is surrounded by a red ‘O’ representing the Ottawa name. The background is filled with a maple leaf, which will proudly display the Champions’ Canadian pedigree as they travel all over North America for regular season games.

The brand logo displays the Champions name in bold and clear lettering allowing for easy recognition throughout the community and the CanAm League. The bottom distinguishes the baseball identity with home plate and white lines indicating the first and third base sides.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frontier League</span> Baseball league in the United States and Canada

The Frontier League is a professional baseball league in North America consisting of 18 teams – 15 in the United States and 3 in Canada. The FL is one of the four independent baseball leagues that is considered to be an MLB Partner League, and the level of play is comparable to the High-A level. The league is headquartered in Sauget, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)</span> Baseball league - 1993 to 2010

The Northern League was an independent minor professional baseball league. It was not affiliated with Major League Baseball or the organized minor leagues. The league was founded in 1993 and folded after its 2010 season when financial stability became a problem. The three teams remaining in the league when it folded joined with the remaining teams in United League Baseball and the Golden Baseball League to form a new independent organization called the North American League.

The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, commonly known as the Can-Am League, was a professional, independent baseball league with teams in the Northeast United States and Eastern Canada, founded in 2005 as a reorganization of its predecessor, the Northeast League. The Can-Am League operated in cities not directly served by Major or Minor League teams and was not affiliated with either. The league office was in Dayton, Ohio. Though a separate entity, the league shared a commissioner, president, and director of umpires with the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Jersey Jackals</span> Professional baseball team based in Little Falls, NJ, US

The New Jersey Jackals are a professional baseball team based in Paterson, New Jersey. The Jackals compete in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the East Division. The team was founded in 1998 by Floyd Hall and is owned by Al Dorso, a businessman who also owns the Sussex County Miners, Skylands Stadium, and State Fair Superstore. The Jackals play their home games at Hinchliffe Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winnipeg Stadium</span> Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Winnipeg Stadium was a multipurpose stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winnipeg Goldeyes</span> Canadian baseball team

The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a minor-league baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Professional Baseball, which they joined in 2011. Previously, the Goldeyes were members of the Northern League from 1994 until 2010. The Goldeyes were champions of the Northern League in 1994. They are also three-time champions of the American Association; having won in 2012, and back-to-back in 2016 and 2017. The team is named after the goldeye, a fish usually served as a smoked delicacy and commonly called Winnipeg goldeye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brockton Rox</span> Massachusetts, USA collegiate baseball team

The Brockton Rox are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Brockton, Massachusetts, United States. Formerly a professional baseball franchise, the Rox were a member of the independent Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, from the 2005 through 2011 seasons. The Rox play their home games at Campanelli Stadium. The team's name is a derivative of the nearby Boston Red Sox of the American League and a tribute to the boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, both from Brockton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottawa Stadium</span> Baseball Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa Stadium is a baseball stadium in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with a seating capacity of 10,332. The stadium is located in the city's east end near the interchange of Queensway and Vanier Parkway. It has been used for minor-league professional baseball and music concerts since 1993.

The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks are a professional minor-league baseball team based in Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States. The RedHawks are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball. The RedHawks have played their home games at Newman Outdoor Field since 1996, when the team started as members of the Northern League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Association of Professional Baseball</span> Baseball league

The American Association of Professional Baseball is an independent professional baseball league founded in 2005. It operates in the central United States and Canada, mostly in cities not served by Major League Baseball teams or their minor league affiliates. Joshua Schaub is the league commissioner. League offices are located in Moorhead, Minnesota. Though a separate entity, the league shared a commissioner and director of umpires with the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball during that league's existence. The American Association of Professional Baseball has 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. In 2020, as part of MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues, the American Association, together with the Atlantic League and the Frontier League, became an official MLB Partner League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hal Lanier</span> American baseball player and manager (born 1942)

Harold Clifton Lanier is an American former infielder, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. Known as a brainy, defense-first player, he won National League Manager of the Year as a rookie manager for leading the Astros to the National League West division championship in 1986. From November 2014 through the end of his 2018 contract, Lanier served as the first manager of the Ottawa Champions of the independent Can-Am League. From 1964 through 1973, Lanier played for the San Francisco Giants (1964–71) and New York Yankees (1972–73). He is the son of Max Lanier, a former MLB All-Star pitcher.

The Ottawa Voyageurs, previously the Ottawa Rapidz, were a professional baseball team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada under the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball or Can-Am League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport in Ottawa</span>

Sport in Ottawa, Canada's capital, has a history dating back to the 19th century. Ottawa is home to eight professional sports teams: the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League; the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League; the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League; the Ottawa Blackjacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League; Atlético Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League; Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League; Ottawa Rapid FC of the Northern Super League, and the Ottawa Black Bears of the National Lacrosse League. Several non-professional teams also play in Ottawa, including the Ottawa 67's junior hockey team and other semi-professional and collegiate teams in various sports.

There are professional teams based in Canada in several professional sports leagues. The National Hockey League currently has seven Canadian franchises and is the most popular professional sports league in Canada. The Canadian Football League is the only all-Canadian major professional sports league. Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, and the Professional Women's Hockey League also have Canadian teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottawa Fat Cats</span> Baseball team in Ottawa, Ontario

The Ottawa Fat Cats were a semi-professional baseball club in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The team began play on May 8, 2010, against the Guelph Royals, and played its home games at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium, the first home game was on May 15, 2010, against the Mississauga Twins. The team was a member of the Intercounty Baseball League but suspended operations at the end of the 2012 season. They were eventually replaced as the primary tenant of what is now Ottawa Stadium by the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Boulders</span> Professional baseball team in Frontier League, based in Pomona, New York since 2011.

The New York Boulders are a professional baseball team based in Pomona. The Boulders compete in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the East Division. The team plays its home games at Clover Stadium, a 6,300-seat stadium built 40 miles north of New York City. They are one of three Frontier League franchises located in the New York metropolitan area; the others being the New Jersey Jackals and Sussex County Miners. Beginning play in the 2011 season as the Rockland Boulders, the rest of the teams in the Can-Am League were absorbed into the Frontier League when the two leagues merged following the 2019 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sussex County Miners</span> American independent league baseball team

The Sussex County Miners are a professional baseball team based in Augusta, New Jersey. They compete in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the East Division, and have played their home games at Skylands Stadium, originally known as Skylands Park, since 2015. The Miners are not currently affiliated to any Major League Baseball teams, but are official MLB Partners since 2020. They were originally members of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball until 2020. They joined the Frontier League for the 2020 season when it absorbed the Can-Am League.

Evan P. Rutckyj is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 16th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottawa Titans</span> Canadian professional baseball team

The Ottawa Titans, officially the Ottawa Titans Baseball Club are a professional baseball team based in Ottawa. They compete in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the East Division. Since 2022, the Titans have played their home games at Ottawa Stadium, originally known as RCGT Park. The Titans mascot is Cappy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Country DockHounds</span> Baseball team in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

The Lake Country DockHounds are a professional baseball team based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, that plays in the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball. The DockHounds played their first season in 2022, becoming the first professional sports team in Waukesha County.

References

  1. ↑ "Ottawa Stadium new baseball tenants are the 'Champions'". CBC News. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Willing, Jon. "City proposes 10-year lease with Can-Am to bring pro baseball back to Ottawa". ottawasun.com. The Ottawa Sun. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Warren, Ken. "Pro baseball returns to the plate in Ottawa". ottawacitizen.com. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Ottawa takes a swing at professional baseball one more time". CTV News. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "Championship stuff: New Ottawa baseball team unveils logo". ottawacitizen.com. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Ottawa Champions name Hal Lanier as first manager".
  7. ↑ "Hal Lanier Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. ↑ "Hal Lanier Managerial Record - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. ↑ Desaulniers, Darren. "Hal Lanier named Ottawa Champions manager; team signs Sebastien Boucher (with video)". ottawacitizens.com. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ottawa Champions Baseball unveils logo". Orleans Star. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "Ottawa Champions come out swingin'". 22 May 2015.
  12. ↑ "Mobile Uploads". facebook.com. The Ottawa Champions Baseball Club. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  13. ↑ Hempstead, Doug. "Mayor boasts about 'plain-Jane bridge'". ottawasun.com. Ottawa Sun. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.