Connorvale Park has made the list as one of Canada’s Favourite Ball Parks
Click here to vote for for Connorvale as Canada’s Favourite Ball Park. The ballpark that receives the most votes by July 25th at 10 am ET will advance to the semi-final round
For a list of the parks Connorvale is up against, read the bios below. Be sure to vote to push Connorvale into the semi final round.
Connorvale Park – Etobicoke, ON
This meticulously maintained baseball shrine was built in 1983 and is in a quiet blue collared neighbourhood in western Toronto. Since its opening it has become an honour to play on this field. Many high calibre prospects, amateur`s, National teams and women have graced this diamond. The diamond is shared by Royal York Baseball Women`s Division and the Etobicoke Rangers “AAA” program. Players are well schooled on proper car and maintenance of the field.
The prestigious events the park has hosted are the Canadian Men`s National team, Women`s International teams, Ontario Provincial Championship`s for Minor Bantam “AAA. Connorvale is no stranger to Major League Baseball as scouts conduct tryouts for young prospects. Major League baseball found at Connorvale a smooth swinging lefty, that happens to be the current National League M.V.P. the Lou Marsh and Hank Aaron Award winner by the name of Joey Votto.
On Labour day in 2009 while playing the National Anthem for the Provincial Championship thundering out of the sky were the Canadian Snowbirds graciously tipping their wings to salute our park. Now we know for sure the Baseball Gods watch over our park.
Andrew’s Field – Brandon, MB
Andrews Field (formerly Westbran Stadium) was built in 1987 to facilitate the hosting of the Canadian Selects in the City of Brandon. Since that time local, provincial, and national events have taken place at the stadium including 2 World Youth Baseball Championships (1991/1994) and Canadian Senior Baseball Championships (2006/2008).
In 2000, the City approached a group of baseball advocates to come up with a solution for the time and manpower taken to run the field/facility. A group of volunteers headed by Neil and Nate Andrews took over the task of overseeing the operations the stadium from grounds keeping and building maintenance, stadium bookings and scheduling, to book keeping and running the canteen. The group had developed a sustainable little business.
With any facility not on a regular schedule of capital upgrades it is at a stage where improvements are required. In January 2007, the City of Brandon passed a motion to re-name the facility to Andrews Field in honor of Neil Andrews and his family’s tireless efforts in support of the field. On February 17, 2007 Neil passed away.
As a non-profit organization, we have a dedicated group of volunteers that oversee the facility operations both on-field and building.
12 Foot Davis Ballpark – Peace River, AB
12 Foot Davis Ballpark is Canada’s finest. You can be half a block away and not know a diamond is there, hidden in the heart of the town. I don’t know if there is another diamond in the world set against a hill along a river with the only access on a bridge. It’s not uncommon to see deer in the hills or a train going over the train bridge at the top of the hill. The valley provides a natural windbreak making it feel like perfect weather conditions. With the stands built into the hill behind the backstop, pitchers feel the mound is closer than it is and to the fans the game is right there.
Built in 1959, this site was home to senior men’s baseball. Unfortunately, due to erosion along the river bank, 12 Foot Davis simply no longer meets league standards. Even with the diamond in need of repairs, the atmosphere is like no other. Peace River Minor Ball still uses the diamond for Bantam and Midget teams.
Naming 12 Foot Davis Ballpark Canada’s Favourite ballpark will show that it is truly a hidden gem and worth the upkeep.
Port Arthur Stadium – Thunder Bay, ON
In the post World War II era, Port Arthur and Fort William were full of hope and optimism. Louis St.Laurent was PM. The Leafs beat the Habs in five to win the Cup. And after 2 years of work and a staggering budget of $200,000, the Port Arthur Stadium was open. It eclipsed the McKellar Park and Queen’s Park diamonds in its shear audacity. With it cement grandstand, dressing rooms and permanent refreshment stands; it was a thing of envy.
Opening day – July 16th, 1951 – 4,000 fans packed the Stadium to see a local all star team slug it out with the New York Bengals (St. Louis Browns rookie squad) and it has hosted cross-town rivals under the lights ever since.
It was initially home to a six-team league featuring many NHL players home for the summer. In recent years the stadium hosted the 1980’s Canada Summer Games, Canadian Senior Little League Championships, the Northern League’s WhiskeyJacks, The Northwood League’s Border Cats, warm up events for the World Juniors and most recently the wildly successful 2010 World Junior Baseball Championships.
You can feel it when you walk through the gates – Port Arthur Stadium is one of Canada’s gems.