Troy Shantz
Lambton College is planning to field its first men’s varsity baseball team.
The team will be led by Sarnia Braves coach James Grant and former pro Justin Randall and compete in the Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA).
It will work closely with the Braves organization to recruit local talent, and is working with the city on possible community partnerships.
“I’ve started to put the feelers out around the community, to see if there’s any people in high school planning to come here that have played on teams around town,” said Grant.
“We’ve got seven or eight people on campus right now that have pretty good baseball backgrounds.”
Lambton will play in a league that includes teams from Fanshawe, St. Clair, Humber, Seneca, George Brown and Durham colleges over a 20-game season, running September to October.
“We’re located in one of the most successful baseball regions in the province,” said Greg Stewart, manager of athletics and recreation.
“We have access to some of the best ball diamonds in Ontario, as well as professional training and coaching, all of which creates an opportunity for Lambton College to build a strong, community-focused program.”
Grant said most games will be played weekends, with a double-header on Saturday and a double-header Sunday.
It’s not yet known where home field will be, he added.
The Sarnia Braves’ season ends shortly before the OCAA season begins, so Grant is optimistic some Braves attending Lambton will join the Lions as well.
The goal is to secure 20 players and have a functioning team this fall, and for the Lions to really find their stride in 2020.
Recruiters will spread out across Ontario and Michigan this summer searching for prospects.
Grant said a casual intramural squad Lambton put together in 2017 defeated Fleming College in one exhibition game and were competitive against Durham in another.
“It seems like the student body here, that’s one of the sports they play, and I think it’ll be a good fit.”