Ottawa Rapids are back from the dead!

Having followed this story closely for the last few months and admitingly having some inside knowledge into the organization, the return of the Rapids have significantly reinstated my belief in humanity...overstatement?  However, Ottawans will understand my sentiments especially with the recent struggles they have had with sports teams in Ottawa - Senators, Rough Riders, Renegades, Lynx and Rapidz - and the horrendous ownership groups which have ruled them (minus Melynk).  The citizens of Ottawa deserve an ownership group who is dedicated to the great fans of this wonderful city.  I have seen first hand how Ottawa fans respond to a team whom they feel truely represent the values and pride of this great city. 

The Rapidz began the season with such promise and Ottawans responded in-kind, dispite poor play on the field (attendance hovered around second to third in the league). However, Rapidz ownership proceeded to shatter the confidence afforded to them by trusting baseball fanatics - such as the ill-timed firing of Manager Ed Nottle and giving up on the team as soon as the "going got tough".  

Having being raised as a blue birds supporter and admittingly being a Toronto-centric sports fan for the first 20 years of my life, I was touched by the genuine love of baseball by Ottawans.  I have experience firsthand the supreme disappointment of losing the Expos and the affect this has had on Eastern-Canadian baseball fans.  The Rapidz management had the privaledge of restoring this belief in baseball but instead failed to even try and understand how to run this fragile franchise.

Miles Wolff, the Commissioner of the CAN-AM League, has truely seen the potential that baseball has in the nations capital.  Neate Seager has documented this in his well informed "Out of Left Field" blog.  I can only hope that Miles will conduct a significant examination of all future owners for our beloved Rapids (rubber glove time!)

Burke to Toronto: Agent of change?

Although the Canadian sports news networks have already covered this ad nauseum, I figured that I would share my view regarding this controversial topic.  Opinions have been shared on various blogs (both informed and uninformed) from all regions of the country.  My intention is not to further the traditional pro-Leafs opinion but instead attempt to take an independent, pro-hockey view (if that is at all possible). 

MLSE has proposed changes to their organization, a promise which Leafs fans have taken to heart - the cure for which only a new GM can fulfill.  Cliff Fletcher has filled in admirably, bringing significant change to the team.  However, Fletcher still represents the Leafs of the past and the general consensus among fans is that he is an interm, not a long-term solution (he is 73 years-old after all).  Whether you like it or not, Fletch is a product of the past with a load of baggage and previous mistakes.   

Rumours have persisted that Burke would blow up the existing team and bring real change.  My view is positive regarding this, considering that beyond Hagman, Grabovski, Stajan, Schenn, Pogge and Antropov, the Leafs really have no future stars, neither on their roster now or in the Marlies. Lately the proposition has surfaced that Vesa Toskala should be dealt and that Justin Pogge should be brought up for a "baptism by fire" type experience.  I would argue quite adamently that this would only shadder the confidence of the young netminder since he would likely face a firing squad in the often used term "the new NHL".  

Any dissenting comments regarding this opinion or any others are certainly welcome as part of my reasoning for starting this blog is to create meaningful dialogue regarding topics in sports - something which I believe many discussions lack these days.

p.s.  Notice two of my favourite writers in the background - Pierre LeBrun and Ian Mendes (who also writes a great blog).