The Jarvis Merchants, coming off a 4th place finish at the Canadian Senior championships in St Thomas and an 18th place finish in their first ISC World Tournament, are looking at making some noise on the Senior circuit again in 2006. With two years now under their belts, the Merchants are looking to add to their list of quality wins in 2005 that included a 1-0 win over Broken Bow in Woodstock, victories over the Hallman Twins and Innerkip Eagles to win their first Ontario Senior Eliminations championship, along with wins over Patsy’s at the World Tournament and Vancouver Grey Sox at the Canadian Nationals. To help take the next step, the Merchants have added Ryan Thompson to play shortstop and are bringing in coach Dan Donahue to provide a veteran presence for this young team. Andrew Phibbs, who will be attending the Canadian National team camp in May, returns for his third year and will split the work load with Scott Wagar during the season and Jamie Simpson on selected weekends. Adam Smith and Ryan Thompson reunite to anchor the middle of the Merchants infield, with the up-and-coming Matt Lyon on third and the tandem of Greg Courneyea and Adam Dearborn splitting time at first. Courneyea will also team with Allan Phibbs to manage the duties behind the dish. Bob Gillow, Dan Garmon and Chad Staats all return for their third year in the Merchants outfield and will be joined by Brian Roote, who joins the Merchants after spending the past two years with the Kitchener Hallman Twins. In the quest for a Canadian Championship, the Merchants will add Simpson, Ian Fehrman and Pat Graham to their line-up for the Ontario Eliminations and the Canadians in Prince George.
The Merchants roster and schedule is listed below:
Pitching
Andrew Phibbs
Scott Wagar
Jamie Simpson (Jarvis Tourney, Provincials, Canadians)
Catching
Allan Phibbs
Greg Courneyea
Infield
Adam Dearborn
Adam Smith
Ryan Thompson
Matt Lyon
Ian Fehrman (Provincials, Canadians)
Pat Graham (Provincials, Canadians)
Outfield
Bob Gillow
Dan Garmon
Chad Staats
Brian Roote
Coaching Staff
Dan Donahue
Adam Smith
Darryl Fehrman
Fred Mckeen
Clarke Staats – GM
Bill Lindsey – Official Scorer
May 13-14 – Jarvis, ON- Exhibition Games
May 19-21 – Jarvis, ON Jarvis Merchants Fastpitch Challenge
June 2-4 – Woodstock, ON – Legends of Fastpitch Tournament
June 10-11 – Orillia, ON – ISC Travel League
June 16-18 – Innerkip, ON – ISC Qualifier
July 28-29 – Orillia, ON – ISC Travel League of Eastern Canada Tournament
Aug 5-6 – St Thomas, ON – OASA Eliminations
Aug 11-19 – Kitchener, ON – ISC World Tournament
Aug 27- Sept 2 – Prince George, BC – Softball Canada Senior National Tournament