See you next year!!!!

Hi Rangers,

Congratulations to us all!

We accomplished something real. Winning the COBA playoffs wasn't our number one goal this year, but I say it was the perfect way to cap another fantastic Rangers season. For those of you who were unable to make it to some or any of the playoffs - we missed you!

We have all made a positive and meaningful contribution to our team this season and even those of us who were unable to be there on those last two nights at 9th Line, all of your are responsible for this great 2024 season.

Despite not winning the OBA Elimination tournament (otherwise known as the Windsor survival challenge), I still know that this is the best senior baseball team in Ontario and, frankly, the only team I would like to be a part of.

Here are some statistics and observations that I want us all to remember;

- Our 30 wins and 8 losses record this year certainly puts us in the top 5% of all senior baseball teams in Canada.
-The Rangers enjoyed a 17 game win streak this year.
- 20 and 4 regular season record gives us the COBA pennant again in 2024.
- 4 and 0 playoffs gives us the COBA Major League championship in 2024.
- We outscored our opponents by 40 to 11 in the playoffs.
- .347 team batting average.
- .458 team slugging percentage.
- Over 25% of all our hits this year were for extra bases.
- Team OPS of .917
- I will argue that every 2024 COBA award and every position on the COBA all-star team should be occupied by a Ranger.
- Rangers family and fans are the most dedicated and best in Ontario - by a mile!
- The Rangers have the BEST official score keeper in senior baseball. THANKS DON.

So, well done to us all. I, for one, am extremely happy with the 2024 Rangers baseball season, HOWEVER I'm not completely satisfied. That OBA championship tournament victory has eluded us now for too many years. The good news is that we will go into 2025 knowing that the Rangers will again be a favourite to win it all.

We learned a few important lessons this year and I think we will be better prepared to be the last team standing in the 2025 survival test.

We will be planning a team get together sometime in the fall, in addition to the COBA banquet, so stay tuned.

On a housekeeping note, everyone is required to hand your red and blue jerseys back so that we can keep a proper inventory. Please wash your jerseys and have them ready to return when we get together.

I plan to be an Etobicoke Ranger again in 2025 and I hope that most of you guys do to. Just so you all know, we have already had a couple inquiries from potential new players, but not everyone will get the opportunity to join this special group. I really don't expect that there will be very many, if any, openings to join the Rangers, but if you plan on moving or retiring, please let me know over the winter so we can gauge our numbers.

I hope you guys all have a great finish to your summer. Enjoy the free time now that baseball season is over, but if you're like me, you're missing baseball already.

CONGRATULATIONS Rangers on a fantastic 2024 baseball season.

I'll see you soon,

John Ferracuti, Field Manager
Etobicoke Rangers Senior Baseball Club.