2016 Can-Am League season

2016 Can-Am League Season Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball Baseball May 19  – September 5, 2016 100 6 Regular season New Jersey Jackals Ottawa Champions Rockland Boulders Can-Am 2015 2017 The 2016 Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball season began May 19 and ended September 5. Following the regular season, the playoffs were held. It was the 12th season of operation for this professional independent baseball league. The Ottawa Champions won their first ever title in just their second season, defeating the Rockland Boulders in the fifth and deciding game of the league championships, played on September 17. The Cuba national baseball team took part in the season as part of a goodwill tour. It was the first Cuban-based squad since 1960 to play a professional team in a United States minor or independent league stadium during the regular season.Spedden Zach Cuban National Team Set for Can-Am Tour https://ballparkdigest.com/2016/03/07/cuban-national-team-set-for-can-am-tour/ Ballpark Digest 30 May 2017 7 March 2016 The Cubans stated that they were able to include about half their top national players in the team.Araton Harvey Competing on Good-Will Tour in U.S., a Cuban Team Sends Mixed Signals https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/30/sports/baseball/with-thaw-in-us-relations-cuban-baseball-fears-its-uncertain-future.html 30 May 2017 The New York Times 29 June 2016 Season summary On August 21, Ottawa Champions outfielder Sebastien Boucher set a league record for career hits with 752 in a game against the Trois-Rivières Aigles.http://www.cfra.com/news/2016/08/21/champions-hitter-breaks-can-am-league-record Champions hitter breaks Can-Am League record Cassie Aylward 580 CFRA News Talk Radio 21 August 2016 23 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160823175118/http://www.cfra.com/news/2016/08/21/champions-hitter-breaks-can-am-league-record dead Tragedy struck the league on September 4, when the co-owner of the Québec Capitales, Roberto Bissonnette was killed in a helicopter crash in Flatlands, New Brunswick, along with the pilot. Team president Michel Laplant was also in the helicopter, but only suffered from non-life-threatening injuries.https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/co-owner-quebec-can-baseball-team-dies-helicopter-crash/ Co-owner of Quebec Can-Am baseball team dies in helicopter crash Sportsnet.ca 4 September 2016 Canadian Press Rogers Media On September 5, former Cy Young Award winning pitcher Éric Gagné pitched for the Ottawa Champions,https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/baseball/former-cy-young-winner-eric-gagne-signs-with-the-ottawa-champions Former Cy Young winner Eric Gagne signs with the Ottawa Champions 22 August 2016 Ottawa Citizen Postmedia news attracting nearly 8,000 fans.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-champions-begin-can-am-playoffs-vs-jackals-1.3751722 Champions looking to live up to their name in Can-Am playoff start CBC News Mario Carlucci 7 September 2016 The Champions made it to the league finals in only their second season as a franchise.http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2016/09/11/fans-feeling-the-love-for-champions-ahead-of-finals.html Fans feeling the love for Champions ahead of finals Metro News Free Daily News Group Inc. Ottawa Emma Jackson 11 September 2016 15 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20171213160344/http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2016/09/11/fans-feeling-the-love-for-champions-ahead-of-finals.html 13 December 2017 dead Tour of Cuban national team The Cuba national baseball team played 20 regular season games as part of the league schedule, though they were ineligible for the playoffs. It was billed as a "goodwill tour" following the opening up of Cuba–United States relations in 2015.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/baseball-diplomacy-results-in-series-between-cuban-and-can-am-teams/article29006932/ Baseball diplomacy results in series between Cuban and Can-Am teams The Globe and Mail Grant Robertson 2 March 2016 This team included Luis Robert, who would later sign with the Chicago White Sox for a contract worth over $50 million, including a $26 million signing bonus, on May 27, 2017.OF Robert gets $26M bonus in White Sox deal https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19477394/cuban-prospect-luis-robert-signs-chicago-white-sox ESPN.com 30 May 2017 27 May 2017Skrbina Paul White Sox officially welcome aboard Cuban phenom Luis Robert http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/ct-luis-robert-signs-white-sox-26-million-20170527-story.html 30 May 2017 Chicago Tribune 27 May 2017 Major league scouts were also interested in Julio Pablo Martinez,Badler Ben Cuba Sending Two Top Prospects To U.S. On Can-Am Trip http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/cuba-top-prospects-to-us-can-am-trip/ BaseballAmerica.com 30 May 2017 28 May 2016Kayzerman Julie Who do scouts have their eyes on with the Cuban National team in town? https://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2016/06/who_do_scouts_have_their_eyes_on_with_the_cuban_na.html 30 May 2017 NJ.com New Jersey On-Line LLC. 28 June 2016 who in May 2017 signed to play in the Can-Am League with the Quebec Capitales, along with several other Cuban players.Cuban Baseball Players Hired in Canada https://en.escambray.cu/2017/cuban-baseball-players-hired-in-canada/ 30 May 2017 Escambray Prensa Latina 6 May 2017 en The Cuban team finished with an 11–9 record, including eight of their last ten, and will return in June 2017 to challenge the Ottawa Champions, winners of the 2016 season.Patey Ron Cuban National Baseball Team returns to take on Ottawa Champions in June https://us.blastingnews.com/sports/2017/02/cuban-national-baseball-team-returns-to-take-on-ottawa-champions-in-june-001448613.html Blasting News 30 May 2017 4 February 2017Dowell Ken Baseball, Local and Global https://offtheleash.net/2016/07/14/baseball-local-and-global/ off the leash 1 June 2017 14 July 2016 Lazaro Ramirez, a 24-year-old outfielder, defected during the team's series against the Sussex County Miners.Obernauer Eric Cuban baseball player defected in Hampton http://www.njherald.com/article/20160710/ARTICLE/307109965 30 May 2017 New Jersey Herald 10 July 2016 en Shikoku Island League all-star team After finishing with a 6–10 record in exhibition games during the 2015 Can-Am League season,World's best baseball coming to area http://www.spartaindependent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20160614/SPORTS/160619990/-1/sports/World 1 June 2017 The Sparta Independent 14 June 2016 Sparta, NJ en the all-star team from the Shikoku Island League Plus returned for the 2016 season. Unlike the 2015 tour, the 2016 games were part of the regular season, counting in statistics and standings, as did the games involving the Cuban national team.Reichard Kevin American Association: 12 teams in 2016 https://ballparkdigest.com/2015/11/19/american-association-12-teams-in-2016/ Ballpark Digest August Publications 1 June 2017 19 November 2015Cooper J. J. Cuban National Team To Join Can-Am League For June Series http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/cuban-national-team-join-can-league-june-series/ BaseballAmerica.com 1 June 2017 12 November 2015 The Japanese players brought a Japanese custom with them by exchanging gifts with the local teams prior to each series. The Shikoku Island League team finished with a record of 8–12.https://www.iblj.co.jp/news/4361/ 北米遠征Can-Amリーグ公式戦・第19戦 最終戦勝利で飾る！通算成績8勝11敗 Shikoku Island League Plus July 1, 2016 January 21, 2017 ja Many of the games were very close and competitive, with six going to extra innings.Hamaker Susan Miyagi Shikoku Island League plus All-Stars Bring Kabuki Spirits to the New York Area http://www.japanculture-nyc.com/2016/07/02/shikoku-island-league-plus-all-stars-bring-kabuki-spirits-to-the-new-york-area/ Japan Culture NYC 1 June 2017 2 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160809044331/http://www.japanculture-nyc.com/2016/07/02/shikoku-island-league-plus-all-stars-bring-kabuki-spirits-to-the-new-york-area/ 9 August 2016 dead Finally, the Shikoku Island team played the Cuban national team in an exhibition match at Stade Stereo+ in Trois-Rivières, Quebec on July 2, 2016. Despite a three-run eighth inning by Shikoku Island bringing them within one run, the Cubans got the win.Cuban National Team vs Shikoku Island: 5-3 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=350328 CanAmLeague.com – Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 1 June 2017 2 July 2016 Standings Team W L Pct. GB New Jersey Jackals 62 38 .620 – Rockland Boulders 58 42 .580 4 Québec Capitales 56 44 .560 6 Ottawa Champions 51 49 .510 11 Sussex County Miners 39 61 .390 23 Trois-Rivières Aigles 35 65 .350 27 Cuba national baseball team* 11 9 .550 11 Shikoku Island* 8 12 .400 14 * Teams not eligible for playoffs Playoffs Bracket Semifinals Finals 30 200 25 1 New Jersey Jackals 1 4 Ottawa Champions 3 2 Rockland Boulders 3 3 Québec Capitales 2 4 Ottawa Champions 3 2 Rockland Boulders 2 Semifinals New Jersey vs. Ottawa Ottawa 3–1 New Jersey Jackals 11, Ottawa Champions 2 September 7 RCGT Park 1,193 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375427 New Jersey Jackals vs Ottawa Champions: 11-2 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 7 September 2016 New Jersey Jackals 3, Ottawa Champions 4 September 8 RCGT Park 2:47 1,259 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375428 New Jersey Jackals vs Ottawa Champions: 3-4 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 8 September 2016 Ottawa Champions 8, New Jersey Jackals 3 September 9 Yogi Berra Stadium 3:13 720 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375429 Ottawa Champions vs New Jersey Jackals: 8-3 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 9 September 2016 Ottawa Champions 7, New Jersey Jackals 2 September 10 Yogi Berra Stadium 3:07 475 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375430 Ottawa Champions vs New Jersey Jackals: 7-2 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 10 September 2016 Rockland vs. Québec Rockland 3–2 Rockland Boulders 4, Québec Capitales 5 September 7 Stade Municipal 3:08 3,924 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375432 Rockland Boulders vs Quebec Capitales: 4-5 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 7 September 2016 Rockland Boulders 2, Québec Capitales 4 September 9 Stade Municipal 2:53 2,010 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375654 Rockland Boulders vs Quebec Capitales: 2-4 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 9 September 2016 Québec Capitales 15, Rockland Boulders 16 September 10 Palisades Credit Union Park 4:08 2,090 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375435 Quebec Capitales vs Rockland Boulders: 15-16 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 10 September 2016 Québec Capitales 2, Rockland Boulders 6 September 11 Palisades Credit Union Park 2:53 1,039 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=375436 Quebec Capitales vs Rockland Boulders: 2-6 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 11 September 2016 Québec Capitales 2, Rockland Boulders 3 September 12 Palisades Credit Union Park 2:55 1,470 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=376044 Quebec Capitales vs Rockland Boulders: 2-3 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 12 September 2016 Championship finals Rockland vs. Ottawa The road team won every game of the 5-game series, which saw the Ottawa Champions come back from being down two games to none to win three straight games for the championship. thumb|600px|Game 2 action at RCGT Park in Ottawa. The Ottawa Champions are in white, pitching to the Rockland Boulders in grey. Ottawa 3-2 Rockland Boulders 6, Ottawa Champions 5 September 13 RCGT Park 3:31 3,289 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=376235 Rockland Boulders vs Ottawa Champions: 6-5 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 13 September 2016 Rockland Boulders 5, Ottawa Champions 4 September 14 RCGT Park 3:36 2,412 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=376236 Rockland Boulders vs Ottawa Champions: 5-4 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 14 September 2016 Ottawa Champions 13, Rockland Boulders 12 September 15 Palisades Credit Union Park 4:34 2,015 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=376237 Ottawa Champions vs Rockland Boulders: 13-12 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 15 September 2016 Ottawa Champions 13, Rockland Boulders 3 September 16 Palisades Credit Union Park 2:43 1,247 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=376238 Ottawa Champions vs Rockland Boulders: 13-3 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 16 September 2016 Ottawa Champions 3, Rockland Boulders 1 September 17 Palisades Credit Union Park 2:28 3,314 https://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=376239 Ottawa Champions vs Rockland Boulders: 3-1 CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball 17 September 2016 Attendance 2016 Can-Am League attendancehttp://canam.bbstats.pointstreak.com/attendance.html?leagueid=201&seasonid=30053 Regular 2016 - Attendance CanAmLeague.com - Official Website of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball Team Total attendance Average attendance Rockland Boulders 149,632 2,934 Québec Capitales 146,946 2,773 Ottawa Champions 127,618 2,454 Sussex County Miners 90,237 1,842 Trois-Rivières Aigles 78,948 1,680 New Jersey Jackals 74,335 1,652 References 30em External links Can-Am League website Category:Can–Am League Canam Canam Canam