With only a few days left before boarding the red-eye flight from Seattle, the Comox Valley Cubs are finishing up their training schedule for another run at the Roy Hobbs World Series in Fort Myers, Florida.
For the fourth year, the Cubs will be playing in the 55+ age category, a competitive group of 40 teams – 38 from the United States and Mexico, and two from Canada (the other being the Nova Scotia Monarchs). The team is made up of 11 players from the Komoux Masters Real Baseball League, and one player from each of Vancouver, Calgary, Hamilton and Slave Lake, and a token American from Ohio.
Fort Myers, on the gulf side of Florida about three hours south of Tampa, is home to the spring training complexes for both the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox. And on these major league fields is where the games are played.
The tournament begins on Nov. 5. After settling into their accommodation condos on Sanibel Island, just off the coast from Fort Myers, the team will practise on Saturday afternoon then play games on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Their opponents include Bergen New Jersey Yankees, Washington Nationals and Kent Ohio Mudhens. After further seeding at that point, the playoffs will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Then, on Sunday, the group heads back to reality.
"The Cubs feel very fortunate that a number of local businesses have stepped up to support the team," a spokesperson said. "They would like to thank the following: Toneff Funeral Services, Engrave It, The Joint Physiotherapy, Good’s Groceries, Boston Pizza, Thrifty Foods, Powerhouse Recycled Auto & Truck Parts, Fineline Embroidery, Sunnydale Golf Course, The Griffin Pub & Liquor Store, Aero Art Screen Printing Embroidery and Super Klean."
For more information, and to watch for scores and other highlights of the tournament, go to royhobbs.com/world-series. And watch this paper for breaking news from Florida as the week progresses.
"Good luck to the Cubs, Canada’s team for the week!" the spokesperson said.
– Comox Valley Cubs