BASEBALL. Coaticook’s Big Bill presented his third Celebrity Match last Saturday (June 13). Nearly 300 spectators attended the event at the Julien-Morin stadium.
Co-owner of this Quebec Major Baseball League (LBMQ) team, comedian Philippe Laprise said he was delighted by the event. “It was a great success. I’m really happy with people’s response. They were there in large numbers and got involved in the match and the different challenges that we all set ourselves.â€
This year, the formula was revisited by the organizers. First, the two teams, one led by the head coach of the Big Bill, Jonathan Breton, the other by Philippe Laprise, carried out a draft, thus mixing the celebrities with the current players of the Big Bill.
Between certain rounds, tests came to add a little spice to the game. Just like in baseball, we presented a home run derby, during which Paul Boutin shined. The celebrities also competed against a player to throw the ball from center field to home plate. Host Dave Morissette lost a race to the fastest runner Big Bill.
In addition to the 50/50 draw, the sum of which amounted to more than $700 for the winner, spectators had the chance to win an autographed jersey of #24 of the Montreal Canadiens, Phillip Danault.
The co-owner of Big Bill now hopes that the crowds will be as large during regular matches. “Yes, we hold a match like this to raise funds for our organization, but we also hope to give people an injection. The Big Bill is having an excellent start to the season. I’m very proud of the guys. We have a great team. Not only do we stand in the room, but we also do it on the field. We have a good bat, we hit hard and we have excellent pitchers. We are also undefeated in Coaticook, so we can even promise a victory at home,” laughs Philippe Laprise.
REVIEW OF THE MATCHES OF THE LAST DAYS
The Big Bill has played two matches in recent days. First, last Thursday (June 11), he won 11-4 against the Sherbrooke Expos. The winners scored a total of nine points in the first three rounds. Julien Castagnier-Charlebois hit a two-run homer in the first inning, followed by a solo homer from William Deschênes in the second.
The next day (June 12), Coaticook lost 6-4 against Brock Nutrite Lambert from Drummondville. Pitcher Sora Sakashita faced only seven batters and suffered the loss before being replaced by Kyle Hazel.
The Big Bill’s schedule includes three games this week. Thursday (June 18), he will welcome Brock to the Julien-Morin stadium, at 8 p.m. Friday (June 19) and Sunday (June 21), he will hit the road to face the Guerriers de Granby and the Cactus de Victoriaville, respectively.
