Local men's fastball leagues getting ready for 2024 campaign

It is great to hear that men's fastpitch is alive and well in Eastern Ontario and West Quebec this season as several leagues get ready to start play in May.

Here is a roundup of local men's leagues - if I am missing any that should be added, let me know at fastball[at]fitzroyharbour.com. 

Just a reminder that local leagues are welcome to submit reports throughout the season by emailing the address above.

Greater Ottawa Fastball League: The GOFL is back, slightly bigger and better for 2024. The seven teams from last year are back on a full-time basis: Playoff champions Orleans Rebels, finalists Kars Aces, Micksburg Twins, West Carleton Electric, Manotick Brewers, Osgoode Chiefs and Quyon Flyers. Also joining as an affiliate team are Ottawa Los Caballos - they will play each GOFL team once and the games will count in the standings. Each GOFL team has also committed to playing one game as an exhibition match (won't count in the standings) against West Carleton Electric U20 to help them prepare for their season, which includes being host team for the U20 Men's Canadian Championship in Carp in August. The GOFL is a travel league, with games played in places such as Fitzroy Harbour, Micksburg, Shawville, Manotick, and Carp. First games scheduled are May 8 in Manotick.

Glen Cairn Men's Fastball League: The "Glen" is an eight team men's league that plays at the AY Jackson Secondary School diamond in the Glen Cairn neighbourhood of Kanata. There are six men's teams, West Carleton Electric U20 and a youth team from Stittsville. The league plays on Mondays and Tuesdays, and on Wednesdays on long weekends. League play was to begin on May 6, but the fields aren't ready, so they will get going on May 13. The Glen is also hosting a twelve-team tournament in Carp on June 7-9. 

Blackburn Men's Fastball League: The BMFL will have seven teams, playing on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Arena in Blackburn Hamlet. The first slate of games in Blackburn are scheduled for May 14.

Ashton Men's Fastball League: The Ashton league plays once a week on Thursdays at the Thomas Cavanagh Community Centre. There will be four times in the Ashton league, with the league opener scheduled for May 9.

Fitzroy Harbour Men's Fastball League: Harbour Ball has eight teams again this season for the Wednesday night league  at the Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre. There are seven men's teams plus the U17 West Carleton Rona squad. The leagues plans to begin play on May 8. The Fitzroy tournament, hopefully with 12 teams, will be held June 14-16.

Carp Men's Fastball League: The Carp league has four teams again this season. They play on Tuesday nights at the Carp Fairgrounds. League play is scheduled to start May 7.

Shawville Men's Fastball League: West Quebec's premier fastpitch softball league plays Monday nights at the Shawville Recreation Association. There are four teams planning to start play on May 20.

North Leeds Men's Fastball League: The North Leeds league had eight teams last year and hopefully will again this season. NLMFL is a travel league with teams in Eastons Corners (two), Westport, Spencerville, North Augusta, Lyn, Greenbush and Maitland. Games are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.