The Kitchener Panthers are an independent, minor league baseball team of the Intercounty Baseball League based in Kitchener, Ontario. They play their home games at Jack Couch Baseball Park. The Panthers used to play at a ballpark in Victoria park before Jack Couch Park was built to replace the old Victoria Park stadium in 1967.

Kitchener Panthers
Information
LeagueIntercounty Baseball League (1919–present)
LocationKitchener, Ontario
BallparkJack Couch Park Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex
Founded1919
Nickname(s)Panthers
League championships13
  • 1941
  • 1950
  • 1952
  • 1957
  • 1967
  • 1968
  • 1971
  • 1973
  • 1990
  • 1996
  • 1998
  • 2000
  • 2001
Former name(s)
  • Kitchener Panthers (1960–present)
  • KW Dutchmen
  • Kitchener Legionnaires
  • Kitchener Panthers (1919–1957)
Former ballparksVictoria Park, Downtown Kitchener
ColoursYellow, black
   
ManagerBill Matetich
General ManagerMike Boehmer
PresidentBill Pegg
Websitehttp://www.kitchenerpanthers.com

History

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The Panthers were a founding member of the Intercounty Baseball League (along with Galt, Guelph and Stratford in 1919). The team changed names when the current league began play in 1957 as the Legionnaires and Dutchmen, but reverted to the current name in 1960.

Championships

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Kitchener has won thirteen championships, the second most in the league, behind the Brantford Red Sox with fifteen. The Panthers have won in:

  • 1941
  • 1950
  • 1952
  • 1957
  • 1967
  • 1968
  • 1971
  • 1973
  • 1990
  • 1996
  • 1998
  • 2000
  • 2001

Past players

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2021 roster

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Accurate as of June 8, 2021

Pitchers:

  • Stephen Gade
  • Brady Schnarr
  • Daniel Marquez
  • Matt Stoddart
  • Michael Mommersteeg
  • Christian Hauck
  • Jorden Carthy
  • Adam Robertson
  • David Bruinsma
  • Liam Devine
  • Ryan Douglas
  • Jacob Douglas

Catchers:

  • Ryley Davenport
  • Noah Murciano
  • Nick Parsons
  • Dan Mahoney

Infielders:

  • Stephen Whalen
  • Keegan Marsden
  • Evyn Sherman
  • Elliott Curtis
  • Lucas DiLuca
  • Liam Wilson
  • AJ Karosas

Outfielders:

  • Jett Jarvis
  • Andy Leader
  • Blake Jacklin
  • Ethan Baptie
  • Jason Kauffeldt
  • Carter Arbuthnot

2015 season

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The Kitchener Panthers had a great start to the 2015 season, first defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by a great pitching performance the following week in Barrie, Ontario, defeating the Barrie Baycats. They then went on to defeat the Guelph Royals and Brantford Red Sox. They were in 2nd place after 4 games, going 4-0 only behind the London Majors, who started 7–0.

The Panthers' field was being reconstructed so even though their season started in early May, their home opener wasn't until May 28, 2015. In the home opener they played the Burlington Bandits and lost 8–7. Coach Tebo was ejected from the game for arguing a bad call by the umpire. The next Panthers game was on Friday, May 29, against the Hamilton Cardinals in Hamilton. The Panthers clinched the playoffs 2nd, and they faced the Hamilton Cardinals in the first round in 5 games. The second round went to 7 games against the London Majors. The Panthers won that, so they will play the Barrie Baycats in the finals with game 1 beginning Tuesday, August 25. The Panthers lost the series 4 games to 1 and Barrie won its 2nd straight IBL Championship.

Panthers Hall of Fame

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  1. 8 Tom Mckenzie 1966–1980
  2. 9 Bob Mckillop 1966–1977
  3. 10 Kevin Curran 1984–1999
  4. 13 Jeff Pietrazko 1995–2014
  5. 22 Randy Curran 1984–90, 95–2003
    Tanner Nivins 2013–2019

References

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  1. ^ "2019 All-Star Yera Named To Cuban WBC Team". theibl.ca. Retrieved 2023-05-07.

The Kitchener Panthers themselves

https://www.theibl.ca/ibl-2021-signing-tracker

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