Bay Street Ball

New Leaders is proud to announce that the 2006 Bay Street Ball tournament was the most successful to date. With the help of our sponsors, the baseball teams and our volunteers, this year’s event raised a record-breaking $18,000 for colorectal cancer research and awareness at the Sunnybrook Cancer Center.

The annual Bay Street Ball pits Bay Street amateur baseball teams against rival firms in a rousing competition to raise funds for Sunnybrook. Teams collect donations and face off in a round robin challenge, playing from dawn until dusk when one team lays claim to the coveted Bay Street Ball trophy.

This year marked the 7th year of the tournament, and the 2006 winning team was CIBC Mellon, captained by Jeannette Hamilton. They were not the only winners of the day, as Team RBC, captained by Gord Belfry, was awarded the prize for most funds raised. The prize, which was generously donated by The Toronto Blue Jays, included tickets to a game at the Rogers Centre, preceded by a question-and-answer session with Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Godfrey. We are also grateful to food sponsors Wal-Mart Canada, Pizza Pizza and Longos, whose support kept our players nourished and hydrated throughout the day's fierce competition.

Dr. Linda Rabeneck, Regional Vice President of Cancer Care Ontario and the Vice President Regional Cancer Services at Sunnybrook, was on hand to throw the ceremonial first pitch and to speak about the importance of screening for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the number one cause of non-smoking-related cancer deaths in Canada, and affects both men and women. Dr. Rabeneck and her team are leading the way in non-invasive screening for early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.

New Leaders is proud to support this groundbreaking research.

Thanks to all the volunteers who "pitched in" to make this year's Bay Street Ball such an astounding success. Special thanks are extended to Lisa Mollagholamali and Rick Kotick, Event Co-Chairs, for their tireless dedication to organising logistics, securing prizes and shepherding volunteers.

Thank you to the players whose commitment year after year has made Bay Street Ball a New Leaders' franchise; we are especially grateful to Mark Kettunen, Derrick Wong and Joady Guyot, who were responsible for organizing this year's teams and the play schedule.Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters who made Bay Street Ball so special for everyone involved. See you all next year!