Field of Dreamers, Season 7

A wind. A breeze. A fly ball. A cheer from the crowd. A possibility. A community.

Field of Dreamers began as a respite and then a whisper. Our league originated way back in 2007 – as a space for organizers (primarily with No One Is Illegal-Toronto) to blow off some steam in the midst of daily organizing against deportations and detentions. Our team was made up of organizers both with and without migration status. We used it as a place to be social and make connection – and soon we began to invite organizers from other projects to join. Folks from the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, from the Oshkimaadziig Unity Camp, from CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group.

Many of us identified as queer/trans*/non-binary and playing in mainstream Toronto leagues like Toronto Sports and Social Club (now Jam Sports) was rife with misogyny, transphobia, and toxic masculinity. So, we began to whisper. What if we could create a space of play that both affirmed trans*/non-binary and other bodies that are often pushed out of organized sports and also created a space of encounter and connection for movement organizers, our extended friend networks, and the people who congregate at the parks that we play.

Bringing Field of Dreamers to life was a struggle but now it is in its 7th season and we have built a community both on the field and beyond. Many of our players have been organizing in various networks against the Israeli occupation and genocide in Gaza, we have supported the Toronto Encampment Network, Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction, Black Lives Matter and other movement work in the city through our league funds and social connections.

Last year, we hosted a talk at the Toronto Public Library to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Christie Pits riots – where Jewish baseball players fought back against Nazis marching to disrupt their game at Christie Pits park – the state did then as it is doing now and attacked those resisting fascism. Field of Dreamers honours and situates itself in the long tradition of queers fighting against authoritarianism – and within the longstanding struggles against settler colonialism, white supremacy, anti-Black racism, misogyny, and ableism.

Like all political projects – we are a work in progress – and like in baseball we acknowledge that failure is part of the process – we’re just trying to fail better.

Welcome to season 7 – thanks for joining in our community – and we invite you to also join with us in struggle.

Credit River Rascals (3-0-0)

Those silly rascals, they’ve got the northern touch. They are blasting balls all over the field. They are nearly making triple plays. They are getting teams to scramble and devise a plan to contain their potent offence! The Rascals have started the season with three convincing wins! Taking victories both close and distant from Humber, Rouge, and Garrison – Credit River starts the season with three wins and a lot of cheeky grins, those silly rascals.

Humber River Heartbreakers(0-3-1)

Some teams just live up to their name. Four games in and Humber has lost a number of heartbreakers – a tie, a one run loss, and a two run loss – a team that is going to get its footing a make you feel alllll the feels. So pack up your midwestern emo albums and bust out your sweet sultry soaking wet on the dance floor tracks – because Humber RIver is bound to get very hot as the summer starts to sizzle. Expect to see them hit their groove right around the Pride Game on July 7.

Rouge River Rendez-Vous (1-2-0)

There’s this spot I know, down the hill across the treeline. It’s close to the dog bowl in the park. There’s a memorial plaque there in memory of Will Munro. Will’s spirit of queer community building is where we rendez-vous at least once during the season – to recommit to the project of planting seeds, creating encounters, building the society’s we wish to see now. The Rouge River team is embodying such a spirit this season. With heart and grace they’ve earned a first week victory against Humber followed by two misses against Don and Credit.

Don River Curse Breakers (2-0-1)

After six seasons of donning the purple and being stuck in the league basement, Don River took a chance with their alternate black jersey this year. Turning a new leaf. Trying to exorcise the demons of previous seasons, the Curse Breakers are banking on defence, power, communication, and a bunch of ingredients brewed in their cauldron. On Sunday nights, they channel their alter ego, see that girl, watch that scene, and become Doncing Queens!

Garrison Creek Groove (1-2-0)

Get into the groove! Because they are one of the most fun teams in Field of Dreamer history! Bringing a dedicated fanbase to every game – a social cheering section – and a dominant field presence (including getting to the field early to practice!!! Garrison Creek continues to be the type of team that imagines vibes into skill into results. Let’s groove tonight!

See the game box scores here

See player stats here

See league standings here

Field of Dreamers has welcomed at least 270 players throughout the history of the league. Each players’ stats and milestones are recorded to give you a sense of longevity, growth, and possibility through participation in the league <3

MILESTONES

Credit River

Andy Smith – becomes 9th player in league history to reach 145 career runs batted in
Sebastien Higgins – ranks 58th on the all-time list with 64 career hits
Janice Lee – becomes 143rd player in league history to score 10 career runs
Paul Pritchard – currently leads the league with 5 home runs this season
Kirsten Dick – see longevity markers below
Maddy Taipalus – becomes 140th player in league history to reach 20 career hits
Kaleigh MacGregor-Bales – ranks 33rd on all-time list with 91 career singles
Kai Somerville – ranks tied for 87th on the all-time list with 3 career doubles
Sara Mackellar – has hit safely in all 8 career at-bats
Izzy Putz-Preya – see firsts below
Olivia Selvam – see firsts below
Anto Chan – see firsts below
Yasmeen Peer – awaiting first at-bat of season
Jonah Kay – see firsts below

Don River

Craig Fortier – becomes first player in league history to reach 145 career doubles
Phill Morgan – ranks 5th on the all-time home runs list with 32
Marty Fink – tied for 18th on the all-time home runs list with 6
Matias Contreras – tied for 19th on the all-time triples list with 9
Jasper Walton – tied for 31st on all-time triples list with 3
Rachel Small – becomes 14th player in league history to reach 200 career hits (201)
Travis Silverman -see oddities below
Lainie Basman – ranks 11th on the all-time list with 316 career at-bats
Jenny Chan – becomes the first player in league history to reach 250 career singles (253)
David Primack – tied for 103rd on the all-time list with 2 career doubles
Jackie Goordial – see firsts below
Jo Billows – see firsts below
Kira Kastner – tied for 112th on the all-time list with 28 career hits
Mina Iyer – see firsts below
Jo Jefferson – becomes 13th player in league history to reach 150 career singles

Humber River

Sabrina Benoit – ranks tied for 87th on the all-time list with 3 career doubles
Rob Jackson -becomes 34th player in league history to reach 60 career runs batted in
Manjeet Bedi – becomes 40th player in league history to reach 10 career doubles
Jenni Klonteig – becomes 32nd player in league history to reach 100 career hits (103)
Claire-Helene Hesse-Boutin – becomes 125th player in league history to reach 40 career at-bats
Soren D’Alimonte – tied for 76th on the all-time list with 46 career hits
Oskar Eliashevsky – see longevity markers below
Krysta Williams – tied for 35th on the all-time list with 145 career at-bats
Finn MacLeod – tied for 77th on the all-time list with 39 career hits
Shannon Dunham – tied for 73rd on all-time list with 4 career doubles
Claudia Calabro – becomes 125th player in league history to reach 25 career hits
Natasha Jesanak – becomes 200th player in league history to reach 10 career at-bats
Meghan Gallant – yet to play in 2024
Rory Tate – becomes 124th player in league history to reach 25 career hits

Rouge River

Victoria Barnett – currently tied for 32nd on the all-time list with 2 career home runs
Darren Puscas – becomes 4th player in league history to reach 200 career runs batted in (202)
Stuart Schussler – currently tied for 10th on all-time list with 37 career doubles
Robyn Letson – ranks 12th on all-time list with 313 career at-bats
Lucky Visvanathan – becomes 33rd player in league history to reach 100 career hits (102)
Paula John – becomes 69th player in league history to reach 50 career hits (52)
Sam Ponting – ranks 39th on the all-time list with 134 career at-bats
Syd Gilchrist – ranks 98th on the all-time list with 36 career hits
RT Titus – tied for 69th on the all-time list with 42 career singles
Yosnai Mena Mora – currently tied for 116th on all-time list with 45 career at-bats
Brianna Greaves – see longevity markers below
Sarah Peek – ranks 51st on the all-time list with 113 career at-bats
Zakkiya Thurston – has yet to play in 2024
Kat Kleine – ranks 70th on the all-time list with 87 career at-bats
Rhiannon Cobb -ranks 69th on the all-time list with 88 career at-bats

Garrison Creek

Johann Juarez – see longevity markers below
Camie Koo – tied for 67th on the all-time list with 5 career doubles
LJ Robinson – see longevity markers below
Jess Ponting – see firsts below
Annelies Cooper – ranks 9th on the all-time list with 231 career hits
Jaz Kakuk – see firsts below
Emma Cuddy – tied for 79th on the all-time list with 44 career hits
Rachele Gottardi – ranks 13th on the all-time list with 309 career at-bats
Con Herrera – tied for 170th on the all-time list with 19 career at-bats
Nell Khayutin – ranks 101st on the all-time list with 34 career hits
Jacob Dowdall – see firsts below
Qui Alexander – becomes 124th player in league history to reach 40 career at-bats
Max Godwin – tied for 190th on all-time list with 11 career at-bats
Scout Huston – see firsts below
Devin Clancy – tied for 29th on all-time list with 3 career home runs

FIRSTS

CREDIT Izzy Putz-Preya – first career at-bat, hit, single, run batted in
CREDIT Jonah Kay – first career at-bat, hit, single, run batted in, run scored CREDIT Olivia Selvam – first career at-bat, hit, single, double, run batted in, run scored
CREDIT Anto Chan – first career at-bat, hit, single, run batted in, run scored

DON Jackie Goordial – first career at-bat, hit, single, double, triple, run batted in, run scored
DON Jo Billows – first career at-bat, hit, single, run batted in, run scored DON Mina Iyer – first career at-bat, hit, single, run batted in, run scored

GARRISON Scout Huston – first career at-bat, hit, single, run batted in, run scored
GARRISON Jess Ponting – first career at-bat, hit, single, run scored GARRISON Jacob Dowdall– first career at-bat, hit, single, triple, run batted in, run scored
GARRISON Jaz Kakuk – first career at-bat, hit, single, double, triple, run batted in, run scored

LONGEVITY MARKERS

CREDIT Kirsten Dick – became the 60th player in league history to reach 100 career at-bats (106)

HUMBER Oskar Eliashevsky – became the 32nd player in league history to reach 150 career at-bats

ROUGE Brianna Greaves – became the 27th player in league history to reach 200 career at-bats (202)

GARRISON Johann Juarez – moves into 2nd place on the all-time list with 472 career at-bats

GARRISON LJ Robinson – becomes 5th player in league history to reach 400 career at-bats (404)

ODDITIES

RULE OF THREES

Travis Silverman (Don River) is currently tied for 133rd on the all-time list with 33 at-bats