The Canadien Champion, Tuoaday, Soptombor 10, 1999 --23 Âiâw Aggio impresses JAright off the bat Joif Sooda \Bad4 Seed for Milton By STEVE LoBL.ANC The Champion Nine months after unloading Jeif Seeds, Milton is stili trying 10 shake him. The Merchants had very littie succeas aI Ibis within the confines of Memoriai Arena last Friday. Their 20-year-old for- mer teammate - a local player wbo was deait t0 Georgetown aI the midway mar of ast season - outahone bis hosta tbrougb much of the exhibition clash. He amassed four points, tallied twice arid deposited thse game winncr inside the final minute of play 10 lead the visitors pasI Milton 5-4. These efforts gave the Raiders their firat win aI Memorial in severai years - and handed Milton ils fOrsI pre-season defeat since 1996. Seeda says he no longer feels ariy ani- mosity towards thse Merchants for trading bim away. However, he's bardly about to case up against them on the ice. "I don't hoid a grudge anymore, but there'ii aiways be extra incenlive wbencv- er I play tbcm," said the.taiented winger, who along wiîb 1998-99 MVP Stace Page couid hcip form the moat productive line in the lcague- Ibis year. 'il aiways have something 10 prove against Milton." The veteran player - who used a break- away deke to beat Miiton's Joci Cameron witb 52 seconds rcmaining in the third - secs Ibis spirited showdown as the firsI of many between the two rivais from north ese. SHARP on pago 25 <j; By STEVE LeBLANC ~ ~ ~ ~The Champion One mighty swing and ail his butterilies went sailing out of the balipark. Milton's David Aggio admits be was more than a littie ner- vous heading into the 1999 Canada National Peewee Championships in Summerside, PEI. As one of three late pickups for Team Ontario's Buriington Buils, the 13-year-old wasn't sure if he'd even get much play -let alone make any kind of contribution to his new club., Ail that unease beat a hasty retreat juat seconds after Aggio stepped into the batter's box for inning one of the tourna- ment opener. Not one to, waste lime Wasting no time in proving bis worth, and making the Bulîs look like geniuses for acquiring him, the local teen took the PEI pitcher's first offering over the fence for a three-nin diniger - one of two he'd deliver in a 20-O annihila- tion of the maritime team. "After that I feit good, I feit like part of the team and 1 feit t ~l like I belonged at the nation- ais," said Aggio, of his initial home run. "Ail the cobwebs went away." The Miltonian - who has major league aspirations - was named player of the game in the whîtewash. It was the firsi of several awards he gar- nered at the recent toumament. Costiy errors Unfortunately, a gold medai wasn't among them - as Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Team Ontario made some coat- David Agglo dusplays the silvor modal ho holpod Team Ontarlo'a Burlmngton iy errors and were offensively Bullaecapturo necently in national compotiton. dry in the grand finale. The 10 Quebec, a hand-picked team from across the province. Again, Aggio would take MVP honours in the titie match with great relief pitching - 10 stop the bleeding and keep his team within striking distance down the stretch - and a strong catching game before that. He was deemed best behind the plate f'or the entire toumna- ment and was named Ail-Star catcher. Not 100 shabby for someone who's oniy been at that position for two years. Pleasant surprise "I kind of surprised myseif," explained Aggio, referring 10 his defensive efforts. "I caught for a Niagara Falls pitcher who was aiso picked up by Burlington. He had great stuff and we worked weii together ail week." Offcnsiveiy, Aggio hit a siz- zlîng .523 ai the nationals - with particulariy potent perfor- mances against Nova Scotia anid Saskatchewan. A 4-O round-robin record set the stage foi a semnifinal tilt with Manitoba - whom Team Ontario trimmed 3-1, thanks in part 10 fine fielding by their lone Miitonian. Aggio's exceptional efforts came in front of sizeable crowds in PEI. Among those in the stands was Dan Tielemans - bis coacb Ibis summer with the Milton Red Sox. "It was great of him 10 come down and sec David," said father Albert Aggio. 0f bis son, be added, "Initiaiiy, 1 was just hoping be'd gel a few at- bats, but be played the wbole weck and reaiiy did agreat job. It was such a treat 10 sec." Tips avallable through basebali school Think the end of summer means the end of local basebail? Better think again. Players 10-13 years of age - regardicas of skili level or past piaying experience - cari join a fail instructionai league that begins tomorrow aI Bronte Meadows. The Milton baiipark wiii be one of many facili- tics uscd for the regional programn that was startcd four years ago by the National Instructional Basebali Association (NIBA). This is the first season in wbicb fali bail is bcing offered locaily. "The format of the league is to bave games wbere instruction from qualifîcd mentors is offcred immcdiatcly after a stratcgic or mental mistake bas been made," explained J.P. Soucie, NIIBA's executive director. "Mhe immediate feed- back is the key. Players wii lieamn rigbt away wben a mistake is made, in a positive and constructive way." 'Me Halton league wiil play on Tuesday nigbts and Saturday aftemnoons until Tbanksgiving, wben a ycar-cnd toumnament will be bcld. Players interestcd in joining the local program must pre-register by cailing Soucie ai 877-2377 or registering on-uine aI www.NIBA.ca.