Breaking ball

What Andrew Marges is accomplishing on the diamond this season might surprise some.

That’s because while playing a pickup game of basketball in February the Marc Garneau Cougars pitching ace broke his hand.

Though it was the second time he had broken his hand, Marges wasn’t concerned about missing the 2009 baseball campaign.

“Our baseball season didn’t start until April,” he said. “I was able to heal in time.”

With Marges in the starting rotation the Cougars are hoping to win another baseball championship.

The Cougars captured the South Region’s Tier II crown last season and the team has been enjoying success this season in large part because of the play of their captain Marges, who is also one of the youngest players on the team.

With two-thirds of the Cougars’ 15-player roster in grade 12, Marges, a grade 11, was chosen as team captain.

“If you were to ask any player on the team, there wouldn’t be another player they would have chosen as their leader,” said Cougars’ coach Bryan Joly.

When Marges is not on the mound he’s at third base, Joly said, but wherever he is on the field, he is still the team’s rock.

“He leads by example and by the way he speaks to the other players,” said Joly, adding the captain’s dedication is evident.

“He’s never missed a practice,” Joly said. “And he gives 110 per cent in both games and practices.”

Marges was expected to be the Cougars’ starting pitcher in their Tier II semi-final contest against Rosedale Heights, which was scheduled for June 1 at Stan Wadlow Park. The game’s result was not known at press time.

The victor would play the winner of the Jarvis vs. Riverdale match for the league championship.

Marges has been a starter on the Cougars’ squad since his freshman year. And he’s been a force on the mound this season.

“I’ve never seen a kid with a breaking ball like his,” Joly said.

Taking great pride in his hard work, Marges said he’s been working on his pitching mechanics for about two years.

“It has a heavy break to it,” he said.

His pitch has consistently dumbfounded opposing batters this season.

Marges estimates he’s been striking out an average of about eight batters per game in his allotted four innings of work.

He’s looking to register even more strikeouts in the playoffs as pitchers are eligible to work a complete game of seven innings.

Marges’ mother Sue is also an important part of the Cougars’ team. She attends their games and is the team’s scorekeeper. She also provides the grub for hungry players.

“Everyone likes having her around because she brings treats,” Marges said.

Baseball is not the only sport the captain has played for Marc Garneau this year. He was also quarterback of the football team.

Marges also plays baseball for the North York Blues’ minor midget team.He’s been with the Blues’ organization since the age of four.