Six IBL Sluggers Ready for Guelph Home Run Derby

With no IBL regular-season action in 2020, the Guelph Royals wanted to give IBL fans some live baseball action this year and announced they will hold a Home Run Derby on Thursday, August 13th at David E. Hastings Stadium in Guelph.

The 8-player, single-elimination tournament will feature 5-minute rounds with a 30 second time out.

Many IBL players have already announced their commitment to the event, including Guelph's Sean Reilly, Justin Interisano, and Jeff MacLeod along with Toronto's Marcus Knecht, Jonathan Solazzo, and London's Cleveland Brownlee.

Reilly is no stranger to hitting the long bomb as he currently holds the IBL single-season record for most home runs. With over 200 home runs in his IBL career and hitting double-digit homers in his last seven seasons, Sean is easily the favourite of this event so far.

Justin Interisano hit a career-high 11 home runs in 2016 and 2014 and has 65 home runs in nine seasons played. Last season for the Guelph Royals, Justin hit four home runs in 24 games played.

Hitting a career-high three home runs in 2019, Jeff MacLeod has something to prove among some of the IBL's heaviest hitter. Originally known for his arm as a pitcher when he joined the IBL in 2008 with the Brantford Red Sox, Jeff has shown some power at the plate with the Royals.

Marcus Knecht has been lighting up the circuit since his return in 2018. In his three seasons in the league, Marcus has launched 19 balls out of the park including his IBL career-high eight in 2019.

The 2019 season has a big one for Jonathan Solazzo hitting 10 home runs with the Toronto Maple Leafs. An IBL veteran has high 47 career home runs over 10 seasons with Mississauga, Hamilton, and Toronto.

You cannot have a home run derby without Cleveland Brownlee. Hitting double-digit home runs in four of his ten seasons, Brownlee has not slowed down. He hit 11 home runs in 2019 and 12 in 2018 to lead the league that season. With 89 career home runs under his belt, Brownlee is also favourited to win this event.

For more information on the Guelph Royals Home Run Derby, visit their website at www.guelphroyals.com

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), in its 102^nd year of operation, is the best baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-major league professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. The IBL is the fifth-longest continually operated baseball league in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the IBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Kitchener, London, Toronto, Guelph, Welland, and Hamilton. For more information, visit www.theibl.ca.