Guelph Royals’ field manager Roumel issues an apology
Guelph Royals’ field manager Dino Roumel has apologized for his outburst during the team’s Intercounty Baseball League game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday at Hastings Stadium.
Roumel became involved in a heated interaction with home plate umpire Taka Matsuda in the seventh inning of the game that resulted in his ejection from the game. Josh Garton was also thrown out after coming in from left field to help keep the pair apart. The umpires eventually left the field for about 20 minutes to allow tempers to cool down a bit. Many fans left at this time.
Toronto was at bat at the time and the Leafs went on to win 6-1, scoring the go-ahead runs in the seventh before the incident and adding three more runs in the ninth.
“To Our Fans, I would like to sincerely apologize for my actions at our home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday,” Roumel said in a statement on the Royals’ social media sites. “Representing our city is an honour and we strive to set a high standard for all the young baseball fans in attendance. This includes showing respect for our team, our opponents, the fans, and the umpires. I am deeply embarrassed by how I let my frustrations get the best of me. We aim to create a community-based atmosphere that is fun and exciting, and my actions detracted from what was otherwise a well-played and exciting game. This is my hometown and I am immensely proud to have represented it for so many years. On behalf of our entire organization and players, I want to thank you for your continued support. We remain committed to building something that will make you proud and bring us all a championship to celebrate together. Thank you.”
The Royals, the lone team of the IBL’s nine not to play Sunday, have played a league-low seven games and have posted a 5-2 record. The Leafs have played a league-high 12 and are at 4-8.
The locals have rescheduled a game against the Hamilton Cardinals at Hamilton’s Bernie Arbour Stadium that was postponed by weather conditions in the second inning May 17 for June 30 at 2:05 p.m. at Hamilton that will create a stretch of four games in four days on the Royals’ schedule.
They also have a home game against the London Majors that was postponed by weather conditions May 25 to reschedule.
The Royals are to close the ground a little on the other teams in the league in terms of games played as they’re slated to play five games in six days starting with a match against the Brantford Red Sox at Brantford Friday at 8 p.m.
In that stretch they’re also to play the Welland Jackfish at home Saturday and in Welland Sunday, Brantford at home June 18 and the Leafs in Toronto June 19.
- Guelph Sports Journal