A strange new world calls for a New world Man…
He’s a rebel and a runner
He’s a signal turning green
He’s a restless young romantic
Wants to run the big machine

He’s got a problem with his poisons
But you know he’ll find a cure
He’s cleaning up the systems
To keep his nature pure NP

Did you know???
Coronavirus is a family of viruses, which can cause the common cold or more severe diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), and the new coronavirus disease that first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, called COVID-19.  COVID-19 is a contagious disease that causes mild to severe respiratory symptoms with fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Hopefully all Tomcats are staying safe, staying home and ensuring the health of their families.  A shout out to the Tomcats who work on the front lines (first responders, truck drivers, grocery store personnel, medical professions, etc.).  Also, a shout out to the significant others of Tomcats doing such dangerous yet required work.  They will be the heroes we talk about for years after this virus is behind us.

Despite all the negative news being sent to us 24/7, there are many good things occurring during this time of pandemic.  Try to focus on these:

• 178000 people have recovered from the virus (as of March 31st)
• The canals of Venice have cleared dramatically, and dolphins have visited for the first time in many years
• Pollution is down across the globe
• Gas is cheap (yeah, I know, supply-demand thing, but fill up while you can)
• After a severe beating the last couple of weeks, the stock market has recovered from the extreme lows and has stabilized somewhat (meaning smart money is now less concerned about long term effects on the market)
• Families are doing family-things much more, rediscovering the joy of simple things like taking walks, building puzzles, game nights, etc.
• Just remember if you are sitting alone at home, you have a great bunch a friends in the Tomcats just waiting to hang out and have a beer when this is all over.

Stay positive…gatherings like this will be back before you know it!

Remainder of the Season:
At this point, there is very little chance the Tomcats will play again this spring.  Even if we wanted to, the Kapusta will likely not want us there until the curve is flattened.  With lock down orders being extended, the right thing to do is cancel the season, and wait for September.

BoD Meeting:
This will still be held, but the usual timing of two weeks after the last night of hockey could be moved depending on the circumstances.  There is also the possibility of doing this remote on the usual date using technologies such as Zoom.  More to come in April as the situation unfolds.  All Tomcats are free to take part.  It is a great chance to review the Tomcat finances for the year and going into next season, discus rule changes, bring up new ideas, etc.  Have a voice in the future of the Tomcats.  Let Rocky know if you are interested.

All Tomcat related golf activities are currently still a go…see below for those:

THE BILL BUKSA MEMORIAL KAPUSTA OPEN

TOMCAT OPEN
Keep your ear to the rail road for the Snowpants train to give you updates…just keep the date for now, Saturday June 13, 2020, 8:30 am start.

KOBASSA GOLF TOURNAMENT
Stevo is indicating that he now has 8 participants for the Kobassa Open, they are: The Rake, Snowpants, Sheep Dog, Bagz, Soupy, May Day, Bundura and Stevo. “I am very excited to get this inaugural event under way, right now we have 4 solid teams of two and looking for more players, but hell, we got 8 and that is good start with the tournament still being 4 months away,” said Stevo, and added, “You don’t have to pay me right now for the ‘after party’ you just have to let me know you are in and I will hold a spot for you.”

THE DIRTY GROWLER MR. GORDON GOLF LEAGUE
Mayday wants everyone to know that the golf league will be starting up again as soon as the nicer weather gets here.  Monday’s are the day and two to three courses will be selected throughout the year.  Playing in one round qualifies you for the year-end banquet.  Watch for an email from the Commissioner himself.

By Harry Ballsonue

IN NO WAY DO THE TOMCATS WISH TO DOWN PLAY THE COVID-19 BUT THIS ARTICLE IS FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT….

So everyone is self-actualizing or in a self-gratification stage, which I understand, I as well am not going into the St. Felix Offices and I am writing this from my home in Bleinham, Ontario. I live on a 24 acre farm, and have three holes for golf that I made out of some of the farm land, I have  a 432 yard par 4 to start, then I have a 167 yard par 3, then coming back I have a 579 yard par five. and I can do it three times over again from different points on the tee box and play 9, which I hope to do once the warmer weather gets here.  Last week on Friday when it was nice, I set up the pins and have placed the tee off boxes in place, so I am ready to go.  I don’t get a chance to do this too often, with covering the amazing ball hockey club, the Windsor Tomcats.

With most of us at home and not working, the Tomcats included, if they had their own facility and not counting on the Kapusta Kow Palace, they could be playing now, three times a week instead of just once a week.  They should play on Monday, Tuesday and then hold a practice Thursday morning, have lunch, hang out, play ping pong, darts, pool, and then play Thursday night.

Even now, with special permission they could all meet at the Kapusta Kow Palace, park their cars in the parking lot, board a bus, the bus can drive to Leamington, Kingsville, then back to the Kapusta Kow and they can get off the bus and go and play and make it like a road trip game.  Lots can be done, when you have time and you don’t have to be working, rushing your kids to a practice of some sort.  I have to wonder, (and of course if the wife is not telling you social distance instead of using the headache excuse) how many newborns will there be in 9 months.  November December January babies?  Chico comes to hockey in September and says, “hey guess what”? and so does Rocky and Chevy.  My hats off to them boys.

In reality though, no more than 5 people together, that is actually needed to stop the COVID -19.  Experts can’t really predict anything right now.  Be safe, do the self-isolation and be polite if you do go out, there are a lot of crazy people out there buying toilet paper??????….Gas is selling for 78 cents a litre.  Did YOU ever think you would see that again?

RAKE TO THE RESCUE
The Rake has told me that if anyone needs anything, to contact him, he is willing to help. Tomcat spirit is alive and well.

THE BILL BUKSA MEMORIAL KAPUSTA OPEN

“For what you get, it is an amazing deal”, stated Snowpants, the Minster of Golf and Pyrotechnics for the Windsor Tomcats.  “If you have never played in this tournament, you must, you simply must”, indicated Sheep Dog a one time Champion of this event.

TOMCAT OPEN
Keep your ear to the rail road for the Snowpants train to give you updates…just keep the date for now, Saturday June 13, 2020, 8:30 am start.

KOBASSA GOLF TOURNAMENT
Stevo is indicating that he now has 8 participants for the Kobassa Open, they are: The Rake, Snowpants, Sheep Dog, Bagz, Soupy, May Day, Bundura and Stevo. “I am very excited to get this inaugural event under way, right now we have 4 solid teams of two and looking for more players, but hell, we got 8 and that is good start with the tournament still being 4 months away”. Stevo Said and added,  “You don’t have to pay me right now for the ‘after party’ you just have to let me know you are in and I will hold a spot for you”, stated a beaming Stevo.

THE DIRTY GROWLER MR. GORDON GOLF LEAGUE
Mayday wants everyone to know that the golf league will be starting up again as soon as the nicer weather gets here.  Monday’s are the day and two to three courses will be selected throughout the years play.  Playing in one round qualifies you for the year end banquet.  Watch for an email from the Commissioner himself.

Rocky Magic
Did you know Rocky does magic?  Watch and see:

While you are checking out the cabbage wrapped around the golf ball and thinking to yourself, ‘wow, that’s pretty clever’, do you think I could put my Harry Ballsonue

Due to the spread of coronavirus, the Tomcats have decided to do our part and cancel hockey for the next 3 weeks (minimum). The BoD will monitor the situation and decide we come back for the final 2 weeks of the season or just hold off until the fall of 2020.

Stay safe

Stay beautiful

Tomcats forever!

And the things that we fear are a weapon to be held against us…NP

Due to continued escalation of the coronavirus outbreak, and in conjunction with other major professional sport leagues (NHL, NBA, MLS, etc.), the Windsor Tomcats took the extreme measure of barring fans from attending Tuesday night’s game.  It is the first time in Tomcat History that a game was played without a single soul in the stands.  “Very odd atmosphere I must say…to walk out to the playing surface and not have legions of fans chanting my name was quite weird and a little eerie,” said a disappointed Snowpants.  “We feel bad for the fans, but it is the right call to make given the current situation that is grappling the world,” added Bullwinkle.  Coach Sealion noted, “It was a shame for the Tomcat fans to miss out watching Bullwinkle notch a 4-goal evening.”

The Teams:
Soupy’s Smallpox – Soupy, Terror, Killer, Bulldog, Bullwinkle, Shack, Rocky and Jingles
LaBamba’s Leprosy – LaBamba, Falcon, Kamikaze, Snowpants, Sparky, Chevy, Cribzie, Chico and Muffins

New guy, who started the night as Mittens, and finished as Muffins, made his Tomcat debut, and proved to be Tomcat worthy, despite his selection of shorts, socks and shirt.  “Muffins showed quickness and good feel for the flow of the game, but will take some time to learn the nuances of Tomcat hockey and the Kapusta playing surface,” indicated Chico.

The first Google image when Searching Mittens and Muffins

Overall, good hockey and evenly matched teams.  However, at the end of both games, the Leprosy were victorious by the scores of 10-8 and 6-5 respectively.

Next Week:
So next week is March Break, and Tuesday is St. Patrick’s day.  Already, 7 Tomcats are out and 2 more 50/50.  Please let Rocky know ASAP if you plan to be out next week.  If too many more drop, we may have to cancel hockey next week.  An email will be sent out reminding of this.  Rocky will not be playing and the book is with Sparky, who will.

Golf, Golf and more Golf…
Kapusta Open:
See poster below and let the Turk know if you are interested in playing May 30th and Ambassador Golf Club:

Kobassa Open – July 17th
Stevo is organizing a new tournament this year.  A two man scramble, called the Kobassa Open…not the Keilbassa Open.  Cost is $10 to enter, plus the golf cost.  $10 will get you dinner and drinks after golf at Stevo’s place.  There will also be first place prizes for the winners.  If interested, get $10 to Stevo for your spot.  The tournament needs an even amount of guys to make it a go (2-man scramble, if you understand the concept).  I should be a fun day, it’s a Friday in the summer so why not join?

Tomcat Golf Tourny – June 13th
Snowpants, the Minister of Golf and Pyrotechnics has nothing further for us at this time, but keep the date open.  It will be at Sutton Creek and will also be a 2-Man Scramble.

Last Week of Hockey:
Our final Tuesday will be April 14th.  Tomcats are thinking maybe making that night Potluck.  Bullwinkle will bring some of his homemade sausage.  Looking for others to volunteer to bring something so we can drink up the rest of the beer and end 2019-2020 on a high note.

Board of Directors:
Per usual, the BoD meeting will occur two weeks after the last night at Casa de Rocky.  That is April 28th this year.  6:30pm, just like hockey.  Any Tomcat can take part, not just the official BoD members (Rocky, Hollywood, Sparky, Sunny, Doc, Soupy, Kamikaze, Jingles, Snowpants).  Bullwinkle has already showed interest.  If you have ideas, and want to be part of the future, then take part and help make decisions.  Let Rocky know if you are interested.

by Management

Bartenders: Terror (24) Bullwinkle (12)

Between the Pipes:  Chico, The Falcon, Terror

First Stringers:  Bullwinkle, Snowpants, Soupy, Chevy, Sparky, Jingles, Shack, La Bamba, Cribzie, Kamikaze, Killer, El Chopo, Bulldog, Big Ned, Rocky, Squid, Chico’s buddy

Healthy Scratches:  Kramdon, Bagz, Sheep Dog, May Day, The Anvil, Stevo, Hollywood, Frostbite, Beep, The Lizard, Tunzie, Matador, Sunny, Tonto

On IR:  Skippy, The Turk, Big Easy, The Rake, The Hurricane, Doc (listed as day to day)

Low Down:  20 players as of now.  Getting close to no mini, but still a mini as of right now.  Please let Rocky know if you are listed as in, but not able to play this Tuesday.

TOMCATS FOREVER !

by Harry Ballsonue

“Is it bye, buy or by, I don’t know” Harry Ballsonue

Now that everyone has had a chance to rub Volteren on themselves for the past few days and or CBD oil or Rub A5-35, I bring you some photos and a small round up from the tournament.

Three teams were tied with 4 points, Jingle Jets, Stevo Knights and the Bulldog Pelee Islanders.  Chico’s team had zero points (they missed Lovie for sure for sure).

GAMES:
Bulldog 2  Jingles 1
Chico 1     Stevo 4
Chico 1     Bulldog 6
Stevo 3     Jingles 6
Stevo 6     Bulldog 1
Jingles 4   Chico 0
FINAL:  Jingles 7 Stevo 4

The 2020 Bulldog Pelee Islanders

The 2020 Jingle Jets (Stanley’s Cup Winners)

The 2020 Stevo Knights

The 2020 Chico Thunder Buddies

Overall a very good fair, well played tournament.  No issues at all, there were a few goals called back, but that is what happens in the world of professional ball hockey.

Soupy and Kamikaze picked the absolute perfect candidate for the MVP…Shack.  He was very deserving of the award. “I slept with the trophy, I don’t mind saying,” Shack had told me in a telephone conversation.

The refs did an outstanding job, thanks again to the Mac, Gingerbread Man and Hollywood.

When it came to the final game, the Jingle Jets seemed to over power the older Stevo Knights.  After tying up the Jets 2-2, they gave up 2 late goals and then it was 4-2 after the first.  “Those late goals really hurt us, at the end of the first period,” stated Tunzie.  The final 7-4 was well deserved.

“My favourite moment you ask,” asked Matador, “When we sing ’Tomcats Forever,’ what else would it be?” the Matador asked grinning, like a butchers dog.

Hockey starts up Tuesday, March 10th.  Last night of hockey is Tuesday April 14th.

Rocky to announce when the Board of Directors meeting will take place at the end of hockey season.

Golf is June 13th for the Tomcat Open.  The new event, the Kobassa Open is July 17th with a party to follow at Stevo’s.

Rest up and be ready for March 10th.  As of that date, only 6 weeks of hockey left.

TOURNAMENT MEMORIES

Typical tournament action, you can see it on the faces of the players.

“No matter what team you are on in the tournament, we are all brothers” The Terror

Bobby Orr? Denis Potvin? Ray Bourgue? No, better than all those guys, it’s Sparky!

MVP Shack, waving to his wife and kids in the stands

Who cares the play is going on…let’s pose for a picture

In the end, a cold beer, great friends, a million dollar smile and Stanley’s Cup!

Goodbye until next year…from the parking lot.

By Harry Ballsonue

“Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful” Alexandra Hillary Jaworiwsky

What a great tournament, Jingle Jets vs. the Stevo Knights in the final.  The Jets took the final 7-4.  “This is a very exciting time for me personally and the team, I am so proud of them, Tweetie Bird and Big Ned playing against their fathers, Eagle and Stevo, and younger cousin Soupy against older mentor cousin Sunny.  You have to love all the story lines,” stated Jingles

2020 Stanley’s Cup Champions, the Jingle Jets

“I am very happy how everything went today, the guys did great!  Special thanks to the refs, The GingerBread Man and Hollywood, and time/score keeper Mac, they did a great job as well.  And to all the goalies and to Soupy and Kamikaze for organizing such a fantastic tournament.  Also thanks to Jingles for the pizza and to Big Ned for setting up the bar down stairs and then bringing the beer back up to the Tomcat room, and to Hollywood for organizing the t-shirts.  What a great job on the Tomcat team t-shirt,” stated President Rocky.

2020 Windsor Tomcats

Tournament Highlights

The goalies were first to arrive to start their pre-game rituals.

The intensity and determination is exhibited here in this photo by Bullwinkle

Future of the Tomcats…Cup’o’ Soupy. “No slap shot here,” said Cup’o’Soupy!

Extremely well deserved MVP for Shack. “This is an honour…I don’t know what else to say,” said Shack…fighting back tears.

Bullwinkle with Miss Canada 2018 and Miss Canada 2005

The leftovers…sometime people don’t love leftovers…but how can you not love these leftovers?

Several Tomcats hit the Essex Legion and was there? Ex-Tomcat Libs! “To run into these guys is an incredible privilege…I watched the games this afternoon and bam…four of them walk in with me…I’m dreaming,” said Libs.

NO HOCKEY
There is no hockey on Tuesday…take time to rest your body before we come back. We return in full force on March 10th.

If this picture does not exhibit what the Tomcats are all about, we don’t know what would, Squid Comforts Frost Bite

While you are checking out the full team picture and the two beautiful ladies with Bullwinkle, do you think I could put my Harry Ballsonue?

Here we go…Tomcats Forever!

Thanks to a few dedicated Tomcats, and dedicated Tomcat extended family, the Kapusta stage and floor are a clean and dust free for the big annual Tournament.

Bullwinkle, Vice President of Facilities and Operations, along The Minister of Floor Sweeping Snowpants, organized the event. “Many thanks to Bullwinkle, Shack, Doc, Jodi (yes, a Tomcat wife) and the Doc-ettes (Big Mac and Tator Tot) for showing up to sweep, vacuum and mop. It was a great team effort,” said a brimming Snowpants. Even Kamikaze showed up to direct the gang and help move a chair.

In other tournament preparation news, Chevy has purchased a hyperbaric chamber and is said to be spending 23 hours a day in it, breathing pure oxygen and only leaving to use the restroom and to watch a little porn.

What are you doing to prepare?

Reminders:

– First game starts at 8:30am sharp. Do not be late.

– Any stock raised above the shoulder will be called. Ball contact not required.

– Any downward slash on a stick will be called.

– All referee calls will be accepted and respected. No arguing.  It’s just not that important.

See you Saturday!

Tomcats Forevet!

by Harry Ballsonue

“They say, at the end of your life you regret more things that you did not do, then the things you did do”                                                                                  Dr.  Leonard Hofsteder (Big Bang Theory)

TEAMS:
Cribzie Navajo’s: Cribzie, Chevy, Sunny, Snowpants, Stevo, Jingles, the Ginger Bread Man and Falcon
Chico Blackfoot: Chico, Bullwinkle, Tonto, La Bamba, Frost Bite, Kamikaze, Bulldog
Sparky Apache: Sparky, Beep, Soupy, Big Ned, El Choppo, Hollywood, Killer and the Terror
Peyote Pirates: Shack, Bagz, Squid, May Day, Tunzie, Kramden and Sheep Dog

Hockey was exciting as all the players are getting ready for the big tournament.  The Chico Blackfoot team took the mini last night.

Two of the sharpest shooters on the Tomcats…many inquired at trade deadline about these two..

Special thanks to the Falcon and Big Ned for setting up the clock at the start of the night, thanks to Snowpants for putting away the sticks.  Bullwinkle for getting the ice.  Sunny gets kudos for taking the yellow shirts home to wash.  If you have never done anything to help, please consider doing so one night.  Why be part of the problem when you can be part of the solution?

The Turk, hobbling on one knee after successful knee surgery, stopped by to say hi to the boys.  To show you what a great guy he is, he brought beer. “I would have brought a 24 but I can’t carry a case as yet.”  Put her there Turk, 12 OV is a beauty way to go.

The Turk came by for a visit…brought a cheer to the stage.

CLEAN UP IN AISLE FIVE
Snowpants and Bullwinkle are asking anyone that can, to show up Thursday February 27th at 6:30pm to help clean the floors.  Please contact Snowpants if you have any questions.

TOURNAMENT IS THIS WEEKEND
8:30am start.  $20 for hockey, pay your Captain, $10 for pizza, pay Jingles, 6 new tee shirts coming your way….beer supplied by Tomcats but have a DD if you plan to indulge.

TOMCAT GOLF TOURNAMENT JUNE 13th CONFIRMED

Snowpants has confirmed the date with a 8:30am start. Sutton Creek is the venue.  Plan on attending, plan on having a great day.

KOBASSA GOLF 2 MAN GOLF EXTRAGENZA

Friday July 17th, the venue to still be determined, $10 cost gets you beer and food after at Stevo’s.  It will be a two man scramble and this is an inaugural event, you want to get in on the ground floor.

NO HOCKEY NEXT TUESDAY

Due to the tournament this weekend, there IS NO HOCKEY NEXT TUESDAY MARCH 3rd.  Stay at home and rest your body.

SNOWPANTS SPEAKS
Snowpants addressed the Tomcats prior to the first face off, talking about not to be chippy in their play.  “We are all brothers, we all have jobs to go to in the morning, let’s be gentleman out there tonight and on Saturday and the rest of the year.”  Soupy agreed, “I was not having any fun last week, this is suppose to be for fun, and I was not having any,” Soupy added.

While you think that the Peyote Pirates would be a great name for a tournament team, and you think ‘hmmmm did he select Native Tribes as names for the teams, due to the Mohawks wrecking havoc in Canada’, do you think I could my Harry Ballsonue?

by Management

Bartenders: Gingerbread Man (24) Rocky (12)

Bartenders On Deck:  Tomcats – Tournament Provider of Beer

Between the pipes:  Frostbite, The Falcon, Terror

Starting Lineup:  Gingerbread Man, Bullwinkle, Snowpants, Stevo, Soupy, Chevy, Chico, Sparky, The Matador, Jingles, Sunny, Hollywood, Shack, La Bamba, Cribzie, Tonto, Kamikaze, Killer, El Chopo, Beep, Bulldog, Big Ned

Healthy Scratches:  Kramdon, Bagz, Sheep Dog, May Day, Tunzie, Rocky, Squid, The Lizard, The Anvil

On IR:  Skippy, The Turk, Big Easy, The Rake, The Hurricane, Doc (listed as day to day)

Low Down:  25 players as of now.  It is the last chance to warm up before the tournament.  Please text Rocky if this lineup is not correct.

Don’t Forget:  The tournament starts exactly at 8:30am, Saturday February 29, 2020.  Cost for tournament is $20 paid to your Captain, who in turn pays Rocky.  $10 for pizza, pay Jingles for that and let him know if you will be involved with pizza on tournament day.  Drinks and pizza will be at the Kapusta Kow, so you do not have to go anywhere…We are asking that if you plan to indulge, then please have a Designated Driver.

TOMCATS FOREVER !