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28 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 SPORTS WATERLOO CHRONICLE Moving forward with Velocity K-W Velocity Senior B lacrosse team takes shape for inaugural season By Adam Jackson Chronicle Sta� They come from all walks of life. Some are recent graduates of junior lacrosse. Some are not-so-recent and decided to dust off the equipment for another shot at competitive lacrosse. Th e one thing they all have in common is what they're com- peting for -- the ability to wear the Velocity logo on their chest. About 32 players are vying for the opportunity to play with the upstart local Senior B lacrosse team, which starts its season this Saturday in Oakville against the Rock. "We're starting to whittle it down," said Sam Besse, president of the Velocity, adding that there have been some cuts. Th e best of the best, however, are yet to take the fl oor with the rest of the Velocity group. Th e team is banking on players who are still playing in the National Lacrosse League, which is in its playoff s at the moment. Many NLL players use Senior B or Major Series Lacrosse summer leagues to stay sharp and in shape during the off- season. Others are still playing south of the border at the NCAA level. While the team is still being sorted out, the Velocity are wait- ing patiently for the home opener on May 6. "We're going to have the whole entertainment package," said Besse, who has preached the idea of coming for the game and staying for the show. Greg Hummel, coach and GM of the Velocity, said he's still receiving emails from players who have been cut from other teams, whether it's Senior B or MSL. Hummel said he's a little more realistic about players from the NLL. "The odds are those guys are going to play (MSL)," said Hummel. "We have enough decently skilled guys here that we can put a good team together." Laurelwood residents battle city over neighbourhood diamond plans By Adam Jackson Chronicle Sta� Most residents in Laurelwood are OK with an upgraded diamond -- they just don't want organized baseball to be played. More than 20 concerned residents attended a public meeting last weekend to discuss the rebuilding of the baseball diamond at Gates- tone Park. Th e park is one of two locations pro- posed by city planners to replace the diamonds at Waterloo Park, which are slated for removal at the end of the 2017 season to provide an open area for festivals. The city is planning to rebuild the infield playing surface to bring it up to snuff for play- ers up to 14 years old. Th e backstop will need to be rebuilt and fencing alongside the team benches will be erected. Fencing in the outfi eld and along the foul lines will not be necessary for the age group and no adult ball will be played at the diamond, said project manager John Griffi n with the City of Waterloo. "We want to keep the field versatile," said Griffi n, noting that the addition of outfi eld fenc- es would limit the usability for pick-up games of football or soccer. Griffi n admits that the city will have to do a bit more research on the setback requirements for the 14-year-old age groups to ensure that nearby neighbours will not have baseballs fl ying through their windows. Tim Osland, president and chief brand man- ager of the Laurelwood Neighbourhood Associ- ation, said the chief concerns for the community are noise and on-street parking that accompany organized baseball. Th ere is parking at the near- by Laurelwood Public School, but it is more than 100 metres away. Concerns were also raised about wash- rooms, or lack thereof. Th e city is looking into solutions for that. "Since there are no washrooms, there are going to be issues with people peeing in the bushes and stuff like that," said Griffi n. Osland said the neighbourhood association is OK with organized junior baseball, but they are vehemently against adults playing at the fi eld. Both Osland and Griffin said there should be no signifi cant impact on property value for nearby homeowners. Osland went as far as to say the impact would be "neutral if not positive." Continued on page 31 From the latest information on local politics, to minor sports scores, to what's going on down the street, visit www.waterloochronicle.ca CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY