“The Big Maple”

At the start of each MLB season, I continue to hear from various fans in the lower mainland that they simply can’t wait until the “Jay’s” come to Seattle to take on the Mariners.

Special yes –  but in a unique way and it might be that one fact is that the Jays are the “Parent” team to the single “A” team that plays out of Nat Bailey Stadium – the Vancouver Canadians.

The single “A” squad came to the area following the departure of the “AAA” team that was a farm team to Oakland and quick as you can say “Rob Fai” the Blue Jays jumped on board.

The Canadians played in the Pacific Coast League was formed in 1903 and until 1927 they were simply the regular season pennant winners, but since then changes have been made and now the league is only one of two Triple- A baseball leagues situated in the US.

It was in 2013 that Delta/Ladner player Tom Robson played and controlled 5 ⅓ innings that allowed the C’s to win their third consecutive NWL Championship.

The crowd was buzzing, the noise was overwhelming and the “Nat” was packed with a standing room only crowd that went home with a sense of gratification and enthusiasm

So while this was a moment in time now is the time for yet another Delta/Ladner player to shine on the MLB stage and he is doing so in fine fashion.

Known as the “Big Maple” due to his roots in Canada James Paxton has his own cheering section that have created a sensation for not only the Mariners, but also baseball in the lower mainland, but in particular Delta BC

This year the Jays visit to Seattle in June, and the fan base was a shock to many of the Seattle residents who seldom see this for any player, visiting or otherwise.

So “The Big Maple” isn’t something that the M’s came up with nor did his team-mates, but rather it came from a pair of Mariner fans named Hillary Kirby and Daniel Carroll who threw out ideas to individuals thus creating a fun group activity to garner attention from Jay’s fans.

It’s called “The Maple Grove” cheering section for (LHP) James Paxton, who is nicknamed the “Big Maple” due to his towering size standing 6’ 4” as well as his Canadian roots from north of the 49th.  

It’s interesting to note that there is one significant difference between “The Maple Grove” and “King’s Court| which is unique in itself.

The “King’s Court” is controlled by the Mariners and naturally assigned to specific sections in the stands, while “The Maple Grove” is fan-generated.

They have been on hand for all of Paxton’s home starts since Toronto came to town for a visit dating back to June 11th of this year.

When asked he (Paxton) mentioned “It’s really cool that they came up with it on their own and it’s just great having support out there.”

His start on Monday saw him deliver seven (7) scoreless innings, striking out 10 in Seattle’s dominating 4-0 win over the Red Sox.

In hopes of garnering more attention the Mariners introduced a potted maple tree in Section 182 in the left-field bleachers, where the “Maple Grove” fans all congregate.

Carroll said he wasn’t aware beforehand that the tree would be placed in the Maple Grove’s section.

Paxton first time meeting with the members of the “Maple Grove” by the Mariners’ dugout, offering them – interesting enough “Maple Bars” as well as taking the time to pose for photos, which for many is probably a “highlight” moment.

Kirby is a graphic designer and she alone designed the cards and T-shirts as well as the banner that’s draped behind the group for every game started by Paxton.

Canada “EH” is what we are known as as far as out “phrase” or choice is and that is something that the fan base has picked up on and both Mariners manager Scott Servais and Paxton mentioned “they could hear the fans screaming “eh, eh” when he registered two strikes.

It’s noted that several fans have already purchased tickets in Section 182 for Paxton’s next scheduled start – Sunday against the Mets.

Go Canada Go – EH!!!