Braves Rally for Walk-Off Win and a second Canadian Title

The Dufferin-Simcoe Braves won the 43-age division championship at the Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Federation Championships on Aug. 2, 2026 in Red Deer, Alberta. Pictured, back row from left, Robb Stinson, Brad Soules, Craig Bessant, Bryan Post, Dan Lemmon, Aaron McMullen, Greg Slater, Steve Westbrooke, Sean Ellis. Front row, from left: Jason Thompson, Kerry Dupuis, Jeff Akitt, Shane Walker, Lance Bryan, Chad Purchase. (Jeff Akitt photo)

August 3, 2026

The local Dufferin-Simcoe Braves are Canadian champions once more after defeating the Victoria Mavericks 13-12 in the 43-plus division at the Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Championships.

The national tournament was hosted in Red Deer, Alberta, this year, with both the Braves and the Dufferin-Simcoe Rockers in attendance.

The Braves opened the tournament with a 16-6 win over the Red Deer Brewers, followed by a 7-7 tie against the Calgary Expos. In their third round-robin game, the Braves defeated the Victoria Mavericks 13-7.

The Braves finished first in the five-team division and earned a bye to the championship game, setting up a rematch with the Mavericks. Trailing 12-10 in the seventh inning, the Braves rallied to tie the game before Kerry Dupuis scored the winning run from third on a passed ball with the bases loaded, securing a 13-12 walk-off victory.

The team has reached the championship in three consecutive years, having also won the national title in 2024.

The Rockers competed in the 60-plus division and struggled throughout the weekend losing all three round-robin games: 11-1 to the Vancouver Pirates, 15-5 to the Port Alberni Cubs and 21-6 to the Great West Legends. They then faced the Alberta Combines in the Tier 2 championship and lost 18-2.

The Oakville Golden A's won the championship with a 13-3 victory over the Port Alberni Cubs.