The Guelph Royals Baseball Club announced the signing of left-handed reliever Chris Lazar over the weekend.
Lazar, 28, joined the Royals after beginning the 2024 season with the Barrie Baycats. The eight-season IBL veteran was a member of Barrie’s 2024 championship-winning team.
Prior to his time in Barrie, Lazar pitched for both the Welland Jackfish and the Hamilton Cardinals. It was during his stint in Hamilton that he solidified his reputation as one of the league’s premier arms, capturing the IBL ERA title in 2019.
“I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to join the Royals,” Lazar said in an interview prior to the weekend. “I’m excited to play for Dino [Roumel] and the rest of the coaching staff who I’ve heard nothing but great things about. I’m looking forward to playing with guys like Tak and Conner Morro who I’ve played against my entire career, contribute wherever I can, and work towards our ultimate goal — bringing a championship to Guelph.”
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Royals assistant general manager Ryan Eakin called the decision to bring Lazar in an easy one.
“He is a lefty who throws strikes and knows the batters in this league. A vet with a ring on his finger. Combine that with him being a great person and teammate, and this was an easy decision,” Eakin said in an interview over the weekend. “We’ll happily go to war with the Chris Lazar’s of the world.”