The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame states that the primary baseball recreation in Canada was performed on June 4, 1838, in Beachville, Ontario, between two groups from Oxford and Zorra. The recreation was performed with 5 bases, honest and foul balls, gamers utilizing a hand-hewn stick as a bat and a ball produced of twisted yarn and lined with calf pores and skin.
Nearly 185 years later, baseball has grown in Canada. At one level the nation had two MLB groups, two Canadians have been inducted into Cooperstown and there’s a promising crop of younger prospects representing the Great White North within the World Baseball Classic.
WBSC rank: 14
Last WBC look: 2019
Best WBC end: ninth
Country’s high present Major Leaguers
Joey Votto
Last season, Votto surpassed Larry Walker for essentially the most video games performed by a Canadian in MLB. Votto is a six-time All-Star and was the NL MVP in 2010.
The 39-year-old first baseman suffered accidents to his left shoulder and biceps that required surgical procedure, however he’ll go well with up for the Reds this season. He performed for Canada within the WBC in 2009 and 2013, however is not going to play this 12 months so he can get wholesome.
Freddie Freeman
Freeman was born in California, however his dad and mom hail from Canada. The All-Star first baseman, who holds twin citizenship, may’ve performed with the way more profitable United States on this 12 months’s Classic, however to him, representing Canada is a method to preserve his mom’s reminiscence alive. She handed away when Freeman was simply 10 years outdated.
“That’s what I live for, to keep her memory alive,” Freeman stated on MLB Network. “It’s a way of honoring so people can talk about her and my family. She was so instrumental in my life and I miss her every day. So, this is just a cool way for me to let people know about Rosemary Freeman.”
And it’s secure to say that he’s making Rosemary proud, as Freeman has been an All-Star six instances, an NL MVP and a World Series champion with the Braves.
Famous gamers
Larry Walker
Like many children in Canada, Walker had aspirations to play within the NHL. He performed youth hockey, the place at one level he was teammates with future Hockey Hall of Famer Cam Neely. But when he turned 16, his focus shifted to baseball.
It turned out to be the perfect determination, as Walker went on to win seven Gold Gloves, earn 5 All-Star picks and win an NL MVP. In 2020, he turned the second Canadian to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He would be the first-base coach for Canada within the WBC.
Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins
Jenkins was the primary Canadian to be inducted into Cooperstown (1991) and is taken into account to be the most effective pitchers throughout his period. As a child, he used to apply pitching by throwing coal at passing trains.
Ferguson’s Hall of Fame profession included a Cy Young Award, three All-Star picks and being a member of the three,000-strikeout membership.
National staff historical past
Canada is not any stranger to competing in worldwide tournaments. It has appeared within the WBC and Olympics, however has had essentially the most success within the Pan American Games with two gold medals.
Biggest moments in historical past
Speaking of the Pan American video games, Canada’s two Gold Medals (2011 and 2015) got here in wins in opposition to the United States.
The win in 2015 should’ve hit slightly in a different way. Canada, enjoying at Ajax Sportsplex in Ajax, Ontario, was down 6-5 within the backside of the tenth inning. Canada gained after two runners scored on an errant pickoff throw from the United States, sending the pro-Canada crowd right into a frenzy.
Local league setup and groups
There’s after all, MLB, however there are various impartial skilled and summer time collegiate baseball leagues in Canada. The Western Canadian Baseball League is the most important, with 11 groups which can be scattered all through Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Swift Current 57’s and Okotoks Dawgs are tied (six) with essentially the most championships. The winner of the league is awarded the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy.
Famous/Notable ballparks
Rogers Centre
This one is a no brainer, because it’s the one Canadian MLB stadium. Built in 1989, the Blue Jays used to share this stadium with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, however at the moment are the one tenants. When the stadium’s roof is open, the CN tower may be seen standing tall.
Labatt Memorial Park
While Labatt Park can’t compete architecturally with Rogers Centre, the 5,200-capacity stadium positioned subsequent to Thames River in London, Ontario, is the world’s oldest baseball park in operation. In 1994, town of London made Labatt a historic website. Currently, it homes the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League.
Unique meals at ballparks
You can’t go to Canada with out attempting poutine, the nation’s nationwide dish, which historically is deep-fried fries, poutine gravy and white cheddar cheese curds all tossed collectively. Some variations of the dish embody buffalo hen, pulled pork and lobster.
