The history of baseball in Canada
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame states that the first baseball game in Canada was played on June 4, 1838, in Beachville, Ontario, between two teams from Oxford and Zorra. The game was played with five bases, fair and foul balls, players using a hand-hewn stick as a bat and a ball produced of twisted yarn and covered with calf skin.
Nearly 185 years later, baseball has grown in Canada. At one point the country had two MLB teams, two Canadians have been inducted into Cooperstown and there is a promising crop of young prospects representing the Great White North in the World Baseball Classic.
WBSC rank: 14
Last WBC appearance: 2019
Best WBC finish: 9th
Country’s top current Major Leaguers
Joey Votto
Last season, Votto surpassed Larry Walker for the most games played 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 injuries to his left shoulder and biceps that required surgery, but he will suit up for the Reds this season. He played for Canada in the WBC in 2009 and 2013, but will not play this year so he can get healthy.
Freddie Freeman
Freeman was born in California, but his parents hail from Canada. The All-Star first baseman, who holds dual citizenship, could’ve played with the much more successful United States in this year's Classic, but to him, representing Canada is a way to keep his mother’s memory alive. She passed away when Freeman was just 10 years old.
“That’s what I live for, to keep her memory alive,” Freeman said 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 safe to say that he’s making Rosemary proud, as Freeman has been an All-Star six times, an NL MVP and a World Series champion with the Braves.
Famous players
Larry Walker
Like many kids in Canada, Walker had aspirations to play in the NHL. He played youth hockey, where at one point 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 best decision, as Walker went on to win seven Gold Gloves, earn five All-Star selections and win an NL MVP. In 2020, he became the second Canadian to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He will be the first-base coach for Canada in the WBC.
Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins
Jenkins was the first Canadian to be inducted into Cooperstown (1991) and is considered to be one of the best pitchers during his era. As a kid, he used to practice pitching by throwing coal at passing trains.
Ferguson's Hall of Fame career included a Cy Young Award, three All-Star selections and being a member of the 3,000-strikeout club.
National team history
Canada is no stranger to competing in international tournaments. It has appeared in the WBC and Olympics, but has had the most success in the Pan American Games with two gold medals.
Biggest moments in history
Speaking of the Pan American games, Canada’s two Gold Medals (2011 and 2015) came in wins against the United States.
The win in 2015 must’ve hit a little differently. Canada, playing at Ajax Sportsplex in Ajax, Ontario, was down 6-5 in the bottom of the 10th inning. Canada won after two runners scored on an errant pickoff throw from the United States, sending the pro-Canada crowd into a frenzy.
Local league setup and teams
There's of course, MLB, but there are many independent professional and summer collegiate baseball leagues in Canada. The Western Canadian Baseball League is the biggest, with 11 teams that are scattered throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Swift Current 57’s and Okotoks Dawgs are tied (six) with 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, since it's the only Canadian MLB stadium. Built in 1989, the Blue Jays used to share this stadium with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, but are now the only tenants. When the stadium’s roof is open, the CN tower can be seen standing tall.
Labatt Memorial Park
While Labatt Park can’t compete architecturally with Rogers Centre, the 5,200-capacity stadium located next to Thames River in London, Ontario, is the world’s oldest baseball park in operation. In 1994, the city of London made Labatt a historic site. Currently, it houses the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League.
Unique food at ballparks
You can’t go to Canada without trying poutine, the country’s national dish, which traditionally is deep-fried fries, poutine gravy and white cheddar cheese curds all tossed together. Some variations of the dish include buffalo chicken, pulled pork and lobster.
