Tag Archives: Baseball in Canada

Independent Ball

The Intercounty Baseball League in Canada Turns Professional

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A New Era for Independent Professional Baseball in Canada Begins

Official Press Release Announced November 24th:

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), which has been in operation since 1919, is pleased to announce that it is now a fully professional league that will hereafter be known as the Canadian Baseball League (CBL.ca). These changes reflect the significant growth of its fan base over the last three years, which culminated in a record 249,590 fans attending games in 2025.

The Canadian Baseball League is, simply put, the best professional baseball league in Canada.  Last season, 64 players with either MLB or Minor League Baseball experience suited up to play in the League, including former MLB All-Star and World Series champion Fernando Rodney who pitched for the Hamilton Cardinals.  Last year also witnessed former Guelph Royals player, Liam Hicks, make the Major League roster of, and become an integral player for, the Miami Marlins.

“Fan interest in our League has exploded to historic levels,” said CBL Commissioner Ted Kalnins. “The quality of baseball has always been top-rate, with players drawn from across Canada, Latin America and Japan, but the main engine of our growth has been significantly enhanced fan experience, with fun in-game entertainment, contests, unique theme nights, and accessible players, all at a very affordable price for an entire family.”

In addition to the name change, there will be numerous changes in store for the Canadian Baseball League in 2026, some of which will be announced in the coming weeks.   The CBL’s regular season will increase from 42 to 48 games, commencing the second week of May 2026.  Only five teams will qualify for the playoffs, thereby raising the competitive stakes of the regular season.  The fourth-place team will face the fifth-place team in a one-game playoff, followed by two best-of-seven series to determine the Dominico Cup champion.

All CBL games will continue to be streamed live on YouTube, but will now also be available, along with other League content, via Roku, FireTV, Apple TV, iOS and Android apps.

The history of the Intercounty Baseball League will continue to be carried forward in every respect.  For the last year, numerous efforts were undertaken to research and consolidate historical information, photos and artifacts associated with the IBL’s lengthy history.  Among other partners, the Hanlan’s Point Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) has been assisting with this project, which shall continue to be a League priority.

“Our history is what made our future possible,” Kalnins said.  “Now, the Canadian Baseball League is ready to write the next chapter in the Canadian baseball story – one that will create an even better, more engaging, more memorable experience for our players, our communities, and most of all, our fans.” 

The Canadian Baseball League (CBL) is the top independent professional baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-MLB, MiLB and elite graduating NCAA college baseball players, including players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama and Japan.  The 2026 season will mark the CBL’s 108th year in operation. The CBL is one of the longest continuously operated baseball leagues in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff.  More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the CBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Toronto and Welland. For more information, visit http://www.cbl.ca or @cbl1919 on Instagram and Twitter. 

Indy Ball Island will have further information and updates as they become avaliable!

Independent Ball

Équipe Québec Gets To Go HOME!

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Over the last few weeks, there have been talks about Équipe Québec, currently a travel team in the Frontier League, being able to play home in Canada this season.

With the MLB announcing the Blue Jays return to Toronto, it began to look more and more promising that Québec would be able to return home as well.

On July 15th, Le Soleil – a newspaper based out of Québec – reported that July 30th was the intended date but was still pending some final clearances.

“We are going to play on July 30, in Quebec, all that remains is to ensure that the protocol is put in place to do so and meet the requirements that will be asked of us. It would surprise me enormously if it did not work ”, confided the president of the Capitales Michel Laplante.

Last night, Le Soleil again reported that Québec and Trois-Rivières were preparing to bring baseball to their home stadiums.

Finally today, the Frontier League made the announcement official. After a season of straight road games, long bus rides, hotel stays and not being able to return home… Équipe Québec will be able to return home and play games in Canada starting on July 30th.

FRONTIER LEAGUE TO BEGIN PLAY IN CANADA ON JULY 30

Opening of Canadian Border Enables Return Home for Équipe Québec

(July 21, 2021, Illinois) The Frontier League of Professional Baseball, along with member teams Québec Capitales and Trois-Rivières Aigles, has announced the start of Frontier League play in Québec Province beginning Friday, July 30th.

The two Québec teams, which for the 2021 baseball season have merged their players onto one team playing as Équipe Québec, along with their United States-based opponents, will be strictly following Canadian protocols and guidelines for travel in and out of the country and for hosting games in the cities of Québec and Trois-Rivières.  Until then, the team will continue its eleven consecutive weeks on the road in the US which began on May 27th.

“We are overjoyed to finally be playing games in Québec and to be doing so in a safe and responsible manner as required by the various Canadian governmental agencies” said Jon Danos, Frontier League CEO.  “Since the Frontier League’s merger with the Can Am League prior to the pandemic, we have envisioned this as a signature day celebrating the Frontier League’s unique footprint combining the two countries’ love of baseball and commitment to family friendly entertainment.”

The team will play 21 home games, shared between the cities of Québec and Trois-Rivières, from July 30th to September 12th.  Québec City will host three games vs. the New York Boulders at Stade Canac beginning Friday, July 30th and Trois Rivières will host the Tri-City ValleyCats at Stade Quillorama for three games beginning Tuesday, August 3rd.

Team officials with the Québec Capitales and Trois-Rivières Aigles will continue their collaboration with governmental agencies to ensure full compliance with evolving safety and sanitation protocols.