When I was a kid we played a lot of baseball…

We played from spring thaw to first snowfall.

We had a lot of fun.

My mom and dad were my first coaches.

That was when there were 2 Canadian teams in the big leagues.

I played some all-star ball.

I dreamed of playing in the MLB.

But it didn’t happen.

Now though, we are seeing more and more Canadian kids being drafted and making it through the minors and to The Show.

Note: According to Wiki there are 25 active Canadian players who have tasted major league baseball. That’s pretty cool. Pitchers: John Axford, Érik Bédard, Jesse Crain, Ryan Dempster, Scott Diamond, Jeff Francis, Rich Harden, Blake Hawksworth, Christopher Leroux, Trystan Magnuson, Scott Mathieson, Scott Richmond. Position Players: Jason Bay, Taylor Green, George Kottaras, Brett Lawrie, Adam Loewen, Russell Martin, Justin Morneau, Mike Nickeas, Pete Orr, Michael Saunders, Rene Tosoni, Joey Votto, Joshua Hockley

Baseball Canada video featuring Brett Lawrie, John Axford & Justin Morneau

A lot of the credit for these guys getting to where they are goes to Baseball Canada.

There comes a time when most of our parents aren’t going to be the coaches that take us to the promised land. That’s where Baseball Canada and their programs, coaches, camps and more come in to play. They are dedicated to the development of players across the country and their track record of success shows that.

Baseball Canada was born as the Canadian Federation of Amateur Baseball in 1964 and is a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee and the International Baseball Federation. They are great supporters of baseball players of all ages and varieties (hardball, softball, fastball, t-ball, boys, girls) and they continue to find new ways to help athletes succeed and learn and play.

Note: I was also a licensed umpire, thanks to training from Baseball Canada and the OBA.

As a Canadian and a baseball fan and a former player and former umpire I am a big fan of what Baseball Canada has done and continues to do.

So, from me to everyone involved – thank you.

And in the words of every umpire everywhere, Play Ball!

To learn more about what Baseball Canada is doing or to find somewhere to play check out the website and have a look around. www.baseball.ca

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.