Baseball Canada

Jim Baba set to retire as Baseball Canada’s Executive Director

Published

2 years ago

April 8, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

OTTAWA – After 21 years as Baseball Canada’s Executive Director, Jim Baba will be retiring from the post he’s held for over two decades later this year.

The Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native has been involved with Baseball Canada dating back to 1990 when he was a guest coach with the men’s national team which evolved into stints as head coach of the program from 1993-1998 and again in 2003 and 2005.

In 2000, Baba left his native Saskatchewan and his post as Executive Director with Baseball Saskatchewan for the nation’s capital and the role of Manager, Baseball Operations with Baseball Canada. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned to the role of Executive Director where he has overseen the federation’s Ottawa office operations for the last 21 years.

“When you think of Baseball Canada a select few names come to mind and Jim Baba is definitely one of them,” said Baseball Canada President Jason Dickson. “The impact he has had on baseball in Canada from his role as Executive Director has been immeasurable across all areas of our sport.”

During Baba’s tenure, Baseball Canada has achieved unparalleled success at the National Teams level in qualifying for a pair of Olympic Games (2004, 2008), the implementation of the Women’s National Team program in 2004 that sits today as the No. 2 ranked program in the world, winning back-to-back Pan Am Games gold medals (2011, 2015) for the men’s national team program and witnessing the growth of a Junior National Team program that is renowned as one of the best of its kind in the world.

On the grassroots side, Baseball Canada has introduced successful programs Rally Cap and Winterball for initiation players and coaches over Baba’s watch that are now widely popular throughout the country.

Baseball Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) has experienced tremendous growth over the last 20 years both in terms of the number of certified baseball coaches across the country and the way in which we register, track and deliver coach education.

Baba was one of the main players in Baseball Canada adopting Challenger Baseball for athletes with physical and cognitive disabilities in 2012 and seeing the program’s growth to today where a partnership between Baseball Canada, Little League Canada and Jays Care Foundation delivers programming to hundreds of Canadians each year.

Not only has Baba’s impact on baseball been felt across Canada but his reach extends globally through his work with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). A key figure with the international federation’s Technical Commissioners Team, Baba has instructed at “TC” clinics throughout the world and has been Technical Director at numerous Baseball World Cups, the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, both Premier12 events and is scheduled to serve as Technical Director for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

“It’s incredible to look at everything that Jim has played a role in during his time as Executive Director,” added Dickson. “The organization is in a tremendous place right now and we have him to thank for that.

“The respect that Jim Baba has in the Canadian baseball community and throughout the world is fully deserved and a testament to Jim as a person and how he’s conducted himself throughout his career with class and dignity.”

Baba is also a cherished member of both the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and the Moose Jaw Sports Hall of Fame.

A search for his replacement will commence in the near future with Baba transitioning into retirement by the end of the calendar year.

Baseball Canada

2023 BC Minor Baseball Association Coaches Conference Schedule

Published

1 month ago

February 10, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

2023 BC Minor Baseball Association Coaches Conference Schedule

By BCMBA, 02/10/23, 6:15PM PST

2023 BC Minor Baseball Association Coaches Conference

February 10th – 12th, 2023

Schedule of Speakers & Events

Source

Baseball Canada

André Lachance set to depart Baseball Canada

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

OTTAWA – Baseball Canada’s Business and Sport Development Director André Lachance is bidding farewell to his duties in the federation’s national office later this month as he accepted a role with Cirque du Soleil as their Director, Human Performance Services.

Lachance is also well known in Canadian baseball circles for his work with the Women’s National Team program as Manager from 2004-2018 and off the field as General Manager since 2019, a role which he will also be departing.

Lachance has spent the last 21 years with Baseball Canada.

“I’m certainly experiencing many emotions making this decision and coming to terms with the fact that I’ll be leaving an organization that I care deeply for,” said Lachance. “Looking back, you’re certainly proud of the work that you’ve accomplished but it’s the people that you meet throughout your career and the relationships made that I will cherish the most from my time with Baseball Canada.”

Lachance joined the organization early in 2001 as Manager, Baseball Operations and quickly made an impact with Baseball Canada’s National Championship events and National Coaching (NCCP) programs.

“Looking how far we’ve come with our coaching programs has really been amazing to see in not only how we’re able to deliver coach education opportunities but how many coaches across the country we’ve been able to impact,” said Lachance. “The efforts made by our provincial members and a dedicated group of learning facilitators has been tremendous.”

In 2003, Baseball Canada Director General Jim Baba approached Lachance about coaching the first-ever Women’s National Team with the inaugural Women’s Baseball World Cup set to take place in Edmonton in 2004.

“When Jim asked me to coach, I did not want to do it,” explained Lachance. “I was reluctant to take the job as coaching female athletes was foreign to me at the time.

“I can’t say enough how that decision to coach these talented athletes was one of the best decisions of my life both professionally and personally.”

Lachance led that 2004 squad to a bronze medal in Edmonton, the first of six world cups medals under his watch including bronze in 2006, 2012 and 2018 and silvers in 2008 and 2016.

He also assembled and managed the squad that won silver at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto where women’s baseball was part of a major, multi-sport games for the first time.

“The growth of women’s baseball has been amazing to witness since 2004 not only in Canada but throughout the world,” said Lachance. “I’m thankful to Jim (Baba) for his belief in me to run the program and am forever grateful to all of the athletes and coaches that given their all for the program over the years.

“The Women’s National Team program is in a terrific place and I’m going to be their number one fan for the rest of my life.”

Not to be forgotten, Lachance was at the forefront of Baseball Canada’s Rally Cap initiation program that began in 2006 and is now enjoyed by thousands of young athletes each and every year.

He has left his fingerprints on many areas of baseball across the country and will still stay close to the international game in roles of Chair, Development Commission with COPABE and as a member of the WBSC Women’s Baseball Commission.

“André has had an immeasurable impact on Baseball Canada at many levels from grassroots programming and coaching and of course the Women’s National Team where his efforts will leave a lasting legacy on the program,” said Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson. “André has certainly left Baseball Canada in a better place and has much to be proud of in what he’s accomplished over two decades. We wish him well in his new opportunity and know that he will impact his new workplace in a positive manner.”

Baseball Canada Championships

Chris Balison elected as Baseball Canada President

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2022

Dugout Wire Service

OTTAWA – Kamloops, British Columbia’s Chris Balison was elected Baseball Canada President last night at a Special General Meeting of the federation’s board of directors and executive committee.

Balison replaces now former Baseball Canada President Jason Dickson who’s held the role since 2016 until becoming Baseball Canada CEO last August.

“I’d like to congratulate Chris on the honour of becoming Baseball Canada President,” said Dickson. “I’ve had the chance to work with Chris in recent years and look forward to continuing that working relationship with the shared vision of the growth and development on baseball in Canada.”

Balison became president of Baseball BC in 2020 where he also assumed a spot on Baseball Canada’s Board of Directors. He is now the 12th president in Baseball Canada’s 58-year history dating back to 1964.

Amateur baseball has been a big part of Balison’s life who spends his working days as a Crown Prosecutor. He became president of Kamloops Minor Baseball in 2014 helping nearly double the association’s registration numbers, while also ensuring the game is inclusive and accessible by establishing local Challenger Baseball and female baseball programs.

“I thank Jason for his contributions as President and look forward to working with him in his new role as CEO,” said Balison. “He’s left big shoes to fill, but I am excited to lead Baseball Canada in our continued pursuit of excellence and innovation.”