By: Adam Morissette

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO- Jason Dickson was acclaimed as Baseball Canada President Wednesday morning at the organization’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto.

Dickson, from Miramichi, New Brunswick and a former American League All-Star with the Anaheim Angels, becomes the 11th president in Baseball Canada’s 52-year history as he takes over from Ray Carter who served in the role for the past 16 years (2000-2016).

“I feel honoured to be taking over from Ray Carter as Baseball Canada President and hope to bring the same passion and leadership qualities that he brought to the position,” said Dickson who represented Canada at the 2004 Athens Olympics. “It’s an exciting time for amateur baseball in our country and I look forward to playing a role in the growth and development of our game from the grassroots all the way up to our National Teams program.”

Carter took over as Baseball Canada President in the year 2000 and served eight consecutive two-year terms marking the longest tenure in the role in Baseball Canada’s history.

“What Ray has done for Baseball Canada in his 16 years as president has been nothing short of remarkable,” continued Dickson. “He led the organization with patience and passion and always had time for people no matter what role they served in the game.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ray for over 30 years and he will certainly be missed,” added Baseball Canada Executive Director, Jim Baba. “Ray is a man of character whose passion and love for both baseball and people shone through during his tenure as Baseball Canada President.”

Baseball Canada also elected two positions to its executive committee.

Taking over from Jason Dickson, as Baseball Canada Vice President is Don Paulencu of Sherwood Park, Alberta who was elected to the position, while Jody Frowley of Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia was elected as Treasurer. Frowley takes over the role from Holly LaPierre who held the title since 2012 and chose not to run for reelection.

All three members of the executive will serve two-year terms.

The AGM brought together representation from each of Baseball Canada’s 10 member Provinces to discuss the growth and development of amateur baseball in Canada.

The ten-member board of directors comprising one representative from each province is as follows:

British Columbia: John Berry

Alberta: TBD

Saskatchewan: Terry Butler

Manitoba: Tony Siemens

Ontario: David Huctwith

Quebec: Jean Boulais

New Brunswick: David Watling

Nova Scotia: Barry Gillis

Prince Edward Island: Don LeClair

Newfoundland: Kevin Legge

The next Baseball Canada general assembly will take place at the Fall Convention slated for October 26-29 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.