April 9, 2021

By Adam Morissette

Baseball Canada

Short Hops is a weekly look at news and information that is of interest to the Canadian baseball community from the pros to the local sandlots!

Some massive news in the world of Canadian baseball came out yesterday when we revealed that long-time Baseball Canada executive director Jim Baba would be retiring from the post he’s held for over two decades by year’s end.

As expected, when the news hit the social platforms, organizations and people from the baseball world chimed in with their well wishes for Jim and personal stories for someone who’s spent his entire life playing, coaching and working in baseball.

This week’s Short Hops is dedicated to highlighting some of those tributes for a man who has earned the respect and admiration of many throughout his career.

We start in Saskatchewan, Baba’s home province via his hometown of Moose Jaw. Jim definitely influenced the game in the heart of the prairies for years as he scoured the province delivering coaching clinics while also holding the roles of technical director and executive director with Baseball Sask.

It’s incredible how many different organizations and people involved with different areas of baseball that Jim has worked with over the years. An “overwhelmed” Baba certainly felt the love and had the respect of many during his tenure.

Jim also has many friends in sports media who were eager to praise his efforts to grow and develop baseball in Canada.

As mentioned in the press release announcing his retirement, Baba not only impacted the game in Canada but is a key figure on the international baseball stage through his work with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

Enjoy your retirement, Jim! You have made an impact on many and have lifelong friends throughout the world!