Intercounty Baseball League shares details about 2022 season
Photo: Intercounty Baseball League
November 24, 2021
Official Intercounty Baseball League News Release
Mississauga, Ont. - The Intercounty Baseball League announced today that the league will operate with eight teams for the 2022 season.
The IBL will see the season commence on the weekend of May 20 and conclude on August 21. Each member club will play an expanded 42-game schedule with 21 games at home and 21 on the road, up from the traditional 36 game season.
The eight-team loop consists of the Barrie Baycats, Brantford Red Sox, Guelph Royals, Hamilton Cardinals, Kitchener Panthers, London Majors, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Welland Jackfish.
“We had a unique opportunity in 2021," said IBL commissioner John Kastner. "Because of COVID-19 we started later, played regular-season games in August and the playoffs in September. It wasn’t meant to serve as a pilot project but the conclusions were clear, it made for a better fan experience and that showed in the stands as we had great crowds.”
"It was unanimous to change the start, finish and length of the season."
The IBL Board of Directors also passed a motion to increase the roster sizes from 25 active players to 28.
The 2022 playoff format will see all eight teams qualify, with each round being a best-of-five series with an option to change the finals to a best-of-seven format.
More information regarding a 2022 regular-season schedule will be released at a later date.
The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is the top-level baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-major league professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. The 2022 season will mark the IBL’s 103rd in operation. The IBL 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 IBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Kitchener, London, Toronto, Guelph, Welland, and Hamilton.