R.I.P. Ian Mosher

Legendary Kentville, N.S. coach Ian Mosher has passed away.

February 24, 2022

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Legendary Kentville, N.S. coach Ian Mosher passed away on Tuesday after a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is widely known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Mosher was 63.

He had been diagnosed with ALS in October 2020.

“Coach Mosher was a massive contributor to baseball in this province, and specifically the Kentville area. An instrumental part of the Kentville Wildcats organization for decades, Ian will be remembered as one of the most well respected coaches in the province’s history,” said Baseball Nova Scotia in a statement.

Born in Wolfville, N.S., Mosher was involved as a player and coach with the Kentville Wildcats since their first Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League season in 1977.

In 1985, as a player, he was named league MVP and propelled Kentville to a national championship. He soon expanded into the dual role of player/coach before hanging up his playing spikes to focus solely on head coaching duties. He was part of the organization until 2017.

In 2021, the Wildcats inducted him into their Hall of Fame and retired his number 29.

Mosher served in a variety of baseball roles in his home province, including coaching youth teams. A large number of the kids he coached are now active in baseball.

“My greatest source of pride at this stage in my career is not my accomplishment… it’s the fact that so many of my former players are coaching,” Mosher told the Annapolis Valley Register. “That is the most special thing for me.”

Mosher was honoured with Baseball Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award in December. This award is handed out annually to a coach who has “made a positive, long-time contribution to coaching baseball in Canada at the local, Provincial, National and/or international level . . . and have demonstrated outstanding leadership, performance, and guidance as a baseball coach throughout their coaching career.”

“We extend our condolences to Ian's loved ones and the baseball community in Kentville,” said Baseball Canada is a statement. “Ian was recognized with our Lifelong Coaching Award in 2021 and his impact on baseball in Nova Scotia and those he coached will be his lasting legacy.”