April 29, 2024

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

It’s a feeling, a sound you don’t forget.

No matter how young or how old … when the victory horn, echoes through the Rogers Centre people stand and cheer. No matter that the fans are full of hotdogs and cracker jacks and sticky helmet ice cream. They all stand in support of the Toronto Blue Jays registering another big W.

It stays with you, and the stats prove it.

A win for the Toronto Blue Jays is also a win for the future of the sport in Ontario.

Having a competitive team to support, role models to look up to, a dream to strive for, is key for youth in the province wondering if baseball — or another sport — is the right fit.

When the Blue Jays do well, the Ontario Baseball Association sees an increase in interest in its programming, said Mary-Ann Smith, executive director, Ontario Baseball Association.

From 2022 to 2023, the number of players registered jumped more than 15,000. Specifically, the OBA increased its registration from 55,837 players to 71,487 players.

In addition to Smith, the office staff includes Enza Finnie, operations coordinator; Kaira Bates, programs coordinator; Rita Dupon, programs associate and Ryan Harrison, marketing and communications specialist.

That’s also up from 2021, where there were 54,450 players, and from 2020 -- the COVID-19 pandemic season when opening day was June 30 for most teams -- where they had just 21,311 players registered. Although they’re still working to get back to their pre-covid numbers, “they’re getting there,” Smith said.

With more players signing up, it means athletes get to see a higher level of ball.

“One of the benefits of increased participation is increased competition levels,” Smith said, known far and wide as Madame President in OBA circles due to her hard work. “Creating more opportunities for players to participate to their full potential can lead to opportunities on provincial and national teams, college scholarships, and even pro opportunities.”

There are a handful of current Ontarians who successfully pursued pro opportunities and reached the majors (in 2023-24), including Jays closer Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.) who just picked up his 100th big league save, Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.), Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.), Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.), Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.) and brothers Josh and Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) Josh was last year's Tip O'Neill Award winner as Canada's best player.

The number of female identifying players in the province has also seen a jump over the last few years. In 2019, they represented just one percent of rep and selected roster players but have more than doubled their presence at ball diamonds in the province since. As of last year, they represent three percent of players.

Seeing women and girls involved in other sports is beneficial to that progression, with the WNBA, PWHL and NCAA, Smith said.

The increase they’re seeing includes umpires and coaches. In 2019, the number of female identifying umpires was four percent, and coaches just two. By 2023, that increased to five percent for female coaches and umpires.

Baseball Ontario is also helping lead that growth with a number of different female programming opportunities, Smith said, offering discounts and free training for new female coaches and umpires.

“We promote female baseball as an important part of driving club membership at all levels,” she said. “Players, coaches, umpires, administrators to our member associations.”

They expect to continue to see growth over the next few years, as more youth in the province pick up baseball.

“Baseball is a wonderful, well-rounded game that’s perfect for every ability, size and gender,” Smith said.

And if you’ve ever been to a game at the Rogers Centre, and walked among a diverse crowd of fans, all clad in white and blue, you know.

What she said is true, on, and off the field.

Young, old, men, women, toddlers, teenagers, small, large, tall, short, diehard, or just diehard for the stadium beers.

Baseball is a beautiful game for every ability, size and gender.