February 19, 2020

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

Established in 1919, the Intercounty Baseball League has been entertaining fans in Southern Ontario for over a century.

With a list of notable Canadian alumni that includes John Axford (Simcoe, Ont.), Rob Thompson (Sarnia, Ont.), Pete Orr (Richmond Hill, Ont.), and Cooperstown inductee Ferguson Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) to name only a few, the summer circuit has served as both a launching pad and triumphant homecoming for some of the countries top talent.

Naturally, the league has always placed an emphasis on showcasing homegrown ballplayers.

That mindset started to sway when, relying on an impressive list of imported talent, the Brantford Red Sox kicked off a stretch of six consecutive Dominico Cup championships between 2008 and 2013. The Barrie Baycats followed in their footsteps, signing players from the Dominican while, at the same time, both the London Majors and Kitchener Panthers began leaning on Latin imports to help bolster their rosters.

Beginning in 2020, the IBL will limit the usage of imported talent to only four players per roster. In doing so, the league has placed a premium on both discovering and recruiting top Canadian ballplayers.

Aware of an opportunity, the Welland Jackfish, who finished the 2019 campaign with a respectable 19-17 regular-season record prior to being ousted by Barrie in the semi-finals, are looking to get a jump on their competition.

"If you count from Mississauga to Hamilton, there's a tremendous amount of talent in that corridor. But it's not within our catchment area in Welland," explained Jackfish Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Jason McKay.

"As a subscriber to the Canadian Baseball Network, I track Canadians in the pros, Canadians in college. I track them from their freshman years up to their Indy years, or if they get drafted. In doing so, I noticed that there's a lot of talent in Alberta and British Columbia. For us, it just made sense to go and take a look at what they've got out there."

Later this month, executives from the team will be flying out west to host a series of workouts in Calgary and Vancouver. Although the coaching staff has extended invites to a handful of area players, they encourage those interested in competing for a spot on the club’s roster to show up to the free event for a tryout.

"In Calgary, they have the great Western Canadian Baseball League. The Okotoks Dawgs out there are phenomenal. Vancouver has the University of British Columbia, who competes in U.S. College ball," he added. "It just made sense to go out west. We plan on going out east as well, next year."

In attendance for both workouts will be VP of Baseball Operations and General Manager Jason McKay (Carleton), Field Manager Brian Essery (Great Britain National Team), Third Base Coach Rick Pillitteri (Canisuis/ St. Bonaventure), and Canadian Talent Scout Colin Cummins (Canadian Jr. National Team).

"What we're after is that guy that's finished college. Maybe 24 to 26. He's clearly the best guy in his men's league. That's a jewel," said McKay. "What we can offer is a free place to stay, a living expense for food and travel. We'll fly you in, fly you out and have you play baseball in front of people who care."

In 2019, the Jackfish averaged anywhere between 800-1100 fans in attendance, per game, at Welland Stadium, a yard initially built for the Pittsburgh Pirates New York Penn League affiliate in 1989.

The team's success both on and off the field is what drove ownership to find new and creative ways of supplementing their roster with premium talent.

"The community has embraced this team like we've never seen," said McKay. "It's not professional ball, but it's definitely a professional atmosphere. We have mid-inning promos, and our games are live-streamed. We have Rod Mawhood, a professional broadcaster for the Niagara Ice Dogs, he does the announcing at our games. Last year was beyond all expectations, and now we have to meet those expectations year over year.

The club will be at the Absolute Baseball Academy in Calgary from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on February 28, and in Vancouver at UBC's Rose Indoor Facility from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 1.

- Follow Andrew Hendriks on Twitter (@77hendriks)