‘It grows the sport’: Baseball likely to boom in Canada, despite Blue Jays’ heartbreaking World Series loss

Youth at a baseball training facility say the Blue Jays’ World Series run give them ‘real motivation’ to play for Canada. John Vennavally-Rao reports.

Despite a heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays’ historic postseason run has ignited something far more lasting than a championship: excitement for baseball among Canada’s youngest fans.

Baseball Canada is bracing for an increase in youth registrations for the upcoming season, a pattern that has played out before when the Blue Jays capture the nation’s attention.

“We’re anticipating that bump,” says Jason Dickson, head of Baseball Canada, the sport’s national governing body, told CTV News. The phenomenon played out following the Blue Jays’ World Series victories in 1992 and 1993, and again after their playoff runs in 2015 and 2016.

“We’re really excited to see what that does for next year, and hopefully more kids get the baseball bug and want to sign up,” Dickson added. “We’re always looking to grow the sport and have more people participate.”

Growing Canada’s baseball identity

The sport is already thriving north of the Canadian-U.S. border. Baseball Canada reports 24 Canadians played in at least one major league game this year, including the Seattle Mariners’ Josh Naylor, who hails from Mississauga, Ont. and the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who was born in Montreal.

Another 92 Canadians competed in the minor leagues, with around 1,200 playing in U.S. college ranks. According to Baseball Canada, there are 230,000 registered players nationally, with a significant portion under the age of 15.

“I think Canadians are starting to understand or root for their Canadian players. And I think our identity is really starting to shine,” said Dickson.

The growth isn’t limited to boys. According to Dickson, the girls’ side of the game has seen remarkable expansion, with approximately 25 per cent growth over the last couple of years. He also believes the Blue Jays’ recent run may inspire more newcomers to Canada to try the sport or enroll their children.

The challenge of success

While the anticipated surge is welcome news, Dickinson says can present logistical hurdles.

“It creates some capacity challenges for us to be able to handle all the people that want to start to play baseball,” he acknowledged. “But that’s a good problem for us to have.”

Field capacity concerns aside, local organizations like the Fieldhouse Pirates Baseball Club in Burlington, Ont. are ready to embrace an influx. Bob Hooper is president of the club which serves 200 players aspiring to the college and professional level.

“We’ll see big uptick in interest for baseball, for sure. It grows the sport,” Hooper told CTV News. He believes the Blue Jays’ style of play, which is built on teamwork, sacrifice and players supporting each other, provides the perfect teaching model for young athletes.

“The fact that they’re willing to sacrifice themselves, they’ll put bunts down, they’re playing as a team. That’s how we teach it.”

Hooper notes that every young player has found a hero on the roster, whether it’s Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, George Springer or Trey Yesavage. He’s even noticed some of his players mimicking Yesavage’s throwing style.

“Some of these guys are 10 years old and they’re dreaming that they could be the next 22-year-old playing on that field,” Hooper observed.

While acknowledging Canada’s hockey heritage, Hooper hopes the Jays’ remarkable run in the World Series further establishes the country as a baseball nation, too.

Dreams taking root

The real impact is visible in the eyes of young players who see their dreams as even more attainable. Thirteen-year-old Jaxon Martin, who has been playing since age five, says the playoff run gave him new perspective.

“It just made me like baseball more,” Martin explained. “It gives me extra motivation to come in here,” adding that he admires how the team “has a lot of heart” and played like a family.

For 11-year-old Matteo Ricci Hosein, who has also played since he was five, the goal is crystal clear: He wants to play for the Blue Jays.

“Even if I was in the majors and getting more money somewhere, I’d still want to play for the Jays. I want to play in the Rogers Centre,” he declared. He says his favorite player is Guerrero Jr.

“I’ve always liked him since I was really little. I just love him. He’s kind. He’s a great player.”

Eleven-year-old catcher George Hooper found the nationwide focus on baseball inspiring. Seeing a Canadian team succeed made his own aspirations feel more realistic.

“It makes me feel like that if they can do it, why can’t I?” he said. “Let’s see where it takes me and how far I can get.”

Fifteen-year-old Reid Ferlin shares similar ambitions.

“It motivates me so I can get to that level and play for the Jays, and represent the country, too.”