Canada is getting a new baseball team.
Photo credit: https://www.ballparkbrothers.com
Canada is entering the College baseball world. It was announced earlier today the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League is coming north of the border for the first time.
The Niagara Ironbacks are joining them PGCBL and will begin this June. Their home stadium will be George Taylor Field in St. Catharine's, Ontario.
Mayor Mat Siscoe made the announcement on his instagram page.
The city of St. Catharine's is no stranger to the game of baseball, having been home to the St. Catharine's Stompers - initially called the St. Catharine's Blue Jays - from 1986-1999.
The Stompers were, at one time, the short season A- affiliate of the Blue Jays, before moving to Queens, and then Brooklyn, where they currently exist as the Cyclones, the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets.
Several Blue Jays players of note have suited for the Stompers including Carlos Delgado, Pat Hentgen, and Vernon Wells. Former quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Chris Weinke also suited up for the team.
As the only Canadian team in the PGCBL, the Ironbacks will provide an opportunity for Canadians who play baseball for U.S Colleges to be able to rep their home country in the summer months.
The Ironbacks name is a tribute to the people of the Niagara region.The area was built and continues to grow because of the relentless hard work and iron-willed determination of its citizens. The community deserves a baseball team name that reflects the rich heritage and strong virtues of the region.
It may also be a nod to the Niagara Scow, a legendary shipwreck in the area.
