It may be the recent Toronto Blue Jays run at the World Series, but Ottawa (and Canada in general) is buzzing about baseball. We took at brief look at Canadian baseball history and its impact on our local sports scene.
The first baseball game recorded in Canada was played in Beachville, Ontario on June 4, 1838. Many Canadians, including the staff of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys, Ontario, claim that this was the first documented game of modern baseball, although there is no concrete evidence to confirm this. As the game progressed, many different rules were adopted and have shaped the game we know and love today.
Even though the only Canadian Major League Baseball team is the Toronto Blue Jays, the sport is very popular in the City of Ottawa. Ottawa’s baseball history dates as far back as 1898, when the Eastern League’s Ottawa Wanderers took the field in the nation’s capital. The Wanderers transferred to Ottawa in the middle of the 1898 season from Rochester, NY. Their time in Ottawa was very brief as the team folded at the end of the season, but it opened the door for future clubs to find their way into Ottawa.
As more time passed, Ottawa would see professional baseball teams such as the “Ottawa Senators”, “Ottawa Giants/Athletics”, the “Ottawa Lynx”, the “Ottawa Rapidz” and, finally the “Ottawa Fat Cats”. After a brief time with no team, the City finally brought in the most recent Can-Am Baseball League team, The “Ottawa Champions”, which took the field this past May.
Although semi and professional baseball often take the spotlight, there are many competitive and recreational leagues in the City of Ottawa. Children are introduced at an early age, adults are brought together and through the love of the game- sport is born. If you are looking for an exciting and fun sport to try, check out some local teams– and have fun!