Windsor pitching plans to roster high level baseball squad

CTV News

a day ago

Windsor is in the running to play host to a team in the Intercounty Baseball League.
The independent league is looking at expanding to 10 teams, and the Rose City is a contender, according to Ted Kalnins, the league commissioner.
'It's a good time for the game of baseball in Ontario, and Windsor has certainly a couple parties who expressed some interest,' Kalnins told CTV News.
The IBL already has teams in Toronto, Barrie, and London, with players from around the world.
Kalnins said the league's recent success and interest from varying markets leaves them 'ripe' for expansion.
'In terms of the demographics, the population size, I mean, it really is a great place for us to be and extend our reach,' he said. 'So, with Windsor and its size, its interest in sports, long history of just great baseball, we think is a good market to be in.'
The league could benefit from having two five-team divisions to create 'geographic efficiencies' and greater rivalries, Kalnins said.
Fans in Windsor don't have to look far to see the IBL's most recent expansion, with the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers proving to be a success story in southwestern Ontario.
However, one barrier to an increased baseball presence in Windsor is the need for an appropriate stadium.
Attendance that exceeds seating capacity has pushed the Barnstormers to add more seats at their stadium.
Mic Mac Park
Windsor's Mic Mac Park on June 28, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)
Both Windsor's Mic Mac Park and Lacasse Baseball Park in Tecumseh would require added seating. Existing agreements with the region's many existing baseball leagues could also create scheduling difficulties.
'We have had a team in Windsor many moons ago at Mic Mac Park in Windsor, but it has since removed some seating, so there would need to be added seating for sure,' Kalnins said. 'What Windsor and Tecumseh have going for themselves is two very suitable fields that do need a little bit of upgrades.'
Facilities are needed to accommodate changerooms for umpires and players, as well as concession stands for spectators.
Kalnins said they will want prospective teams to present their business plan and vision to the IBL's executive team.
While there's hope a team could be fielded by 2026, depending on the changes needed to facilitate the game, it could take until 2027 to see any plans come to fruition.