Kitchener - The Inter County Baseball Association (ICBA) is proud to announce a new Premier Baseball League of Ontario (PBLO) offering for 2022. Bringing together the top athletes from Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Stratford, Waterloo, and Woodstock, the Midwestern Ontario Bearcats will be rostered Baseball Ontario teams out of Kitchener, Ontario.
"Over the last several months, we have worked together at the ICBA table to bring forward this unique opportunity for the best players in our league starting at 14U. Players will proudly rerpesent their local centre as a member of their Bearcats team." - Brian Hawley, ICBA Chair, 14U Retention & Competition Committee
The Midwestern Ontario Bearcats will offer the following teams for 2022:
- 14U Academy (2008-born players)
- 15U Elite (2007-born players)
- 16U Elite (2006-born players)
In the years ahead, the program will grow to include a 17U and traditional 18U offering. All teams will roster with Baseball Ontario to compete each summer in provincial qualifying tournaments, and in elimination tournaments at 15U and 18U, using the best indoor and outdoor facilities in the region.
"The opportunity to participate in provincials and nationals was a key factor in our decision to join the PBLO as residency teams rostered with Baseball Ontario teams out of Kitchener. KMBA is proud to collarborate with out ICBA partners and provide administrative support for their program." - Ron Mooibroek, KMBA President
"All seven ICBA centres are at the table, working together to provide a wide range of options for our athletes. Whether it is our new Bearcats program, a local house league program, or anything in between, baseball in our region is flourishing and we look forward to sustained growth in the years to come." - Mark Schram, ICBA President
Don Campbell, President of the PBLO, had this to say about the recent expansion: "Kitchener is a natural landing spot for this evolving PBLO. Ask anyone who has been involved in top-level baseball in Ontario and mention Kitchener and you will immediately think Kitchener Panthers and their long and storied tradition."
"The PBLO is on a mission to build a true Ontario league offering kids and parents and affordable top-flight league with experiences of playing throughout our vast province so the kids can see it and experience quality baseball on the field. And we also want to offer a product where kids can pursue their goals and ambitions while enjoying everything playing Ontario-wide has to offer while encouraging tournaments to the States when it becomes safe."
For more information, visit the website: https://www.mobearcats.ca/