The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) announced its new commissioner on Tuesday.
Ted Kalnins, a 44-year-old Burlington native who now lives in Pickering, joins the IBL with work experience as a practising commercial litigation lawyer who has appeared before many courts and tribunals, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Court of Appeal of Ontario and the Federal Court.
"I am extremely honoured to accept the position of commissioner of the Intercounty Baseball League, being Canada’s oldest independent baseball league," Kalnins said in a news release. "From former major-leaguers such as Dalton Pompey, to international players from the U.S., the Caribbean, and South America, to younger prospects who are on track for the MLB Draft, the depth of baseball talent in the IBL has never been better.
"I greatly look forward to working with our owners and players in continuing to grow and enhance the IBL’s visibility and success," he added.
Kalnins brings first-hand experience of having played in the IBL for the Hamilton Cardinals (2001) and London Majors from 2006 to 2009. His involvement in the sport continued as a board member with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame from 2012 to 2017.
In addition to his legal practice, Kalnins is president of Scholars Education, an educational support franchise system that provides individualized tutoring programs for students of all ages, all grades, and in all subjects.
“We conducted a thorough search process and spent time with a deep pool of candidates from multiple areas of our industry,” said Ryan Harrison, IBL executive board member and president of the Welland Jackfish. “Ted is everything we were looking for. He brings an amazing track record of business success, a passion and deep understanding of baseball, and a clear vision of where we want to go as a league. He will be the perfect leader for the IBL and a welcome difference-maker in taking our league to the next level.”
The IBL, which includes the Barrie Baycats, is the top-level baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-major league professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. The 2022 season will mark the IBL’s 104th in operation.
For more information, visit www.theibl.ca.
