Jim Baba to be inducted posthumously to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced the posthumous induction of former WBSC Technical Commission Chairman Jim Baba.

Born in 1956 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Baba devoted more than three decades to the growth and development of baseball in Canada and on the international stage.

Throughout his career, Baba’s greatest passion was coaching and he taught countless National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) courses.

In the early 90s, Baba began his association with Baseball Canada, coaching and managing national teams at international competitions, including at the 1991 Pan Am Games.

In 2000, Baba became Baseball Canada’s Manager of Baseball Operations prior to transitioning to the executive director position. Some of his most notable achievements as Executive Director included supporting men’s senior national team gold medal wins at the 2011 and 2015 Pan Am Games and overseeing the implementation of national programs like Rally Cap and Girls Baseball.

Between 2002 and 2021, he also served as a technical official for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) at 25 international events, including Olympic qualifiers, Pan Am Games, the Women’s Baseball World Cup and the World Baseball Classic.

When he passed away on September 12, 2025, Baba was serving as the WBSC Techinal Commission Chairman.

"We are incredibly proud of our dad and the impact he had on the baseball community across Canada," said Baba's family in a statement. "He poured his heart into baseball, and we are deeply grateful to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. While we wish he were here to experience this honour himself, it means so much to see his contributions recognised in such a meaningful way."

The Class of 2026 also includes Women's National Team star Kate Psota.

Born in 1986 in Burlington, Ontario, Psota started playing baseball with the Burlington Organised Minor Baseball Association (BOMBA), where she made the roster of a boys' AAA rep team at age nine. In 2002, she became the first female to be named the Baseball Ontario Junior Player of the Year.

She joined the Women's National Team from the very beginning in 2004 and represented her country internationally until 2021. She was on Canadian teams that won six medals at the Women's World Cup, including silver at the 2008 and 2016 editions. Psota earned All-World Team honours in 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2018. She is currently a coach on the Women's National Team staff.

"There is no better feeling than representing Canada on the international stage," commented Psota. "I have always been so proud to be associated with such an amazing group of women and our support staff."

The Class of 2026 also includes three former Major League Baseball (MLB) players.

Stubby Clapp (born in 1973 in Windsor, Ontario) is known as Captain Canada for his long commitment to the National Team, which included a U-18 World Champion title in 1991, a Pan Am bronze medal in 1999 and the Athens 2004 Olympics.
Clapp is currently the first-base coach of MLB's St. Louis Cardinals.

Devon White (born in 1962 in Kingston, Jamaica) is regarded as one of the greatest centre fielders of all time. He helped the Toronto Blue Jays win two World Series. He is currently a special assistant to player development in the Blue Jays organisation.

Born in 1944 in Oak Park, Illinois, USA, Bill Stoneman was the ace of the Montreal Expos in their early MLB days. He later turned into an executive.

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Veterans Committee has also elected former major league umpire Paul Runge.
Born in 1940 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Paul Runge was a highly respected National League umpire for parts of 25 major league seasons.

The Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys, Ontario, will host the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 induction ceremony on June 20.