The 2018 Kincardine Royals reunion included the likes of Clive Boutilier (parts unknown), Doug Pladsen (Burlington, Ont.), Dan Wilken (Kincardine, Ont.) and Steve McAllister (Prescott, Ont.).

January 22, 2024

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Next up is Part IV of the Canadian Baseball Network loyal subscriber series.

Of course, we are looking for the individual subscribers -- not underappreciating the likes of busy academies/schools/teams like the Okotoks Dawgs, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and the Terriers.

Elliott, Subscriber Series Part I, Joanne Brunner

Elliott, Subscriber Series, Part II: Noah Anderson

Elliott, Subsriber Series Part III: Monica McGarry

Name: Steve McAllister

Hometown: Prescott, Ont.

When did your love for baseball begin? “I played minor fastball in my hometown for one year when I was 8-9 years old, and eventually started playing in Little League. I played until senior with the Prescott Pirates and once saw an irate Ottawa-Nepean Canadians coach argue a foul ball call in extra innings. The umpire, Donnie Anderson, one of our most respected umpires, had shown to work the bases. The plate ump was a no show but Anderson did not have gear to work behind the plate. The Ottawa coach was kind enough to lend him a new set on shin guards. However, after the bad call to open the 10th he made a trip to the mound and yelled ‘Give us our pads back.’ Anderson ripped them off. It was a long drive back to the capital, as we won in extras. Then, I played four seasons with the Kincardine Royals in the early ‘80s during my first newspaper gig.”

What is your association with baseball? “I still follow baseball professionally in my role as editor-in-chief and podcast host of a website that covers regulated sports betting in North America.”

What is your most memorable moment? “Covering the Blue Jays’s first World Series championship in 1992 as the national baseball writer for The Canadian Press. Spending time at ballparks and on the road with some of the best sportswriters in the country - and more importantly, great people - is one of the highlights of my professional life.

What do you like most about the Canadian Baseball Network site? “I enjoy the player features on the Canadian Baseball Network site, which also allows me to keep tabs on the next generation of major leaguers.”

How did you initially hear about the Canadian Baseball Network? “Started following the Canadian Baseball Network because my good friend is editor-in-chief and I respect greatly what he’s done to mentor young journalists and to shine a light on baseball across our home and native land.”

McAllister, former sports editor of the Globe & Mail, hauled his glove out of mothballs to play in an 2018 alumni game Kincardine reunion. He was hitless (0-for-3) playing second base, but made like Garth Iorg, turning a double play with a two-hop relay to the first. Doug Smith (Niagara Falls, Ont.), hoops writer for the Toronto Star, was the third-base coach for the Tillsonburg Red Sox whom Kincardine played against at tournaments. McAllister still reminds his pal of Smith being ejected from a game in the Kincardine tournament.