Antonacci: Baba’s Canadian ball hall honour “means the world” to his children

Longtime Baseball Canada executive Jim Baba (Moose Jaw, Sask.), who passed away in September, will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously in June. Photo: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

February 6, 2026

By J.P. Antonacci

Canadian Baseball Network

It seems everyone involved in Canadian baseball has a Jim Baba story.

Stubby Clapp’s favourite harkens back to the day the future Pan Am Games hero fell short in his first attempt to the make the men’s national team.

“I was the last one cut off the team, and Babs was the one who gave me the news,” Clapp recalled during a Feb. 5 press conference announcing him and Baba as 2026 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.

“I’ve always razzed him about it, but it was probably the absolute best news I could’ve got at that time,” Clapp continued.

“I still needed time to develop, and I just made it my mission to figure out how I was going to get better and play for that man.”

Melani Baba said her “assertive” and “stubborn” father knew his stuff and wasn’t shy to share his views, backed up by decades of experience in the game as a coach, general manager, executive and international administrator.

“He knew what he was talking about. He was confident and knowledgeable,” Melani said.

“But he cared a whole lot about what he did, and the sport of baseball, and the people he impacted and worked with and coached.”

Baba influenced scores of players, coaches and executives at all levels during his 30-plus years as a leader in Canadian baseball, starting in his home province of Saskatchewan and culminating in a 21-year run as executive director of Baseball Canada.

Along the way he assembled and coached national teams at international competitions like the Pan Am Games and Baseball World Cup, while also getting national programs like Rally Cap, Girls Baseball and Winterball off the ground.

“He had fond memories of being around the world and the friends that he made and contacts he stayed in touch with,” Melani Baba said of her father, who died of blood cancer last September.

“My dad put his whole life into baseball. Even until his last days, he was still contributing his thoughts and ideas to WBSC.”

Baba was a technical official for the World Baseball Softball Confederation at 25 international events, from Olympic qualifiers and the Women’s Baseball World Cup to the World Baseball Classic.

“Getting to go to Japan, Taiwan, those were definitely big memories for him,” said Melani, who spoke to reporters on behalf of her siblings, Jamie and Mitch.

Their mother, Penny Baba, died in November of lung cancer, two months after her husband of 45 years.

Melani Baba said the family appreciates the Hall of Fame’s recognition of their father’s lifelong devotion to Canadian baseball.

“It really means a lot to have him honoured in this way,” she said.

“We wish he could be here with us to see the honour, but it means the world to see the impact he’s made on baseball throughout Canada and the world.”

Baba was the same guy at home, on the diamond and in the boardroom, Melani added. He led with integrity, while not being afraid to deliver some pointed words – knowing as “beaking someone” – if he felt they were warranted.

“He gets away with it when it’s well-intended,” Melani smiled.

“Growing up with him, he was also fun and happy and loving, and always joking. So I would say confidence paired with being able to have fun and joke around, and get things done but also keep things lighthearted.”

Baba had a great recall for names and stories, and many people throughout the game can quote his wise words.

“He never forgot anyone he met. Definitely the people were big for him,” Melani said.

Just 69 when he died, the baseball lifer and doting grandfather surely had more to contribute to the sport and his family had he been granted extra innings on Earth.

Melani said her father was proud of how baseball had advanced in Canada during his lifetime and thanks in part to his devoted efforts.

“He’s proud of where it’s come from and where it’s going to,” she said.

“And he would be very honoured and proud to be inducted alongside the other inductees.”