Ontario collegiate athletes permitted to play in CBL

OUA and OCAA players will be able to play in the Canadian Baseball League without having any impact on their remaining collegiate eligibility in Ontario. Photo: CBL

February 25, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

The Canadian Baseball League (CBL), Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) are pleased to announce that OUA and OCAA players will be able to play in the Canadian Baseball League without having any impact on their remaining collegiate eligibility in Ontario.

This follows the trend set by the CEBL and CPL, Canada's top professional basketball and soccer leagues, each of which permit a certain number of Canadian university/college athletes on their rosters without harming their eligibility to return to U Sports or CCAA competition.

"The OUA and OCAA have fantastic home-grown baseball talent. Their progressive policy toward the CBL will be extremely valuable to the top University and College baseball players here in Ontario, as they will be able to develop their talents during the summer against numerous players with MiLB/MLB experience, which will only further elevate the competition in their collegiate leagues every Fall", said CBL Commissioner, Ted Kalnins.

"OCAA baseball has benefited from CBL experience over the last 12 seasons. Continuing to compete against elite talent during the summer will better prepare our student-athletes for the collegiate season while increasing the competitiveness of OCAA baseball", commented Brian Lepp, OCAA baseball convenor.