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.
About Canadian Baseball League
The CBL is the top independent professional baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-MLB, MiLB and elite graduating NCAA college baseball players, including players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama and Japan. The 2026 season will mark the CBL’s 108th year in operation. The CBL is one of the longest continuously operated baseball leagues in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the CBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Chatham-Kent, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Toronto and Welland.
About Ontario University Athletics
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is a comprehensive university sport organization that sets the standard for amateur sport. The governing body for university sport in Ontario, the OUA spans 20 Member institutions across 22 sports, providing competitive opportunities for thousands of student-athletes across the province. The OUA is committed to promoting excellence in academics, athletics, and personal development through university sports.
About Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
For over 50 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.