By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

The future of Canadian baseball has been on the rise over the past few years, and you can see the results on fields both in Canada and south of the border.

Over a 1,200 Canucks are playing for various post-secondary programs across the United States and another 700 in Canada, the number of pro minor leaguers continues to grow each season. Travel teams and academies from coast to coast continue to pop up, with skilled and experienced former players and coaches bringing those talents homeward bound. With this newfound success, another league emerged in Ontario.

While the Canadian Premier Baseball League and the Premier Baseball League of Ontario have dominated the central provinces in recent years, the folks at New Balance are trying to change the mould with their new Future Stars Series (FSS) Canada Scout League.

It’s a grassroots movement starting in Ontario and includes five teams in this, its inaugural season with the Durham Stallions, Mississauga Tigers, Ontario Kobras, Vaughan Vikings and the Midwestern Ontario Bearcats.

“For us, we started to really get the Durham guys to be able to play at a high-level close to home,” said Jeff Sharpe, general manager for the Durham Stallions. “This new league gave us the opportunity for a newer program such as ours to focus on developing players in this region—those who want to take their game to the next level. Youth who want more training and to play competitive ball.”

Greg Byron, head of college placement for the Mississauga Tigers is on the same page as Sharpe.

“For our organization, this represents a new opportunity to showcase the program against some top talent,” said Greg Byron. “(Sean) Travers and I have done the CPBL and the PBO before, and both those leagues are great in their own ways, but this new opportunity through the Future Stars Series aligns with the goals we’ve set for our program—to get our players competing through the window of opportunity in Canada during the summer months and get them prepared for post-secondary opportunities down the line.”

The development of amateur ball has been a priority for many pro organizations over the years, with high school players seeking new ways to showcase their skills on the diamond. For Canadians, that has meant playing with a travel team or finding a program under various umbrella organizations such as Perfect Game. Those at the top of their game have found themselves playing for the Junior National Team or in front of scouts at the Canadian Futures Showcase.

With the Future Stars Series branching into Canada this year, development remains at the forefront, and now includes the addition of advanced technologies and programs that take things to the next level when it comes to players’ futures.

This new loop will feature SmartPark technology at each of the five teams’ ballparks, along with other tech advancements such as Synergy, Infinite Sky, and Ntangible. These tools are complemented by FSS’s partnership with the NJCAA, focusing on development and predictive analytics under the JUCO wing that is spilling into the this league.

To the average fan, these programs and tools might go over their heads. But for those who break the game down frame by frame, trying to squeeze every ounce out of an at-bat or pitch, it’s a game- changer. With baseball becoming more analytical by the hour, there are clear advantages for programs willing to buy into what FSS is offering.

“All of the fields are getting these technologies put in place, and it not only helps with player development but also allows college coaches who subscribe to these programs to access all the data at their fingertips within a day,” said Sharpe.

Schedule for Canadian leg of May’s Scout Day events:

May 11 – Midwestern Ontario Bearcats; Jack Couch Field – Kitchener, Ont.

May 12 – Durham Stallions; Vaughan Grove Sports Park — Field 1 Woodbridge, Ont.

May 12 – Vikings; Vaughan Grove Sports Park — Field 1 Woodbridge, Ont.

May 13 – Ontario Kobras; Athletic Kulture Stadium – Minesing, Ont.

May 14 – Mississauga Tigers; Meadowvale Sports Park – Mississauga, Ont.

Mississauga North’s Greg Byron

Byron calls it a major advancement.

“We’re getting our players in front of coaches and scouts from across the US,” echoed Byron. “If a college coach isn’t able to attend one of our games due to scheduling, he can pull up specific counts, key moments, and everything in between from real, in-game footage. They’re able to evaluate players in real-time game action without having to leave their office.

“Coaches get all the angles they need to assess a player’s profile—at the plate, on the mound, and in the field. For programs looking to set these youth up for the next step, whether it’s development-wise or potential scholarships, it’s a huge step forward.”

For the Midwestern Ontario Bearcats, that connection between development and exposure to college coaches was a key reason for joining the league.

Midwestern Ontario Bearcats’ Mark Couch.

“We were approached by last summer after many successful seasons in the PBLO,” explained Mark Couch, president of the Midwestern Ontario Bearcats. “We wanted to provide more high-level exposure to our players in front of U.S. colleges, and FSS helps immensely with the technologies they bring to the field. These advancements feed through FSS to schools and scouting departments that subscribe to the programs, and that was an important factor in our decision to join.”

As for the league itself, the schedule is still being finalized as permits are secured and teams are confirmed for this season. The first pitch begins this Saturday with an intrasquad matchup featuring the Tigers. By next week, all teams are expected to be fully underway, playing at various facilities for approximately four to five games per week between the different teams.

The schedule will run from May through June, with teams branching out in July to compete on their own schedules. For example, the Stallions will travel southeast to Georgia and Louisiana, while the Tigers will head to Texas.

The goal is for all five teams to reconvene in August for a weekend tournament to crown a champion across the respective divisions. One key advantage is that all teams are located within an hour’s drive of the GTA, helping reduce travel time and expenses for families already investing heavily in youth sports.

Another notable development is the league’s division structure. Rather than strict age restrictions, teams will operate within three categories: Senior (17/18), Junior (15/16), and Prospect (14U). Players may move between levels based on skill and development needs, and the teams will manage these movements internally and hold each other accountable if things go awry.

The goal is to have as many competitive games as possible,” said Sharpe. “We want to avoid blowouts and instead reflect the strength of these teams as the season progresses. Our focus is on development rather than standings. Combined with reduced travel and overall expenses, this league brings a lot of positives.”

League plays still allows teams to make it trips south of the border.

“We can still do our own trips—like Texas or our fall schedule—while playing competitive ball during May and June without it costing an arm and a leg,” added Byron. “We understand that in the first year, there will be learning curves. But every program involved is focused on player development and exposure. We’re all on the same page, and that will help grow this league from a grassroots movement into something much bigger.”

The final number of teams across all divisions is still being determined, with estimates currently around 22. Previously, FSS operated in Canada primarily through scouting events, focusing on drills and highlight videos — something that is becoming less relevant over time. With the launch of the league, all five teams are fully invested in the development of players at the forefront, while being supported by modern technology and real-game exposure.

“his is great for baseball in Canada,” said Byron. “You only get so many months each year to play outdoors here. The more footage, games, and opportunities we can provide to develop these players and build the future, the better. That will always be a win.”

Shushkewich: Five-team Future Stars Series Canada Scout League set for 2026 season