Warren Philp accepts the Flag at the U-18 Baseball World Cup

Warren Philp, Executive Director of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA), is pictured here accepting the flag for the U-18 Baseball World Cup.

The TBIBA has been chosen to host the 2017 U-18 Baseball World cup.  You will hear more about the Thunder Bay games as we get closer to September 2017.

Warren received the World Baseball Softball Confederation flag at the conclusion of the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka, Japan in August of 2015.

For more information, contact Warren Philp, Executive Director at 807-632-3998 mobile or visit www.worldbaseball2017.com.  Alternatively, on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/worldbaseball2017

TBIBA Thunder Bay Delegation Receives Flag at the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka, Japan

Thunder Bay Delegation to Receive Flag!

Media Release Osaka, Japan
Saturday July 29, 2015, 9:30 pm JT, 7:30 am EDT
The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) is pleased to announce that a delegation representing the city will receive the World Baseball Softball Confederation flag at the conclusion of the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka, Japan. The delegation is comprised of Warren Philp, Executive Director of the TBIBA and Canadian Honorary Consul Ushio Tsuda from Osaka.
“The flag presentation will mark a significant milestone in the planning for 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay,” stated Larry Hebert, President of the TBIBA. “Seven years ago, TBIBA representatives Warren Philp and Reg Galbraith received the flag at the end of the 2008 World Junior Baseball Championships from the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and Edmonton International Baseball Federation representatives leading up to the IBAF World Junior Baseball Championship in 2010.“

Read the rest of the press release here:Sept 5, 2020 Thunder Bay International Baseball Association Press Release

Gore Motors Honda Steps to the Plate to Sponsor the All Star Double Header on August 2, 1pm at the Port Arthur Stadium!

The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) is pleased to announce that the Japanese Canadian Baseball League All Star Exhibition Double-Header with the Thunder Bay Wolves 19U travel team, our 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup lead off event, will be sponsored by Gore Motors Honda. Games will take place at Port Arthur Stadium on August 2nd at 1:00 pm.

The games will feature an All-Star team from the Japanese Canadian Baseball League, a recreational baseball league in Toronto that has operated for 48 years. Currently the 10 teams in the League play Sunday games at Greenwood Park in Toronto through the summer months. The League is comprised of 75-80 per cent Japanese Canadians or Japanese men that are in Toronto as part of work assignments or as part of student exchanges. Thunder Bay will be represented by the Wolves, a 19U travel team who are members of the Thunder Bay Baseball Association.   Read More Here

TBIBA to Host Japanese Canadian Baseball League All Star Team

As part of their preparations for the 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup, the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) is pleased to announce they are hosting two games between a team made up of players from the Japanese Canadian Baseball League (JCBL) in Toronto and one from the Thunder Bay Baseball Association, the Wolves, a local travel team. Both games will form a double-header starting at 1:00 pm at the Port Arthur Stadium, Sunday August 2nd.

There is no fee for entry to the game.  Bring the family to see some great baseball!  Support your local Wolves and share in the excitement of a world class game right here in Thunder Bay!

“While the Japanese U18 National team was not present at the 2010 IBAF World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay, subject to qualifying, they will be present in 2017 as they have been at both the 2012 event in Korea and 2013 Worlds in Taiwan,” stated Larry Hebert, President of the TBIBA. “With Japan hosting the 2015 event in Osaka this August, the TBIBA has been working to strengthen their ties with the Japanese community in North America, especially in the Greater Toronto Area. These games in August exemplify this relationship building,” added Hebert.

“Our team is very excited about participating in the games in Thunder Bay and also to experience some Northwestern Ontario hospitality. Most of our players have not travelled far from the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario so the trip to Thunder Bay will represent a real unique thrill,” mentioned Koji Yamane, spokesman for the JCBL All Stars. The All Stars were represented at the media conference by Yugi Suzuki of the Thunder Bay Border Cats, whose older brother Daisuke Suzuki will be a member of the JCBL All Stars coming from Toronto.

Representatives of various baseball groups were present to participate in the announcement. The groups included TBIBA, TBBA, Thunder Bay Umpires Association, District 3 Little League, Lakers Travel Team Organization, Wolves Baseball Club and the Thunder Bay Border Cats. Furthermore, representatives from the City of Thunder Bay’s Sister Cities Committee and the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association were also present.

Special note: At the same time as this announcement, outside the Port Arthur Stadium, the TBIBA raised the flags of the 12 countries participating in the 2015 WBSC U18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka Japan this August. The flags of Canada, United States, Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Italy, Czech Republic, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan were raised. The flags will fly until after the tournament is over. Warren Philp, Executive Director of the TBIBA, will be attending the tournament in Osaka that will run this year from August 28th to September 6th.

Click here to view the press release:   TBIBA to Host Japanese Canadian Baseball League All Star Team August 2, 2021

TBIBA Donates to Three Groups for Baseball Development

TBIBA Donates to Three Groups for Baseball Development
Three baseball organizations will benefit from a fund established by the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) after the very successful 2010 World Junior Baseball Championships. Lakehead University Baseball Club, the Thunder Bay Border Cats, and the Thunder Bay Umpires Association will share $5,000 which represents the awards for baseball programming and development in 2015.

 

“While event hosting continues to be a primary focus of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association, the success of the 2010 World Juniors has allowed us to support baseball development in the community,” stated Larry Hebert, President of the TBIBA. “The TBIBA has now contributed $20,000 dollars in the last four years. All three groups receiving funds this year are to be commended for their efforts to sustain and grow the game of baseball in our community,” added Hebert.

 

The three groups receiving funds this year from the TBIBA include Lakehead University Baseball Club who will participate in the Partners in Sports Program with the District Catholic School Board and Lakehead Public School Board instructing Grade School students in the skills of baseball ($2950) ; Thunder Bay Border Cats who will run numerous youth baseball clinics this summer to help support baseball programming in the city ($1250); and, the Thunder Bay Umpires Association will receive funds for umpire development as they work to sustain and develop the important function of umpiring to support baseball at all levels in Thunder Bay ($800).  Every year, candidates are chosen and presented with funds to assist local baseball development programs in Thunder Bay.  The candidates are chosen based on an application process. The application deadline is in the fall of each year.

 

Representatives of the two groups were in attendance at the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame to receive cheques from the TBIBA. Jason Hart, Head Coach, Lakehead University Baseball Club, Brad Jorgenson, Owner/General Manager, Thunder Bay Border Cats and Ken Story of the Thunder Bay Umpires Association will be on hand to receive the cheques.

 

The TBIBA would also like to note that baseball programming in Thunder Bay will be on display at the Sports Dome during the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce “Outdoor Show” slated for the weekend of February 27th through March 1st. Drop by the display in the “Clubhouse” section of the show to catch up on what’s happening in the local amateur baseball scene.

Everyone Welcome!

The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association will be holding their Annual Meeting on Wednesday February 25th at the 55+ Centre, 700 River St. at 7:00p.m.

TBIBA is continuing their preparations for the 2017 IBAF 18U Baseball World Cup to be held here in Thunder Bay. For more information, email info@worldbaseball2017.com.

TBIBA Baseball Fund Application

The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) was formed in 2003 with the primary goal of bringing large regional, national and/or international baseball events to Thunder. Part of the proceeds from the hosting of the World Juniors are being used to establish the TBIBA Baseball Fund that is intended to fulfill the TBIBA’s goal of developing the game of baseball in Thunder Bay.

The fund will utilize an application process to challenge groups to come forward with ideas and initiatives to address the challenge of growing the game of baseball in Thunder Bay.  All applications must be completed, signed and submitted to the  TBIBA by December 19, 2014.

The goal would be to have baseball positioned higher on the list of options for youth aged 5 to 16 when it comes time to registration. It is hoped that not-for-profit groups or charitable organizations who organize community baseball events seek application to the TBIBA Baseball Fund.

 

Click this link for the TBIBA Fund Application Form 2015-1

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Thunder Bay to Host 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup

Download Media Release The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) is pleased to announce that the World Baseball Softball Confederation has chosen Thunder Bay as its host for the 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup. Participation from all baseball playing regions of the world, namely Asia, the South Pacific, Africa, Europe, North America, Central America (Caribbean) and South America is expected.  The biennial event will take place over eleven days in late August concluding on the Labour Day weekend in September, 2017. “The Thunder Bay International Baseball Association is proud to have been selected to host this high caliber international event for the second time. This day is a true testimony of the event hosting ability of the TBIBA and is a tribute to the high quality volunteers that step up to assist Thunder Bay event hosts like us to operate high profile events.” stated Larry Hebert, President of the TBIBA. “With the success of the 2010 World Juniors fresh in the minds of our citizens, the TBIBA looks forward to hosting another great event for Thunder Bay residents and visitors from near and far.” The 2017 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup is the re-branded version of the very successful IBAF World Junior Baseball Championships held in Thunder Bay in the summer of 2010. Since 2010, the event has been held twice, once in Seoul, Korea in 2012 and last summer in Taiwan.  The 2015 event will be held in Japan. The event has a long history going back to 1981. Since 2000, the 12 team event has been held every two years with the exception of one occasion and involves the 18 and Under National teams of member countries of the International Baseball Federation.  The tournament is regarded as a launching pad for players aspiring to play professionally. Players such as Larry Walker, Ryan Dempster, Russell Martin and Brett Lawrie are among the more than 50 Canadians who have participated in the event before moving on to sign professional contracts. The announcement from the TBIBA comes after many years of preparation and hosting experience that includes the IBAF World Juniors (2010), Warm Up to the Worlds (2008), Baseball Canada Cup (2004), Gore Motors Honda Nations Cup (2002) and the Three Nations Cup (2000) and five previous international bid attempts.  For more information on the TBIBA, go to www.worldbaseball2017.com. For more information, contact Warren Philp,  Executive Director Phone (807) 632-3998-cell, info@worldbaseball2017.com

TBIBA Donates to Three Groups for Baseball Development

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Three baseball organizations will benefit from a fund established by the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association (TBIBA) after the very successful 2010 World Junior Baseball Championships. District 3 Little League, the Lakehead University Baseball program and the Thunder Bay Umpires Association will share $5,000 which represents the awards for baseball programming and development in 2013.

“While event hosting continues to be a primary focus of the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association, the success of the World Juniors has allowed us to support baseball development in the community,” stated Larry Hebert, President of the TBIBA. “All three groups receiving funds this year are to be commended for their efforts to sustain and grow the game of baseball in our community,” added Hebert.

The three groups receiving funds this year from the TBIBA include District 3 Little League for their hosting of the 2013 Canadian Senior Little League Championships ($2,000), Lakehead University Baseball Program for their assistance with the baseball component of the Partners in Sport program that exposes students aged 9-12 to various sports ($2,000). The Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board and Lakehead University have spearheaded that program. Finally, the Thunder Bay Umpires Association will receive funds for umpire development as they work to sustain and develop the important function of umpiring to support baseball at all levels in Thunder Bay ($1,000). Every year, a new candidate will be chosen and presented with funds to assist local baseball development programs in Thunder Bay.  The candidates are chosen based on an application process. The application deadline is in the fall of each year.

Representatives of all three recipient groups will be in attendance at the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame to receive cheques from the TBIBA. Norm Randle, President of District 3 Little League and Dave Mack, Co-Chair of the Canadian Senior Little League Host Committee along with Jason Hart from Lakehead University Varsity Baseball and Ron Kowalchuk, President of the Thunder Bay Umpires Association will be on hand to answer questions from the media.

The TBIBA will also outline their recent efforts to host the 2013 IBAF 18U Baseball World Cup, recently awarded to Taiwan. For more information on the TBIBA, go to www.tbibaseball.ca.

2010 IBAF World Junior Baseball Championship Successes Presented to City Council

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A presentation by the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association to City Council on Monday night that included game tapes, photos, and audited financial statements focused on the successes of last year’s tournament and outlined a plan for dealing with the surplus that the event generated.

“Based on a number of factors including great weather, great awareness, reasonable ticket prices, and the fantastic success of Team Canada, we had between 45,000 and 50,000 people attend this event.  Together with the generous support of sponsors, we achieved a surplus for this event and the economic impact that was generated for the City of Thunder Bay and surrounding region is estimated to be between 6 and 7 million dollars”, indicated TBIBA’s Treasurer Doug Heath.

Warren Philp, Executive Director for the organization, spoke about the organization’s plans for the surplus.  “As per our agreement with Baseball Canada prior to hosting this event, we presented to them a cheque for over $47,000 which represented their share of the revenue that was generated.  In addition to keeping a reserve fund to help us organize future events, we’ve also started a local Baseball Development Fund as per our organization’s mandate.  We are happy to announce that our first recipient is Pro Kids, who will be receiving $5,000 earmarked for youth baseball programs.  Every year, a new candidate will be chosen and presented with funds to assist local baseball development programs in Thunder Bay.  The candidates are chosen based on an application process, which we are in the process of marketing now.”

Philp and Heath presented to the City a framed photo in appreciation of the support that was given to host this event and spoke about the legacy that the games have left.  “Baseball Central and Port Arthur Stadium both received hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital upgrades for this event.  This city can be proud, knowing it has two baseball complexes that are World class facilities.

Philp also spoke about a presentation made to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.  Included with that presentation will be the donation of various items from the tournament, including game tapes.

For more information on the 2010 IBAF World Junior Baseball Championship, go to www.worldbaseball2010.com.