IBL to go pro in 2026: Intercounty Baseball League rebrands as Canadian Baseball League
Photo credit: https://www.theibl.ca/
After a 106 years in operation, the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is getting a name change.
The league that includes the London Majors and Chatham-Kent Barnstormers is now known as the Canadian Baseball League (CBL).
«The transition from the IBL to the Canadian Baseball League is a landmark moment for baseball in this country. I'm very excited to lead the London Majors in this new venture.» said Major's General Manager and Co-Owner Roop Chanderdat.
CBL commissioner Ted Kalnins announces the rebranding of the Intercounty Baseball League
The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), which has been in operation since 1919, is pleased to announce that it is now a fully professional league that will hereafter be known as the Canadian Baseball League (CBL).
The Canadian Baseball League is, simply put, the best professional baseball league in Canada.
Last season, 64 players with either Major League Baseball (MLB) or Minor League Baseball experience suited up to play in the League, including former MLB All-Star and World Series champion Fernando Rodney, who pitched for the Hamilton Cardinals.
Last year also witnessed former Guelph Royals player Liam Hicks make the Major League roster of, and become an integral player for, the Miami Marlins.
Hicks hit his first career MLB home run off of Markham native Jordan Romano in a comeback win over the Philadelphia Phillies this year.
«Fan interest in our league has exploded to historic levels,» said CBL commissioner Ted Kalnins. «The quality of baseball has always been top-rate, with players drawn from across Canada, Latin America and Japan, but the main engine of our growth has been significantly enhanced fan experience, with fun in-game entertainment, contests, unique theme nights, and accessible players, all at a very affordable price for an entire family.»
In addition to the name change, there will be numerous other changes in store for the Canadian Baseball League in 2026, some of which will be announced in coming weeks.
The CBL's regular season will increase from 42 to 48 games, commencing the second week of May 2026.
Only five teams will qualify for the playoffs, thereby raising the competitive stakes of the regular season.
The fourth-place team will face the fifth-place team in a one-game playoff, followed by two best-of-seven series to determine the Dominico Cup champion.
The history of the Intercounty Baseball League will continue to be carried forward in every respect.
For the last year, numerous efforts were undertaken to research and consolidate historical information, photos and artifacts associated with the IBL's lengthy history.
Among other partners, the Hanlan's Point chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research has been assisting with this project, which shall continue to be a league priority.
«Our history is what made our future possible,» Kalnins said. «Now, the Canadian Baseball League is ready to write the next chapter in the Canadian baseball story - one that will create an even better, more engaging, more memorable experience for our players, our communities, and, most of all, our fans.»
All CBL games will continue to be streamed live on YouTube, but will now also be available, along with other league content, via Roku, FireTV, Apple TV, iOS and Android apps.
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