National Team alum Tim Kroeker took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions from Baseball.ca about playing with the National Team in the early 90’s, his current occupation as a teacher in his hometown of Saskatoon and his other job of being a CFL referee.
Tim Kroeker grew up playing baseball in Saskatoon coming up through the provincial program where he was coached by current Baseball Canada Director General, Jim Baba and former President of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Tom Valcke among others.
After a try-out in 1988 with the Junior National Team, Kroeker represented Saskatchewan at the 1989 Canada Summer Games before heading down to the United Sates where he played baseball at 3 different schools bringing him to North Carolina, California and Louisiana between 1989 and 1993.
Once he graduated, Baseball Canada called with an invite to play for the 1993 National Team where they went onto a bronze medal at the World University Games in Buffalo.
“I started with the National Team in 1993 for the world (cup) qualifier and World University Games,” said Kroeker. “Following that I played in 1994, in a tournament in Nicaragua that has memories for many reasons, and in 1995 where he suffered a heartbreaking loss to Nicaragua in the Olympic Qualifier.”
The coaching staff in 1993 included Jim Baba and Greg Hamilton, while the 1995 team had future big-leaguers Jeff Zimmerman and Eric Gagne on the pitching staff.
“Gagne was young and fearless out there,” recalled Kroeker.
“We had our shot at the Olympics and fell short with a heartbreaking 5-3 loss to Nicaragua and that was it for me.”
A particular memory that comes to mind when asked about his playing days came with the 1995 club when they went on a ‘barn-storming’ tour across Canada prior to the qualifier.
“We started in Windsor and pretty much played in every major city all the way to Kelowna,” explained Kroeker. “We were welcomed in every city we went to and got the sense that all of Canada was behind our team which was really special.”
Off the field, the team became a close-knit group on long bus-rides and staying in hotels where euchre games were popular among players and staff.
“It was usually Ryan Ferby and me against Babs (Jim Baba) and Hammer (Greg Hamilton),” said Kroeker with a chuckle. “They’ll still contend that they have the belt, but that’s highly disputed.”
After his playing days ended, Kroeker began teaching in 1995 and shortly thereafter began refereeing minor football on the side.
He progressed through the three levels of officiating and was refereeing CIS Football (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) when an opportunity to work in the CFL came about.
“Being from a non-CFL city I never thought that working (in the league) would be an option,” explained Kroeker. “I was approached in the spring of 2006 with the opportunity and thought I’d give it go, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Kroeker will begin his 8th season this summer in his role as Head Linesman. He worked his first Grey Cup in 2008 where Calgary defeated Montréal, in Montréal, and was part of the officiating crew at the 100th Grey Cup last November as the hometown Toronto Argonauts defeated the Calgary Stampeders.
“I really enjoy officiating – it makes me feel as though I’m part of a team again,” he said. “Whether it be baseball, basketball or football you’re on a team and the camaraderie with the guys is a big part of it.
“I’m not (officiating) to make a living – I love the pressure and working together as a team towards a common goal.”
When he’s not on the gridiron, Kroeker spends his time with his family and teaching a Grade 6, 7, 8 Alternate programs in Saskatoon. Although he’s not directly involved in baseball, he still keeps a close eye on Baseball Canada’s National Teams Program and still keeps in touch with some of the players and coaches he wore the Maple Leaf with.
“There are a few guys that I still keep in touch with like UBC Coach Terry McKaig, Rob Barber and Jim Baba from Baseball Canada,” he said.
Along with many Baseball Canada alumni, Kroeker was keeping close tabs on the National Team earlier this month at the World Baseball Classic.
“I saw (Business Manager) Bernie Soulliere in the dugout and it was great to see him still involved with the program.
“Once you wear the maple leaf you always want to see how the team is doing.”
