HISTORY OF NATIONAL MIDGET AAA BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The history of the National Midget Championship goes back to 1969, when Saskatchewan was the first province to host the event. The first medal recordings were in 1978, when Alberta and Saskatchewan took Gold and Silver respectfully. Back at that time, no records for Gold/Silver or Bronze medalists were established or recorded until 1979, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, when the host took bronze position in the championship. The first host to medal in Gold position was in 1984, when the host Moncton New Brunswick team accomplished the feat and then in 1985 the host team from Windsor Ontario, the Windsor Selects did. Only 12 hosts have ever medaled in the championship in Gold/Silver and Bronze positions since the recorded championships since 1979, showing how good the baseball is and how much talent there is from across Canada. In the past 32 years, Ontario has won gold 14 times taking the title home with 1 as the host champion, Quebec has won 7 times winning the title with 1 as the host champion, BC taking 6 titles, New Brunswick with 3 titles and 1 as a host champion, Alberta with 2 recorded gold medals and Manitoba with 1 gold. The last Midget Championship to be hosted in Saskatchewan was in Saskatoon in 1991, with the inaugural championship in 1969 as well. Multiple cities have hosted the event, such as Windsor ON in 1983, 1985 and 2003, Stonewall MB in 1995, 2000 and 2001, Moncton NB in 1981 and 1983, Red Deer AB in 1996 through 1999, Stettler AB in 1982 and 1986, St. Albert AB in 2002 and 2004, Trois-Rivieres QC in 1992 and 2005, Summerside PEI in 1993 and 2006 with the only co-host of Tignish PEI that year, 1993. The championship has been hosted in eastern Canada the past 7 of 8 years. With the east hosting 20 of the recorded championships since 1969 and the west hosting 15 of the past recorded championships since 1969. The Canadian midget championship has seen its share of players whom have made it to and had successful careers in professional baseball in the Major Leagues. During their midget years there was Terry Puhl of SK in 1973, Larry Walker played for BC in 1983, Matt Stairs of NB in 1984, Paul Spoljaric for BC in 1987, Jason Dickson for NB in 1990, Eric Gagne for QC in 1992, Justin Morneau and Jeff Francis for BC and Adam Stern for ON in 1997 and Micheal Saunders for BC in 2002. Saskatchewan has medaled 5 times in various standings during the championships but never as a Gold medalist, so bringing the championship to Saskatchewan and especially to Regina SK is quite special. It is a fantastic experience and the host, Regina Optimist Baseball Association and the Regina Optimist Park in Regina SK, is looking forward to hosting a great event and a fabulous championship for all these young ball players whom play at a very high caliber of baseball. We open our hearts and we hope your time spent here is a memorable and delightful experience and one that you will take home and tell others about all the special memories, great sights and its friendly people that you have encountered during the championship.
