OTTAWA – Baseball Canada today announced that former Major League Baseball player and Olympian, Jason Dickson, will be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Dickson will assume the role held by outgoing Executive Director, Jim Baba, who is retiring by year’s end.
“On behalf of Baseball Canada’s Board of Directors, we’re pleased to introduce Jason Dickson as the new CEO of Baseball Canada,” said Baseball Canada Board member and Chair of the Human Resources Committee, Chris Balison. “After a thorough and extensive recruiting process led by Caerus HR Consulting, Jason stood out as the candidate who possessed the skills and attributes required to lead Baseball Canada into the future.
“His resume as a baseball player, administrator and executive combined with his extensive business background will serve him and the organization well in this new role.”
Born in London, Ontario and raised in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Dickson’s association with Baseball Canada dates back to 1991 when he helped Canada win a gold medal at the World Youth Baseball Championships in Brandon, Manitoba, that remains as the only world championship title in Baseball Canada history.
After attending the National Baseball Institute (NBI) in Vancouver, Dickson was drafted by the California Angels in 1994 out of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and so began a ten-year career in professional baseball that included parts of four seasons with the Angels and an appearance in the 1997 MLB All-Star Game.
In 2004, Dickson closed out his professional playing career by pitching for Canada at the Olympics in Athens, Greece.
His post-playing career has included a stint as the Executive Director with Baseball New Brunswick along with CEO positions at Sport New Brunswick, Mill Cove Nursing Home in Mill Cove, New Brunswick and recently at the YMCA of Fredericton.
He has also served on Baseball Canada’s Executive as Vice President from 2010 to 2016 and his current post of President since 2016.
“I’m honoured to be given this opportunity to lead an organization that I care deeply for and has given so much to me throughout my life,” said Dickson. “I’m thankful to the Board of Directors for placing their trust in me and I’m excited to help strengthen our already strong programs and grow the sport to new and existing areas.
“To be taking over from someone like Jim Baba, a man that I have a great deal of respect for, is truly an honour and I will be relying on his support and guidance as the organization transitions into this new role.”
Given his current role as Baseball Canada President, Dickson will hold both the President and CEO titles on an interim basis until a new President is determined.
“I feel that my experiences as a player, baseball administrator and executive along with my experience as a CEO will provide me with the tools necessary to thrive in this role with Baseball Canada and add to an already strong team at the national office in Ottawa,” added Dickson.
“I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead, working with the amazing people that make-up the Canadian baseball community and growing the sport of baseball across the country for years to come.”
