Recently I had the opportunity to chat with Ray Carter the outgoing President for Baseball Canada and discuss his career and where Canada ranks in the baseball World.

Ray was upfront with his comments and as a true Canadian he is extremely proud when it comes to talking about Canada’s summer pastime.

Ray grew up in small town Canada called Cumberland, which is located on Vancouver Island south and west of Courtenay, but many know the area for the Armed Forces Base in Comox.

He played various sports as a youth and was encouraged to play, have fun and be a part of the sporting world in a town that offered very little at that time.

He eventually moved to the Delta located in the lower mainland, southwest of Vancouver which is where he currently calls home.

Ray began his long and illustrious career in baseball as a volunteer doing odd jobs and helping out when he was asked and eventually someone saw his  talents and gave him more work each and every week.

He never became frustrated or refused when asked, but rather he simply went unnoticed and did what was asked of him.

He eventually became President of Tsawwassen Amateur Baseball, them moved up to BC Minor, then VP of Baseball Canada and finally known as a man of many talents he was elected as President of Baseball Canada a job he has held for 16 years.

He has received acknowledgement and was inducted into the Delta Sports Hall of Fame, recognized for his lifetime Achievement Award Sport BC, Life membership for the Western Canada Baseball Association and most recently the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal.

When Ray has some free time he is a member of the Delta Police Foundation and a member of the British Columbia Police Board, but only in his free time!!

Ray is more than proud of the advancement Baseball has reached in Canada and the World, but most proud of what BC has produced as players at the pro level.

Asked is he could name one he is most proud of and simply put he mentions “there are far too many and to signal one out would not be fair to any others.”

He mentions that the success that Canada has on the world stage is mostly due to the volunteers who have helped our youth to achieve success and for him, it’s about giving back to the various communities in which we live.

Ray will be attending the 2017 World Baseball Classic in Florida and no doubt will probably be there to help out in some capacity when asked or prompted.

It should be noted that the first baseball game ever recorded in Canada was played in Beachville Ontario June 14th, 1838, but it wasn’t until 1871 that jimmy Wood became the first Canadian to play in the majors as a member of the Chicago White stockings.

Let’s not forget that Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run at Hanlan’s Point Stadium on what was then called Toronto Island.

I have to mention that for Ray to allow us the time to not only arrange, but conduct an in depth interview truly an experience and for that we are thankful.

It is with a privilege that I make mention that Ray is getting inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in June in St. Mary’s Ontario.

It might be a small town, but given the history of baseball in Canada, it holds a place in the heart of Canadians everywhere.

Congratulations to Ray on this prestigious induction award.