01/18/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OBA Bans Umpires from Working FJSL Games, Raising Serious Concerns for Players, Officials, and Families Across Ontario. The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) has announced that none of its certified umpires will be permitted to officiate any Fergie Jenkins Showcase League (FJSL) games moving forward. This decision has drawn significant concern from the baseball community, as it directly impacts umpires, their income, and the players who depend on them for fair competition.
As a result, all FJSL teams will now hire and train their own umpires before the start of the upcoming season in May.
In addition to this restriction, the OBA is reportedly pressuring FJSL teams to become “OBA-compliant” by purchasing OBA insurance, paying association fees, eliminating 12U and under teams, and providing written assurances simply to participate. These demands come while the OBA continues to collect and retain the associated funds — a move many within the community are calling “unethical,” and potentially even unlawful.
Further complicating the issue, the Ontario government indirectly supports the OBA through targeted youth sports grants and community funding programs. This financial backing persists despite ongoing reports that the OBA penalizes players who take part in non-OBA leagues, including the FJSL, by suspending them from OBA-rostered teams.
These restrictive policies effectively limit opportunities for young athletes, reducing choice for families and constraining the growth of independent baseball programs throughout Ontario.
The FJSL and its supporters remain committed to providing a fair, accessible, and player-focused environment for youth baseball in Ontario.
There should never be politics in youth sports but OBA has chosen to make this political and unethical. Limiting umpires and their income.
Stay tuned for more information!
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fjslbaseball.com
