The Lifelong Coaching Award is awarded to a coach who has made a positive, long-time contribution to coaching baseball in Canada at the local, and has demonstrated outstanding leadership, performance and guidance as a baseball coach throughout their coaching career.
2024 - Gaétan Gagnon, Trois-Riviéres, QC
Gaétan has made an extraordinary contribution to the sport of baseball in Canada, dedicating nearly 40 years of his life to coaching and mentoring young athletes at various levels of the game. Gaétan is the president and founder of Baseball CRM, an organization that has been managing the Sport-Études program at both the secondary and college levels in the Mauricie region since 2008. For over 12 years, Gaétan has been a vital part of Baseball Québec’s AAA development network, where he has consistently demonstrated his exceptional coaching abilities, leadership, and passion for the sport. His role in shaping and developing young players in this elite program has been invaluable. Gaétan’s impact extends beyond the field, as he also served as a scout for the Atlanta Braves for 12 years. His keen eye for talent and his understanding of the game have been instrumental in the development of many players who have achieved success both nationally and internationally.
2023 - Rob Myrden, Corner Brook, NL
A constant figure both on and off the field in Corner Brook, Rob has been coaching for over 45 years spanning every level possible and holds the title of coaching the most teams in the history of his local association and possibly the most teams in the history of Baseball Newfoundland & Labrador. Coaching at numerous provincial, Atlantic and National Championships over the years, Rob’s coaching resume is matched by few. However, it is the impact that he has had on the baseball community of Corner Brook that would be the real reason he deserves this award. Rob has been the Head Coach for the association overseeing the entire baseball program and he has been a mentor to countless coaches. To quote former Corner Brook Baseball President and former VP of Baseball NL, Kevin McCarthy , "I would say that Rob Myrden coached every player who played baseball in Corner Brook for the last 30 years". Just a few short weeks ago he coached what is thought to be his final game and leaves his coaching post with what so many aspire to do: Leave something better than when you found it and have the respect of many after a job well done!
2022 -
2021 - Ian Mosher, Kentville, NS
2020 - John Haar, Vancouver, BC
Each year the Baseball Canada Coaching Operations Committee will award a Grassroots Coaching award to each province. This award will be given to grassroots coaches who have demonstrated a positive coaching approach through the year, adhering to the LTAD principles, put forward some innovative developmental ideas while creating a fun environment for the young players. Performance should not be a factor, as we are looking for coaches who have been an excellent role model while encouraging players to return to the game of baseball next season.
2024 Winners
Province | Grassroots Coach Award Winner |
---|---|
BC | Not awarded |
AB | Dion Barry - Fort McMurray, AB |
SK | Dante de Caria - Regina, SK |
MB | Derek Helgason - Winnipeg, MB |
ON | Darryl Silverstein - Thornhill, ON |
QC | Mathis Lemieux - Drummondville, QC |
NB | Scott Nealis - Moncton, NB |
NS | Ashley Helmkay - Dartmouth, NS |
PE | Trevor Mackenzie - Montague, PE |
NL | Greg Whelan - Pasadena, NL |
2023 Winners
Province | Grassroots Coach Award Winner |
---|---|
BC | Serj Sangara - Richmond, BC |
AB | Josh Gryschuk - Mannville, AB |
SK | Trevor Weir - Regina, SK |
MB | Jack Bell - Headingley, MB |
ON | Marco Bianchi - Toronto, ON |
QC | Jean-Philippe Landry - Mascouche, QC |
NB | Dave Barr - Fredericton, NB |
NS | Craig Field - Cole Harbour, NS |
PE | Shawn MacDougall - Stratford, PE |
NL | Rob Kelly - Gander, NL |
2022 Winnners
Province | Grassroots Coach Award Winner |
---|---|
BC | Marty Beyers - Langley, BC |
AB | Trevor Anquist - Irma, AB |
SK | Tyrel Hansen - Weyburn, SK |
MB | John Magarrell - Domain, MB |
ON | Scott Robinson - Whitby, ON |
QC | Mélanie Blanchard - Terrebonne, QC |
NB | Marisol Beaudry - Moncton, NB |
NS | John Murray - Amherst, NS |
PE | |
NL | Stephen Gosse - Grand Falls Windsor, NL |
2021 Winnners
Province | Grassroots Coach Award Winner |
---|---|
BC | BC Girls Baseball Program |
AB | Darcy Warawa - Lacombe, AB |
SK | |
MB | Kelly Wien - Kleefeld, MB |
ON | |
QC | David Gagnon - Montréal, QC |
NB | |
NS | Glenna Ingraham - Antigonish, NS |
PE | Jonathan Bastedo - Vernon Bridge, PE |
NL | Brian Drover - Conception Bay North, NL |
The Lionel Ruhr Coach of the Year is awarded to an individual acknowledged to have demonstrated outstanding leadership, performance and guidance as a baseball coach. Candidates for the awards are evaluated on a number of criteria including level(s)/ caliber of baseball coached, team performance and recommendations from Provincial Presidents or Coaching Coordinators.
2024 - Sean O'Brien, Innifil, ON
The impact that Sean has had on Ontario’s women’s program is immeasurable dating back to the inception of the program two decades ago. Having coached Ontario’s entry to 15 consecutive medals including 10 gold medals at the Women’s level from 2006 to 2022, Sean added to that tally in 2024 with Bronze at both the 21U and 16U national championships. His work as a coach extends beyond the Provincial program as he’s a member of the Female Baseball Committee in Ontario, oversees the Canada Games program where female baseball will make its debut next summer and is also the Lead Instructor at Baseball Ontario’s Girls Baseball Camps. Sean’s busy 2024 also saw him ID athletes for 3 teams that competed at the Ontario Summer Games where he led one of the squads to a bronze medal.
2023 - Mark Healy, St. John's, NL
Mark has been a constant force with the Women’s baseball program in Newfoundland and Labrador for a number of years and continued to lead the program in 2023 as the lead coach for High Performance Program. In addition to this role, Marke was Head Coach for NL’s 21U Women and 16U Girls provincial program where he led the 21U squad to a respectable 6th place finish at nationals while guiding the 16U program to its best finish ever at a national when they reached the semi finals eventually placing fourth. Mark’s work with women’s baseball is being felt throughout the province and will continue to have an impact for years to come.
2022 - Ashley Stephenson, Mississauga, ON
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A summer for the ages, Ashley Stephenson’s coaching resume was unmatched in 2022. In July, she became the first woman to manage a Canadian national baseball team when she led the Women’s National Team at the Friendship Series in Thunder Bay to two wins against Team USA. She also coached Ontario entries at the Women’s Invitational and 16U Girls Championships and in August was a guest instructor of the Toronto Blue Jays at their Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Florida. Ashley also went above-and-beyond working Girls Baseball Camps for Baseball Ontario and in September became the first woman to coach the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase in Ottawa.
2021 - No winner awarded
2020 - No winner awarded
2019 - Rob McCormack, Richmond, PE
2018 - Cavanagh Whitely, BC
2017 - Faron Asham, MB
2016 - Sheen Bromley, AB
2015 - Greg Brons, SK
2014 - Shawn Schaefer, BC
2013 - Mark Noël, NB
2012 - Maxime Hockhoussen, QC
2011 - Mike Krykewich, MB
2010 - Gautam Srivastava, BC
2009 - Joël Landry, QC
2008 - Mark Noël, NB
2007 – Roger Anholt, SK
2006 – Jason Chee-Aloy, ON
2005 – Rick Johnston, ON
2004 – Richard Émond, QC
2003 – Todd Plaxton, SK
2002 – Joël Landry, QC
2001 – Remo Cardinale, ON
2000 – Dennis Springenatic, BC
1999 – Martin Pouliot, QC
1998 – Marty Lehn, BC
1997 – Greg Hamilton, ON
1996 – Marc Picard, ON
1995 – Bob Gillis, NS
1994 – Jim Fink/Neil Hogg, SK
1993 – Gary Blouin, BC
1992 – Éric Laforest, QC
1991 – John Haar, BC
1990 – Bernard Hénault, QC
1989 – Richard Émond, QC
1988 – Bill Green, BC
1987 – Marc Picard, ON
1986 – Louis Dupuis, NB
1985 – Al Robertson, MB
1984 – Eric Mackenzie, ON
1983 –Jim Ridley, ON
1982 – Richard Couturier, QC
The Baseball Canada Coach Developer Award was handed out annually to an individual who has demonstrated commitment and excellency in the delivery of NCCP coach education to baseball coaches in their residing province.
2021 - Greg Williams, Mount Pearl, NL
2020 - Anthony Pluta, Victoria, BC