A Tribute to Alan Waffle: Director, Past-President of Royal York Baseball League Inc.

It is with deep sorrow and immense gratitude that we remember Alan Waffle, who passed away on February 19, 2025. His legacy, built on the foundation of dedication, hard work, and a genuine love for the sport, will continue to resonate for generations to come. From his vision in establishing the Royal York Baseball League (RYBL) in 1984 to his pioneering efforts for girls’ and women’s baseball, Alan’s contributions were transformative.

In 1984, Alan laid the foundation for what would become the largest baseball league in Ontario. By uniting various local baseball clubs, he created RYBL, a league that has touched the lives of thousands, fostering a love for the game in both boys and girls. He was a pioneer, advocating for girls’ and women’s baseball long before it was in the spotlight, and his efforts paved the way for countless female athletes to take the field.

Alan’s passion for the game wasn’t confined to just the diamond. He built lasting partnerships with organizations like the Jays Care Foundation, Humber College, and Toronto Parks and Recreation. Together, they brought Alan’s dream of Connorvale South to life—a dream that became a reality in 2018, when his “Field of Dreams” application was approved for the construction of a beautiful new facility. Alan was beyond proud to see this vision come to fruition, a testament to his determination and unwavering belief in the power of sports and community.

As an Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame inductee and the recipient of Toronto and Etobicoke Baseball Association’s Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Awards, Alan’s impact was recognized far and wide. Yet, it was his dedication to the kids, the volunteers, and his unwavering belief in the power of the sport that defined him.

Through all the challenges and chaos that come with managing a league, Alan never lost sight of why he did it. Whether organizing equipment and uniform distributions from his garage or tirelessly working behind the scenes, his words were always the same: “Isn’t this fun? I do it for the kids.” His love for the game, our league, and the young athletes it serves was apparent in everything he did.

Royal York Baseball League owes its very existence to Alan. A visionary and a true champion of the sport, Alan’s impact on RYBL and the baseball community will never be forgotten.

Home Run, Alan!

It brings me great pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to our 2025 season!

What’s New?

Girls Mosquito

As our numbers have grown across our girls’ divisions, we are very excited to be able to offer Girls Mosquito for the first time! This means that our 2014 and 2015 born girls are learning how to pitch at the same time as their male peers. Please help us spread the word and encourage any girls you know to come give baseball a try!

Registration App

This year we have two ways you can register – through our website or using our new Registration App.

Slugger AI

Have a question? Try asking Slugger, our new AI friend on the website and app who can help answer any questions you may have.

Dedicated Coaching Resource

Michael Lindsay, a popular and knowledgeable coach (although I may be biased), has put up his hand to be a dedicated resource for our House League coaches this year. Thank you Coach Michael!

Division Information:

Our website has been updated with detailed information about each of our divisions for the upcoming season. These write-ups provide many of the answers to your questions about the season ahead.

Coach Clinics:

RYBL is partnering again with Ryan Balan in delivering Coach Clinics through the second week of April. For those who suffered through the wind, cold, snow and rain last year, I’m excited to announce that these clinics will be held indoors this April!

If you think you might be interested in coaching, but are slightly apprehensive about knowing exactly how/what to do, I encourage you to take the leap and put your name forward. We are here to help!

She’s Back!! OMG (Ontario Mega Girls) Baseball Tournament:

RYBL is thrilled to host our second annual OMG Tournament for House League All-Star, Development, and Select level all-girls teams. Mark your calendars for June 27th to June 29th and experience a tournament unlike any other!

Follow Us:

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @1RYBL! We’d love to showcase the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and fun that make our community so special. Tag us in your posts or send your content to info@rybl.com for a chance to have your players featured on our social media platforms!

Gratitude to Our Volunteers:

A huge thank you goes out to our dedicated Executive and Convenor volunteers —both returning and new—who play such a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our league. Their hard work and commitment are essential in making the season a success!

Here’s to an amazing 2025 season filled with exciting moments, growth, and community spirit. Thank you for being a part of our Royal York Baseball family.

I’ll see you on the field!

Carly Lindsay
Vice President of House League
carly.lindsay@rybl.com

Make your 2025 season unforgettable with our new app, designed to make registration a breeze. Plus, stay ahead of the game by receiving real-time notifications about upcoming events, key dates, and more!

Don’t miss out—get ready to hit it out of the park this season!