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Intercounty Baseball League names new commissioner

Toronto-based lawyer Ted Kalnins played for Hamilton and London in the 2000s; Welland Jackfish open their season at home May 18
baseball glove and ball stock

The Intercounty Baseball League has a new commissioner.

Ted Kalnins has been announced as the successor to John Kastner, who resigned from his post following last season to pursue new opportunities.

Kalnins is a Toronto-based personal and commercial litigation lawyer.

League executive board member Ryan Harrison said the choice came after a thorough searching process, adding Kalnins is "everything we were looking for."

"He brings an amazing track record of business success, a passion and deep understanding of baseball, and a clear vision of where we want to go as a league," he said in a news release. "He will be the perfect leader for the IBL and a welcome difference-maker in taking our league to the next level.”

Kalnins is no stranger to the IBL. He spent the 2001 season as a player with the Hamilton Cardinals, before moving over to the London Majors to play from 2006 to 2009. 

He's also a former board member with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

"I am extremely honoured to accept the position of Commissioner of the Intercounty Baseball League, being Canada’s oldest Independent Baseball League," Kalnins said in a news release.

"From former major leaguers such as Dalton Pompey, to international players from the U.S., the Caribbean, and South America, to younger prospects who are on track for the MLB Draft, the depth of baseball talent in the IBL has never been better.

"I greatly look forward to working with our owners and players in continuing to grow and enhance the IBL’s visibility and success."

The IBL season begins May 14 when London visits Toronto. The Welland Jackfish open their season at home on May 18 versus Hamilton.