TORONTO — Former big-league pitcher Jason Dickson was named Baseball Canada president on Wednesday at the organization’s annual general meeting.
Dickson, a native of London, Ont., played parts of four seasons in the major leagues and represented Canada at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He’s the 11th president in Baseball Canada’s 52-year history.
"I feel honoured to be taking over from Ray Carter as Baseball Canada president and hope to bring the same passion and leadership qualities that he brought to the position," Dickson said in a release. "It’s an exciting time for amateur baseball in our country and I look forward to playing a role in the growth and development of our game from the grassroots all the way up to our national teams program."
Dickson, 43, made his big-league debut with the California Angels in 1996 and was named to the American League all-star team the following year. The resident of Miramichi, N.B., also played for the Angels in 1998 and 2000 before spending four seasons in the minor leagues.
Carter, meanwhile, served eight consecutive two-year terms. He helped guide the national teams and development of grassroots programs in addition to his other duties.
"I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Ray for over 30 years and he will certainly be missed," said Baseball Canada executive director Jim Baba. "Ray is a man of character whose passion and love for both baseball and people shone through during his tenure as Baseball Canada president."
Carter was on hand for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, all three World Baseball Classics, two Women’s Baseball World Cups and last year’s Pan Am Games in Toronto.
"The gold medal that the men’s team won at the Pan Am Games was very special being on home soil," Carter said. "One that also sticks out in my mind was beating the United States at the first WBC in Phoenix. It’s the biggest game that I’ve been around and I’ll never forget it."
Carter’s tenure as president was the longest in Baseball Canada’s history.
"What Ray has done for Baseball Canada in his 16 years as president has been nothing short of remarkable," Dickson said. "He led the organization with patience and passion and always had time for people no matter what role they served in the game."
Don Paulencu of Sherwood Park, Alta., was elected to take over from Dickson as vice-president and Jody Frowley of Middle Sackville, N.S., was elected as treasurer. He succeeds Holly LaPierre, who served in the position since 2012 and chose not to run for re-election.
