‘We’re adding a pitch clock’: IBL going professional includes major change to fan experience

The Intercounty Baseball League goes pro and changes its name to the Canadian Baseball League. Brent Lale explains.

Say goodbye to those lengthy baseball games.

“We’re adding a pitch clock,” said Harry Muir, general manager of the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers of the new Canadian Baseball League (CBL).

Included in the InterCounty Baseball League rebrand to the CBL will be the implementation of a 15 to 20 second pitch timer like Major League Baseball.

“Some guys are human rain delays,” joked Muir. “If you’ve got a bunch of young kids that need to get to bed by 10:30 p.m. at the latest, hopefully we’re getting them home in time. We’d like to cut the games down 20 minutes or so.”

Former IBL pitcher and two-time champion Braeden Ferrington is in favour of the pitch clock which gives pitchers 15 seconds with runners on base and 18 when the bases are empty.

“Pitch clock is huge,” said Ferrington, who logged 236 career innings in the IBL. “When you get lopsided scores there, it drags on and you don’t want to be there for four hours. Especially when you see big league games coming in at two hours. 2:20 and max 2:50.”

In addition to a name change, the CBL will increase regular season games from 42 to 48 and the playoffs will be restructured with only five teams qualifying. There will also be a salary cap, and an increase in import spots to eight.

“I think it’s mostly an internal change,” said Muir. “Most fans are going to see a huge difference, but for me, I can’t bring those American players in overnight and pass-through customs. Now that they are officially working, they are professionals and there is a lot more paperwork.”

The changes come at a time when attendance is booming. Nearly 250,000 fans watched games in 2025.

“The talent in this league has been tremendously improving year over year,” said Ted Kalnins, CBL commissioner. “We’re to the point where we had over 60 players last year who either make league or minor league baseball experience.”

That included former MLB all-star Fernando Rodney who played for Hamilton.

“In order to attract the best talent and compete in this league and win, we have to become professional and start paying them,” said Kalnins. “Players have come in for a variety of different costs and expenses that we reimburse them for. Mileage, travel costs and, in some cases, some accommodation and other types of per diems.”

Ferrington says from the players perspective, moving to a professional structure gives more security.

“It’s a free space to have an understanding of I’m getting paid now and when I’m getting paid. That’s going to draw bigger and better players and some who have [MLB] service time by having an actual written contract, which is huge for the players,” he said.

As a former professional, Muir agrees that the CBL can become a destination.

“If I’m at the end of my career or maybe at the beginning and I’m trying to work my way up or through, do I want to play amateur ball? Which was last year with the IBL or now do I play professional ball in the CBL?” said Muir.

He adds, “I think we’re going to get better choices. Guys that are willing to play pro ball is opposing amateur, so I think it’d be easier for me to find some upper tier talent now that now that we are labeled.”

Kalnins says they will remain “affordable baseball for an entire family.”

“Kids can come and get autographs from the players, run the bases, go play catch behind home plate and come back an inning later with your mom or dad,” said Kalnins. “That’s what I’m passionate about.”

He adds the ticket prices shouldn’t increase and the plan is to preserve the 108-year history of the IBL.

“It’s just the name that’s changing,” said Kalnins.