Coming Full Circle: Returning to York Baseball as a Guest Instructor

This past week, I had the privilege of returning to where it all began, York Baseball. I was invited as a guest instructor for the York RiverDogs camp, and it was an experience that stirred up a lot of emotions. Stepping back onto a York diamond (Smyth Park), I wasn’t just a coach, I was once again the kid who fell in love with the game here.

York isn’t just a name stitched across a jersey for me. It’s where my baseball journey started, where I learned to compete and where I was first introduced to what it means to be part of a team. Being back to help guide the next generation of players was an honor that brought everything full circle.

My Beginnings in York Baseball

I joined York Baseball when I was just 12 years old, playing house league for the Blue Jays. Back then, it was all about fun, community and learning the fundamentals. I had no idea that it would mark the beginning of a lifelong passion and career in the game.

At 13, I made the rep team while still playing house league. That same year, I was fortunate to be named MVP of the league, a moment that still stands out in my memory. It was a year filled with personal growth, guidance from dedicated coaches like Lloyd Doirion and Ron, and a growing belief that baseball could take me somewhere.

Over the next two seasons, I moved up age divisions, suiting up for the Yankees in house league while continuing to play rep ball. I was gaining confidence and falling deeper in love with the game, spending countless hours at the field, working on my skills and just trying to get better.

By age 16, I was playing solely on the rep side, competing at Keelesdale Park and facing stronger competition across the province. The coaching I received during those years was exceptional. I had the privilege of playing for coaches like John Blair, Mike O’Hara, Peter Zak, Mike Carnegie, and Remo Cardinale.

Each of them played a role in shaping the player and person I was becoming. Mike Carnegie, who represented Canada at the 1983 Pan Am Games and 1984 Olympics, brought a wealth of experience and professionalism to the team. Remo Cardinale, the first Canadian amateur ever signed by the Toronto Blue Jays, was a coach whose legacy and presence left a deep impression.

The Power of Belief and Opportunity

There’s one story from my time in York that I’ll never forget and I make sure to share it with young athletes as often as I can.

When I was looking for the next step in my baseball career, it was John Blair who believed in me enough to reach out to Gary Wilson of the Ontario Blue Jays. Initially, Gary wasn’t interested. He thought he’d already seen me play and based on what he remembered, I didn’t stand out. The only problem was that he had mistaken me for someone else.

But John didn’t give up. He stayed persistent, advocating on my behalf and eventually convinced Gary to give me a real tryout. Once I got my opportunity, I gave it everything I had and it paid off. Gary loved what he saw and I made the team.

That single opportunity, made possible by someone else’s belief in me, changed the course of my baseball path. Not only did I earn a spot with the Ontario Blue Jays, but it was Gary Wilson who later helped me receive a scholarship to play college baseball in the United States. That experience opened doors I never could have imagined and laid the foundation for everything that came after. It’s a reminder that one person advocating for you, one door opening, can make all the difference. And that’s a big part of why I continue to coach today, because you never know who just needs someone to believe in them.

York Baseball: A Deep Rooted Legacy

York Baseball Association has been a fixture in Toronto’s baseball landscape since 1961. With over six decades of history, it has introduced generations of players to the game, providing programs from T Ball all the way through to 18U.

Originally named the York Cobras, the organization later became the York Pioneers in the early 1990s before adopting its current name, the York RiverDogs. That evolution reflects not just a change in branding but a commitment to growing and adapting with the times while staying true to its roots.

The RiverDogs program now includes both Select and Rep teams that compete at high levels across Ontario. The association is known for its inclusive community and dedication to player development, not only in terms of skill but also character, effort and teamwork.

There’s also the York Diamonds, a team affiliated with the York Baseball Association that provides a post 18U opportunity and the ability to compete in OBA Provincial Championships. For players aging out of youth baseball, this represents an important bridge between grassroots development and the next stage of competitive play.

Over the decades, York has built more than just teams. It has built a baseball culture, one rooted in community, opportunity and the long term growth of its players. It’s a place where kids dream big, families gather and lifelong friendships are formed.

Giving Back: Why It Matters

That’s why being invited back as a guest instructor meant so much to me. It wasn’t just about drills, reps, or mechanics. It was about the chance to pour back into a system that gave me my start. It was about making sure today’s young athletes feel seen, supported and inspired the same way I once did.

A big thank you to Richard Alay Perez for organizing and hosting such a fantastic event. His leadership and dedication to York Baseball are exactly what keeps organizations like this thriving. The players were engaged, eager to learn, exactly the kind of environment you hope for when sharing your knowledge and experiences.

Throughout the day, I found myself smiling, remembering my time on those same fields, wearing the same colors, chasing the same dreams. And now, to be in a position where I can mentor and motivate others through this game is something I never take for granted.

The Game Comes Full Circle

Baseball has taken me on an incredible journey, from those early days in York house league to national championships, college ball, coaching elite teams and now mentoring future generations. But no matter how far I’ve gone, York has always remained a part of who I am. It’s where I learned to hustle. Where I learned to compete. Where I learned to love the game.

Coming back this week reminded me of the importance of roots and the responsibility we all have to give back to the communities that raised us. Because one day, a kid at this camp might look back and say that one coach, one compliment, one opportunity made all the difference.

I hope I was able to be that for someone, just like York Baseball was for me.