Teamwork and Sportsmanship. Fairness and Respect. Self-confidence and Humility. Heart and Hustle. Fun and Fitness. Responsibility and Accountability.
Martingrove Baseball. It's where our players learn and play the game of baseball...and so much more.
Serving the players and the families of Etobicoke since 1958.
Click here to learn more about us.
Teamwork and Sportsmanship. Fairness and Respect. Self-confidence and Humility. Heart and Hustle. Fun and Fitness. Responsibility and Accountability.
Martingrove Baseball. It's where our players learn and play the game of baseball...and so much more.
Serving the players and the families of Etobicoke since 1958.
Click here to learn more about us.
NEWS
A Long, Hot and Successful Weekend!
Our 18U AA team battled the stifling heat and fierce competition to advance to the semi-finals of the Kanata Cubs tournament (July 4-6).
A walk-off win and awesome team dinner highlighted a great weekend.
White Sox 10U AA team
for an outstanding performance at the Markham Mariners Tournament on June 13-15
R. I. P. Martingrove's Jim Horton
The late Jim Horton, Mr. Everything for the Martingove White Sox and a lifetime member.
February 14, 2025
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
Years ago -- 22 to be exact -- The Baseball Zone opened in Mississauga.
I had pulled an over-nighter working a book. So there were two choices -- go to The Baseball Zone for an interview with a player for a story OR sleep for 10 hours and miss the interview.
Entering the lobby, I met Kevin Horton for the first time. My guy was not there but Kevin was manning the front desk, checking in hitters and coaches who arrived to work out with their teams.
Since I am a night owl -- working nights since my teenage years -- I asked “Why on earth did you take a job where you have to be at work before nine on a Saturday morn? You should be out howling at the moon on Friday nights.” Kevin answered that he needed a job and that he loved baseball.
“Did your father give you that love of the game?” I asked.
Kevin nodded yes.
* * *
The 1991 Martingrove White Sox peewee.
Kevin’s father Jim passed Feb. 6 at age 76.
Jim was a baseball lifer with the Martingrove White Sox organization. He started coaching in 1988 when Kevin began playing rep T-ball for Martingrove. Jim coached Kevin for seven years before letting more experienced coaches take over.
Now in most cases where the father coaches the son and then stops, the father walks away from the game or sits behind the backstop and second guesses the son’s coaches. At least that has been my experience going back to 1970.
Not Jim Horton. After he stopped coaching Kevin, Jim headed to the younger age groups and continued to coach for the White Sox for a number of years.
Jim did more than coach as he was: an executive member for more than 25 years consecutive years, was president of MG for many years and was named a lifetime member of the organization.
If you could go back and look at the previous executives for those 25 years -- if the world wide web allowed -- you would discover that Jim Horton held almost every position that executive had: president, vice-president, equipment manager, umpire in chief, treasurer/auditor for many years.
He was proudest of his grandchildren and his family and when it came to baseball -- building Centennial Park ball diamond in Etobicoke, the scene of many come-from-behind victories and heart-breaking losses. Jim and his friends were able to get the city to build and the Optimist Club to fund the project.
Located at corner of Eglinton and Centennial Park Blvd. it was behind the big toboggan hill, which is now a BMX park created for the Pan-Am Games in 2015. Kevin remembers that when his father and other friends were petitioning the city for the diamond Kevin had to toboggan down the hill. He did test runs to make sure the diamond fence would not impede kids trying to toboggan.
* * *
Some thoughts on Jim Horton:
“I met Jim a few times , a very nice guy…” _ Denny Berni, Pro-Teach Baseball, Etobicoke.
“I didn’t know Jim that well. I know that he was with Martingrove Baseball as a coach and administrator for many years and was highly respected within Etobicoke.” _ Howie Birnie, Leaside, keeper of The Shrine, elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys in 2023.
“He was a great man and the reason that so many kids in Etobicoke fell in love with baseball.” _ Steve Correia, Terriers 14u assistant coach and former teammate of Kevin Horton.
“Parents often thought he was stern and humorless until they got to know him. He was a big softy and a giving, warm guy once you got past the stern façade.” _ Mark Chiasson, a life member of the Etobicoke Baseball Association and a dear friend of Jim’s.
* * *
Now, 45, Kevin Horton still has a love for the game. He co-owns The Baseball Zone, with Rick Johnston, which operates the Terriers. And this summer he’s off to Charlottetown, PEI to play for York Diamonds in the 33 and over nationals.
He coaches his son, Carter, with the Markham Mariners. Kevin and his wife, Gillian Stollery, have four children: Emma, six, Logan six, Carter 10 and Jacob 11.
Over the years -- practicing at The Baseball Zone with Mississauga North Tigers, Mississauga Southwest Twins and other teams, going to pro scout days or just stopping by to talk ball -- Kevin and I become good friends.
Jim and his wife Sandra were married for 52 years.
Jacob and Carter with their grandfather on a vacation is Hawaii five years ago.
So, we extend deepest sympathies to Kevin, mom Sandra, and sister Lindsay of Toronto and their extended family, as well as everyone who knew Jim in the Martingrove Association.
* * *
Jim Horton with grandson Logan
“IN A LEAGUE, ON A TEAM, IN A UNIFORM”
What is Challenger Baseball?
Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball program specifically designed to empower
children, youth and adults living with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. The
program is designed to teach its athletes the core life skills inherent to baseball,
including teamwork, communication, determination, resiliency, inclusion, support and
courage. Challenger Baseball ensures every athlete has the opportunity to play in a
fun and safe environment where they learn to become more independent, build
confidence and self-esteem, improve their communication skills and set and achieve
their own personal goals.
Who can play Challenger Baseball?
To be eligible to participate in Challenger Baseball, participants must have a physical
disability, intellectual disability, cognitive delay or developmental disability
REGISTER NOW FOR OUR BLUE JAYS INSTRUCTIONAL CLINIC
Saturday May 31, 2025
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Silvercreek Baseball Diamonds
The Blue Jays Baseball Academy host one day, four-hour Instructional Clinics throughout Ontario for beginner baseball players aged 8-12.
Players rotate through drills that cover skills including: infield, outfield, hitting, throwing, agility, and baserunning. Instructional Clinic registrants will also participate in a Baseball Athletic Training station which serves as an introduction to fundamental athletic movement.
Instructional Clinics are taught exclusively by Blue Jays Baseball Academy Instructors. Academy Instructors are NCCP registered, experienced coaches, who have been trained in the ‘Blue Jays Way’ of teaching baseball to youth.
Participants receive a Blue Jays hat, t-shirt and digital baseball skills manual.
Help Us and the Boys and Girls
of Your Community By Participating in our
Sponsorship Programs
Martingrove Baseball aims to keep costs as affordable as possible for the families of all our young players. To do that, we depend on the generous sponsorship of individuals and organizations from within the community. We have two different kinds of sponsorship, covering both our House League and Select/Rep teams.
House League – You are sponsoring a team within our house league. Your contribution goes towards essentials like team uniforms and park permits. In recognition, your name will appear on the back of the team jersey, you will receive a t-shirt and a commemorative plaque, and your name, address, phone and logo will be featured on our website.
Select/Rep – You are helping to sponsor the costs of running our competitive teams. Your contributions help to defray the costs of things like tournament entry fees, facilities for training and more. We will recognize your sponsorship with your name and logo on our website, as well as the traveling team banner.
Your generous support provides children in our community with affordable access to important recreation to keep them fit, active and happy. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and cost, please contact Rosa Perkovic at sponsors@martingrove.ca.
Below please find links to both our Rep&Select and House League Sponsorship Forms.
FEATURED SECTIONS
