Ontario Baseball Association
Howard “Howie” Birnie Inducted into Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
The Ontario Baseball Association is proud to celebrate the induction of Howard “Howie” Birnie into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, where he received the Sandy Hawley Community Service Award, in recognition of more than 70 years of service to youth baseball, coaching, umpiring, and administration.
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A Lifetime in Baseball: From Leaside to the Province
Howard Birnie’s journey in baseball began in Toronto’s local fields and evolved into a storied career of leadership, mentorship, and service. Over the decades, he has worn nearly every hat: player, coach, umpire, executive, groundskeeper, snack-bar volunteer, and more.
From 1958 to 1988, Birnie coached teams that won seven city championships, one provincial championship, and a national championship with the Toronto Leaside All-Stars in 1964.
Over 34 years as an umpire, he officiated:
- 2 Junior World Championships,
- 6 national championships (1979–1989),
- 3 international tournaments, and
- 3 Pearson Cup exhibition games between the Blue Jays and Expos.
He has long served as President of the Leaside Baseball Association (since 1973) and has held leadership roles in Toronto Baseball and OBA (President in 1991–92).
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Recognition Through the Years
Howard Birnie’s career has been marked not just by longevity but by constant acknowledgment of his contributions:
- Leaside Sports Hall of Fame, 2013
- Ontario Baseball Association Hall of Fame, 2017
- Toronto Sport Hall of Honour (circa 2019)
- Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, inducted February 6, 2024 (ceremony June 15, 2024)
- Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award, 2012 (for 50 years of volunteer service)
- OBA awards: Director Award (1993); Provincial Award (1994); President’s Award (2007)
- And now, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame’s Sandy Hawley Community Service Award (2025) adds a provincial-level honor for his decades of grassroots service.
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What This Means for Ontario Baseball
Birnie’s recognition is more than a personal honor — it’s a tribute to the countless volunteers, coaches, and officials who form the backbone of our sport. His induction into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame shines a spotlight on how vital community-based baseball is to the province’s sporting fabric.
For OBA and its members, Birnie’s award reinforces these values:
- Lifelong service: His work reminds us that baseball’s growth happens over years, seasons, and generations.
- Humility in excellence: Despite his many accolades, Birnie often emphasizes the contributions of volunteers and young players.
- Local roots, broad impact: From Talbot Park in Leaside to provincial and national stages, his influence spans every level of the game.
As the OBA continues to develop programs for coaches, umpires, and youth leagues, Birnie’s legacy offers both inspiration and a benchmark. His dedication remains a guiding example to current and future baseball leaders.
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Looking Ahead
Even today, at nearly 90 years young, Birnie remains a respected and active presence in Ontario’s baseball community. His admission to the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame does not close a chapter — it underscores a life still in motion.
Let us celebrate Howie Birnie not just as a Hall of Famer but as a living testament to what service, passion, and consistency can do for the sport we all love.
https://ontariosportshalloffame.com/inductees/howie-birnie/