OBA's Dirk Drieberg receives the Order of Vaughan

The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) is proud to announce that OBA Board of Director, Dirk Drieberg was awarded the Order of Vaughan, the highest honour the City of Vaughan may present. The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant and enduring contribution to the City of Vaughan.

For close to 30 years, Dirk Drieberg has devoted himself to developing youth baseball in Vaughan. He has coached House League, Select, and Rep players from T-Ball upward, and his commitment has never wavered. Remarkably, Dirk served as a non-parent coach for his first four years, and again for the last three years after his children stopped playing. At his peak, he managed as many as three teams in a single year for nearly seven consecutive seasons. 

Dirk’s leadership has brought significant success to Vaughan. As Head Coach, he led the Vaughan 15U team representing Ontario to win the Baseball Canada National Championship in 2010. His teams have also captured a Baseball Ontario Provincial Championship and multiple York Simcoe Baseball Association (YSBA) regional titles.

Recognizing the need for a unified vision for youth baseball and softball in Vaughan, Dirk was one of eight individuals—four from Maple Minor Baseball and four from the Woodbridge Knights—who came together to merge their organizations and form the City of Vaughan Baseball and Softball Association (CVBSA) in 2000. Over the past 26 years, CVBSA has grown into the largest youth baseball and softball organization in Ontario and is now recognized across Canada as a model of community sport leadership. Since its founding, Dirk has served in key leadership roles including Vice President of Rep Baseball and now President, a position he holds with the same passion and dedication that first brought him to Vaughan in the late 1990s.

In partnership with the City of Vaughan, Dirk has helped establish year-round youth programming led by professional coaches, running clinics and training sessions at the Maple and Garnet Williams Community Centres during the winter months prior to COVID-19. These initiatives inspired countless youth to stay engaged with the sport year-round and significantly grew local participation.

Dirk’s collaboration with City staff has also enhanced public access to baseball by supporting the creation of new fields and facilities. Under his guidance, Vaughan became known as one of the premier baseball destinations in Ontario. He was instrumental in securing hosting rights for the Baseball Canada National Championships for 10 consecutive years, solidifying Vaughan’s reputation as a national hub for baseball excellence.

Each summer, Vaughan—through Dirk’s leadership—hosts over 20 travel tournaments, the majority of YSBA Provincial Qualifiers, and numerous Baseball Ontario Provincial Championships. These events not only fill every diamond across the city from May to September but also bring thousands of visitors who contribute to Vaughan’s local economy and reputation as a vibrant sports destination. Continuing this tradition, the League has recently been awarded hosting rights for the Baseball Ontario 15U National Qualifiers from 2025 through 2029.

Beyond the field, Dirk has made a lasting impact on the lives of young players, umpires, and volunteers by mentoring them and writing numerous letters of reference for college and university applications. His dedication led to the introduction of Post-Secondary Scholarships—three annual awards of $1,500 each—and a $100,000 league commitment over ten years to support local charities. The first three beneficiaries were the Vaughan Food Bank, Hospice Vaughan, and Million Dollar Smiles. Dirk also personally leads toy drives for the Vaughan Toy Drive, encourages player participation in community parades, and was recognized as a member of the Inaugural Class of the CVBSA Hall of Fame in 2023.

Dirk’s influence extends beyond Vaughan. He is a Life Member and Past President of the York Simcoe Baseball Association (YSBA), ensuring strong regional representation at the provincial level. As Past President of the Select Ontario Baseball Association (SOBA), he developed programs to improve player skills and coaching standards. At the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA), Dirk has served as a Director for nearly two decades, taking on major roles such as Director of Player and Coach Development, Chair of the “Best Ever” Training Clinic, and member of the Coaching Committee. His leadership has been recognized through multiple honors, including being named OBA Director of the Year (2008, 2011, and 2018) and receiving the OBA President’s Award in 2023. He was also twice nominated for the Baseball Canada/Major League Baseball Volunteer of the Year Award (2012 and 2019).

Dirk’s excellence was further recognized when he received the Syl Apps Special Achievement Award (Baseball) from the Sport Alliance of Ontario in 2008. This award celebrates individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the growth and development of sport in Ontario.

Dirk Drieberg is the embodiment of community service, dedication, and leadership. Whether coaching young players, leading organizations, or rolling up his sleeves to help get a game back on after a rain delay, Dirk demonstrates what it means to truly serve his community.

Given his decades of tireless commitment, his outstanding record of leadership, and his profound impact on both sport and community life, awarding Dirk Drieberg the Order of Vaughan would truly be a home run.