Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1957, Rod Heisler was a talent both on the hockey rink and on the baseball diamond. He competed in the 1972 Senior Little League Team National Championships as a teen, and later took up collegiate baseball with the encouragement of his friends at Bemidji State University, Minnesota. Heisler excelled as a pitcher for the Bemidji Beavers from 1975-1979, earning All-Conference honours in 1978 and 1979, on top of being named All-District in 1979.
When he was still a student in 1978, Heisler played for the Canadian National Team at the Amateur World Series. He competed in the series again in 1980 and 1982, and in his final year was named the left-handed pitcher on the All-Star Team.
In addition to the Amateur World Series, Heisler competed in three Pan American Games (1979, 1983 and 1987), three Intercontinental Cups (1981, 1983 and 1985), one Pacific Cup (1986), and one World Cup (1988). Most prestigiously of all, Heisler started Canada’s first game at the 1984 Olympics, and was also on the roster for the 1988 Olympic team.
After retiring from his professional playing career, Heisler coached for Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, as well as for Little League in his hometown of Moose Jaw. He has received numerous accolades, including the Kinsmen Sports Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into both the Bemidji University and Saskatchewan Baseball halls of fame. He is a two-time inductee into the Moose Jaw and District Sports Hall of Fame for his hockey and baseball prowess, and a member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, again for hockey. Heisler was awarded Government of Saskatchewan Merit Awards from 1982 through 1985, followed by the Government of Canada Merit Award in 1988.
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame is proud to welcome Rod Heisler to its 2024 roster for his representation of Canadian excellence on the international stage.
See the Artifacts
This cap was worn by Rod Heisler while pitching for Team Canada at the 1978 World Championships in Italy. This was his first year on the National Team.
This cap was worn by Rod Heisler while pitching for Team Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Heisler started in the first game against Nicaragua. This was Baseball Canada’s first ever Olympic appearance.
This baseball is autographed by the players and staff of Team Canada in 1980, including Rod Heisler. Heisler’s autograph can be seen directly above the red stitching. The ball was signed when Canada competed at the Amateur World Series.
