Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum 2020 Baseball Survey

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum 2020 Baseball Survey

Baseball is back – almost – and Canadians have a lot to say about what they love about the game, their favourite teams, players and memories…and what they think needs to change!

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum / IMI International baseball survey polled 904 adults across Canada from June 18 to June 30, 2020. 91% of respondents classified themselves as “passionate” fans of the game.

As baseball looks to return to action in the coming weeks, Canadians have some interesting perspectives on what they love, what works and what needs to change about baseball.  One consistent theme is a passion for the sport and the pure enjoyment of some memorable moments.

“We were very pleased to be able to partner with IMI International to complete our 2020 survey,” said Jeremy Diamond, Chair of the CBHFM Board of Directors.  “At the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, our mission is to champion education, respect, diversity and healthy lifestyles across generations through the power of baseball.  The survey provides some interesting insights into baseball in Canada we hope it sparks further conversations.  Like all fans of baseball, we are excited to see baseball return!”

Among the results of our survey:

• The Toronto Blue Jays truly are Canada’s team, with 81% of respondents across the country choosing them as their favourite. The Detroit Tigers were a very distant second.

• Joe Carter’s walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series is the all-time favourite moment in Canadian baseball across all ages of those surveyed; but for respondents under 40, Jose Bautista’s Bat Flip homer in the 2015 ALDS is a close second!

• Youppi! was voted Canada’s top baseball mascot with 46% of respondents choosing him. 28% chose B.J. Birdie, the original Blue Jays’ mascot. Interestingly, the Jays’ current mascot, Ace, ranked first in the voting among female respondents.

• Field of Dreams is respondents’ favourite baseball movie, finishing ahead of Bull Durham and Moneyball, with A League Of Their Own and Major League tied for fourth.

• Unsurprisingly, hot dogs were voted the go-to ballpark food/beverage with beer a close second!

• Respondents chose Roy Halladay and Roberto Alomar as the best Blue Jays’ pitcher and position player of all-time. Pedro Martinez and Vladimir Guerrero, Sr. won those titles for the Expos – and they’re all honoured members of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum!

• Russell Martin was voted the top Canadian-born Blue Jay ever, ahead of Hall of Famers Matt Stairs and Paul Quantrill.

• 62% of respondents attend 5 games or fewer per season, but 68% say one of the things they miss most about baseball is being able to watch games on TV.

• 52% cite that the DH being universal is one of the top things they’d like to see changed about the game, with 15% wanting the DH eliminated; while 24% want to get rid of replay review and 15% want to expand it.

• The chance to see a perfect game was at the top of list of baseball events to see in person, but when asked if they could do anything they wanted, sitting in the dugout for a big-league game was the #1 answer.

• When asked how they feel about the length of Major League Baseball games, 51% of respondents said that the games take too long.

• These are just a few of the findings! Based on the survey results, 51% of respondents go out of their way to ensure they have free time to watch/ record/ listen to baseball.

To view full survey click HERE.

For additional information, interviews or quotations please contact:

Jeremy Diamond, Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Email:  [email protected]
Cell: 416-722-9754

Scott Crawford, director of Operations, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 226-927-6853

About the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum serves as the home of Canada’s rich baseball history. Established in 1982, our museum, located in St. Marys, Ontario, is a registered charity with a vast collection of artifacts that date back to the 1860s. The Hall of Fame and Museum is situated on our 32-acre site, that also houses the Harry Simmons Memorial Library, four baseball fields and walking trails.  We strive to not only educate our visitors and supporters but also champion a culture that prioritizes respect, diversity and a healthy lifestyle. Our 133 inductees range from World Series-winning players to pioneering grassroots executives, and each of their unique and inspiring stories are highlighted in our museum. Each year, we also honour the top Canadian player with our James Tip O’Neill Award, as well as present our Jack Graney Award, to a media member who has made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through their life’s work. At our core, we exist to ensure that Canadians and visitors to Canada value baseball and are able to benefit from the important life lessons the sport can teach. We strive to contribute positively to our community, our province and our country and to economic development at each of those levels.
For more information visit:  https://baseballhalloffame.ca/

About IMI International

IMI International is an independent marketing consultancy focused on insight driving profit. With 50 years of experience and offices on four continents, IMI serves 150+ partners across multiple industries to optimize marketing spend effectiveness. IMI is recognized as an industry leader in offering its partners fact-based thought leadership, 24/7 accessible insight platforms and custom solutions.
For more information visit:  https://www.consultimi.com/

Neal Covant, VP, Client Services, North America
O. 416-440-0310 x 343
M. 416-671-1211

Survey winners