When war was declared on September 3, 1939 following the German invasion of Poland, many aspects of daily life ground to a halt so that nations could come together under the Allied or Axis powers to focus on securing victory. Many beloved pastimes were cancelled in wartime, but baseball was not. 

Baseball was one of the traditions carried through the war, enjoyed by both Canadians within the country and Canadians overseas. This Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum Virtual Exhibit will examine the role that baseball played in the lives of soldiers and civilians during the Second World War, both at Home (within Canada and the United States) and Away (overseas in England and Europe), and why the game was so important during the hardships of war.

A special thank you to the Kelleher family and the Kimber family for their generous contributions to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, who shared their loved ones’ letters and photographs, and for inspiring this virtual exhibit, and making it all possible.