Harry Simmons

Centre for Canadian Baseball Research

The Centre for Canadian Baseball Research (CCBR) is a not-for-profit corporation whose purpose is to encourage and facilitate research into baseball’s historical development in Canada. In partnership with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the CCBR offers a library and research files supplied jointly by the Museum and the Centre. The collection is housed in the Hall’s expanded Museum facility and maintained by the Centre on a volunteer basis.

The Centre’s library consists of both books and research papers.

Autographed, First Edition Books

The book portion of the library consists of some 6000 volumes, roughly two thirds of these donated from a pair of large personal collections. These books date from 1860, and include numerous first editions, many of them autographed.

Score Cards and Game Programs

The magazine segment of the library features numerous game programs and scorecards, both minor and major league, such as Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Royals, Hamilton Cardinals, Detroit Tigers and many others. As well, there are voluminous files of correspondence and research notes; Harry Simmons’ files in particular describe his long service to the International League and the Commissioner’s Office out of Montreal.

The library is open to the public for use on-site by appointment. Research requests made remotely can also be handled by the Centre’s volunteer staff.

Research Opportunities

The journals, annual guides, histories and biographies provide a wealth of research opportunity.

The Harry Simmons Collection

The publications portion includes the extensive and varied Harry Simmons collection, featuring complete early years of Baseball Magazine, including the rare first issue from May 1908, and of Who’s Who in Baseball, including the first edition of 1912.