The Muskoka Hornets house league baseball program will hold its Opening Day on Saturday, May 16, at McCulley Robertson Diamond Complex, with a record number of local youth baseball enthusiasts populating the local Huntsville diamonds.
With over a month left until registration closes, the Hornets 2026 enrollment already boasts over 330 players, a 10% increase over last year’s final player tally. In addition, the Hornets have 8 travel teams made up of 100 players competing in the York Simcoe Baseball Association. All in, Hornets enrollment is expected to top 500 players in 2026, an over 30% increase from 2025.
Given the increased interest in baseball in the local community, out of necessity, the Muskoka Hornets expanded its house league program from the traditional once-per-week game model on Wednesday evenings to add games and practices each Sunday night for ages 9 and up, as well as shifting the younger age groups just starting out to Sundays. According to Hornets President Peter Haynes, the increased interest in local baseball is a reflection of the quality of the Hornets program as well as the success of the Blue Jays. As Haynes notes, ” it is well known in Canada’s minor baseball ranks that as the Jays go, so too does the popularity of minor baseball.” Haynes adds that this increased interest in grassroots baseball is sure to lead to more major league talent from Canada down the road, maybe even someday from a player in Muskoka.
Also new this year is pre-season training for 100 of the local Huntsville house league players who signed up for a free five-week program hosted by Muskoka Outlaw and Hornets coaches and hosted at the brand new TJs Indoor Sports Facility in Bracebridge. This training program begins Sunday, April 12, and continues each week until Opening Day.
For local fans of the great pastime of baseball, we encourage you to look at our website at hornetsbaseball.ca or follow us on social media to see about upcoming events and game schedules. This summer, the Hornets will host Muskoka Cup tournaments across 8 divisions, totaling 80 teams. In addition, the Hornets will host the 9U, 14U, and 15U provincial qualifiers for the YSBA in August, as well as the 15U A provincials on Labour Day weekend. All told, these Hornets-hosted events will generate over $1 million in revenue for local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.
About the Hornets
The Muskoka Hornets Baseball Association was formed in 2009 as a program for kids in the Muskoka Region interested in playing competitive baseball. In 2026, the Hornets will field eight competitive travel teams at 9U A, 11U B, 12U AA, 13U Select, 14U B, 15U A, 16U AA, and 18U A. In 2013, the Hornets took over day-to-day management of the Huntsville Minor Baseball Association when the program had only 50 paid participants. This year, the Hornets house league is expected to attract over 400 players to its program.
For further information, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Peter Haynes, President of the Muskoka Hornets, at 416-818-3036. To learn more about the Hornets, please visit our website at hornetsbaseball.ca or follow us on social media.
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