History
60 Years Of Baseball History In The Making
The Burlington Minor Organized Baseball Association was started in 1957 by members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Until then, legion money supported a travelling Rep fastball team. Some thought the money would be better spent on a number of teams and after a winter of heated discussions, the Burlington Minor Hardball Association (BMHA) was born. On June 7,1957, the six-team league officially opened with the first pitch thrown by Progressive Conservative Leader, John Diefenbaker. The ten-week schedule ran Friday nights with double-headers Saturday mornings for the 108 boys who participated.
1958
The League expands to 3 Bantam and 9 Peewee teams. Registration climbs to 225 and the first Burlington teams are sent to OBA playoffs in Hamilton.
1959
The League expands to 14 teams. BOMBA becomes affiliated with the Halton County Baseball Association and our Juvenile team wins the Halton County Championship sweeping Acton, 3 games to 1.
1960
Over 300 players registered at $3.00 each for 12 Peewee and 6 Bantam teams.
1961:
BMHA becomes Burlington Minor Baseball Association (BOMBA) for 525 players.
1963:
Mount Royal Plaza Tyke League opens experimentally for north area players aged 7-10. The League was designed to teach the basic fundamentals of baseball in a recreational setting. BOMBA took over the league the following year.
1965:
Tyke team entered in Halton County for the first time. Minor baseball was up in arms over a hike in fees requested by the Burlington Umpire Association. BOMBA attempted to form a new group of umpires.
1967:
Registration fees stood at $3.00 for tyke and $4.00 for others. Umpires were paid $1.50 per game.
1969:
Registration fees for all ages were raised to $5.00 per player. All age groups except tyke, were on a "make team" basis in the house league program due to limited facilities. The first B.I.G. games were held in Burlington, Vermont, on July 26th.
1971:
Tykes were split into minor and major teams with an interlocking schedule.
1972:
The first paid advertisement for registrations appeared. Registration was up to 896. BOMBA, in co-operation with the Houston Astros, scheduled a two-day try out camp for June 25 and 26.
1973:
The Minor Tyke teams are introduced to T-Ball.
1975:
T-Ball is split into junior and senior divisions. Registration fees are up to $10.00 per player.
1976:
Registration fees are increased to $18.00 per player. House League schedule was modified to conclude the season by August 18. With the passing of John Friel, a memorial trophy is started in his honour.
1977:
Minor Baseball Week, May 14th to 20th, celebrated the league's 20th anniversary. No lead off rule proposed for the Tyke division for the 1978 season.
1978:
Registration fees set at $22.00 per player. Burlington's first annual T-Ball tournament was held at Sherwood Forest Park.
1980:
Registration fees increase to $30.00 per player. BOMBA becomes B.O.M.B.A. and incorporates.
1981:
First annual 30 team house league tournament was held at Sherwood Forest Park. BOMBA purchased a trailer as a concession booth.
1982:
First Annual Big Bat Rep Tournament. BOMBA started equipment sale combined with picture day. Registration fees increased to $35.00 per player.
1983:
Won O.B.A. "AA" Midget championship and Ontario Summer Games Medalists played in Sudbury. O.B.A. Convention held in Burlington.
1984:
Registration increases to $40.00 per player. PeeWees win first O.B.A. "AAA" championships played in Hamilton. Young Mens' Division started for men 19 and up. Midget house league formed schedule with other cities.
1985:
Registration fees increase to $45.00 per player as participants approach 1400 in number. Bantam Br. 69 Legion Rep team wins O.B.A. "AA" championship played in Burlington.
1986:
Registration fees increase to $50.00 for Senior T-Ball through Midget. Jr.T-Ball remains at $40.00. Safe base concept introduced at Sr.T-Ball and Tyke levels in house league. T-Ball forms a travelling Rep team. Major Tyke Rep team wins "AA" O.B.A. championship in Sudbury.
1987:
Registration exceeds 1600 and no fee increase. Two Burlington players, Jamie Evans and Rob Tanaka are selected for the Canadian National Youth Team, winning the Bronze medal in the World Tournament, with each player receiving M.V.P. awards. BOMBA donates fencing at Maple Park to the City and shares with the Brants the cost of moving the fence at Nelson Park.
1988:
Registration exceeds 1800 with the league expanding to 130 teams. The Juvenile Rep Team represents Ontario in the Canadian National Championships held in Nova Scotia. 110 coaches and 140 players attend first Doyle Baseball school clinic offered in Burlington.
1989:
First week-long Doyle Baseball camp held in Burlington. Burlington hosts first 8 year old OBA Provincial Championship.
1990:
2000 Players form 130 teams. Rep Midgets win OBA Eliminations and represent Ontario in All Canadian play-offs. Rookie ball introduced as fall league.
1991:
Major Bantam Rep team wins the "AA" OBA Championship. Juvenile rep team wins the "A" OBA Championship. First All Girl's select team. Rookie Ball introduced to Tyke and T-Ball as exhibition games. Registration 2500 players over 180 teams.
1992:
Major Peewee win "AAA" OBA championship and Canadian Nationals. Juveniles win OBA Championship. Girl's T-Ball league formed with 6 teams. Rookie Ball league formed with 24 teams. Registration now 2800 with 217 teams.
1993:
Major Tyke win "AAA" OBA. Girl's form Senior T-ball and Rookie ball leagues. Registration reaches 3000 with 233 teams. Millcroft Park is built- including 2 full size lighted ball diamonds.
1994:
Burlington wins the OBA Rookie Ball AA Championship. Awarded the Midget Eliminations for 1994 thru 1996. Commenced Volunteer Assessment. Formed Girl's Bantam House League.
1995:
Burlington Bulls White Rookie Ball team becomes the OBA champions. Formed Girl's Midget team. First season in new facilities.
1996:
The Burlington White T-Ball team wins the OBA championship.
1997:
Burlington Blue Major Bantam wins the ICBA Tournament of Champions. The Minor Pee Wee White Rep team made it to the OBA Finals.
1998:
The Burlington Minor Mosquito Rep team wins the OBA Championship. Major Pee Wee Blue Rep team is awarded OBA silver medal, second only to the Canadian National champs. Minor Bantam wins the silver OBA medal. Minor Midget Rep team wins the COBA gold medal. BOMBA players Nicolette Franck and Krista McGraw are selected to play for the North American All Stars in the Women's National U.S.A. Baseball Championship in Arizona. They go undefeated, winning the gold medal.
1999:
BOMBA moves to new facilities and adopts an improved constitution. Registration holds at 1475 and for the first time in 5 years, enrollment does not decline. At the Nationals in P.E.I. the Pee Wee White Team wins a Silver Medal. At the O.B.A.¹s Mosquito Girls win Gold and Bantam Boys win Silver. At the Nationals for Girls in Winnipeg, Team Ontario "A" with four players from Burlington win the Gold and Team Ontario "B" with two Burlington players win the Bronze.
2000:
The AAA Minor Bantam Bulls win the OBAs. The AA Minor Bantam Bears win their league division and win the SOBAs. Matt McGraw (Mjr Bantam AAA) was invited to play for the Riverside National Team and helped them to win a Silver Medal. Girls Bantam AAA went to the Ontario Summer Games and came home with a Bronze Medal and won the Championship for the COGBL.
2001:
Tier 1 Minor Midget Bulls win the OBAs. Tier 1 Major Bantam Bulls win the OBAs for the second straight year as a team. Tier 1 Bantam Girls win the OBAs.
2002:
Enrollment increases for the first time in 4 years. Major Midget Tier I Tier represents Ontario in the Canadian Nationals held in St. Albert, Alberta. While they didn't win the tournament, they were the only team to beat the champions from B.C. Three girls, Kate Psota, Krystle Hinton & Jennifer McPherson were chosen from B.O.M.B.A. to represent Team Ontario at the Western Canada Baseball Championship in Kelowna, British Columbia.
2003:
Enrollment is up slightly over 2003. Midget Team wins Michigan USSSA Qualifier to the 18U World Series in Kentucky - and they did it with wood bats in the metal bat tournament! First time a BOMBA team goes to a USSSA world series in 4 years. 4 BOMBA Teams advance to the Provincial Championships.
2004:
Enrollment holds its own. BOMBA introduces Blast Ball for junior T-ballers and it is a hit! Enrollment quadruples in this age group. BOMBA introduces Zero Policy for Abuse of Umpires. Online web registration for players for the first time.
2005:
6% enrollment increase.
BOMBA creates and produces the first in-house Coach instructional DVD.
BOMBA hosts accredited NCCP Coaches clinics.
2006:
BOMBA membership rises almost 15%
BOMBA is granted three year rights to host the Ontario Major Midget Elimination Tournament.
BOMBA Rep teams host a record 20 tournaments in Burlington.
2 BOMBA Rep teams advance to Provincial Championships.
Minor Peewee AAA team wins the OBA Provincial Championship.
2007:
BOMBA 50th Anniversary.
BOMBA hosts 1st Rep Parent Information Night
BOMBA hosts 2nd consecutive Major Midget Elimination Tournament
Online Registration introduced - launched 1st Bomba website
2010:
1st Annual Awards Banquet
2011:
Registration up 7% (membership reaches 1000 players!)
Host Minor Bantam OBA Provincial Championships
Rookie Ball AA wins the OBA Provincial championship
Introduced HL Development Program (BEARS)
Introduced Select Baseball
2012:
BOMBA hosts the Junior Eliminations
BOMBA hosts the Bantam Provincial Championships
BOMBA office moves to its new location at 952 Century Drive and the "Bullpen" is created as an indoor training facility.
2014:
Minor Peewee AAA team wins the OBA Provincial championship.
2017:
BOMBA 60th Anniversary
2nd Annual "Batting Out Hunger" food drive raises record amount of food for Burlington Food Banks
BOMBA hosts the Midget Eliminations
BOMBA hosts the Major Mosquito AA Provincial Championships
2018:
Minor Rookie Ball AAA team wins the OBA Provincial championship.
BOMBA moves to "The Yard" at 1370 Artisans Court.
