Final week, the Trois-Rivières Aigles introduced that they’ve re-signed utility participant James Smibert for the 2025 season.
Smibert, listed as a rookie within the Frontier League final yr, is actually solely a rookie in classification. He has had a protracted and winding highway in baseball earlier than finishing his first full season within the league.
The Mississauga, Ontario native is something however your typical Canadian. Rising up, it wasn’t ice skating and hockey, however American sports activities resembling baseball, soccer and basketball that caught his eye.
He ended up in North Carolina the place he performed 4 years of NCAA D2 baseball on the College of Mount Olive.
Nonetheless in 2020, COVID reduce his school profession brief. Smibert determined to concentrate on coaching and being ready when baseball resumed, however when the 2021 unbiased baseball season rolled round, he discovered himself and not using a group due to journey and visa restrictions.
I used to be initially signed to the Aigles, however sadly COVID had different plans, and that group was terminated for the yr.
Me and a few buddies determined to go to the Frontier League draft and see if we might have an opportunity on the different US groups, not realizing on the time we had no probability as a consequence of visa limitations and restrictions.
From there, I impromptly booked a final minute flight to Ogden, Utah to tryout for the Ogden Raptors within the Pioneer League.
Brief story brief, I had the very best tryout of my life and was requested to stay round and be with the group, and they’d work to get me a visa. Sadly it was too late and the visa would take too lengthy. After a month on the group I made a decision that I didn’t have time to take a seat round and simply observe anymore, I wanted sport reps and that led me to Joe Torre and the Black Sox.
So I booked one other flight to Washington, PA and ended up taking part in within the Yinzer League. It was a spot the place I may develop and be on the sphere and play on a regular basis. On the finish of the yr, I obtained referred to as as much as play in Canada for a sequence with Sioux Metropolis within the American Affiliation. It was just for a number of video games, however being there, I knew I belonged and will play this sport at a aggressive degree, and I might do the whole lot in my energy to present my probability the very best alternative to get again there taking part in in one of many prime 4 Indy ball groups.
The subsequent offseason I picked up all my stuff and moved to Florida throughout the Canadian winter so I might be on the sphere and get as many stay at-bats and play as many video games as attainable
I can’t say sufficient constructive issues about Joe Torre and the Black Sox. He’s helped me so much and given me alternatives to compete at a excessive degree and develop… Not solely as a baseball participant, however as a greater human being. I’ve developed a relationship that goes past the sport: from travelling across the nation, to dwelling on couches, to creating life lengthy associates within the course of.
It’s not all the time simple once you’re going by means of it. There are occasions you need to stop, however you gotta discover a strategy to maintain pushing and maintain going.
After a style of professional ball, Smibert began the 2022 season with a quick stint within the Atlantic (1 sport with the Charleston Soiled Birds) and the Frontier (8 video games with the Québec Capitales) Leagues earlier than heading to the Intercounty Baseball League. The IBL is the highest unbiased baseball league in Canada with groups comprised of elite school gamers in addition to former skilled (together with ex-MLB and MiLB) gamers.
He performed two seasons creating and taking part in on daily basis within the IBL. He considers it an incredible transfer in the direction of being an on daily basis participant in a better indy league.
The competitors Within the IBL is superb particularly from the highest groups. There may be some very gifted gamers which have performed unbiased ball, excessive degree school, affiliate ball and even former MLB gamers.
The factor that the IBL falls brief on is the general depth throughout the league; Nonetheless even with that being stated, it is extremely aggressive.
The IBL is a good way to develop and play infront of hundreds of followers each evening. The group that I performed for was the Welland Jackfish, and we routinely had two to a few thousand followers at each sport.
The Welland Jackfish was a first-class group and, I might say, probably the most skilled group within the league. We had group buses to the video games, pre and put up sport meals, and the gamers get taken care of very properly. Welland is a small city, however the members of the city actually rally across the group and the gamers. It’s like one large household.
The expertise within the league is superb and results in many opporunities. Many gamers, particularly coming by means of Welland, have had success on the subsequent degree. Some names that come to thoughts embody James Bradwell, Justin Gideon, Brendon Dadson and Jake Polancic to call a number of.
After two seasons in Canada, he headed down below to Perth to play a season of winter ball in sunny, summer time Australia.
Enjoying in Australia was an enormous stepping stone for me. It undoubtedly helped with my growth. I used to be capable of play video games a few occasions per week. As well as, I used to be capable of work a full time job. The local weather was very best. I lived in Perth, Western Australia, and I don’t suppose it rained greater than 3 occasions after I was there. This gave me an incredible alternative to be exterior and play with an incredible group of men.
I performed on a group referred to as the Mellville Braves, a profitable group within the state league. I used to be surrounded by a number of gifted gamers, some who performed in affiliated ball. Others represented austrailia in world competitions.
I’m very grateful for my teammates and the relationships I shaped over there. It was actually a as soon as in a lifetime alternative.
That after in a lifetime alternative even concerned a brief call-up to the Perth Warmth within the Australian Baseball League, the highest unbiased league in Australia. He posted a .250 common in 4 video games with the Warmth.
With COVID restrictions lifted and yet one more season of growth below his belt, Smibert headed to the 2024 Frontier League draft.
The Frontier League tryout is a really lengthy day. There are a whole lot of gamers from all around the nation and world coming to the tryout with the hopes of getting drafted. There’s a number of sitting round, speaking with the gamers, and hanging out. However when your title is named it’s time to carry out, no excuses.
And carry out he did. Smibert was given one other shot with the Trois-Rivières Aigles and by no means appeared again. He performed in 80 video games throughout the 2024 season with a .246 common, 5 HR and 35 RBI. The utility participant proved to be stable draft decide who shortly grew to become a mainstay within the lineup.
Together with his resigning for the 2025 season, it’s clear to see that the lengthy and winding highway full of obstacles past his management helped develop Smibert right into a priceless help within the Frontier League.
He has even turned that journey into his personal firm and clothes line, Smack Smack.
“Smack Smack isn’t simply gear—it’s a narrative. Every bit embodies the hardships, tribulations, and journey to success.
There’s a number of life classes and priceless info that I’ve realized by means of this complete course of. By all of the ups and down, I wouldn’t change any of it. Not solely has it made me a greater baseball participant but additionally a greater man. Smack smack ! – James Smibert
