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 12 months, is admittedly solely a rookie in classification. He has had an extended and winding street 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 corresponding to 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.
Nevertheless in 2020, COVID reduce his school profession brief. Smibert determined to concentrate on coaching and being ready when baseball resumed, however when the 2021 impartial 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 12 months.
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 because 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.
Quick story brief, I had the most effective tryout of my life and was requested to stay round and be with the group, and they might 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 sit down 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 sector and play on a regular basis. On the finish of the 12 months, I acquired referred to as as much as play in Canada for a collection 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 every part in my energy to offer my probability the most effective alternative to get again there taking part in in one of many prime 4 Indy ball groups.
The following offseason I picked up all my stuff and moved to Florida throughout the Canadian winter so I could possibly be on the sector and get as many stay at-bats and play as many video games as doable
I can’t say sufficient optimistic issues about Joe Torre and the Black Sox. He’s helped me loads 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 residing on couches, to creating life lengthy mates within the course of.
It’s not at all times straightforward once you’re going by way of it. There are occasions you wish to stop, however you gotta discover a option 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 impartial 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 day by day within the IBL. He considers it a fantastic transfer in direction of being an day by day participant in the next indy league.
The competitors Within the IBL is excellent particularly from the highest groups. There may be some very gifted gamers which have performed impartial 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; Nevertheless even with that being mentioned, it is extremely aggressive.
The IBL is a good way to develop and play infront of hundreds of followers every evening. The group that I performed for was the Welland Jackfish, and we routinely had two to 3 thousand followers at each sport.
The Welland Jackfish was a firstclass group and, I might say, essentially 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 massive household.
The expertise within the league is excellent and results in many opporunities. Many gamers, particularly coming by way of Welland, have had success on the subsequent degree. Some names that come to thoughts embrace James Bradwell, Justin Gideon, Brendon Dadson and Jake Polancic to call a number of.
After two seasons in Canada, he headed down beneath to Perth to play a season of winter ball in sunny, summer season Australia.
Enjoying in Australia was an enormous stepping stone for me. It positively helped with my growth. I used to be in a position to play video games a few occasions per week. As well as, I used to be in a position to work a full time job. The local weather was supreme. I lived in Perth, Western Australia, and I don’t assume it rained greater than 3 occasions after I was there. This gave me a fantastic alternative to be exterior and play with a fantastic group of fellows.
I performed on a group referred to as the Mellville Braves, a profitable group within the state league. I used to be surrounded by loads 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 when in a lifetime alternative even concerned a brief call-up to the Perth Warmth within the Australian Baseball League, the highest impartial 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 beneath his belt, Smibert headed to the 2024 Frontier League draft.
The Frontier League tryout is a really lengthy day. There are tons of of gamers from all around the nation and world coming to the tryout with the hopes of getting drafted. There’s loads of sitting round, speaking with the gamers, and hanging out. However when your identify 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 regarded 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 choose who shortly turned a mainstay within the lineup.
Along with his resigning for the 2025 season, it’s clear to see that the lengthy and winding street 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 loads of life classes and priceless info that I’ve discovered by way of this complete course of. By means of 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
