CBL Odyssey: Toronto

Dominico Field at Christie Pits, Toronto

In 2026, the Intercounty Baseball League set off on a whole new journey.

It shed its name and sailed into new waters as the Canadian Baseball League.  Bigger, better, bolder.

Early feedback from fans and players has been positive.  Rosters have improved and teams have gotten tougher to play.  Clubs continue to build up their game-day experiences and add more fun.  

This is also the summer of The Odyssey, a film that is already being hailed as the blockbuster of the year.  It's the legendary tale of one man's journey through practically every nook and cranny of the Mediterranean before finally getting home.

With all this in mind, I'm making 2026 the summer of the CBL Odyssey.  I'm revisiting the league's ballparks with a fresh set of eyes, starting at home.

All this time, while producing this blog I never actually sat "on the Christie hillside" to watch a game.  So I did so.  I brought a blanket to a Sunday afternoon game, flopped down under the big tree on the north slope and took in the experience from there.  

DOMINICO FIELD AT CHRISTIE PITS

GETTING THERE - it's the centre of the universe, our own Ithaca.  Most of the time, I will take a long walk from downtown to get there.  If pressed for time, I ride the subway to Christie Station.  Driving there is probably hell.

PARKING - there is no parking lot.  I don't even know where the players park.  Some pavement beside the clubhouse is set aside for visiting team vehicles.  There is some parking at street level.  Beyond that, there are neighbouring streets but have a gander at the posted signs so you don't get ticketed.

BALLPARK VIBES - it's literally a park, open to all.  No grandstand or seating other than a few rows of benches surrounding the infield.  Fans gather around the diamond while others pass through.  Beyond the outfield is a busy skatepark; beyond that is a picnic area and kids' playground.  Plenty of noise and atmosphere.  During the Dominico heydays, someone described the place as The Angry Confines.  Fans can be boisterous, egged on by the heckling of the Bushmen, the league's most notorious fan group. 

IN-GAME ENTERTAINMENT - Michael Roudbari is the Leafs' in-game host and a constant presence between innings.  There's a hot dog vs pretzel race, there's a Mr. Freeze race.  There are contests and giveaways.  Some nights lucky fans get free glow sticks.  Music BLARES.  Like, a lot.

FREEDOM TO ROAM AND TAKE PHOTOS - it's wide open.  You can get right beside the players' benches or go to the furthest corner of the hillsides.  Go wherever you please.  If you want to partake of the reserved area behind third base, that's twenty bucks (with free food and drink provided).

BALLPARK CUISINE - available at a snack bar behind centerfield and at a small concessions tent near the third base line.  The offerings are standard stuff, but just steps away is Bloor Street with an entire United Nations of food available.  You can bring anything (legal) into the park.  Recently I tried a walking taco from the snack bar.  Basically it's a small bag of Doritos sliced open with nacho toppings dumped onto the chips.  A perfect snack if you don't want to be too full during the game.

BALLPARK BEER - Leafs Lager, provided by Left Field Brewery.  Goes down nicely.  The beer tent and snack bar have other beers and drinks available.

TEAM MASCOT - Christie the Dog.

DO KIDS RUN THE BASES? - Yes they do!

OVERHEARD - 

"What would you rather have, ketchup chips, or--"

"A longer life."

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS - hard to knock the place that has been my summer home for over a decade.  I love Christie Pits.  I have made friends here and I have been free to conduct my freelancing shenanigans without incurring the ire of ownership.  The park atmosphere puts everyone in a good mood.  Kids and dogs run around, people sprawl on the hillsides, everyone is chill.  

The absolute number one feature of Christie Pits is that the Leafs charge no admission.  No other pro sports team in the city lets everyone in for free.  It's a quirk that comes from playing in a public park, but with the cost of everything always rising, it's wonderful to have this in Toronto.  Free baseball for free!

WOULD I WANT THIS TO BE MY TEAM'S HOME BALLPARK? - this question is more for the other parks I'll be visiting.  As for Christie Pits, there are certainly some amenities that could be improved.  The restrooms for example.  The nonexistent parking.  If there was more to complain about I'd certainly let the club know.

The CBL Odyssey will continue in Hamilton...