James Anderson Retires from Playing Career, Named to Baycats Athletic Training Staff for 2026

Barrie, ON – After five seasons in a Barrie Baycats uniform, James Anderson is officially retiring from his playing career and will remain with the organization in a new role for the 2026 season.

Anderson will join the Baycats’ athletic training staff through his company, Sinclair Sports Medical Centre, which has been named the club’s Official Athletic Trainer beginning in 2026.

“It’s always tough when you know you’re done,” Anderson said. “My wife and I were expecting a child, and it was kind of one of those moments where I was like, if this is [it], this is going to be the right time.”

While the timing made sense personally, the decision wasn’t easy—especially with the league’s recent transition to professional baseball.

“Oh, 100% it was tough,” he said. “It was very tough to be like, ‘Hey, now I could officially say I’ve played on a pro team.’ That little feather in your cap kind of thing.”

What helped make the transition easier was the opportunity to stay with the Baycats in a different capacity.

“Once we knew that I was actually going to be the trainer, it kind of made that decision a lot easier,” Anderson explained. “It was just like, okay, cool. We’re going to hang up the cleats and I still get to be a part of it, just in a different capacity.” 

A Baycats Career Built on Versatility and Perspective

Anderson officially signed with the Baycats ahead of the eventually cancelled 2020 season and would play his first season in his hometown in 2021 and appear in 113 games over the next five seasons. He recorded 79 hits, 30 RBI, and finished his career with a .253 batting average, delivering consistent production in both regular season and playoff appearances. His strongest season came in 2022, when he hit .281 across 33 games.

Despite often filling depth and situational roles, Anderson embraced every opportunity.

“Every game was a blessing,” he said. “I didn’t know how many more I had, so especially the last season, it was just living in the moment.”

That mindset defined his perspective on the Baycats playoff run in 2024.

“When that last pitch was thrown, it was amazing,” Anderson said. “Even though I didn’t necessarily get a whole lot of playing time for those playoffs, it was still a night that I’ll never forget.”

A Seamless Transition from Player to Trainer

Anderson’s next chapter with the Baycats brings his professional work in sports medicine directly to the dugout. He founded Sinclair Sports Medical Centre shortly after beginning his playing career, balancing baseball with the development of a clinic focused on athlete care, injury management, and performance.

“Baseball’s been such a big part of my life since I was four or five years old,” Anderson said. “So being able to still be here, still be involved—it means a lot.”

Now, that lifelong connection continues in a new role—supporting Baycats players from the training room rather than the batter’s box.

With Sinclair Sports Medical Centre joining the organization as the Official Athletic Trainer, Anderson’s transition represents both the end of a playing career and the continuation of a long-standing commitment to the game and to the Baycats.

More details regarding the 2026 Baycats Athletic Training Staff—which will include Anderson—will be announced at a later date. 

The Baycats open up their 2026 Canadian Baseball League campaign on May 14th at 7:38 pm at Athletic Kulture Stadium against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Get your tickets here