Mike Labossiere of Brandon, who is generally recognized as one of the best catchers ever from our province, was added to Baseball Manitoba's Honour Society this past Saturday night.

Labossiere broke into the Manitoba Senior Baseball League with the Virden Oilers at the tender age of 17 playing with them from 1969-74, and went on to have an impressive career with the Hamiota Red Sox from 1975-89.

His accomplishments are numerous: 11 times a 1st team all-star, six times named to the 2nd team, MSBL MVP in 1982 and 2nd team all-star catcher and also name dto the MSBL all-time All-Star Team.

Labossiere played in many Western Canada and National baseball championships, and had two stints with the Canadian National team at World Championships – 1978 in Bologna, Italy and 1980 in Tokyo, Japan.

He also coached for many years in Hamiota, along with the provincial team program including the 1985 Canada Games, where Manitoba received a silver medal, and the 1999 Western Canada Summer Games.

In 1985 he along with Al Robertson and Ray Mutcheson, were named Baseball Manitoba coaches of the year.

It was as a member of Baseball Canada Coaches Committee and as a clinician for Baseball Manitoba where he had a major impact in the delivery of the National Coaches Certification Program not only in Manitoba but across Canada. He authored the book “Getting Started in Baseball” that was used for many years at the coach introductory levels, and also wrote the catching section for the Level 3 Technical Coaches manual.

As a clinician he instructed Level 1, 2 and 3 Technical clinics and was a main driver in the training of new clinicians to carry on the program. He also attended games and practices carrying out coach evaluations to further their development.

He served as Baseball Manitoba’s Vice-President of Development for 3 years (1991-1993) and has been the president of the Brandon Senior Baseball League, hosting several provincial championships the last few years.

Labossiere was also a scout for the New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Baseball Manitoba's 2015 Awards Banquet was held this past Saturday in Brandon.


Clayton Dreger asked Mike Labossiere to talk about his addition to Baseball Manitoba's Honour Society





photo by Patti Hacault