From Goderich to the UK: Ben Moore’s Unexpected Baseball Journey

"This whole experience has been a full circle baseball moment for me."

That’s how my friend Bennett Moore describes his time with the Croydon Pirates, one of the oldest and most storied clubs in the United Kingdom’s National Baseball League (NBL), the country’s top level of competition. But make no mistake: this was never part of the plan. In fact, just a year ago, Ben didn’t even know baseball existed in England!

Ben’s love for baseball was born in small-town Ontario in a place called Goderich, where the game of baseball isn’t just something you play, it’s a summer ritual and a pillar of the community. It didn’t take long for Ben’s talent to stand out. With a big arm and a growing set of skills, he quickly made a name for himself. That promise took him across the border to Johnson County Community College in Kansas, where he played JUCO ball in 2021. After one season, he returned to Canada to suit up for the University of Guelph Gryphons, quickly becoming the team’s ace and earning “Best Pitcher” honours.

By the time Ben’s university career was wrapping up early this year, so too was what he thought would be the end of his time on the mound. But a casual recommendation from a coach sparked something unexpected: an opportunity to play baseball in Europe.

‘’I didn't even know the UK had baseball at all!’’ But after some research and outreach, Ben was connected with the Croydon Pirates, a competitive club in South London known for its passion for the sport. The team was looking for a pitcher, and Ben was looking for an adventure. So, with his degree in hand and glove in his bag, he made the leap.

Adjusting to life in the UK came with its fair share of culture shock, rainy days, unfamiliar accents, and navigating life in a new city.

But once Ben took the field, everything felt familiar. Since arriving, he’s travelled across the country, playing NBL games in London, Sheffield, Hertfordshire, and Essex, learning just as much about the league as he has about the country. And in a fun twist of fate, Ben even hit his first home run, on his very first at-bat since elementary school!

But, it’s not just on the field where he’s leaving his mark.

As part of the Pirates’ mission to grow the sport, the club runs a “Baseball for Beginners” program, helping new players build a foundation and develop a love for the game. Ben has taken an active role in these sessions, teaching, encouraging, and passing along the knowledge he's collected over the years.

‘’It’s been awesome to spread our knowledge of the game and see a lot of the kids improve a lot over the few months I have been here.’’

In many ways, that’s been the most meaningful part of his experience. Baseball took Ben across countries and continents, but now, he's giving something back. He’s helping others discover the same joy that he’s gotten from playing the game.

Ben’s summer with the Croydon Pirates has been more than just an extension of his playing career, it’s been a celebration of everything baseball has to offer.

Whether this marks the final chapter of his time on the mound or the beginning of something entirely new, one thing is certain: Ben’s journey is proof that sport can open doors you never knew existed. Baseball has taken him across two continents and three countries, introducing him to teammates, coaches, and communities that will remain lifelong friends.

And who knows, maybe one day, a kid Ben coached in Croydon will suit up for Team Great Britain.

Whatever comes next, Ben’s story is a reminder that sometimes the best chapters in sport, and in life, are the ones you never saw coming.