Jamie Batley An Intense and Intelligent Leader

Editor's Note - The pandemic has resulted in activities across the World being delayed or cancelled for the past 20 months, including countless events in the Canadian lacrosse community. However, on Saturday, November 13, 2021 - the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame held a double cohort Induction ceremony for the years 2020 and 2021. A total of 4 players, 2 builders, 1 veteran and 1 team were inducted for each year.

***

This is the 5th of 16 feature articles pertaining to the most recent teams, players, builders, or veterans inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. The following article highlights the player Jamie Batley – who had a hugely successful career individually and with accomplished teams.  Jamie played on 2 Minto Cup championship teams and 3 Mann Cup teams.  He also coached 5 Mann Cup teams. Jamie Batley was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2020 honoured in the Player category.

As a youngster, Peterborough native Jamie Batley was an all-round athlete, excelling in every sport he played. He participated in football, basketball and lacrosse in high school. He also played all-star hockey from pee-wee to major midget – good enough to be drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and playing with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Major Hockey League in the 1985-86 season.

However, it is the game of lacrosse where Jamie Batley has been immensely successful as both a player and coach. He has amassed a substantial record of provincial, national, and international team championships, along with equally impressive individual success.

As with many lacrosse greats, there is a family legacy with involvement in the sport of lacrosse. Jamie Batley’s father Art played with the Peterborough Timbermen Mann Cup teams in the 1950s.  Jamie’s uncle Robert “Rock” Batley was both a Minto and Mann Cup champion in the early 1950’s, who has been inducted into both the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame. Jamie’s older brothers Wayne and Todd, also played lacrosse winning Minto Cups.  Wayne in 1981 and 1982.  Todd in 1981, 1982 and 1983. Wayne also won a Mann Cup in 1984.

When asked for his reaction about being inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Jamie Batley replied, “My first thoughts were that this was a huge honour to be amongst the greater lacrosse players and builders ever. I was truly blown away”.

As a player, Jamie Batley was a skilled goal scorer and playmaker - twice leading the OLA Junior "A:" League in scoring (1986 and 1987). He also won the Junior “A” League Most Valuable Player in 1987. To give proper perspective to Batley’s scoring prowess, he is the 11th all time in assists (464) for regular and playoff points combined for Junior “A” lacrosse.  He is the 16th ranked player (782 points) for regular and playoff points combined. 

Jamie shared in team success, as he played on two Minto Cup Championship teams as a member of the Peterborough Maulers in 1986 and 1987. In addition, he was recipient of the Peterborough Junior Athlete of the Year in 1987.

During his field lacrosse college career, Jamie Batley was an All-American award winner at the Division 1, University of Maryland Baltimore County in 1993.

Jamie Batley was a member of the 1990 Canadian Men's National Field Lacrosse Team who played in the World Games as a Silver Medal winning team.  He also played with the bronze winning 1994 Team Canada.

When Jamie played Major Series Lacrosse, he continued to be a skilled sniper. He was a member of two Mann Cup Championship teams with the Six Nations Chiefs in 1995 and 1996 and a third Mann Cup with the Peterborough Lakers in 2004.

Amongst Jamie Batley’s favourite lacrosse memories relates to success.  In a matter-of-fact manner, Jamie stated, “Winning always comes to mind. My first Minto Cup in Coquitlam in 1986 was truly special because we beat Victoria who had a great team as well. Paul and Gary Gait, the Pepper twins and Tom Marachuk were all on that Victoria team. It was definitely a team effort. Also, my first Mann Cup win in 1997 in Queens Park arena. Winning the lacrosse pinnacle in a storied building. What a battle that Series was!”.

Jamie Batley also played 30 games over four seasons in the National Lacrosse League from 1995 through 2000 with the Buffalo Bandits (1995 and 1999), Syracuse Smash (1998) and Pittsburgh Crossfire (2000).

Upon ending his career as a player, Jamie Batley stayed involved in lacrosse as a Coach and General Manager.  His success speaks for itself.  He coached the Peterborough Lakers from 2002 to 2013 winning 5 Mann Cups and 6 Provincial titles as his teams played in 10 straight Major Series Lacrosse finals.  This tenure as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Peterborough Lakers is one of the most successful in the history of Canadian Major Series lacrosse.

For the 2016, 2017 and 2019 lacrosse seasons, Jamie Batley coached the Kahnawake Mohawks of the Quebec Senior “B” League competing in the Presidents Cup winning a silver Medal in 2016 and a bronze medal in 2019.

He has also coached in the National Lacrosse League. Jamie Batley has been the Head Coach with the Colorado Mammoth (2003-05), Chicago Shamrox (2006-2008) Toronto Rock (2009) and the Vancouver Stealth (2016-2018).  Recently, Jamie joined the Halifax Thunderbirds as member of the lacrosse operations staff.

In addition, Jamie Batley was the Head Coach for Team USA’s Bronze medal performance at the 2003 Federation of International Lacrosse World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.  He was also an Assistant Coach of the Gold Medal winning team from Canada at the 2007 World Cup.

Both as a player and coach, Jamie Batley is involved - he is constantly assessing, evaluating and adjusting. He always has an intensity about him, even when he is calm. His success is not the result of good luck. Jamie Batley’s approach to the game is exceptionally professional. And Jamie is quick to acknowledge those who helped him develop – “Obviously my dad (Art)and my brothers (Wayne and Todd) had a huge impact on my game from age three. Also, my Coaches - John Martin, Danny Dunn and Les Wakeling.  These three always pushed me to be better and allowed me to develop and all-around game. Lastly I couldn’t have achieved any success without my fellow team mates. Win or lose, having good team mates that put the team before themselves is what team sports is all about.”

Jamie Batley had a hugely successful career both individually and with accomplished Peterborough teams.  A player on two Minto Cup championship teams, three Mann Cup championship teams and coaching 5 Mann Cup teams.  Jamie was inducted into the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2017.  Without question, Jamie Batley has earned his place into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Player category, Class of 2020.

(Written by Rad Joseph - Member of Major Series Lacrosse Media team)