Multiple Panthers appointed to 2026 CBL All-Star Weekend
Posted Jul 11, 2026 07:27:03 AM.
Last Updated Jul 11, 2026 09:53:15 AM.
While the honour of hosting the 2026 Canadian Baseball League all-star weekend goes to the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers, the Kitchener Panthers are not without heavy representation at the league’s most prestigious event.
To the surprise of nobody in the league, infielder Malik Williams will make his second trip to the all-star game, off the back of one of the most productive offensive first halves in the league. Malik enters the all-star break as the CBL’s qualified batting average leader, hitting a ridiculous .439 in 21 games. He pairs that consistency with power, as his 8 home runs trail only Barrie outfielder Canice Ejoh. Williams sits tied with Ejoh for fourth in CBL RBIs with 29 through the first half.
Williams was previously named to the all-star team back in 2024 as a member of the Barrie Baycats. After four years with Barrie, 2026 is Malik’s debut season with Kitchener.
After a productive yet limited eight-game sample in 2025, Petey Kiefer burst onto the scene in 2026 and will now make his debut CBL all-star appearance. Kiefer enters the all-star break on an active 11-game hitting streak, reflecting the relentless consistency at the plate that sees him with a batting average just below .300.
Prior to Williams’ mid-season ascension, Kiefer led the Panthers in RBIs, though his production cooled slightly in June with his total sitting at 19 after the first half. He pairs consistent production with all-around statistical impact, as Kiefer has hit five home runs, stolen nine bases, and walked 12 times in his first 24 games.
Evan Elliott will be Kitchener’s sole pitching representative at the 2026 CBL all-star weekend, and does so thanks to a workhorse first half that saw him make 19 starts, tied for the league lead. Elliott enters the All-Star break with a 3-3 record and 5.28 ERA, which undersells how productive he has been in the first half. His 46.0 innings pitched is one of the largest sample sizes in the league, and in that time he has allowed a WHIP of 1.50, with 11 walks overshadowed by 34 strikeouts. Eliott has thrown three or more strikeouts in eight different games in the first half, and has held opposing offenses to five hits or fewer in six of those contests. The 25-year-old former Toronto Maple Leaf will be appearing in his first All-Star Weekend.
Finally, while not on the official all-star roster, slugger Josh Williams will make his second-ever appearance at all-star weekend as a member of the 2026 CBL Home Run Derby. The 31-year-old is one of the league’s strongest power bats, with 11 career home runs. Williams will face London’s Tucker Zdunich is the opening round of the derby, before a second-round matchup with either Guelph’s Victor Mascai, or defending derby champion Tyler Duncan of Hamilton.
Joining the skills competition events on Saturday will be Kiefer, who will feature in the “bunting accuracy” competition alongside Chatham-Kent’s Thomas Green, Hamilton’s Brandon Nicoll, and Welland’s Brendan Luther.
The skills competition will kick off at Chatham-Kent’s Fergie Jenkins Field at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. The event will be capped off in the evening by a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.
The 2026 CBL All Star Game itself will take place on Sunday, July 12. The event will begin at 2:05 p.m. but aircraft enthusiasts should arrive early. The Royal Canadian Air Force will open the event with a flyover of a CH-147F Chinook helicopter to kick off the festivities at 2 p.m.
Tickets have not yet sold out, and you can get your passes to attend either day of the 2026 CBL All-Star Weekend here.
Kitchener Panthers:
