James Leslie "Fiddler" MacDonald was born on August 10th, 1912 on Prince Edward Island. He grew up in the Peakes Station area but became a Charlottetown resident in his youth. He attended St. Dunstan's University in Charlottetown where he quickly established himself as a successful athlete, setting records in Track and Field, Hockey, Basketball, and Football. However it turned out that baseball was his true calling. After a number of years as a pitcher in Charlottetown James MacDonald was recruited by the Amherst St. Pats in 1937.
He remained there and had a great early career until he joined the Canadian Army in 1939. James fought for six years overseas with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and was injured while fighting in Germany. Upon his return he was unable to play the game he loved due to his injuries. His career had once seemed destined for the professional baseball leagues but his six year absence combined with his injury removed hope of that career path.
James stayed connected with the game however, working as a coach of local baseball teams until 1972. He also worked with the postal service in Charlottetown. In respect to his early career James received the honour of being one of the first inductees to the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame in 1976. James died on January 6th, 1996 as the father of 13 children. Many of his children would become prominent ball players in their own right. In respect of his career and the talent he showed in his youth the Charlottetown Mosquito AAA team has held an annual tournament in his honour since 2005.