WITH new coach and General Manager Josh Matlow at the helm, the Barrie Baycats are eager to retain their 2019 IBL championship crown after a year-long sabbatical due to the pandemic.

In recent years, the Baycats have ruled supreme in the Intercounty Baseball League — winning the past six Dominico Cup titles in a row. 

However, they could not defend their title last season after the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With several fresh faces in the dugout, the Baycats were looking to get off to a strong start when the new 36-game season was due to kick off on June 3rd when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Coates Stadium in Midhurst. However, the IBL has pushed back its opening day to early July.

Mr. Matlow expressed his delight on starting the new season after a long hiatus: “Words cannot describe the excitement. From my end, the staff, the players and the fans. We have been longing for Baycats baseball for quite a while!

Coach Matlow has a history with the Baycats. He was part of the first Baycats team to lift an IBL title in 2005 and became GM and coach after Angus Roy’s departure in 2019.

“At this point, it doesn’t feel like my first season. It feels like it’s been a while since I started back with the organization. We have gone through a couple of seasons of preparation now, so I’m just excited to prepare for this season which is only two month away! 

Mr. Matlow has high hopes for his team and believes they have what it takes to get to the finals once again. 

“With a lot of changes to the roster, I think we have done an excellent job to not only bring in new great baseball players but great human beings. 

“What the organization has the highest expectations of great people. We have gotten younger, stronger and definitely faster. We feel we are still the team to beat in the IBL.”

Mr. Matlow added: “I not only think we are still one of the elite teams in the IBL, but with all the upcoming young talent and the relationships we have made of recent, I think we will be contenders and hopefully champions for many years to come!”

For more information on the Barrie Baycats, visit their website www.barriebaycats.com