Barrie Baycats eager for next week's home opener
The Barrie Baycats are back on the field, practicing ahead of next week's home opener.
On Thursday, the team introduced itself to the community as players prepare to host the Toronto Maple Leafs at next week's home opener.
"So we have some new players, and we have a good core from last year that came back," says Josh Matlow, the club president. "We lost in the semi-finals, but we anticipate to hopefully be a contender this year. We think we're going to be there!"
Jake Wilson plays centerfield. As a lifelong fan, he's thrilled to be representing the team this year.
"I grew up watching them as a young guy, so it's kind of cool to see myself on the field as a Baycat and no longer just watching them, being part of the team," says Wilson. "It's just so much excitement. I'm just waiting to play in the summer."
This year's season is longer than usual, with 42 games scheduled compared to the typical 36 games. Last year's season was even shorter due to COVID-19, with only 30 games scheduled.
Matlow says as a small-town team they are excited to engage the community as often as possible.
"I think we're going to be focusing a lot on getting to know some of our local guys specifically so that the fans know who's from the area and who is part of the community, and a lot of these guys are coming out to a lot of the community initiatives as well which I'm very lucky for," says Matlow.
The team's first regular-season game is next Thursday at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
EXHIBITION GAME
The Baycats will also play an exhibition game against the Thornhill Reds on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Fans can enter the game free with a non-perishable food donation for the Barrie Food Bank. Without a donation, entry costs $2, with proceeds going directly to the food bank.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.