In eight days, the Barrie Baycats begin defence of its Intercounty Baseball League championship. A championship in 2016 would give the team would mean a Baycats three-peat.
For a team that doesn’t look for flashy names or plays, securing that term would give rare significance to the birth of a dynasty.
The Baycats season and home opener is a rematch of the Dominico Trophy Championship final last season as they host the Kitchener Panthers.
Barrie defeated Kitchener four games to one in that series, but in typical Angus Roy fashion, the Baycats head coach is not taking the Panthers lightly.
“I think the league did a smart thing scheduling last year’s finals opponents against each other for the opening game. It is similar to the NFL model and I think it generates more excitement,” said Roy. “As for my thoughts about how Kitchener looks, I expect them to be strong. Looks like they have the core of their group from last year back and have made some improvements. Having said that, like I always say, we focus on us and what we do. We feel if we play the game the right way it will give us a chance to win every night.”
While numbers can’t predict how the team will play this season, they can boost fans' excitement and expectations.
In its 2014 IBL championship the Baycats went an unbelievable 30-6 in the regular season and a dominant 8-3 in the playoffs.
In its title defence last season Barrie’s regular season record was 28-7 and 12-4 in the playoffs.
Being the kings of the mountain two years running, Roy knows that teams will be even more ready this year than in the previous two.
“I’ve had a few people mention the three-peat to me, but not one of them is a player on the field,” said Roy. “The fans get excited about it, my students mention it but that’s about it. We’re totally focused on the season and playing fundamental baseball like we always do.”
Some IBL teams will look to find new talent in order to make a serious push to the playoffs. In a league not usually known for trades, the Brantford Red Sox and the Panthers completed a blockbuster one-for-one trade last month. The London Majors, who haven’t won the IBL title since 1975, have added talent from Venezuela and Fredericton, NB. The Baycats prefer to stay the course and add the right pieces if and when necessary.
“We haven’t done anything significant as far as transactions,” said Roy. “Everybody is essentially back and I feel we’ve added to our depth. Our starters and relievers were asked for so much last season and gave so much. We want to assist them anyway we can. There are really only two roster spots open and we’ll evaluate how to fill those.”
Veteran first baseman Jordan Castaldo has seen many ups and downs with the team and is prepared for anything. He’d love to repeat his MVP performance and is doing everything possible to do so.
“After winning the 2014 regular season MVP, I had hoped to repeat the performance but started 2015 off slow,” said Castaldo. “I’m just trying to be the best I can be every day and offer as much as possible to this team and my teammates.”
Last year’s playoffs saw Costaldo take MVP, playing outstanding in 16 games with 26 hits, three homeruns, 20 RBI’s and a .456 batting average.
A nine-year IBL veteran, Castaldo has called the Baycats home for three and half seasons. Despite playoff appearances in all nine seasons, Castaldo knows he and the Baycats will never take it for granted. Playing hard and making sure everybody does the same is what has kept the winning going.
"It’s said every year but its true every year, we are a family and we always stick by each other,” said Castaldo. “Our families are friends, we hang out together on weekends and in the off-season. I believe this is one of the most close-knit groups in the league; we won’t let each other down.”
That attitude was evident last season as the Twitter hashtags #Glennergy and #DoItForGlenny took the city by storm. Centre fielder Glenn Jackson was the focus of the championship goal as the organization pledged to try to get the veteran his first IBL ring. With champion beside his name now, Jackson wants another one, but says he’s doing it for something else.
“I’m excited and the goal is and always will be a championship, but this year the weight is off the back,” said Jackson. “I’m going to go out and focus on playing well and giving back to the best fans in the IBL.”
When asked what hashtag best describes this year’s Baycats squad, the ever charismatic Jackson didn’t skip a beat.
“Business trip,” said Jackson. “Definitely #businesstrip, because this one is going to be all business. The more we win, the more we want it.”
Dates to know:
The Baycats organization and their Executive of the Year President David Mills, are hosting the IBL All-Star Game on July 2. A team of IBL All Stars will face the Canadian under 18 National Team. More fun events for the day will be announced soon.
Teams that make their first visit of the year to Barrie and when:
- Barrie hosts Kitchener Saturday May 7 at 2pm
- Barrie hosts Guelph Saturday May 14 at 2pm
- Barrie hosts London Saturday May 22 at 1pm
- Barrie hosts Toronto Thursday May 26 at 7:30pm
- Barrie hosts Brantford Saturday June 4 at 7pm
- Barrie hosts Burlington Wednesday June 15 at 7:30pm
- Barrie hosts Hamilton Saturday June 18 at 7pm
Tickets for games are available now by checking out the website at www.barriebaycats.com
