Just when you thought the accolades were over, the Barrie Baycats pop up in the awards category again.
Fresh off their InterCounty Baseball League championship win, the boys of summer will be honoured on October 5 for the first two title wins of their recent threepeat.
The 2014 and 2015 Baycats squads are being inducted into the Barrie Hall of Fame as an Honoured Team. In those two years, Barrie went an astounding 58-13 in the regular season and 20-7 in the playoffs.
Team President David Mills is still on cloud nine with the recent title win but remembers the back to back wins fondly and believes the foundation was laid then for what fans are seeing now.
“That 2014 team was coming off some pretty tough losses to Brantford (Red Sox),” said Mills. “It was emotional for everyone, especially the players and I feel it was likely a turning point for us. We’ve always been a contender and on the cusp of getting a title, now it’s almost an expectation for and by our dressing room.”
Fans showed their excitement this past season by pouring in to Coates Stadium all summer long. Barrie’s attendance is always great, but this year was booming. Mills believes this is directly related to the success the team has every year and especially most recently.
“I think we’re up in attendance about 10 percent,” said Mills. “I think that’s in part to two things; the great media coverage we’ve had at the park and of course the successful team that Coach Angus Roy puts on the field game in and game out. When you’re winning everyone is on board and we’ve been fortunate to not only have great squads but also loyal fans.”
President Mills knows easily his favourite moment of the 2014 and 2015 wins, despite it being on visiting grounds.
“When we won in 2014 we did it in London but it was very emotional,” said Mills. “Just to see guys who had been here for five or six years and finally have their hard work pay off for them and the team was something special. Winning at home 2015 was amazing and to be able to see our fans celebrating and having a blast was great, but that win the year before meant so much to the guys on the team.”
If you were one of the many in attendance this year or any of the previous 16 years, you’re used to two things: winning and Mike Clark.
The winning squads aren’t the only Baycats related personnel heading the Barrie Hall of Fame. Clark has been the stadium announcer for the Baycats from day one and will be honoured with the Jean McCann Unsung Hero Award at the October 5 ceremony.
Moving to Barrie in 1967, Clark immediately got involved in the city’s sports scene. Besides being an avid golfer, the 62-year-old played pick up hockey and was a member of the Bentorswell Construction and Starr Electric team in the Barrie and Intermediate Fastball League for 15 years.
“I’ve been a sports guy all my life, particularly baseball,” said Clark. I just love the atmosphere of sports and the highs and lows that go with it. When I got to Barrie in ’67, the Barrie Minor Baseball Association wasn’t established yet so it was slim pickings for ball. I was a basketball player in high school but the lure of the diamond brought me back first chance.”
That lure of the diamond called in 2001 in the form of the media box. When it was announced that Barrie was getting an IBL team, Clark threw his name in the hat for the position of Public Address Announcer. Not sure if he had a chance with his zero experience, Clark got the call and has been there ever since.
“The first game was very surreal,” said Clark. “It was extremely intimidating but so fun at the same time. I took a few tries leading up to the day to sit in the box and practice on the system, learn the logistics of it and of course put my own spin on it.”
There have been many memorable moments for the veteran announcer; but the first title win in 2005 while the club was only four years old came to mind immediately.
“2005 game six was hands down my favourite moment,” said Clark. “facing Toronto and they had Paul Spoljaric on the mound, in my opinion the best pitcher the league had seen, and to be able to conquer that team and that moment in such a young existence was by far my favourite moment.”
Spoljaric was also on the mound for Clark’s most embarrassing moment, and the man who is always prepared for the games remembers the moment vividly.
“Oh yeah, I’ll never forget and recall it like it was yesterday,” said Clark. “Spoljaric was facing our own Dave Latour and got two strikes on him in the 2005 playoffs. I don’t know if it was the craziness of the moment or what but I put my head down and started to announce the next batter as if Latour was out. That feeling of having nearly everyone in the stadium turn around and look at you is not one I wish on anyone. It’s all good and laughable now, but back then there wasn’t anywhere I could crawl into quick enough.”
On October 5, Clark joins two of the championship winning squads he called for and says that the whole induction is extremely humbling and was a total shock. While he knows that his announcing duties are something he takes seriously and enjoys knowing all the stats and facts, Clark is still a self-proclaimed homer and loves his hometown team.
“Sometimes something will happen on the field, whether it’s a call that I as a fan disagree with or a great play by the Baycats and I have to remember to make sure my mic is off before I say what’s on my mind,” laughed Clark. “Hey, what can I say? I love my team.”
The Barrie Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place on October 5 at 8 p.m. at the Barrie Legion on St. Vincent.
