Thunder Bay Border Cats set for 2024 Northwoods League season

The Thunder Bay Border Cats hopesome key returns will help them find success on the field this summer.

The Cats start their season on the road on May 27, with the team's home opener scheduled for Port Arthur Stadium on May 31. And the team will again be coached by field manager J.M. Kellyduring his second season in Thunder Bay.

"We really, really enjoyed our relationship with J.M. Kelly," Border Cats vice-president Bryan Graham said. "We had a really solid first half [in 2023],almost wonthe first-half title and clinched a playoff spot, but came up a couple of games short.

"Then, in the second half, we had some injuries and our pitching got a little bit thin," he said. "We think we've corrected that this year onhow we're going to lay out the season, because some of those pitchers aren't here, obviously, for the full 72-game schedule because they're on loan from their college teams."

Kelly's experience in the league last year will be a big help in 2024, Graham said.

"Now that he's seen the league first hand, and gone through all the trials and tribulations that a season can entail, I think he'll make them that much better in year No. 2,especially when it came to recruiting," Graham said. "He was on that right from our final game, beginning the recruiting process for 2024, and we're pretty happy with the way our roster has shaped up now heading into the season."

On the field, Graham said, fans can expect a well-roundedCats team this year.

"I think a lot ofhit-and-runand running the basesis really important to try to manufacture runs," Graham said. "You can't rely on home runs like they do in the big leagues a lot of times.

"Pitching and defence is huge," he said. "I think we'll be strong up the middle again, especially with Cole Ketzner returning as our starting catcher. He did a really great job last year."

This year's roster will also feature plenty of Canadian talent, Graham said.

"We have, right now, 13 Canadians on the roster, which would bean all-time high for the franchise," he said.

Among them is Thunder Bay pitcher Jack Pineau.

"He pitched previously with the Canadian national junior teamand actually worked as a pretty good recruiter," Graham said. "Talked to some of his former teammates on the Canadian squad about Thunder Bay, about the Border Cats, about the Northwoods League, and that played a factor in us being able to recruit some of his former teammates that he played with with the national team.

Work to get Port Arthur Stadium ready for the upcoming Northwoods League season is well underway.

"We've toured it already this springand it's wintered quite well for an aging building," said Brian Black, the city's supervisor of arenas and stadia.

"The field's in great shape," he said. "The guys have started this week to start working on the field.

"Inside of the building was cleaned up last week," Black said."We're looking for minimal maintenance to do this year."