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Border Cats ready to swing

THUNDER BAY – Robert Fulkerson likes to think he’s got a bit of an edge heading into the 2016 Northwoods League campaign. A freshman at South New Hampshire University last season, the Anaheim, Calif.
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(Photo by Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – Robert Fulkerson likes to think he’s got a bit of an edge heading into the 2016 Northwoods League campaign.

A freshman at South New Hampshire University last season, the Anaheim, Calif. native is already used to hitting with a wooden bat, a rarity in the college game, but mandated in the Northeast-10 Conference.

The third baseman is hoping it will translate into success with the Border Cats and help him jumpstart his offensive game this summer.

“I’m a little more used to it now that I have a year under my belt. So it’s pretty nice having that,” he said on Saturday.

“I think I’m a little step ahead.”

Fulkerson was one of several first-year Border Cats players trickling into the city ahead of Tuesday’s season opener at Port Arthur Stadium.

 

There’s a huge difference between making good contact with a wood bat and one made of metal, said Fulkerson, a .211 hitter in 18 games in his rookie college season.

“With metal, if you hit it anywhere, the ball’s going to go. Swinging with wood, you really have to make contact in the right place.”

Traditionally the early portion of the schedule has favoured pitching. Most hitters must adjust to hitting with wood, while pitchers simply do what they do best.

Rookie Ryan Sutterer, a strapping first baseman who also dabbles on the mound, said the key to success early on is being to make the adjustment right away.

“I’ve had some experience with that in the summers back home,” the 6-foot-5, 270-pound junior from Anoka, Minn. said.

“I just want to come out and help the team win, whether it’s on the field, at the dish or on the mound.”

First-year general manager Dan Grant said second-year manager Danny Benedetti, an assistant coach with the St. John Redman, was specific with the type of player he wanted on the roster.

Familiar faces are few and far between on the 2016 edition of the Border Cats. Pitcher Gunnar Kay returns after a one-year absence as does infielder Bryce Jorgenson, who struggled last season, but spent the winter working on his game.

Pitching and defence are what wins games in the Northwoods League, Grant said. 

He’s cautiously optimistic about the team’s chances in both departments.

“From what I saw on paper, I think we’ve got a pretty strong pitching staff. Pitching and defence in this league are going to help you more, especially at the start, because a lot of these kids haven’t used wood bats before, so it takes a little getting used to,” said Grant, who played with the Cats in 2003.

“If we can take advantage of the pitching and defence right away, I think it gives us a good head start to the season.”

The Cats take on the Mankato Moon Dogs on Tuesday night at Port Arthur Stadium.
 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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