THUNDER BAY – New Border Cats manager J.M. Kelly is hoping to land the big one this summer – in more than one way.
First and foremost, the Buna, Texas native is hoping to lead the Thunder Bay Border Cats to their third Northwoods League championship, which would be the team’s first since 2008, a 15-year title drought.
Secondly, as an avid outdoorsman who had never once been to Canada before arriving in his silver pick-up truck last Thursday night, he’s looking forward to the fishing, adding he’s already connected with a couple of locals who have fed him information on some of the region’s top angling spots.
However, as of Monday, the fishing will go on hold for at least a few days, the Border Cats scheduled to play their first Opening Day game in four years, a date with the Mankato Moondogs a chance to finally see of what this team is made.
Kelly, the head coach at Missouri’s East Central College, said it was the quality of baseball that drew him to Port Arthur Stadium, where next Tuesday the Border Cats will welcome the Duluth Huskies to kick off the home portion of their 2023 schedule.
“I think it’s an opportunity to coach in the Northwoods League. It’s an opportunity to coach in an environment with a lot of really good baseball, a lot of really talented players,” said Kelly, who was slated to be an assistant under Mike Steed last season, until the Border Cats were wiped off the schedule due to border restrictions between Canada and the United States.
“It was an opportunity to do something different. I’ve never been to Canada. I’ve never been this far north.”
Kelly, who has Division 1 coaching experience, said it was also a chance to work with players who understand the game at a slightly different level than his junior college players.
“They have a different approach to how they interact and how they go about their business.”
The 14th manager in the Border Cats 20-year history, Kelly said he’s built a team ready to execute the fundamentals of the game.
“The managing part kind of takes care of itself. These players are all really good players and they don’t need me here to make the decisions, but I think it was a motivation to me to see how good a recruiting job I could do to put a team together that could compete,” Kelly said.
“We’re not going to hit a bunch of home runs. We’re going to try to steal some bags. We’re going to hit-and-run. We’re going to play good defence. I think we’re going to throw a lot of strikes. We’re not going to be out there throwing 95 to 98, but we’re going to be upper eights, low nines.”
Thunder Bay’s home opener next Tuesday is scheduled for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.
Cat tracks: Caden Fishash will be on the mound for the Cats on Monday night … The Cats have signed a third local, Porter Jorgenson, to a temporary contract, joining Jack Pineau and Will Droll. Older brother Bryce also spent time with the team … Thunder Bay has a 496-676 record over 17 seasons.
