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Cats manager hopeful season will start on time

Mike Steed said not a single player has said they won't come if and when the Northwoods League season begins.

THUNDER BAY – Mike Steed doesn’t know if the Thunder Bay Border Cats will get a season in.

Like most of baseball, he’s waiting for the OK from senior levels of government to start allowing sporting events to take place, the COVID-19 pandemic having shut everything down indefinitely – including the college baseball season south of the border.

What Steed, who returns to the Cats after a nine-year absence, is certain of is that when the sanctions are lifted, he’ll have a full lineup of players raring to hit the diamond and get the 2020 Northwoods League season started.

Steed, who served as pitching coach for the Border Cats in 2009 and managed the team in 2010 and 2011, says not a single one of the 34 players signed has suggested they won’t come north if and when the schedule is allowed to begin.

“I thought this might have some kids or families worried about them traveling. But we have 34 players right now on the roster and we haven’t lost one, right now,” said Steed, reached via Skype earlier this week.

“It’s been very encouraging that way.”

Part of it has to do with the fact the college season ended so abruptly.

Many players, depending how their teams fare, are playing in the days and weeks before the Northwoods League seasons kicks off at the end of May each year.

This year, there will be a three-month gap.

Steed said his guys are itching and eager to go.

He acknowledged it won’t happen overnight, even when they get the thumbs up. His players are all sticking to routines, but it’s tough to stay motivated with no coaches around hounding them daily.

“I think it’s going to be two or three weeks, at the very shortest, that they’re going to need to be in game shape,” Steed said.

“With the extended rosters and the couple of extra pitchers we were able to bring in, I think that’s going to be everybody’s concern, just being able to manage your pitching staff and keeping them healthy ... That’s first and foremost. They recognize they have to get out and pitch, but we also don’t want to put anybody in harm’s way.”

As for what the season might look like, that’s still up in the air.

The Canada-U.S. border is still closed to all but essential traffic, and Ontario still has strict COVID-19 protocols in place that wouldn’t allow games to be played under current regulations.

Steed said he’s operating under the assumption the league will start on time, adding the league is holding off making any rash decisions until they see what the situation is like in a month or so.

“I know they’re talking about it and it’s in the back of their minds – safety for our players and the best for the organizations. I think they’re going to do everything they can to play baseball this summer in the Northwoods League, if it’s in tune with what the world tells us.

Steed also didn’t dismiss the possibility of playing a single half, if things are pushed back.

“Sure, I think so ... If we can push it back to give ourselves a little bit more time, I think everybody is in favour of that. If we can get half a season in and still render a playoff and a champion, I think that would be a big bonus and a win for everyone involved.”



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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