CATS SIGN FUTURE DALLAS BAPTIST OUTFIELDER! The Border Cats are pleased to announce the signing of outfielder Ben McConnell. A current standout at Fort Scott Community College, McConnell is slated to join the elite Division I Dallas Baptist University program this upcoming fall. After 10 games with Fort Scott this season, he is hitting .500 with a .605 on base percentage. He's also tallied 3 home runs, 8 RBI's and 8 stolen bases. Welcome to the Cats, Ben! Ticket packages are on-sale now! For more information go here: https://squareup.com/store/thunder-bay-border-cats/item/ten-game-flex-pack

Northwoods League Foundation to Donate $50,000 in Baseball and Softball Equipment! Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League Foundation is celebrating the 25th season of the Northwoods League by donating $50,000 in youth Rawlings baseball and softball equipment through 20 grants. Each grant, with an approximate retail value of $2500, will include two sets of catcher’s gear, ten gloves, eight batting helmets, six bats and one bucket of practice balls. Ten baseball grants will be awarded, one in each North Division market. And ten softball grants will be awarded, one in each South Division market. Organizations must meet applicable criteria related to IRS 501(c)(3) guidelines and the Northwoods League Foundation’s Mission. The Northwoods League Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves as a vehicle to transform a shared passion for baseball into positive change and support for communities. The Mission of the Northwoods League Foundation is to utilize the game of baseball to enrich the quality of life for children and families with an enduring and caring focus on Northwoods League communities. “Share the Glove is an exciting opportunity for the Foundation to support youth organizations throughout our communities during the highly visible celebration of the Northwoods League’s 25th anniversary,” said Gary Hoover, Northwoods League Foundation Secretary. “We not only have the chance to impact those communities where the Northwoods League operates, but to foster a love and appreciation for the games of baseball and softball through participation.” Northwoods League affiliate teams will be coordinating the application process within their respective communities throughout the Spring. Grant recipients will be notified in mid-May, ahead of Opening Day scheduled for May 29th. For all information, please go here: https://northwoodsleague.com/thunder-bay-border-cats/share-the-glove/

BORDER CATS NOMINATED FOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SMALL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD! The Border Cats are excited to be nominated for a 2018 Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Small Business Excellence Award. Congratulations to all the nominees! For all the information on the event you can go to this website: http://tbchamber.ca/event/2018-bizawards/

Northwoods League Celebrating 25th Season in 2018! Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League is turning 25 this summer. To commemorate this quarter century milestone, the League has unveiled a “25 Seasons” logo that will be featured on-field and across its digital platforms throughout the 2018 campaign. Visitors to Northwoodsleague.com and its network of team websites will see the celebratory theme prominently displayed across site headers and background graphics. League social media accounts, the Northwoods League mobile app, and its extensive webcasting and video platform will also showcase 25th Season-themed graphics and content this summer. On the field, 25th Season patches will be featured on all team home, road and alternate uniforms, along with umpire uniforms. Team batting practice tops will be adorned with a 25th Season design, and a commemorative baseball that includes the 25th Season logo will be used. Through social media and website content to be released starting in March and continuing through Opening Day, fans will be able to revisit 25 Memorable Moments from the Northwoods League’s first 25 years. “The celebration of 25 seasons is an exciting milestone we share with our affiliates, fans, alumni and community partners that have been an integral part of our history,” said Gary Hoover, President of the Northwoods League. “We look forward to the opportunity to recognize and honor important benchmarks from our first 25 years, while continuing to provide unparalleled experiences for our players and fans, this season and well into the future.” The 2018 season, which opens on May 29th, is sure to be filled with memory-making moments of its own. Look for details coming soon about the 2018 Northwoods League All-Star Game and an initiative out of the Northwoods League Foundation that will be part of the 25th Season Celebration. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 185 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

GOOD LUCK, AJ!!! If you've ever been to a Border Cats game you've gotten to see first hand how one person can make any night at the ballpark an entertaining an unforgettable one. AJ has been a staple around Port Arthur Stadium on summer nights for a longtime entertaining the fans between innings and just being a genuinely helpful and friendly guy to all the fans. I was fortunate enough to be a co-host on his radio show at Magic 99.9 a couple times and lucky enough to become a friend. Today is AJ's last day on the radio and last day in Thunder Bay as tomorrow he hops in a U-Haul and drives to Winnipeg to become a host on Hot 100.5's morning show. Not only will he be missed in the community and on the radio waves, but he will be sorely missed around the ballpark this summer. Thank you for everything you've done for the Border Cats, Gonzo Leite, and good luck in Winnipeg! DG

CARTWRIGHT BACK AS PITCHING FOR THE BORDER CATS! Thunder Bay, ON - The Thunder Bay Border Cats are happy to announce that pitching coach Matt Cartwright will be returning for the 2018 summer. “We are excited to have Matt back working with pitchers this season,” said General Manager Dan Grant. “He was a respected coach by the players and a big help to our pitching staff.” Coach Feller added, “I'm excited to have Matt back with us this season. He brings a wealth of knowledge of pitching and a high baseball IQ.” Feller continued, “He was able to help develop the pitchers throughout the season for us and prepare them for a successful career.” The Border Cats home opener for the 2018 Northwoods League season is June 2 with a 7:35pm start time. Ticket Packages are currently available at https://squareup.com/store/thunder-bay-border-cats/ The Thunder Bay Border Cats are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 185 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (LAD) and Lucas Duda (TBR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.bordercatsbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Border Cats as your favorite team.

ROSS SIGNS WITH CATS! The Border Cats are happy to announce the signing of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho native, Jordan Ross. Ross, a junior transfer shortstop at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville hit .347 last year at Spokane Falls Community College and led the team with 60 hits. He also won the NWAC gold glove award last season. The Thunder Bay Border Cats are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 185 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.bordercatsbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Border Cats as your favorite team.

INTRODUCING THE NEW JINGLE FOR THE BORDER CATS! Do you love the Border Cats? Do you love music? If so, then you'll love the new Border Cats jingle! Created by the musician who made the most popular jingle in history...does "Save big money at Menard's" ring a bell? Here is the link: https://soundcloud.com/user-280061243/border-cats-jingle We hope you enjoy it.

ALEX NOLAN FIRST CANADIAN SIGNED! The Border Cats are happy to welcome back RHP Alex Nolan to the squad. Nolan, born in Burlington, ON plays for Brock University and was only part of the Border Cats for the final weekend in 2017 to help fill a spot. Nolan impressed the coaching staff so much with his character and potential he's signed for the 2018 summer. With Brock this fall he held a 1.59 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 17 innings. The Thunder Bay Border Cats are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 185 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.bordercatsbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Border Cats as your favorite team.

LOOKING FOR AN AMAZING NEW EXPERIENCE IN THE NEW YEAR? BECOME A HOST FAMILY! Every summer over 30 aspiring baseball players move to Thunder Bay looking to develop their skills on the field. There's more to the summer than just baseball, however. Part of the successful development of a player is a place to stay in Thunder Bay. Every year, we have amazing people volunteer to give a spot in their home to one of these athletes. It's an incredible experience, as you'll see in the video below. There are many perks to becoming a host family including complimentary season tickets. If you, or anybody you know, would be interested in hearing more then please watch and share this video. Then email me at dgrant@bordercatsbaseball.com and I can answer any questions you have.

TIRED OF THIS COLD WEATHER??? WATCH THIS 2017 BORDER CATS HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO TO WARM UP :)