September 18, 2019

Official Thunder Bay Border Cats Press Release

Thunder Bay, ON. - The Thunder Bay Border Cats announced today that Mike Steed has been named the team’s new field manager for the 2020 season and that he has agreed to a three-year contract with the Northwoods League franchise.

The 49-year old, who resides in Beamsville, Ont., returns to Thunder Bay after serving as the Border Cats manager in 2010 and 2011 and as the team’s pitching coach in 2009. In 2013, Steed joined the Ontario Blue Jays program, the number one ranked amateur baseball program in Canada. During his time with the organization, he has served in various capacities including head coach, pitching coach/instructor and college placement coordinator. He has also worked as a part-time scout with the Cincinnati Reds organization. Steed replaces Eric Vasquez, who guided the Cats to a 24-47 record in during the 2019 season. Vasquez was unable to return to the club after accepting a full-time educational position in his hometown of Alameda, California.

“We’d like to thank Eric Vasquez and his coaching staff for the excellent work they did on and off the field with our program this past summer,” stated team president David Valente.

“Eric built a solid foundation for us to work with, including the opportunity to maximize potential returning players for the 2020 season. We are very grateful for what Eric brought to our organization and wish him and his family all the best in the future,” added Valente. “At the same time, the Border Cats are thrilled to have another veteran manager like Mike Steed taking over and his commitment by agreeing to a three-year contract. Mike has tremendous ties and connections throughout the college game in the United States and also has a solid recruiting list of Canadian talent through his work with the Ontario Blue Jays program and his connections with Baseball Canada.”

"I'm excited to return to Thunder Bay and the Northwoods League,” Steed said. “After I received the call from vice-president Bryan Graham about this opportunity, with the commitment from the local ownership group and upgrades to the organization, myself and family wanted to jump on board. Having coached and managed in the NWL prior made the decision that much easier. Not only because of the Border Cat organization and people of Thunder Bay, but the quality of the league as a whole and the organizations that play in it.”

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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 26-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC), Brandon Crawford (SFG) and Chris Sale (BOS). As well as MLB All-Stars Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.comor download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play