Thunder Bay Border Cats will not play in 2021
Photo: Thunder Bay Border Cats/Twitter
March 5, 2021
Official Northwoods League News Release
Northwoods League Announces that Thunder Bay Will Not Participate in 2021
Border Cats fully intend to return for the 2022 season
Rochester, Minn. – The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the Thunder Bay Border Cats to notify the Northwoods League they will not be participating in the 2021 Northwoods League season.
The League is working through multiple scenarios to ensure the schedule of home dates can remain intact for the other affiliates in the Great Plains Division. Processes are also being implemented to identify opportunities for interested Border Cats players to remain in the League.
“Unfortunately, with the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic regarding the Canada-US border closure as well as outdoor gathering numbers in Thunder Bay, the Border Cats will not be able to participate in the 2021 Northwoods season," said Border Cats president Dave Valente. “The Border Cats organization and its parent company Grand Slam Sports & Entertainment remains committed to Thunder Bay and it is our full intention to return for the 2022 season. We truly appreciate the patience and understanding of our loyal fans, corporate partners, coaches and players and wish to thank the Northwoods League staff and its affiliated members for their assistance during this very difficult process."
"It's unfortunate for the Border Cats organization and the fans of Thunder Bay," said Northwoods League president Ryan Voz. "Our plan is to now adjust, create a plan to move forward with play for the rest of the division, while also giving the players an opportunity to hopefully play with another team this coming summer."
The Northwoods League and the Border Cats would also like to acknowledge the hard work of Thunder Bay field manager Mike Steed. He has spent two consecutive years recruiting players and we all look forward to seeing him and his players in Border Cats uniforms during the 2022 season in Thunder Bay.
More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th season, the Northwoods 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 245 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (MIL).