Baycats announce u22 junior team ahead of 2025 season

Barrie, ON – The Barrie Baycats, 2024 Intercounty Baseball League Champions, are excited to announce the unveiling of the new u22 Barrie Junior Baycats for the 2025 season. The Junior Baycats will be directly affiliated with the IBL Baycats.

The Baycats have been the odd team out in the IBL, never having a junior team or affiliated program to call players up from. The Junior team will feature a 25-man roster and will also be affiliated with Barrie Minor Baseball and play under their OBA number meaning they will be eligible for all u22 tournaments including the highly touted Junior Elims.

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to launch a Junior team directly affiliated with our IBL team for the first time in our organization’s existence,” said Baycats President Josh Matlow. “This junior team will act as our farm team starting in 2025 and into the future, keeping our pipeline of young talent strong for many years to come!”

The team will play their home games at Vintage Throne Stadium, home of the eight-time IBL champion Barrie Baycats. The coaching staff and roster will be announced as the season gets closer. Stay tuned for team and schedule updates.

“This Junior team will allow collegiate aged players a platform to come home from school and play at a high level and get good reps between school years,” said Matlow. “This will also allow young talent to continue to grow within Simcoe Region, giving these kids the opportunity to be called up to the IBL and be an extension of our IBL roster each season.”

Players born between the years 2003-2006 who have aged out of elite collegiate programs are encouraged to register for the teams open tryout on Saturday, December 21st at the Barrie Minor Baseball facilities in south Barrie.