The grass is cut, the base paths have been groomed, and the pitchers mound is set for action as the Barrie Baycats prepare for our Home Opener this Saturday against the visiting Guelph Royals.

The Baycats have already played 2 games on the road going 1 - 1 on the trip. The Cats opened the season with a hard fought 3 - 2 loss in Toronto, but turned things up a week latter with a 17 - 3 thrashing of the Kitchener Panthers.

This season is full or promise as the Baycats made the 2 BIGGEST moves in the IBL during the off season. The Cats signed former Blue Jay Paul Spoljaric to the club. Paul has been the most dominant pitcher in IBL history opening the season with a career record of 52 - 3 through five IBL seasons.

The Baycats also signed slugger Todd Betts, bringing in a huge power bat that the Cats have desperately needed since the departure of Alex Borgo a year ago. Betts can serve up the bombs. He's cranked more than 200 dingers in his 15-year pro career. Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1993, Betts also has international experience, as a member of Team Canada, and a player in the Chinese pro league.

Come on out this Saturday and watch the revamped Baycats in action. Game time is 2:00 PM.

BAYCATS POUNCE ALL OVER THE PANTHERS

Todd Betts led the Barrie Baycats with three hits and five RBI's en route to a 17-3 win over the Kitchener Panthers, in Kitchener Sunday afternoon.

Ryan Spataro and Glenn Jackson each had three hits and three RBI's for Barrie while Josh Matlow also had three hits and two RBI"s.

Paul Spoljaric (1-0) was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Brad Bissell. Spoljaric went 1.2 innigns and allowed only one hit and one walk with three strikeouts. Bissell went 4.1 innings giving up one run on five hits, four walks and four strikeouts.

Lee Witmer was the losing pitcher for the Panthers going seven innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits.

Matt Taube with three hits and an RBI and Andy Pietraszko with two hits led Kitchener.