Machibroda set to build on past success in 2025

Barrie, ON – Down the stretch in 2024, the Barrie Baycats were poised to make another deep playoff run. They had one of the best lineups in the Intercounty Baseball League, an elite rotation with the best top three in the league, and the drive to reach the finish line.

First baseman Nolan Machibroda was right in the middle of it. In his first IBL season, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native was an All-Star and surpassed all expectations. He hit .331 in 133 at-bats with five home runs and 27 runs batted in.

“[I try] to do my best every day,” said Machibroda when asked about his 2024 success. “There was a little stretch where I had a couple of multi-hit games in a row (July 27–August 7), and [I] just kind of settled in from there.”

He was settled in for sure—at first base, his primary position. But while all this was going on, the Baycats had an overcrowded infield, and first base was a prime example: Machibroda, Ryan Rijo, Malik Williams, Noah Hull, and even Hayden Jaco in some cases. Someone had to move, and because Machibroda was performing so well, manager Josh Matlow could not keep him out of the lineup.

So, he moved to left field—a position he hadn’t played since his middle school days in Saskatchewan. While his numbers in left were good, with no errors during the significant time he spent there, adjusting to a new spot was not as smooth as it seemed.

“Yeah, it was a little uncomfortable going out there the first couple of games,” he said. “I didn’t look the best out there, but I played hard.”

Learning from former Baycats centre fielder Canice Ejoh, Machibroda caught on to his new position and fared quite well despite his comments above. It was something he enjoyed, knowing he wanted to learn other positions.

“It was fun out there,” he said. “[I] didn’t make too much of a mess of myself.”

After winning an IBL Championship with Barrie, the 25-year-old got a brief opportunity with the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League. However, just a few days into training camp with the Titans, he was released and needed a place to play for the upcoming season.

“I wanted to continue playing baseball.”

The day of his release, he moved on and got in touch with Baycats General Manager Josh Matlow. Machibroda’s intention was to return to the Baycats if he was back in the IBL for the 2025 season.

“I got a message from Nolan last week, and he said, ‘When can I be there?’” said Matlow during Baycats media night, just one week before the home opener. “He was ecstatic to come back, and we’re ecstatic to have him.”

“It’s a great place to play baseball,” Machibroda said. “There’s no better place than the IBL and the Barrie Baycats.”

“He’s a huge bat, we all know that,” Matlow said. “He makes us a better and deeper team.”

“[I’m] happy to be back here and [I’m] enjoying it already with the guys.”