More than Baseball: How the Barrie Baycats Built a Summer Tradition in the Community

Barrie, ON – Baseball has become more than just a game on summer nights in Barrie. Families fill the stands, kids line the fences waiting for autographs and the Barrie Baycats continue to build a culture that stretches past the field.

For the Baycats organization, success is measured not only by wins and championships, but by the connection built with the city around them. Over the last several years, the team has made a major effort to strengthen those relationships, becoming increasingly involved throughout the Barrie community.

“We used to do maybe one or two community events a year, and now we’re doing about one every month,” said Baycats manager and President, Josh Matlow. “We want to be involved as much as we can with the community.”

That involvement has extended well beyond the ball diamond at Athletic Kulture Stadium. Through initiatives like Home Runs for the Hungry, the organization raises more than $40,000 for the community every year, something Matlow says has had a major impact on both the city and the team.

“It’s been huge for the community and our organization,” Matlow said. “It’s fun to be a part of and we’re going to continue to do it.”

At the same time, Matlow acknowledged the challenge that comes with balancing a competitive baseball environment while also being a community driven organization. For him, building the right culture starts with the type of people brought into the organization.

“You have to be a good ballplayer, but an even better human being,” he said. “That translates onto the field as a unit.”

That culture is something players say separates the Baycats from other summer experiences. For designated hitter and first baseman Ryan Rijo, much of that identity was established by veteran players following the Baycats 2019 championship season.

“After winning in 2019, the older vets showed us how to build a culture on the field and off the field,” Rijo said. “It really started in 2020, showing how close we are as a team.”

That relationship extends beyond baseball. Players spend time together away from the field, building relationships that help strengthen the chemistry seen during the summer season.

“We hang out at each other’s houses, wedding parties, things like that,” Rijo said. “It’s a really special group and a lot of the credit goes to the older vets for building that.”

While the team culture remains important internally, players say the fan experience is what truly makes Barrie unique.

“If you haven’t been to a baseball game here, expect the highest level of baseball this side of Highway 400,” Rijo said. “Baycats baseball is all about the fans and engagement. It’s a ton of fun for kids and families, and a great way to interact with the players compared to higher levels.”

For centrefielder Canice Ejoh, the atmosphere created by the fans stands out every summer.

“I love the fans, love the energy here,” Ejoh said. “It has a great community vibe.”

Ejoh hopes younger fans take something meaningful away from their experience at the ballpark.

“I want kids to see that baseball is fun,” he said. “Don’t take it too seriously and enjoy playing with the boys.”

First baseman Nolan Machibroda says seeing younger fans at the ballpark has become one of the most rewarding parts of playing in Barrie.’

“The kids coming to the ballpark stand out to me the most,” Machibroda said. “It gets them excited to come out during the season.”

Through youth camps, community events and fan interaction, the Baycats have continued to grow their connection with the city. For Machibroda, that support remains at the centre of everything the organization does.

“Community is everything,” he said. “We wouldn’t have a team without the community.”

As another summer season gets underway in Barrie, excitement around the club is once again building, both on and off the field with fans returning to the ballpark and players feeding off the energy of the community.

“Baycats baseball is back, baby,” said Ryan Rijo, capturing the energy as the new season under the newly renamed CBL begins with their intentions of competing for a championship.

In a city of more than 150,000 people, the Barrie Baycats have become more than just a summer baseball team. Through championships, community involvement and relationships built beyond the game itself, the organization continues to create a culture that players and fans say feels like home.