Thunder Bay, ON – Last summer, when the Thunder Bay Border Cats organization held a free baseball clinic for Aboriginal youth in Thunder Bay they spoke about their goal to integrate themselves into Northern Ontario communities within the next five years. Well, they have apparently pushed the fast forward button on their goal because in 2017 they will be holding their very first baseball clinic up north.

Thunder Bay Border Cats General Manager, Dan Grant, says a large part of this process was partnering with a forward thinking company. Grant said, “This off-season we really focused on finding partners…companies who understood our mission and goals. When we spoke with Goldcorp Inc. about our desires to have a huge impact within the northern communities they stepped up in a big way.”

Grant explained that on Saturday, June 24th, he along with his coaches and a handful of players will be flying up to North Caribou Lake First Nation to teach a two-hour baseball clinic for all the kids in that area. “This is the first time something like this has ever been done with the Border Cats and we are beyond excited to be able to visit the people in North Caribou Lake First Nation and have some fun teaching and playing baseball with them.” Grant continued, “When it comes to community, it’s our obligation to do what we can to make positive impacts and that includes Northern Ontario communities and we will continue to work on ways to constantly grow our capacity, give the gift of baseball, and potentially change lives for the better.”

Peter Gula, General Manager of Goldcorp, Musselwhite Mine added, “Goldcorp, Musselwhite Mine is extremely excited to partner with the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League in bringing this baseball camp to the community of North Caribou. This is a great opportunity for the kids in the community to participate in the camp and not only receive top quality instruction, but also meet potential future professional baseball players.”

“This initiative by the Thunder Bay Border Cats and Goldcorp, Musselwhite Mine is a real example of how Northwoods League teams and their relationships with other good corporate citizens make a real difference in communities where they play,” said Northwoods League President Gary Hoover. “It truly captures the spirit of developing players and serving communities at the same time.”