Barnstormers Prepared to Hit the Field

It’s the weekend local baseball fans have been waiting for.

The Intercounty Baseball League’s newest expansion team, the hold their inaugural home opener tomorrow night.

Co-owner Dom Dinelle says there will be lots of entertainment for the hometown fans, including a live band and dance team.

“Obviously the first day will be different, cutting a ribbon, it’s the first time, we’re going to have some celebrities throwing the first pitch,” Dinelle explains.

Ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, Team Ambassador and former Montreal Expo Bill Atkinson, and Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins.

The team, managed by Dan Norman, includes a roster of future and former professional players, some home-grown talent and others with international experience.

Dinelle says Friday’s home opener was sold out, but they’re trying to squeeze in as many fans as possible.

“We were restricted to 2000 people, but now they gave us a chance to have an extra thousand. That means we’re going to have a couple of tickets available at the door for people who want to come last minute.”

Dinelle says the stadium, with its newly added bleachers, will seat 900 people, but there is standing room available.

Gates at Fergie Jenkins Field open at 5 o’clock on May 18th, and the first pitch is set for just after 7 o’clock.

If you can’t get to Fergie Jenkins Field for the home opener you can watch the home opener on the team YouTube Channel or on YourTV Chatham-Kent Cogeco Cable 6 in Wallaceburg/Cogeco HD Cable 700 & Cogeco Epico 100.