Catcher Josh Wray of the Brock University baseball team practises at George Taylor Field as the Badgers prepare to face the Ontario Blue Jays in their free community game, Hometown Baseball, on Sunday, Sept. 16.Brock University is inviting the community to a free baseball game at George Taylor Field in the Merritton community of St. Catharines.
Brock’s inaugural Hometown Baseball game, to be held Sunday, Sept. 16, will feature the Brock Badgers against the Ontario Blue Jays, a team loaded with high-end talent that is heavily scouted by pro teams.
Gates open at noon and the opening pitch is at 1 p.m.
Admission to the Hometown Baseball game is free and the first 100 kids through the gates will receive a free Badgers baseball hat. The event includes food, face paint and a family zone.
George Taylor Field on Seymour Avenue in Merritton has been home to the Badgers baseball team for nearly 20 years. The program has had many highlights including two national championships and four provincial titles and the team is preparing for a great day of baseball.
“We’re excited. Our players are really looking forward to this,” said head coach Marc LePage. “This is the game to come to for fans looking for great live baseball as the summer season winds down and we gear up for regular season play.
“We want to showcase our team to the community and thank them for being such a large part of our program’s success over the years. The crowd and the festive atmosphere will give the players that surge of adrenaline.”
Bringing Brock sporting events to the St. Catharines community is a big focus of the 2018-19 Badgers athletic season.
“Hometown Baseball is one of the three sporting events being celebrated in St. Catharines this year. We love connecting with the community and enjoy showcasing our talented student-athletes,” said Brian Hutchings, Vice-President, Administration. “This is a chance for the community and baseball fans to come out, cheer on our Badgers and have some fun. Brock is a traditional powerhouse in baseball and this promises to be a really good game.”
LePage said Brock’s pitching staff is top shelf and he promises to put some of his top hurlers on the mound versus the Ontario Blue Jays.
“Our biggest strength this year is pitching,” said LePage. “Our guys are going to be really strong. We’re a local team with a strong core of local players.”
Last weekend, the Badgers’ pitching staff dominated during a pair of games at Erie Community College (ECC) in Williamsville, N.Y.
Brock defeated ECC 11-1 and Durham College 6-3. They completed their pre-season schedule with a 4-0 record.
For more information about the Badgers Hometown Baseball game and a full 2018-19 schedule, visit gobadgers.ca
