Excitement is growing as Brock University prepares to rally the community for its inaugural Hometown Baseball game.

All of Niagara is invited to a free baseball game between the Brock Badgers and Ontario Blue Jays on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m.

Gates open at noon for the event at George Taylor Field, 4 Seymour Ave., in the Merritton community of St. Catharines.

“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.”

Throwing out the opening pitch Sunday will be one of Brock’s most high-profile alumni. Toronto Blue Jays Assistant General Manager Andrew Tinnish (BRLS ’99, BSM ’01) will be on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch before the Badgers take on the Ontario Blue Jays. The Hamilton native started with the Blue Jays as a Brock University Sport Management intern in 2001, and moved steadily up the ranks.

Bringing Brock sporting events to the St. Catharines community is a big focus of the 2018-19 Badgers athletic season.

The Ontario Blue Jays is an amateur baseball team designed to develop youth players to advance into collegiate and professional opportunities. The team has placed more than 400 players in college or university across the United States and Canada. The Blue Jays have seen the most current and former players drafted in the MLB First-Year Players Draft, with 110 players.

The first 100 kids through the gates of Sunday’s game will receive a free Badgers baseball hat. The event includes food, face painting and a family zone.

“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, Brock’s 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.”