Hook, Line, and Sinker: Jumping back in the Pond

By Spencer Tanguay

If you were to look at the results of the 2019 season you would see a pretty good season. 19 wins, a fourth-place regular-season finish, followed by the Fish impressing everyone with the first-ever playoff series win over the London Majors.  

Fast forward through the long and dreary year 2020, a year which saw the Pond sit stagnant, to July 3, 2021 because BASEBALL IS BACK!  This Saturday afternoon the Jackfish will host the Hamilton Cardinals for a matinee exhibition game at the Pond.  Tickets for this game are free but must be ordered at wellandjackfish.com or picked up at the stadium during regular business hours prior to Saturday.  To avoid lines and gatherings at the box office walk-ups will not be allowed at this time.  

This season the Jackfish lineup will see some big improvements with several returning guys coming back as well.  Field Manager Brian Essery and General Manager Jason McKay had a very busy off season and have brought in more size, more power, which all hopefully leads to much stronger Jackfish lineup from top to bottom. 

"Expect to see less running this year and more hitting" Field Manager Essery stated during a press conference heading into training camp.  Some of the new faces you'll see include a six-foot-seven Ben Runyon on the mound and you can expect to see outfielder Zarley Cina make his Jackfish Debut after being acquired from the Kitchener Panthers.  

Saturdays ball game marks the return of Jackfish baseball but also will see fans allowed to return to see a live sporting event for the first time in over a year and a half.  The Jackfish have and will always continue to work very closely with the City of Welland and Public Health staff to ensure that the Pond will be safe for everyone.  Facemasks are required to enter Welland Stadium but can be removed once you're at your seat.  Any other time whether it be going to grab a hotdog or visiting the Tackle Box Merch Store please don't forget to wear your mask.  

We can't wait to welcome you back to the Pond!  

The Welland Jackfish are a member of Canada’s top baseball league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.wellandjackfish.com or follow the Jackfish on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @wellandjackfish.