Jackfish crowned IBL Champions

The Jackfish bested the Barrie Baycats in five games with a convincing 15-5 win in front of a sellout crowd of 3,248 fans at Welland Stadium aka ‘The Pond.’

Welland won its last IBL championship two years ago, but that was in Barrie. Something team President and Director of Fun Ryan Harrison addressed after the game.

“Winning at home is like a dream come true to be able to celebrate with the FINatics who support us all season long, they really are the best fans in sports”

Jackfish catcher Robert Mullen was named playoff Most Valuable Player (MVP) after recording an on-base and slugging-percentage (OPS) of 1.016, a batting average of .356, and hitting two big home runs throughout the postseason.

In a nice touch Sunday night, Field Manager Brian Essery let fan favorite and veteran closer Deivy Mendez record the final out of the game – interestingly enough a pop out to Mullen behind home plate.

Essery echoed many of Harrison’s comments.

“What a great series.

I’m so happy for the players, and the City of Welland. To win it at home , in front of our fans who have meant so much to us over the season and the past several years is amazing.

Thank you to everyone who supported us. This is yours,” said Essery.

General Manager Jason Mckay was the first to be handed the Dominico Championship Cup on the field after the game, and offered this:

““When you win this thing, you realize how hard it is to win,” he said. “The next year, when you come back, you realize it’s not a given. This league is so incredibly talented, and it just continues to get more and more talented.

That team on the other side of the field are proven winners. They know how to play the game.

The Jackfish set another attendance record in 2025 welcoming 54,541 fans. including nine sellouts, to The Pond, and you just know Harrison is planning on breaking another record next season as plans are already underway for the team’s seventh campaign in the Rose City.