The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is heading into its 106th season, and just unveiled the 2025 schedule.
The Chatham-Kent Barnstormers open their second season at home at Fergie Jenkins Field on Saturday, May 17 against the Kitchener Panthers at 7:05 p.m.
"It's a home game for the first game of the season," said owner Dom Dinelle. "Finally! We wanted that last year but the league did not give that to us, unfortunately. But now we really our first game at home, so will be nice. Against Kitchener once again."
The Barnstormers are planning something special for their mascot Lefty on opening day.
"It's going to be Lefty's first birthday at the beginning of the season because it's our second season, so it's going to be kinda cool. One of the highlights is definitely Lefty's birthday," said Dinelle.
Other schedule highlights include a three-game homestand against the defending IBL Champions, the Barrie Baycats on June 20, 21, and 22.
The Barnstormers will host the Brantford Red Sox on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1 at 6:05 p.m. and they will wrap up the regular season on the road on Saturday, August 16 against the Jackfish in Welland.
The All-Star Showdown and Homerun Derby is set for Sunday, July 20 in Hamilton.
Season tickets are on sale now, but Dinelle says they're going fast, and he's already sold around 400.
"Still some spots left open. People are asking for the reserved seats, we got some, and general admission we have some. Probably more because we're waiting for seats," said Dinelle.
The Barnstormers are currently working with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to add some more seating at Fergie Jenkins Field.
"The plan is to remove the bullpen on the first base side, put is behind the right field fence, and then put some seats from that current bullpen all the way to the field house in right field," said Dinelle. "So that would probably be around 500. The architect is now making a drawing to see exactly what we can do."
The Barnstormers finished their inaugural season with a record of 20-22, landing in fifth place in the regular season standings. Chatham-Kent was then knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Guelph Royals, who made it all the way to the finals before losing to Barrie.