Photo Credit: Welland Jackfish/Facebook
Whatever their motto is, whether its ‘Fans First Fun Always’ or ‘Hooked on Fun’ – the Welland Jackfish have proven their worth since first taking to the field back in 2019.
The Jackfish are gearing up for their sixth season in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), and have released their 2025 schedule.
That of course means 21 more days of baseball in The Rose City, 21 more days of donut races, beer bats, undie tosses, live music, entertainers, and all the fun you love at the ballpark.
On and off the field, the Jackfish are ready to take next season to new heights.
The Jackfish will kick off the summer with a Home Opener on Saturday, May 17, taking on the Barrie Baycats.
In 2025, the Jackfish will also host the Guelph Royals twice at home, seeking redemption in a familiar matchup following their exciting playoff battle in the 2024 semi-final round.
Field Manager Brian Essery, a mainstay since 2019, is ready to build on last season’s success, which saw the team rack up a franchise record 31 wins, produce six All-IBL players, and see Jake Sanford and Ben Abram leading the league in batting average and wins respectively.
In the stands, the entertainment team is cranking up the fun with fresh theme nights, fan-favorite giveaways, and wacky entertainment, ensuring you, your friends, and your family have a blast all summer long.
While the 2025 promotional schedule is still in the works, there are a few key dates to mark on your calendar: the Home Opener on May 17, the Canada Day Celebration on July 1st, and Fan Appreciation Day on August 16th, during our final home game of the regular season.
And of course, fans can expect popular promotions like the CAA Pack the Park, Firework Super Shows, and Thirsty Thursdays to be back at the ballpark this summer.
Team Owner and Director of Fun, as he’s affectionately known, Ryan Harrison also recently released what the franchise means to the community and region as a whole, economically.
The Jackfish drew over 54,000 fans to Welland Stadium during the 2024 season, generating a significant economic boost for the Niagara Region, contributing over $1.9 million in economic impact.
Approximately 10% of attendees were from out of the region, hailing from four different provinces and six different states.
The Jackfish employ a core staff of three full-time employees, along with six interns, 30 game-day workers, and several volunteers during the 2024 season. In total, these jobs contributed more than $469,435 in labour income. Many teens from the Niagara region found their first jobs with the Jackfish, with nine new workers joining the workforce for the first time this season.
Those numbers will only increase next season.
2025 season tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at wellandjackfish.com
Single-game tickets will go on sale on Monday, March 31 at 9:00 am.
You can keep up with all the latest news on promo schedules, ticket sales, or player signings by following the team on social media @wellandjackfish or by once again visiting the teams website.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
