Team releases its 2024 promotional schedule. Photo Credit: Welland Jackfish/Facebook.
There’s a reason Ryan Harrison calls himself the Director of Fun.
Sure, he’s also the majority owner and President of the Welland Jackfish, but he’s promised – and delivered – on bringing more than baseball to the Rose City and the Niagara Region as a whole.
For Harrison it’s also all about the entertainment value for the fans.
Since their first season in Welland the Jackfish have continued to increase their attendance at Welland Stadium, aka The Pond, in fact leading the league last season averaging over 1,500 fans per game.
“I told you, and it’s only going to get bigger and better,” Harrison said. “We haven’t even scratched the surface.”
With that, the Jackfish have released their 2024 promotional schedule which kicks off on opening night, May 18, as Welland will raise its Intercounty Baseball League Championship banner.
The following are the promotional home dates and details of the Welland Jackfish 2024 campaign:
May 18, 2024 – Home Opener presented by North Welland BIA
- Welcome back the 2023 Dominico Cup Champions with the best celebration ever. Get to the Pond early to receive a Championship seat cushion (First 500), presented by NWBIA. We are wrapping up the night with fireworks.
May 25, 2024 – Jacques’ Birthday Bash presented by Buckner’s Source for Sports
- The Jackfish celebrate Jacques’s birthday with live music. The first 500 FINatics get Jacques decals so don’t be late for Jacques’ birthday, presented by Buckners Source for Sports.
May 30, 2024 – Party with Grimace presented by McDonald’s
- It’s McDonald’s Day down at the Pond. Join Jacques and Grimace to celebrate with special jerseys. The first 500 FINatics get rally towels presented by Welland McDonald’s
June 1, 2024 – Bark in the Park / Paw Patrol presented by Pets Plus Us!
- Bark in the Park is back! Bring your furry friends by early because the first 500 FINactics through the gates get a doggy bag presented by Pets Plus Us! Bring your pups for a night filled with fun.
June 6, 2024 – Stop the Inflation/Thirsty Thursdays
- Ready for a night of affordable entertainment in a country where inflation is just too damn high? Join us at The Pond for an inexpensive night of Jackfish baseball without breaking the bank. With ticket prices that include a $4 Beer Night and value concession menu, you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Don’t let sky-high costs keep you from enjoying the greatest game of the summer.
June 8, 2024 – Crocs and Socks Day / Thirsty Thursday
- Break out the iconic duo, Crocs and Socks. Step up your Croc game with a Jackfish charm, we are giving away charms to the first 250 FINatics.
June 13, 2024 – Thirsty Thursday / Rose City Timber Tigers presented by Newark Brewing Company
- Are you ready to #GoNuts? The Timber Tigers return to the Nut House for the first time this season! 5th Anniversary Beer Stein giveaway to the first 500 presented by Roy La Chappelle Realtor
June 16, 2024 – Daddy’s Day Game
- Happy Daddy’s Day from us at the Pond. Join us for our match-up against Guelph, don’t forget your dads at home. Get to play catch with dad on the field post-game.
June 22, 2024 – Party Like It’s 1980 Night (Bright and Tight) presented by Giant FM
- Bust out the spandex and neon and fill the Pond with your brightest outfits. Post-Game Fireworks
June 29, 2024: Youth Baseball Night/Educator Appreciation Night presented by SkyComp Solutions
- Educators Get in FREE! Nominate yourself or an educator you know here. (Tickets will be general admission berm, bring your own chair or blanket to sit on!). We are giving away Jackfish Player Card Sets to the first 500 through the door!
July 1, 2024: Canada Day Extravaganza presented by Crimestoppers of Niagara
- Happy Birthday Canada! The best way we’ve found to celebrate is getting your fill of hotdogs, home runs, and crazy mascot antics hosted by Niagara’s favourite mascot, Jacques! Bring your family, friends, neighbours, grandparents, co-workers, besties… you get the picture. It’s Canada Day! Post-Game Fireworks
July 4, 2024: ‘Merica Night presented by Tender Cuts
- Happy Birthday, America! The Jackfish will party the American way with $4 Pond Water and $1 Hot Dogs. We’ve got 500 Beer Koozies to giveaway presented by Purple Lizard.
July 6, 2024: Dodgeball Night
- If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball. Patches O’Houlihan would be proud! The first 500 FINactics will be getting red stress balls. Let’s get dodging! Specialty jersey auction post-game
July 11, 2024: Pack the Park presented by CAA Niagara
- Bringing back Pack the Park! Head over to any CAA Niagara location to pick up your tickets for FREE. We’ve got Jackfish keychains to give away to the first 1000 through the gate. Also, how could we forget, it’s Thirsty Thursday! $4 pond waters till the end of the third!
July 13, 2024: First Responder Night
- First Responders Night is back! Celebrating Niagara’s finest heroes. Get to the pond early to participate in the touch-a-truck event and tour of real emergency vehicles.
July 18, 2024: Salute our Military / Wrestling Night presented by Crossfire Wrestling
- Come out to the Welland Stadium to support the Troops. Get ready for an action-packed night, we may have people going through tables! What pairs best with wrestling? $4 Pond Water Lagers. If you’re excited for wrestling night give me a hell yeah!
July 20, 2024: IBL All-Star Showdown
- This year, The Jackfish are hosting the IBL All-Star Showdown. Come on down to the Pond and support our players. Ending the night with fireworks!
July 25, 2024: Pajama Night/Timber Tigers presented by Holiday Inn Express
- Get ready to cozy up for a night of fun at Welland Stadium with Pajama Night! Slip into your favourite PJs and join us for pillow fights and popcorn under the stars, the slumber party to end all slumber parties. While you rock your pajamas we will be rockin’ our Timber Tigers jerseys. The first 500 FINatics get Jackfish sleeping masks so head over early.
August 3, 2024: Tropical Night presented by CAA Travel
- Are you ready for a 9-inning staycation? Let’s get tropical! The first 500 fans through the door receive a Jackfish Tropical Shirt. Steel Drum Band performance pre-game.
August 8, 2024: Bobblehead Night presented by Empire Communities
- The city wouldn’t let us build a statue, so we got bobbleheads instead. Join us for Jacques bobblehead night everyone’s heads will be shaking.
August 15, 2024: Country Night presented by Niagara’s New County 89.1
- Dust off your boots and grab your hats. It’s Country Night presented by Country 89.1. Don’t have a hat, we’ve got you covered the first 500 FINactics through the gates get a cowboy hat presented by Niagara Trailers! Get here early partner!
August 17, 2024: Fan Appreciation Night presented by Seaway Mall
- Tonight’s about you FINatics! It’s Fan Appreciation Night! We’ve got Jacques bobbleheads for the first 1,000 people through the doors presented by Empire Homes. With live music and post-game fireworks.
Meanwhile on the field, Jackfish Manager and reigning Intercounty Baseball League Manager of the Year Brian Essery feels the team has what it takes to repeat as IBL Champions.
“We’re going for another championship, there’s no doubt about it,” said Essery. “Our team is going to be strong again, and we’ll be right there at the end of the season.”
For more information on the Welland Jackfish visit wellandjackfish.com
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.
