The 2024 campaign will feature nine Thursday home games, 10 Saturdays, one Sunday and one Monday throughout the summer. Photo Credit: Welland Jackfish.
Their motto since they arrived in the Rose City was “Fans First Fun Always.” That’s why it’s not a surprise the Welland Jackfish have officially released their 2024 schedule calling the season ahead the “Year of the FINatic.”
The Jackfish will begin by celebrating Opening Day on the road on Friday, May 17 as they take on the London Majors.
The following night, the Fish host the Barrie Baycats for their 2024 Home Opener with the show beginning at 6:05 pm.
“This season is going to be like nothing our fans have experienced, including last year’s amazing championship run,” said Jackfish President and Director of Fun Ryan Harrison.
Welland’s regular-season schedule features a total of 42 games with 21 of those coming at Welland Stadium, also known as The Pond.
The Jackfish will conclude their regular season at home on Aug. 17 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“This season is truly all about the FINatics,” Harrison continued. “We are going to crank the dial up to 11 and show why we are the number one entertainment destination in Ontario!”
The 2024 campaign will feature nine Thursday home games, 10 Saturdays, one Sunday and one Monday throughout the summer.
Welland has also announced a pair of off-season signings.
The first being West Coast League Pitcher of the Year, Halen Knoll, who joins the Fish from Edmonton, Alberta, where he spent the 2023 season with the Edmonton Riverhawks of the West Coast League.
Knoll sported a 2.19 ERA, including 52 strikeouts and only 18 walks in 73.2 innings pitched. Halen ranked fourth in league ERA, second in strikeouts and was tied for second in wins.
“Halen is a strong competitor with extreme command of all his pitches, we are excited to add him to the pitching staff for 2024,” said Jackfish General Manager Jason McKay.
Knoll is a former University of Mary Marauder.
The second signing is power hitter Torrin Vaselenak.
The Coaldale, Alberta native joins the Jackfish following an outstanding 2024 season with the Lethbridge Bulls. In 50 games played, Vaselenak led the league in home runs (12) and earned himself a spot in the 2023 WCBL All-Star Game in Okotoks.
“If your life is dull and boring, so much so that you’re always snoring, don’t worry because we’ll be scoring, because we have signed a dude his name is Torrin,” McKay said.
Vaselenak is a former Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevil where he spent four years.
2024 single-game tickets will go on sale on Monday, April 1 at 9:00 am.
Follow the Welland Jackfish www.wellandjackfish.com or on social media for more info.
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.
