Mavs sell out for first time in team history

More than 2,000 Hatters agree, nothing compares to that all-or-nothing feeling.

The Medicine Hat Mavericks took home the Western Major Baseball League championship in front of the largest crowd in franchise history with Thursday’s 8-2 Game 5 victory over the Regina Red Sox — with 2,200 tickets sold and hundreds more lining the berm along the outfield fence to take in the spectacle.

“It’s an exciting time right now, that people want to come out and support and see a winner,” said Mavericks owner and general manager Greg Morrison.

“Anytime you have a game where there’s going to be a winner declared, it makes for some excitement and our fans have been stepping up to the plate all year. This is just a testament to that support.”

Fans started lining up for tickets at 10 a.m. Thursday and the steady stream continued until no more seats were available — then the Mavericks sold 200 more tickets for standing room and lawn-chair seating down the first baseline, and roughly 300 more showed up to line the berm.

Morrison says the fan support has been at a peak all summer, leading up their first-ever sell-out crowd and their third WMBL championship. From rainy nights that stretched to nearly 1 a.m., to sweltering Sunday afternoons — Medicine Hat’s fans were there.

“We had a lot of rain but we still had good crowds, then towards July when the weather got really good, it was just spectacular,” he said, adding the players played a big part in creating an inviting atmosphere for fans.

“There’s a certain formula, a winning team and great weather, but I’ve got to tip my hat to the players this year. We did 22 player appearances this year and they went above and beyond, many times getting off bus trips at 4 in the morning then having a school come here at 10. You’ve got to tip your hat to the players for really getting into the community and showing their appreciation for Medicine Hat.

“I think the town is reciprocating that.”