Three names top batting order

Naming contest for proposed Welland IBL franchise

Here’s a change of pace in baseball that has nothing to do with a batter getting fooled by an offspeed pitch.

Instead of a player being named later, Welland could have a name to play later.

Unless the Intercounty Baseball League commits to putting a franchise in Welland before Friday, Sept. 7, the team will already have a name.

A name-the-team contest wraps up on that date. The IBL’s first foray into Niagara will either take the field as the Jackfish, Pirates or Trail Raiders.

Burlington Herd co-owner Ryan Harrison, who is spearheading an initiative to bring minor league baseball back to Welland, met with the City of Welland last week.

“Everything went very well,” he said. “We are down to the final negotiations and should have something firmed up in the next few weeks.”

If an agreement to lease 2,500seat Welland Stadium is approved by city council and by the eight-team league, an IBL team could begin play next spring.

Whether a void created when the Niagara Stars and the entire Canadian Baseball League disbanded midway through the 2006 season is filled by expansion or relocation remains unclear at this time.

In anticipation of green lights at the municipal and league levels, $25 deposits for season tickets and entry into the Founders Club are being accepted online at wellandbaseball.ca.

Harrison said deposits are fully refundable and that the goal is to sell 100 memberships.

Jackfish, Pirates and Trail Raiders made the short list from the top seven submissions in the name-the-contest.

Voting for the final choice is ongoing at wellandbaseball.com.

Jackfish is for the northern pike that call Welland River home, while Pirates pays homage to the one-time New York-Penn League team which the ballpark was built to house.

A Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team spent six seasons in Welland — 1989 to 1994 — before relocating to northwest Pennsylvania and becoming the Erie SeaWolves.

Trail Raiders is in recognition of the many trails throughout Welland and Niagara.