Baseball, motorcycle and stock car racing all rained out

Step 3 — and the chance to triple attendance — came in like a wet blanket for outdoor venues for spectator sports in Niagara.

Instead of welcoming a maximum of 2,130 fans for the first time this season, the Welland Jackfish’s Saturday afternoon game at Welland Stadium against the Barrie Baycats was rained out.

Merrittville Speedway, where the 75 per cent capacity allowed under Step 3 also equals 2,130 spectators, pulled the plug on a Saturday night program that would have featured stock car racing in six divisions at the Thorold track.

Also washed out due to wet weather, and a forecast calling for more of the same, was motorcycle racing at Welland County Speedway in Welland.

After opening the season with an attendance cap of 400 fans — 25 per cent capacity — the track on Netherby Road east of Highway 140 in Welland had been looking forward to accommodating up to 1,200 spectators.

It was the second rainout of 2021 for the Jackfish and Merrittville and the first of the year for the motorcycle track.

As was the case with their home opener, Thursday, July 8, versus the Hamilton Cardinals, Saturday’s Jackfish game will be rescheduled. Date and time for the makeup game will be announced shortly, the team said in a post on its website.

Based on availability, tickets for Saturday’s game can be exchanged for any 2021 regularseason game for equal or lesser value. Tickets must be exchanged in person at the stadium box office weekdays during business hours, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Welland’s season opener will be made up Wednesday, Aug. 11, weather permitting. First pitch is 7:30 p.m.

The Jackfish were scheduled to visit the Kitchener Panthers on Sunday and play the Panthers in their next home game on Thursday, also with a 7:30 p.m. start time.

Rainouts at the race tracks will not be made up.