Baseball fans in the Chatham area could soon have another team to root for.
Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) Commissioner John Kastner tells CK News Today that an individual wants to bring a team to the municipality and is seeking community input through an online survey to gauge support for the idea.
Kastner said the efforts to bring a franchise to Chatham were delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic but there's renewed interest again to establish a team in the area.
"Chatham was always on the radar and it sounds positive," said Kastner. "The IBL has always been open to more teams. I wouldn't say were in a panic to add new teams at all. The league is in what I consider to be really good shape, but we've always welcomed the idea of there being more teams for sure."
Kastner said the potential new owner is serious about this venture and is working hard, but still has a few steps to go through before the league gives its blessing, such as improving the playing facility.
"There's an issue with the lights, they are not senior men's baseball standard. There's some things but he thinks all of those are manageable before he comes to us with the idea of putting a team in Chatham," Kastner said.
Kastner said there's a degree of urgency if the individual wants a team in Chatham next summer, adding a decision would have to be made this fall if a team is to be operational in Chatham in 2023.
Kastner added that the calibre of play in the league is at its highest in decades.
"The quality of play is outstanding and I hope everything works out," said Kastner.
The Chatham Minor Baseball Association (CMBA) said it's very excited about the possibilities that such a team would bring to the community and its organization and backs a team in the area. It also hopes the public will take a couple of minutes to fill out an IBL survey and provide valuable feedback to the entrepreneur.
"The CMBA is supportive of this excellent opportunity for baseball growth in our community," said CMBA President Jason Chickowski. "The feedback you provide can assist in making this a reality. To have such a team locally would provide every young baseball player role models that they can look up to and strive to become while at the same time reinforcing Chatham and the entire municipality as a baseball hotbed."
If the Chatham team becomes a reality it would expand the league to nine teams, including the London Majors and the Guelph Royals among others.
The IBL survey can be found by clicking here.
The Intercounty Baseball League boasts former professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. More than 40 Intercounty Baseball League players have advanced to Major League Baseball (MLB) or returned to the IBL following their MLB careers, including Fergie Jenkins of Chatham, John Axford, Chris Leroux, Scott Diamond, Peter Orr, Paul Spoljaric, Rich Butler, Rob Butler, and Rob Ducey.
The IBL also serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff.
This season will be the 104th season of the Intercounty Baseball League.
Teams play 42 games from early May to late August. The playoffs are best-of-five series with the championship series typically played around the Labour Day weekend.