It’s almost the weekend and that’s got baseball fans looking forward to the home opener on Friday night as the Winnipeg Goldeyes plan to bury the Kansas City T-Bones.
The weather looks to be promising as Winnipeg officially opens its 10th Anniversary Season as its beautiful downtown home with the first game of a six-game homestand.
Friday will be full of activities and fun, as every fan will receive a 2009 magnet schedule on their way in to the ballpark on a night where the Goldeyes will honour Manitoba’s Troy Fortin with the first of their eight Flashback Fridays games.
Fortin, who will be the team’s special guest, will toss out the opening pitch and be featured on an oversized player card given to the first 3,000 fans. He starred for Winnipeg from 1998-2000 and, in that time, was a key member of the Canadian squad that won bronze at the 1999 Pan Am Games right here in Winnipeg, the team said in a news release on Wednesday.
Goldeyes fans will also have the opportunity at some point during the game to send Get Well Soon wishes via Shaw’s TV broadcast to former pitcher Donnie Smith, who is recovering from heart surgery. There will also be a giant card fans can sign either on the promenade before entering the park or after entering the park on the concourse.
Just like last year, Archangel Fireworks will be providing a magnificent display of sound and fury immediately following the game. Game time is 7 p.m.
On Saturday, the Goldeyes present Mad Chad, who is famous for juggling live chainsaws. The night will also see local hero Faron Hall and Joey Mousseau, the young man he pulled from the Red River earlier this month, toss out an opening pitch. Game time is 6 p.m.
Tickets are still available for all six games through Ticketmaster.
