Baseball Day in Orillia will celebrate its 10th anniversary Sunday.
The full slate of festivities includes players from local baseball, softball, and slo-pitch teams.
“Now that we are on the other side of the pandemic, the event is starting to grow again,” said organizer John Hammill. “It’s nice to have everyone together to play the different versions of this great sport.”
The fundraiser is in support of the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame. Each year, the event raises about $1,000. More importantly, Hammill says, it raises awareness for the hall of fame.
“It’s nice to be able to introduce our younger players to the hall of fame through a fun event,” he said.
Kicking off Baseball Day in Orillia is a challenge game between the National Nutrition senior men’s team and the Studabakers Stallions at Kitchener Park at 2 p.m. Also at the same time, on the upper diamond is a girls' softball challenge match between the intermediate and senior youth girls' teams.
“We are very glad to have the senior team back for the event,” Hammill said. “They played in our first Baseball Day in Orillia, so it’s really special to have them participating this weekend.”
At 3:40 p.m., a girls’ softball skills competition will begin, followed by a friendly game between the South Simcoe Minor Baseball Orillia Blue Jays and the York Simcoe Baseball Association Orillia Royals.
The marquee game of the day is a slo-pitch match between the rival Wagner Lawn Care Bananas and the Studabakers Stallions. Orillia Sports Hall of Fame member and former Olympic boxer Walter Henry will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
“This is the eighth game between these two on Baseball Day in Orillia,” Hammill said. “The series is 4-3 in favour of the Stallions, so it’s always a really fun game.”
Capping the event will be a men’s and ladies home-run derby at 8:30 p.m. The event is free for those who want to check it out, but fans are welcome to make a donation at the diamond.
Hammill thanks event sponsors Metro Orillia, Autoflex, OrilliaMatters, Rotary Club of Orillia, Studabakers, Wagner Lawn Care, and Ellwood Epps Sporting Goods.
