The re-birthed Orillia Majors baseball club has snagged a primary community partnership with Millwood Logistics.
The Orillia transportation company has committed a substantial amount of money to the team that will help them cover almost all of their bills.
“I saw the article in the paper about the team looking to get back on the field,” explained Millwood Logistics owner Andy Long. “I sent (team manager) Mike (Provenzano) a text and told him I’d like to help out.”
Long says he plans on being the primary sponsor of the team for years to come.
“Orillia Majors baseball has been around for a long time,” he said. “My brother Chris played for the Majors. I remember going to games all the time, and I think it’s important for the community to come together to support these programs.”
Long believes having a senior baseball program in Orillia is important to give young adults a chance to keep playing when they graduate from Orillia Minor Baseball.
“The Majors give the opportunity to the 20-year-olds to move out, try their luck, and then come back and play,” he said. “Having a chance to play and have your parents or grandparents coming to the game is a part of Orillia."
Long said he hopes the revamped Majors can be a playoff contender in their first year back in the North Dufferin Baseball League after being on hiatus for almost a decade.
Aside from on-field success, the Orillia entrepreneur said he hopes the Majors can grow the game of baseball and help promote it in Orillia.
“It’s a big uphill battle for (Provenzano) and his team,” he said. “But I have confidence in him.”
Provenzano says the sponsorship means everything to the team and its players.
“The Majors have had a tradition of trying not to have their players pay to play,” he said. “It’s one of the perks of getting older, still being competitive, and still being able to play.”
Provenzano says the sponsorship sets the Majors up for success.
“It helps guys play better because financial pressures are taken off,” he said. “Without a main sponsor, it would be tough for us to move forward.”
Provenzano says getting the team back off the ground would not be possible without the support of Millwood Logistics, Kutting Edge (the team's jersey sponsor), as well as Laura Downard and Mike Borrelli from the Orillia Slo-Pitch League who have helped with diamond bookings.
“It’s taken a whole group effort,” Provenzano said. “I’ve had a lot of help.”
