Chatham-Kent may soon be home to its own team in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL).
At its upcoming meeting Monday night, municipal council will be asked to authorize negotiations with the IBL and enter a multi-year agreement to have a new team play out of Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham.
The first season would begin in the summer of 2023, with 42 games played between May to August.
“Chatham-Kent will benefit from the economic impact and increased tourism with teams coming to play in Chatham-Kent and fans coming from out of town, as they will shop at local businesses and eat at local restaurants,” said Rob Pollock, Chatham-Kent’s director of parks, recreation and cemeteries, in a report to council.
A prospective IBL team approached municipal administration back in 2019, however, due to the COVID-19, the discussions were put on hold until now.
The team is asking to work with the municipality on a pilot project for two seasons in 2023 and 2024, with the possibility of extending play for at least another three years.
“If an IBL team did come to Chatham-Kent, it could show this municipality as a growing and vibrant community which may attract families to move here to enjoy the IBL team, along with other sports teams already established within Chatham-Kent,” said Pollock.
While operation costs and revenue from facility rentals would be determined during negotiations with IBL, capital costs for improvements to Fergie Jenkins Field are estimated at $50,000, along with an additional $10,000 for incidental expenses and $15,000 set aside as a contingency.
The IBL was formed in 1919 and is comprised of college and former professional players from North America and around the world. The amateur baseball league is currently comprised of eight teams from Barrie, Brantford, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Toronto, and Welland.
Chatham native and Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins also played for the London Majors before moving on to the MLB.