Fergie Jenkins Field. Photo courtesy of theibl.ca.

It’s official. Just days after Chatham-Kent council gave the green light to bring an Intercounty Baseball League team to town, the league itself has approved the expansion team.

The Chatham franchise will begin play in the 2024 Season at Fergie Jenkins Field, which will hold 1,100 fans.

“We are grateful to the IBL Board of Governors for awarding us a new membership and we thank Mayor Darrin Canniff, the Chatham City Council for allowing us to call a stunning venue home,” team owner Dom Dinelle said. “Chatham is a terrific sports town and we look forward to making it a fantastic baseball town.”

“The IBL is excited to welcome the City of Chatham as our newest member,” said IBL Executive and owner of the Welland Jackfish, Ryan Harrison. “We have a great working relationship with Dom and his management group, and we look forward to bringing IBL Baseball to the Chatham community in May 2024 and the creation of natural rivalries with London, Brantford, and Kitchener.”

More details about the team, including a ‘Name the Team’ contest, inaugural management team, and more, will be released at a press conference in Chatham on Friday, December 9th. Time and location TBA.

Visit Chatham-Kent Baseball online at ckiblbaseball.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @iblchatham.