News: IBL Approves Expansion Membership For Chatham

LEAGUE’S 9TH MEMBER TO BEGIN PLAY IN 2024 SEASON 

The IBL announced on Wednesday that the League’s Board of Governors has approved the expansion application of Chatham, Ontario for admittance into the League.

The Chatham franchise, which will be owned by Dom Dinelle, will begin play in the 2024 Season at Fergie Jenkins Field, which will hold 1,100 fans for baseball.

“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.”

“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,” said Dinelle. “Chatham is a terrific sports town and we look forward to making it a fantastic baseball town.”

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 to be announced shortly.

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

About the Intercounty Baseball League

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is the top-level baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-major league professionals and elite NCAA college baseball players. The 2021 season will mark the IBL’s 102nd in operation. The IBL is one of the longest continuously operated baseball leagues in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the IBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Kitchener, London, Toronto, Guelph, Welland, and Hamilton. For more information, visit www.theibl.ca.

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