Spotlight On ... Welland Jackfish

Business background

The Welland Jackfish are a member of the Intercounty Baseball League, Canada’s top tier baseball association. They were founded in November 2018 when the owners of the Burlington Herd baseball club moved to Welland and took up residence in the Welland Stadium.

The Jackfish played in front of a local crowd for the first time in May 2019. That inaugural year was an outstanding season, and the Welland Jackfish earned their first playoff series victory. The coronavirus pandemic cancelled the 2020 season, but the Jackfish continued to engage with their new community by hosting summer events. The organization also began a series of capital improvements, including clubhouse refurbishments and enhanced concourse branding.

Their roots in Welland continue to grow as the Jackfish signed a long-term lease with the City to keep playing for up to 12 more years. With an ongoing commitment to entertaining their fans, the addition of a new, state-of-the-art video scoreboard, and a first place 2022 season, the Jackfish are working hard to put Welland on the baseball map.

 

Significant business details

• 2018: Relocated from Burlington and renamed the Welland Jackfish.
• 2019: Won their home opener in front of a Welland crowd.
• 2021: Announced a long-term lease to remain in Welland, and the plan to rebrand themselves as the Welland Roses for one home game per season, with unique jerseys being auctioned to benefit local charities.