Club History

WHY CHOOSE CHATHAM-KENT?

After years of consideration, the management group of the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers' franchise proposed expansion to John Kastner, the Commissioner of the legendary Intercounty Baseball League in July of 2019. 

Team owner Dom Dinelle said Chatham-Kent was a no-brainer. 

"C-K is a baseball community" he said. "The rich baseball history here is literally the stuff legends are made of. It's pretty rare to have the privilege of and lineage of 3 MLB legends born and raised here the likes of Fergie Jenkins, Bill Atkinson, and Doug Melvin."

Dinelle and his team have decades of experience around the baseball world. Yet, they maintain that the playing surface at Rotary Park is already where it needs to be.

"Fergie Jenkins Field is very well maintained and is comparable to any professional minor league playing fields" he said. "All the improvements that have been made over the years are exceptional and perfect for IBL baseball."

Minor Baseball Associations in the region are very healthy and successful, including a growing league in Chatham which will give the new team a chance to inspire many players and families over the years.

Chatham-Kent works culturally, logistically and management truly believe it works financially with a population over 110,000 and more than 9,000 businesses in the municipality. From a geographic perspective, Fergie Jenkins Field is very easy to find from the 401 and from all cardinal points. It is also perfect distance from other IBL franchises to create natural rivalries and bring a FUN atmosphere to the ballpark.

WHAT’S OUR COMMUNITY MISSION?

First and foremost, our mission is to provide C-K residents with high-level baseball in a great venue providing an affordable family entertainment experience. 

Not only will the club develop our players for higher levels of baseball, but we are also involved in the community year-round by developing relationships and partnerships with area businesses, non-profits, schools and minor baseball associations.

The club has a lot of great community activities planned year-round including: Movie and camping nights at the ball park, baseball clinics with the area minor associations, collaborating with local youth groups for events at the ball park, our reading club with area schools and more. Our players and coaches are always available for guest appearances.

We hope to become a team that all of C-K can be proud of, both on and off the field. We aim to be ambassadors for C-K when our team is on the road and develop a long-lasting legacy in Chatham-Kent. The tradition continues.

2024 INAUGURAL SEASON

Our very first pitch of the history of the team was made on May 18, 2024 in a sold out night at Fergie Jenkins Field. The whole community was ready for the arrival of the expansion IBL club. Play Ball!

Photo: Bonnie Brown