The Yorkton Cardinals are optimistic about the upcoming season, but they know it’s going to be hard work to keep the team going in Yorkton. To do that, they need two things, community and creativity, and are focused on using both to get people into the park in 2019. The team held its annual general meeting on Feb. 24.
They will have more opportunities to get people to the park. The team will play eight more games in 2019, including four more home games. That has resulted in a bump in season ticket prices – they are now $175 for a year, a $25 increase that reflects the increased number of games that season ticket buyers will be able to attend.
While the team is still in debt, they are optimistic about what they can do in 2019. Team President Lyle Vaughan is excited that the room was full during the meeting, and hopes that the renewed interest means big things for the team. He sees good things from having new directors and board members bringing fresh ideas to the team as a whole.
“People are on board, people want to get involved.”
One of the themes of the day was how to get the community at large to get more invested in the team as a whole. The goal is to get players out in the community to meet people. He believes this is key to getting people invested, as they would no longer just be going to the park to watch some baseball team, but to watch the players they know.
“You’ll hopefully see us everywhere. We’ll get out and visit kids in minor sports, visit businesses and stuff like that. That’s our goal, so hopefully you will see the Cardinals out in the community.”
The team is also going to try more unique promotions for games and different things to get more people out to Jubilee Park.
“Yes, the ball game is one aspect of it, but [we have to] try to change the culture of the ball park to get people out,” Vaughan said.
Once there, Vaughan believes that they will want to come back.
“I don’t think they realize the caliber of baseball we have in Yorkton. It is college baseball, and if you look back over the years, our biggest claim to fame that we had through our program is Andrelton Simmons, who is playing Major League Baseball right now, he’s one of the best short stops. There is a chance for these people to make it, the caliber is there, we just need people to make it out and check it out, see the caliber that we have and hopefully come back game after game.”
The season starts on May 29 with the team travelling to Regina. First home game will be on May 31 against Melville.
“Come out and support the Cardinals for the upcoming season and see the caliber we have here in Yorkton!” said Vaughan.
