New pro baseball team to start off with a bang

| 29 Sep 2011 | 08:00

    Sussex -Opening day festivities for the new baseball team playing in Skylands Park in Augusta will culminate May 29 with a fireworks display, announced Larry Hall, president of Sussex Professional Baseball. “We are extremely excited to get this season started,” he said. “We are literally going to start off this season with a huge bang.” The team, whose name has not yet been determined, will release their entire promotional schedule later this month. The team’s name will be chosen from among entries received in a “name the team” contest, Hall said the franchise plans to focus on providing “an enjoyable, affordable and entertaining experience for families in the surrounding communities.” Plans include a reduction both in ticket prices and parking fees, a new souvenir shop and an expanded concessions menu with reduced food and beverage prices. Management expects to spend between $1.2 and $1.5 million to start up the new team. “We are committed to creating the highest quality organization and experience for our fans,” said Hall. “The team will feature a wide variety of game day giveaways, contests, promotions, entertainment, and special events.” Ben Wittkowski, the 2005 Can-Am League “executive of the year,” has been named general manager of the new team. “We will bring high caliber professional baseball to the fans and families of Sussex County,” promised Wittkowski. “Building a winner is important to our organization; however, it is much more important for us to become an integral part of this community.” Toward that end, Wittkowski said, the team looks forward to “providing employment for residents, developing reading programs within the school systems and participating in local events with our players and mascot. We cannot wait to get the ball rolling.” As part of the independent Can-Am league, the new Sussex team will host 46 games against the Brockton Rox, Nashua Pride, New Haven Cutters, New Jersey Jackals, North Shore Spirit, Les Capitales de Quebec, and the Worcester Tornadoes. Standard game times are 7:05 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5:05 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2:05 p.m. on Sundays.