By Dave Kubacki, Toledo Free Press Staff Writer
For most high school baseball players, playing in a professional ballpark never makes it past being a dream. Thanks to the Toledo Mud Hens and Fifth Third Field, that dream is becoming a reality more often than ever before.
For more than 10 years, Fifth Third Field has opened its gates for area high schools teams, providing student-athletes a rare opportunity to compete in the heart of Downtown Toledo. For 2014, Fifth Third Field has 10 games scheduled and will likely add some additional games in the next couple of months, said Michael Keedy, manager of special events for the Mud Hens.
Perrysburg High School and Genoa High School played a game at Fifth Third Field in 2012. Photo Courtesy Dave Hall
The program offers high school players a unique opportunity, Keedy said.
“It’s the experience,” he said. “Imagine being a high school baseball player and having the opportunity to play at such a beautiful facility. A lot of high schools have nice facilities, but it’s different stepping out onto Fifth Third Field. High schools want their kids to have that experience. You can tell the kids enjoy it. We set a game time and it always seems the teams show up an hour or an hour and a half early because they are so excited.”
There is no facility or field rental fee and nearly zero out-of-pocket expenses for the program. Teams receive 300 undated Mud Hens ticket vouchers, which must be sold at a minimum of $10 per voucher. Teams are allowed to mark up the $10 voucher and keep the additional revenue as a fundraiser for their respective programs.
Most schools have no problem selling the tickets, said Emily Croll, special events coordinator for the Mud Hens.
“Most sell their tickets between $11 and $13 to use as a fundraising effort,” Croll said. “These teams go on spring break and have other uniform costs. Most of the time, the teams are very successful in selling their tickets and actually sell over the 300 vouchers we give them. They have their freshman, JV and varsity all selling tickets and they run out pretty quickly. It’s a great way for the community to support their local teams.”
Perrysburg High School baseball coach Dave Hall said playing at Fifth Third Field is a great opportunity for the kids to see how the game feels played on a big stage.
“The experience has been really good for the players,” Hall said. “They love being in a Triple A facility. It’s a really nice atmosphere, especially knowing that you are playing in a place that is one step away from the major leagues. Every year, the kids are excited and the coaches are excited.”
Hall said there are adjustments players make, but notes high school parks are getting bigger and bigger every year.
“You know, there are some adjustments,” Hall said. “However, our kids have experience playing in all sorts of different sizes of ballparks. Not to mention, the high school fields are getting bigger every time. Kids can still hit one out of the park, but it doesn’t happen too often.”
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This season’s high school games include:
- 4 p.m. April 14: Erie Mason vs. TBD
- 5 p.m. April 14: Perrysburg vs. Springfield
- 1 p.m. April 19: Carey vs. Riverdale
- 4 p.m. April 19: Lakota vs. Old Fort
- 7 p.m. April 19: Napoleon vs. Otsego
- 4 p.m. May 3: Gibsonburg vs. Woodmore
- 7 p.m. May 3: Lincoln Park vs. Dearborn
- 4 p.m. May 6: Patrick Henry vs. Liberty Benton
- 7 p.m. May 6: North Central vs. Hilltop
- 4:30 p.m. May 20: Anthony Wayne vs. Delta
