Redcoat fever approaches

From staff reports of the Marietta Times

MARIETTA, Ohio After a six-year leave of absence from the Marietta-Parkersburg area, the Ohio Valley Redcoats will be making their return on Wednesday at Pioneer Park.

The Redcoats, who play in the Frontier Professional Baseball League, will be playing a six-game series in Marietta to help bring back a taste of professional baseball to the area.

“I am excited to bring professional baseball back to Pioneer Park in Marietta,” said Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee. “These should be a very exciting six games to play in that area.”

The Redcoats, last year known as the Springfield-Ozark Ducks, were forced to leave the Springfield, Mo., area due to the St. Louis Cardinals Class AA affiliate being relocated to that area.

“This will truly be a test for the city of Marietta and for the Frontier League to see if they are fit to be partners,” said Redcoats business manager John Aebischer. “I know for a fact that this area has some of the best baseball fans around.”

While visiting the Marietta area, the Redcoats plan to pay tribute to the late Marietta College coaching great Don Schaly. The Redcoats plan to retire his number 50 in a ceremony before the game on Friday.

The Redcoats will kick off the home stand with a three-game series against the Chillicothe Paints then play three games against the Washington (Pa.) Wild Things. Tickets are selling for $5 and will only be sold the day of the game, at the front gate.

Except for Sunday’s game with the Washington Wild Things, the starting time is 7:05 p.m. each day. Sunday’s game is slated for a 6:05 start.