“People ask me what I do in the winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” ~ Rogers Hornsby
The grass is green, the lights are on, and the Ottawa Titans are on their way home for the 2024 home opener. The boys have already been on the road to begin the season, so fans can expect them to come out blazing for first pitch at 6:30 at the Ottawa Stadium on Coventry.
The season started on May 10 on the road, with some mixed results as the boys of summer work out the rust and get acquainted with new opponents. The road trip started in New England against the New England Knockouts, where the Titans lost the first game of the season 6-4, but managed a dramatic comeback in a massively high scoring game two winning 11-8. The Titans took the rubber match to win the series on May 12th. With wet weather already working against us, the series against New Jersey has already seen a postponed game, so there aren’t many more results to analyze yet.
The Titans ended 2023 with a 48-48 record, and nowhere near a playoff spot in the competitive Eastern Division of the Frontier League. The season had a very rough start, with a lack of strong starting pitching losing games early for us. Luckily, the bullpen stabilized by mid June, and the bats heated up in July for some exciting win streaks.
If you’re just now realizing that we’re not talking about the Lynx, Rapidz or the Champions anymore, I outlined the Titans origin story in 2022 check it out here.
Returning Stars
Jake Sanford got the Titan’s first home run of the season, and as a returning player from the last two years we will be relying heavily on the former New York Yankee for offense. His batting average in 2022 was .311, and despite only playing half a season for the Titans last year he still managed .271, making him one of our most reliable players at the plate. Speaking of reliability at the plate, AJ Wright is also back for this third year in the pinstripes, and while the Titans like to switch around the infield regularly, Wright is a solid presence at second and third base, and a key part of our double play plans. The infield is actually mostly intact from last season with Wright, fan favourite Jackie Urbaez, dominant first baseman Jamey Smart and Jason Dicochea switching off in the middle infield. Canadian Taylor Wright is also back as a valuable utility player, and is looking bigger and stronger than last season, with great wheels covering the outfield and a reliable bat.
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- Grant Larson. Photo: Guy Godin
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- Brooks Walton. Photo: Guy Godin
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- Jackie Urbaez. Photo: Guy Godin
Starter Grant Larson is back on the mound, and with his incredible wingspan at 6’7″, he is formidable to watch. Brooks Walton is returning for the middle innings, but is starting the season on the injured list. From the Dominican Republic, Erasmo Piñales is also back as a closer with an intense fast ball and intimidating mound presence.
New this year
It’s a bit early to start memorizing the roster, but starting pitcher Shane Gray has been playing independent ball, but comes from the New York Yankees system, and current shortstop, Cuban Laz Rivera played for the Chicago White Sox at AAA. And Fun Fact, pitcher Scott Prins is from the Netherlands, and has been playing there until recently, which is just honestly pretty cool.
Food and Drink
Gabriel’s Pizza is back at the park with its concession counter, plus Lois ‘N’ Frima’s ice cream, Cappy’s Kitchen and Mr. Señor with Mexican options that are a fun change from classic stadium food. If you don’t want to get caught in line waiting, you can order and pay from your phone using a free app offered at the park. I definitely recommend it for the home opener, and busier games. The Titans also have an impressive lineup of local beers including Vimy, Stray Dog and new this year – Beyond The Pale – both in tallboy cans at the concessions and on tap in the Hop Yard. You can also find canned cocktails, ciders, and wine for around $8-$9.
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- Poutine, Gabriel’s Pizza and Pudgyboy donuts.
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- Photos: Kiersten Vuorimaki
Food prices are definitely reasonable for a sporting event. Foot long hotdogs are $9, you can get 2 slices of pepperoni pizza for $13.50, a large poutine for $12, and beef taco salad for $15. Bring your own water bottle to the stadium to refill at one of the many water stations around the concourse. Security will make you dump out any liquid you bring in, so pack an empty bottle to avoid non alcoholic drink prices.
2024 Season Highlights
May 21st is the home opener, and the first 500 fans will get a Titans bucket hat to rep all summer. There will also be post game fireworks! May 24 is soirée Francophone, and we round out May with the first Bark in the Park on the 31st, a bring your pet to the venue event! The second Bark in the Park is August 22. They kickoff Pride Month with Pride Night on June 1, and Baseball Bingo is happening Tuesday June 11, June 25, July 10, August 6, 20 and 27. (this is a great way to learn more about the game!). Fridays games often end with fireworks, including Girls Night out on June 13th, and Theme Night (Taylor’s Version) on July 12th. There aren’t any international games scheduled this season unfortunately, but there is Pickleball Night, Don’t Hate on Nickelback Night, and Upstairs Neighbour Night (your guess is as good as mine). Check out the full promotional schedule here.
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Advance tickets for Titans games are $12 or $16 and can be bought online or at the box office. Expect to pay $4 more on game days, regardless of where you buy them. Parking is through Indigo parking, so there are QR codes throughout the lot to pay by phone.
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