By: Frankie Benvenuti

The next homestand at Ottawa Stadium will surely be a can’t-miss experience for everyone, no matter how big - or small - of a baseball lover you may be.

The festivities kick off when the Titans host the first game of their six-game home stretch, using the occasion to return a fan-favourite night: Bark in the Park. Now is a great time to see if your furry friend loves baseball as much as you do by bringing them out for a night of fun at Ottawa Stadium.

“All four bark on the park nights drew bigger crowds than normal last season,” general manager Martin Boyce said. “We hope to have that same success again.”

Before bringing your pup to the ballpark, there are a couple of steps to take. There is a waiver to sign, and your dog must have a ticket, which can be purchased at a heavily discounted rate. Once you’re in, there will be extra amenities placed around the stadium with your four-legged friend in mind.

“We’ll make sure there are water dishes around, that’s the most important thing with summer being right around the corner,” Boyce said. “We’re still working on finalizing some of the activities, but the whole park will be open for the dogs, so that if it is hot, shade stations will be available.”

During every game of the season - special theme night or otherwise - fans can enjoy some uniquely Ottawa flavours at the concession stands, and great options to take in the ball game. The Hop Yard down the left-field line has become particularly popular with adults, who can take advantage of the local selection of beers, but for the kids, it has become equally as attractive.

The open area has provided an excellent place for kids to burn off that extra cotton-candy-fueled energy, and even chase down a foul ball or two.

On Thursday morning, the Titans host their second school-day game of the season, where kids from various schools around the region come together to enjoy a much-needed spring day away from the classroom, and give the hometown team a home-field advantage unlike any other.

It’s a model that has seen success both with other Frontier League clubs, as well as other sports franchises in the city of Ottawa.

“We will have an educational aspect to the fun that day,” said Boyce. “We’ll have trivia, more games, we’ll put a math class spin on baseball analytics, and just do different games that will be educational.”

The homestand won't get any easier, with the 2022 Frontier League champion Quebec Capitales rolling in to start the weekend. During the contest, you’re sure to see fireworks, but when Friday, June 2nd’s game wraps up, you’ll get to see some in a more traditional sense.

Friday night fireworks shows have become a staple in the nation’s capital, lighting up the Ottawa sky in a display fans and players alike can’t get enough of.

“Our fireworks at the home opener were beautiful, so we’re hoping to piggyback off of that and have another good show this time,” Boyce said.

June 2nd’s game has another special twice, however. The Titans will be unveiling their Field of Dreams Foundation. There will be a nine-inning silent auction, along with one-of-a-kind contests up for grabs, all done to benefit youth in the National Capital Region.

“Every inning, we’ll be auctioning off a different item,” said Boyce. “As the night progresses, the items will be more and more special. Our goal is to have those prizes be something you can't just buy at the store. In theory, it could be lunch with the manager or things like that.”

The overriding theme of the night is the importance of the community, and lending a helping hand to those in need.

“It’s all about supporting children's causes in the region,” Boyce said. “Kids and baseball go hand-in-hand, so what better way to give back than to support them? As this continues to ramp up, we hope to support the community that supports us so kindly.”

The very next day, the Titans are excited to celebrate their second soirée Francophone. Ottawa is iconic for being bilingual, and the French-language speakers are an important piece of the Titans’ fan puzzle.

“It’s going to be French first at the ballpark,” Boyce explained. “Normally announcements in the stadium are done in English, and then French. We’re changing that around.”

Not only can you expect the impotence to be placed on French at the game, you’ll see a brand-new Titans jersey design, as they take on the “Les Titans” identity.

“The jersey is going to be the Franco-Ontario colours, green and white,” Boyce shared. “We’re hoping to embrace the Francophone aspect. After the game, we’re auctioning off those jerseys, with the proceeds going to the Field of Dreams foundation.”

No matter which game you want to check out, great seats are still available.