Opening Ceremony for New McKnight Batting Cage

New Batting Cage at the Fairgrounds - Opening Ceremony Tues July 3rd at 7pm

June 28, 2018

All Newmarket Basebal Association players and their families are invited to the offical Opening Ceremonies for the new batting cage at Don McKnight Field at the Newmarket Fairgrounds.  

Date: Tuesday, July 3rd
Time: 7PM
Location: Newmarket Fairgrounds (3B side of Don McKnight Field)

Players, please where your team jersey for a large group photo!  Following the brief ceremony, the Newmarket Senior Hawks will be playing a home game starting at 7:30 p.m. so plan on catching some of the action.

The new batting cage is a result of a close partnership among the Town of Newmarket, the Newmarket Baseball Association, and local resident Chris Howie.  Chris, a Hawk since 1977 and one of the principals of the GTA North Baseball Academy, spearheaded this project and secured the majority of private funding to turn this vision into reality.

"I have always felt it was important to give back to the community," said Chris.  "The Fairgrounds has needed this for many years." 

Chris also reflected on his parents who, like many parents, were an important part of his baseball development and always there cheering him and his team on.  "These new cages are a tribute to my parents and all baseball parents.  My father still comes out to the Men's League games with my son.  It's a great feeling to have my father and son close by when I am playing."

John Cudmore first reported the building of the new batting cage in the Newmarket Era in March (excerpt of his story below):

Batter up!

Near the top of the spring to-do projects list in the Town of Newmarket is a potential batting cage to be installed at Don McKnight Field in the Newmarket Fairgrounds.

The project was among the items presented in the parks and recreation sector at the municipality’s recent public information centre (PIC) event held in late February.

With a private source prepared to provide funding, the project ought to be a no-brainer. Hey, it’s not often free money comes along for such projects.

The cage would stand just beyond the third base bullpen.