The Collingwood Jays Baseball Bonanza took place at the Central Park baseball diamonds on Saturday, inviting families from across the area to come celebrate the sport while supporting the repair of local diamonds.
According to organizer Anna Posch, all money raised from the day is going to support Collingwood Minor Baseball, specifically to repair and upgrade the Heritage and Legion baseball diamonds which she described as being in a “sore state.”
About 500 people were expected to attend the event, with 11 games being played at all levels throughout the day.
Attendees who came to watch the games were also pleased to find to food, a beer garden, inflatable bouncy castles and games, a dunk tank and a silent auction.
Senior Rookie 2 coach Jason Towell sat in the dunk tank, egging on kids to try their hand at it. When none were available, Rookie 4 coach Iain Cathcart managed to dunk Towell on his first throw.
When asked if they were rivals, Cathcart remarked while laughing, “If we weren’t already, we are now!”
About 80 items were donated to the silent auction. While most were from local vendors, a few items were donated by Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment and the Toronto Blue Jays Club.
“Local businesses were quite generous,” said Posch.
