According to the team’s General Manager Christian Dolce, the 2024 season has been a stellar year for the locally owned and operated team who plays in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL).

“We broke a lot of records this year,” said Dolce. “Ticket sales were at an all-time high. More than 21,000 people visited the park this year to catch a game. We had a 46% increase in sponsorships and our average, non-special event, game attendance was approximately 900, we had five buyout nights- where game admission was completely free and covered by local businesses, organizations or agencies.”

Dolce continued to explain some of the new and improved upgrades he’s expecting to implement in the offseason, for the 2025 season, to specifically enhance fan enjoyment and experiences.

“We’re revamping our website and making it more user-friendly,” he said. “We’re also looking at expanding some of our merchandise wares. We may add things like mini-bats, different baseball hats and other items.”

Tarp Skunk officials are reporting record-high ticket sales and ballpark visits at the close of their 2024 baseball season. The average fan attendance to home games was 900, with the park having more than 21,000 fans attend games during the season. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Gregory Peterson, a board member and co-owner for the team, talked about the need for continued community support and the overarching, extra-levels, of personal interactions the players made sure they gave to each fan.

“This team was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” he said. “I would see the team members exit the field, and walking back to the locker room, just get mobbed by young fans trying to get autographs, selfies and to meet and talk with the players. It was simply amazing. But that’s what we’re about, local, family-friendly entertainment for the entire community.”

Both Dolce and Peterson talked about the excitement of the growing fan-base for the Tarp Skunks and how some of the players got recognized in town during their off time.

“I’m just the team manager and kids were running up to me at Midway State Park, asking if I was the manager of the Tarp Skunks, and when I was walking around downtown, the same thing, kids and fans just wanting to talk and hang out,” said Dolce.

Peterson noticed a few players who resonated well with the team’s fan base and became fan-favorites.

“Tommy Schroeder, No. 5; Eli Harpalani, No. 50 and Shaniel Maldonado, No. 16 are just a few,” he said. “The kids started to call Shaniel ‘Poppy’ and I’d hear kids yelling Poppy as soon as I came into the park or when he came out of the team locker room the poppy chants would start.”

However, like most things local team ownership has a cost associated with it, and the Tarp Skunks are no different.

“We’ve got about 50 local owners and a board of directors who are fully vested in making sure baseball stays here in Jamestown,” said Peterson. “Next year’s updated web page will have a GoFundMe link for those who’d like to help a little more. There’s a lot of expenses that go into running a team.”

Dolce expanded on what some of the expenses are that Peterson referenced.

“We’ve got to house the team and feed the players,” he said. “Wash and clean the team’s uniforms and transport them to away games. Right now, we provide the team with one meal a day, mainly dinner, and when we’re away, the home team should be the meal provider. But there’s a lot that goes into running a team like ours, and any help is greatly appreciated. Things like our 50/50 raffle tickets — 50% of the proceeds is allocated to help offset some of these expenses.

As previously reported by The Post-Journal, a fund has been set up at the Chautauqua Regional Community Foundation for those who’d like to attend a baseball game yet may face some financial challenges — especially youthful fans.

“Anyone who’d like to attend a baseball game, but has financial hurdles or non-profit organizations who like to attend a game can get free tickets,” said Peterson. “We have funds set up with the CRCF. All you have to do is get a hold of Christian Dolce and he’ll arrange for your tickets. We need to get the word out about this to churches, youth groups, summer camps, day camps or anyone who’d like to attend a game or two.”

Peterson said the team is poised for a great 2025 season.

For more information about Tarp Skunks tickets email Dolce at christian@tarpskunks.net or for information on how to donate to the Wiffy fund (CRCF) visit crcfonline.org.