On June 21, during the Tarp Skunks Kids Camp held at the Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park, located at 485 Falconer Street, left fielder No. 9 Justin Bremner observed as camp participants engaged in a playful dog-pile on one of his teammates. Submitted photo

An average of more than 1,000 people made their way into Russell E. Diethrick Park for Jamestown Tarp Skunks home games this summer – a new high water mark for the team.

In addition to strong numbers at the gate, the franchise, which recorded its first playoff win this year in its five-year history in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, was at or near the top of the league in most statistical categories.

“Last year, about 21,000 individuals came to the Russell E. Dietrich Park,” said Christian Dolce, Tarp Skunks’ general manager. “We saw an average turnout of roughly 900 attendees per game – this year, we not only broke previous records but exceeded them significantly.”

This year, the Skunks made history by playing their home games in front of a record-breaking crowd of 23,038 enthusiastic fans.

“Our average game attendance was 1,007 fans per game,” he said. “This was our best year with the highest ticket sales, merchandise, concessions, and sponsorship numbers ever before. All of the marks above were record breakers in 2024, so we broke them all again in 2025.”

Every year, a player from the Skunks emerges as a fan favorite among the younger audience. This year was no exception, with several candidates, but one player who connected with the team’s fans was left fielder Justin Bremner. Dolce said that all the team members took the time to sign autographs and hang out with the local kids. But Bremner really stood out, chatting with them, singing, tossing around balls, and sharing tips to help improve their game.

Bremner concluded the season with .322 batting average over 175 plate appearances with eight doubles, one triple, and four home runs, leading to a total of 38 RBIs.

“It felt as if we were partaking in a professional experience reminiscent of Major League Baseball,” said Bremner, a Cleveland, Ohio, native. “From the interactions involving autographing baseballs to the time spent on the field and the transitions back to the locker room, every detail played a role in creating an extraordinary experience. This summer has been remarkable, and it is one that I will cherish for years to come.”