Stocking stuffer: Bombers unveil schedule, online merchandise
Twas a couple of weeks before Christmas, and the residents of Dubois County were clamoring for the Holiday’s climax.
Some of these locals are hankering for warmer days, drinking cold beverages and inhaling some hot dogs in Huntingburg, taking in America’s old pastime among their Dubois County Bombers brethren.
A little less than six months out from the home opener against Louisville on June 2, the wheels are churning following the majority ownership takeover by Barton Lewis, Ara and Justin Knepp, among others in the ownership group.
“The thing you got to know about us, we are all in,” Justin said. “We are highly motivated.”
The new ownership has a chance to pile onto a humming machine at the fabled League Stadium.
“To us, the Dubois County experience…I always call it the experience, the Dubois County game day experience is really good,” Justin said. “We love it. It’s our favorite thing to do. What Mike and Mary (Uebelhor) created is just incredible.”
A couple of enhancements will continue the rich tradition. For starters, there are going to be visible makeovers in the ballpark where A League of Their Own starring Tom Hanks was filmed. The City of Huntingburg invested $420,000, comprised of funds through the American Rescue Plan Act and local economic development funds, to repair the foundation and stringers of the stadium seating. They also added Major League Baseball-style seats which are much larger than the previous ones on the lower level.
The gift shop is under renovation. Plus, the franchise has launched an online store at DCBombers.com with 60 products, including replica jerseys, and shipping within one week.
The schedule was recently released; Opening Day is June 1 at Owensboro.
Justin added that the home slate is beefed up. The team was set to jump from 21 home contests to 22 until the Bombers purchased five more home dates in the Ohio Valley League for a total of 27.
“We want an opportunity to get more people into the seats at League Stadium to watch these games,” he, who, along with Ara, have been minority owners for nearly a decade, said.
They have the chops for the financial side, working in communities and planning entertainment for large parties.
“From a business standpoint, (being majority owners) made a lot of sense,” Justin, who will be stationed in Dubois County over the summer, along his wife, said. “I started and currently manage a few different companies up here in Indianapolis, really successful companies. One of those companies is called Indiana on Tap. We plan, market, manage large beer, wine and spirits festivals all over the state.”
In addition to the venue enhancements, the ownership group is emphasizing promotional nights to continue to spearhead the entertainment in the most packed park in the OVL with more than 1,000 fans on average, Justin said.
And the Bombers will be giving away a new car this year and having Guinness World Record Night with an official in the building.
“Promo nights are a part of baseball at the minor league level and Major League level,” he said. “We’re not trying to create any circus. At the end of the day, it’s another way to entertain people when they get to these games.”
The website and social media will have more content with a new videographer position in the front office.
There’s going to be an opportunity for Little Leaguers in the area to get on the diamond to be paid homage and be recognized. They’ll have to decide if they are hitting the candy bar, which is open to all, before or after hitting the dirt.
Early signs indicate that new stakeholders for the prominent Dubois County ballclub aren’t pulling any punches to make it a summer to look forward to as the dead of the winter approaches.
“A huge responsibility taking it over,” he said. “A huge opportunity and a huge challenge.”
