Can Am games in Ottawa for 2010, possibly

[Marcelo]

The Ottawa Baseball Stadium has been leased to a group which has been granted an Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) franchise - a semi-pro league based in Ontario - to start playing in May 2010.

Now the Ottawa media has announced that in addition to IBL games there are plans in place to have 10 Can-Am games in Ottawa in 2010.

To see the whole article see the link below.

http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/baseball/2010/02/26/13048471.html

[OttawaBallFan]

While the IBL needs this to happen in my opinion, and the Can-Am too to reestablish itself in Ottawa, but less so, I just don't see 10 games here. Why would Miles take away games for Quebec fans to play them here? The team draws well there.

I can see pre-season games during weekend of May 22-23 against local amateurs like the Rapidz did. I see maybe one series but not three. I see the Caps coming here during the week, not weekends. Maybe they'd get good attendance even during the week seeing Ottawa fans have been without baseball for over a year.

Looking at the Caps schedule, games you can throw out are series on Opening Day, June 24 and the last series in September. The IBL plays on weekends.

It would be great but I'm holding my enthusiasm until there's an announcement.

[OttawaBallFan]

Out of curiosity, I've been looking at the Caps' attendance. I have all their games and attendance from 2005 to 2008. Trying to speculate which dates would be best for them to play in Ottawa. Here are their day of week averages:

Sunday 2341
Monday 3033
Tuesday 2816
Wednesday 2687
Thursday 3155
Friday 2901
Saturday 2993

Average 2827

Sundays is actually their worst day of the week. Sundays was second best for the Rapidz (2766) but Saturday wasn't so great (1923, overall season average 2197). Best was on Thursdays at 3049 just like the Caps, next was Mondays (2275, again like the Caps) and then Fridays (2014).

Caps weekend average: 2745, 2.9% off average. Rapidz: 2234, 1.7% over.

Caps low attendance week: first week in July, averages 2009. Just so happens that they play the Jackals and Tornadoes seven games from July 3 to 10. Next worst is during first week of June. The Caps are on the road this year until June 11-13 weekend.

So if it happens, my guess is to keep those dates on your calendar open. If the IBL team also plays at home the same dates, there could be a day-night double-header kind of deal. Note however those weeks were also the Rapidz' worst and the Lynx did not fare well either.

[smsudi]

From the CanAmLeague.com Web site, Pittsfield will be acting as home team in a 3-game series against Quebec in July in Ottawa or Three Rivers:

FRI
July 16

Worcester at Sussex 6:35 PM
Brockton at New Jersey 7:05 PM
Quebec vs. Pittsfield (@ Ottawa/Three Rivers) 7:05 PM

SAT
July 17

Worcester at Sussex 5:05 PM
Brockton at New Jersey 7:05 PM
Quebec vs. Pittsfield (@ Ottawa/Three Rivers) 7:05 PM

SUN
July 18

Quebec vs. Pittsfield (@ Ottawa/Three Rivers) 1:05 PM

[OttawaBallFan]

Good catch smsudi.

[Capitalesfan]

It's now official, Quebec and Pittsfield will play a 3 games series 16-17-18 july in Ottawa to close the first half season.

[Capitalesfan]

Yesterday game cancelled by the rain will be play july 16 at 5:30 at Ottawa Stadium.

You will have two games of 7 innings july 16 for the price of one game.