AtL Charleston Dirty Birds

Dirty Birds to Honor Dennis Bastien

Published on June 22, 2022 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


CHARLESTON, WV - The Charleston Dirty Birds announce that Dennis Bastien, former Wheelers Owner and the man responsible for bringing professional baseball back to Charleston in 1987 after the Charleston Charlies' departure in 1983, will be installed into the Charleston Professional Baseball Wall of Fame on Saturday, July 30 at Appalachian Power Park prior to the Charleston Dirty Birds contest against the visiting Lexington Legends.

"After the Charlies left town it ended the Triple-A Baseball era in Charleston and left Watt Powell Park without a pro team for three seasons, but Dennis still saw the value of professional baseball in Charleston," said Dirty Birds' President, Chuck Domino. "By investing in Charleston and creating the Wheelers, he and his wife Lisa laid the foundation for 33 seasons in the South Atlantic League and showed how valuable professional baseball is to the quality of life in Charleston and the economy of West Virginia."

With Dennis and Lisa Bastien leading the Wheelers' front office, the team won the South Atlantic League Championship in 1990 and played in the championship series in both 1991 and 1992. With a vision to promote greater fan engagement after witnessing several fans chanting "You are toast" at opposing players who struck out, Bastien suggested making toast at the ballpark. "The Wheelers throwback jerseys during the game. The first 1,000 fans in the gate will receive a replica home Dirty Birds' hat presented by the West Virginia State Treasurer's Office's Unclaimed Property program.

For more information, or to shop the Dirty Birds team store, visit www.dirtybirdsbaseball.com.

The Charleston Dirty Birds are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball - The first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans to its family friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. For more information visit www.atlanticleague.com.

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