By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Collegiate baseball is coming to Dean Evans Stadium this summer as the Salina Sliders prepare to compete in an all-new summer wood bat league spanning across the Midwest.
The Diamond Baseball League will provide some of the most talented baseball players in the Midwest with a chance to showcase their skills in a league akin to the Cape Cod and Northwoods Leagues.
This league will also provide fans in and around Salina with 26 opportunities to take in high-level baseball at an affordable price.
This inaugural season will feature six teams across the league, with the Salina Sliders joining the Freemont Moo (NE), Grand Island Fightin’ Cranes (NE), Hastings Sodbusters (NE), Jefferson City Renegades (MO), and Sedalia Steamers (MO).
The Sliders also have exhibition games on the books with the Hutchinson Monarchs and Kansas City Monarchs.
Salina’s roster will feature a strong core of local talent, including a trio of Coyotes in Thomas Pyland, Gabe Jackson, and Brody Farthing. And three Butler-bound Central grads in Grayton Gross, Oscar Perez and Bodie Rodriguez.
Tickets start at just $8 for general admission, with box seats priced at $10, and all-you-can-eat (minus alcohol) VIP tickets behind home plate at $25.
Additional seating options include a picnic area for group outings down the third base line for $30, and a beer garden.
All tickets can be purchased online at salinasliders.com. Games will also be streamed online through Home Team Sports.
In addition to providing an excellent fan experience, the Sliders hope to grow strong ties to the Salina community, and will run a youth baseball camp at Dean Evans on June 13th from 10-noon.
Campers will receive free tickets to that night’s Sliders game, and the camp is open to kids ages 6-12.
Parents can sign their kids up for the camp at salinasliders.com.
The Sliders are also looking for additional host families to help provide housing for players throughout the season.
Anyone interested in hosting a player should reach out to Tracee Powell at tracecole@gmail.com.
Finally, any businesses interested in sponsoring the Salina Sliders can contact Jacob Simpson (Jacob@salinasliders.com) or Ben Castleberry (Ben@salinasliders.com).
Groups and businesses interested in an exclusive group outing can also reach out to Jacob@salinasliders.com.
The Sliders open their season in Fremont, Nebraska on May 28th, and will play their first home game in Salina on Friday, May 29th, when they host the Hastings Sodbusters.
For more information, visit SalinaSliders.com or email tickets@salinasliders.com.
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