The first home-game pitch for the Carroll Merchants will be thrown on June 1, but Carroll Athletic Association members, John Perrin and Chris Whitaker say a whole lot of people have spent the past several months preparing for that day. Perrin says two of the things they are asking community members to supply for the 25 players on the roster are employment and housing. They have about 16 placed in homes already, but are still looking for volunteers to take in the rest.
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Perrin says you need to provide food and board, but the players are then required to follow all of the rules set up in the household. In fact, he says, there have been some very strong bonds developed between players and families over the past few years and that life-long positive impressions have been made from both sides.
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Whitaker says in the third year of the Merchants, their sponsorship has exploded, filling both of the last two years with the support of the local business communities. There will be a couple more home games this year as well as several other special events.
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Game attendance has been great and steadily growing, with an average of 350 to 375 fans a game with some big nights maybe pushing 1,000 people. Whitaker adds that seeing the area youth interact with players is one of the best things to come out of the league.
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This is the best ball park in the state, Whitaker says, and that is a big part of the fun atmosphere. Local players, Tyler Lang, formerly of Kuemper, and Colton Determann from Arcadia will also be playing on the Carroll Merchants field this year. Admission to the park is $5 and 12 and under are free. Season tickets and booster club memberships are now available, and details on how to purchase these can be found on the Merchants Facebook page or they can be picked up at the Carroll Chamber of Commerce. More information on housing or providing jobs for players can be found by using the contact information for John Perrin, below.
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Questions on housing or jobs—john.perrin@farner-bocken.com