THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
update: Thurs Aug 1st home playoff game has been postponed due to wet grounds. The game will be made up on Friday, location to be determined.
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DANVILLE — As the Danville Dans wrapped up their regular-season home games last night at historic Danville Stadium and look to the playoffs starting Thursday, co-owner Jeannie Cooke said the baseball crowds are definitely back after the COVID-19 years.
The collegiate summer baseball team and stadium will host the first playoff game after the Dans won the first half of the Prospect League’s Central Division. The Dans play their final regular-season game today against the Rex in Terre Haute, Ind.
“It’s been a really good season,” Cooke said.
Looking back at the COVID-19 shutdowns, this year in comparison has seen lots of fans at the stadium, she said.
“It’s back,” she said. “That really makes us very happy, because it’s a community place.”
Crowds at the games can have a large range, from about 1,000 to 3,900 based on sponsor and theme nights, weather, the day of the week, doubleheaders and other factors, according to Dans officials.
The stadium can hold 5,200.
What makes the whole season fun are the fans, especially the kids, Cooke said.
She said what may be the most fun is when the game is over, and the gates are opened for all the kids to run onto the field and talk to the players.
“It’s really fun. We’re building memories,” Cooke said.
Families who host the players were recognized at a recent game for another year.
“We have the best host family coordinator, Chris Jaruseski,” Cooke said.
There also are wonderful host families, she added.
While Cooke and Rick Kurth own the Dans, she said that’s just two people partly responsible for the team and operations for the seasons.
“The Danville Stadium belongs to everybody that lives in Danville and Vermilion County,” Cooke said. “That’s been that way since 1945. It’s a happy, family baseball place.”
As another season winds down, Dans officials are looking toward next year. The Dans have been playing since 1989.
“It’s a yearlong project,” Cooke said. “Some of it is physical.”
That includes minor to major repairs and other improvements needed at the stadium.
“Every year, we seek to step up improvements and help take care of the stadium,” Cooke said.
They also look at the coaching staff.
“Coach Coleman is a fixture here now. We couldn’t have a better field manager than Eric Coleman,” Cooke said.
The Dans will be here for the baseball fans into the future, she said.
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