Island tradition to feature baseball and camaraderie
Free tickets to the 31st annual Sam Bailey’s Islands Night are available throughout the community.
The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels will play the Jupiter Hammerheads on April 17 at 7:05 p.m. at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Gates will open at 6 p.m., with the pre-game parade at 6:10 p.m.
“It honors the late Sam Bailey, a former athlete and island pioneer who started the tradition,” John Lai, president and chief executive officer of the SanCap Chamber of Commerce, which now organizes the event, said.
Bailey, whose descendents own and operate the Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel and The Island Store on Captiva, wanted to get the whole island together in one place and came up with the ballpark. According to his family, he approached the former Fort Myers Miracle organization about sponsoring a game. Bailey was able to negotiate the deal, but then had to figure out how to pay for it.
He worked with his brother, Francis, and the chamber. Island businesses were encouraged to help sponsor the game for just $100 and to invite everyone to attend. With a successful response, Bailey was able to collect enough funding to rent out the stadium, plus give back to the community.
In 2004, the event was renamed Sam Bailey’s Islands Night in honor of him.
“What it’s turned into for our community is a way to convene after the season,” Lai said. “To get the business community and the residential community together to celebrate the great season that just passed, and it’s certainly turned into exactly that.”
Thanks to continued sponsorships each year by island businesses, game tickets are free.
Bank of the Islands is the presenting homerun sponsor this year.
“It is crucial to the ongoing health of our community that we support the chamber’s outreach activities,” bank Vice President David Lowden said.
The pregame parade will showcase Sanibel and Captiva businesses and organizations.
“They’ll get to see all of their favorite service groups, businesses and nonprofits,” Lai said. “They’ll go by on floats, and they’ll be tossing out trinkets and candy.”
As of April 5, the chamber had 25 parade participants signed up.
“This time last year we had 15,” he said. “So we are looking at a really exciting parade this year.”
The Sanibel School’s Seahorse Chorale will perform the national anthem.
Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands Chief Executive Officer Geoff Roepstorff and President Robbie Roepstorff will throw out the first pitch.
“We will also have a nonprofit expo in the concourse,” Lai said. “It’s to provide our island nonprofits a way to connect with the residents and to showcase them to baseball fans who have not been to the islands recently.”
The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club will again sell beer to support island scholarships.
“Also, we want to thank the Mighty Mussels for their cooperation and willingness to work with us to make this an annual success,” he said. “It’s something our community looks forward to, especially in a post-Ian world.”
The public is encouraged to grab tickets for a night of baseball and island fellowship.
“Islands Night is a time to bring islanders together for fun, promotion, community support and camaraderie in celebration,” Lai said. “It’s a great night to disconnect from the rebuilding projects and to just be with the community, to enjoy a baseball game and to be with your island neighbors.”
Tickets are available at the chamber’s Visitor Center and Bank of the Islands, plus Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, Boops By The Bubble Room, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Huxters Market & Deli, Island Pizza, Jerry’s Foods, Macintosh Books + Papers, Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream, Sanibel Cafe, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, The Island Store, The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine, The Shack of Sanibel and Whitney’s Bait & Tackle.
The chamber is seeking additional sponsors. Benefits include unlimited game tickets, a spot in the parade and various degrees of publicity. Sponsorship donations also benefit island charities.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to sign up for the parade, contact Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759. Questions can also be directed to him.
Hammond Stadium is at 14100 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers.
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IF YOU GO
What
31st annual Sam Bailey’s Islands Night
When
April 17 at 7:05 p.m., with gates to open at 6 p.m.
Where
Hammond Stadium, 14100 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers
Details
Tickets are free to the public