By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Start of Bulls season will feature Hurricanes fan favourite

May 25, 2017 | 11:10 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A beloved member of the Hurricanes the past five years will help the Lethbridge Bulls begin their 2017 campaign.

Former Hurricanes captain Tyler Wong will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Bulls’ home opener Friday, June 2 against the Fort McMurray Giants. The Bulls begin their Western Major Baseball League season on the road Thursday, June 1 at Brooks.

The Bulls were swept out of the playoffs by Medicine Hat last season, following a championship season in 2015. Jessie Sawyer takes over as coach this season.

Mark Campbell, who does marketing for the team, is pleased to see the approval of improvements to Spitz Stadium in the city’s Capital Improvement Program down the road.

“Renovations will continue for our grandstand, which is exciting. However, we’re still going to go with what we have right now, and it’s starting to look really good,” Campbell said. “Our patio has actually expanded, which is pretty exciting, so we’re offering 140 seats as kind of the prime real estate for the ball games this year.”

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Fans will notice a change to the concession following some flood damage earlier in the year, Campbell added.

Some new projects he hopes will help the team become more involved in the community include an “egg roulette” contest for fans, and the “Great Canadian Tug-o-War Championship,” a tournament that will see charities compete over the course of the summer. Campbell said a jackpot for their charity of between $2,500 and $3,000 will be on the line.

Campbell said the team will be welcoming seven players from the Prairie Baseball Academy, which is coming off its seventh consecutive national championship.

Prior to the start of the season the team will host the second annual TCMM Benefit Game and Youth Super Camp, in conjunction with the Vauxhall Academy Jets, Wedneday, May 31. The event raises money for baseball scholarships in memory of Tanner Craswell and Mitch MacLean.