Fans turn out to support ‘Jacks

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ORONO – Disco music served as the delightful backdrop. It was loud but not too loud.

At 8:06 p.m., Maine Governor and Bangor native John Baldacci calmly threw out the first pitch.

Four minutes later, minor league baseball officially returned to Eastern Maine when Bangor Lumberjacks righthander Kevin Pincavitch threw a fastball down the middle.

The Lumberjacks met the New Jersey Jackals in their Northeast League home opener.

A festive and surprisingly good-sized crowd braved dousing intermittent showers, which caused a 55-minute rain delay, to enjoy their first minor league baseball game at the University of Maine’s Mahaney Diamond since 1997.

The last occupants were the Bangor Blue Ox.

The fans were appreciative of the opportunity.

“This is great. It brings the community together,” said Bangor’s Jerry Bilodeau, who was one of the American Red Cross Blood Services representatives handing out the organization’s plastic thundersticks made popular by the World Champion Anaheim Angels last season.

Fellow American Red Cross reps John and Colleen Robbins echoed a similar sentiment.

“I love it and I really think it’s going to do well,” predicted Dedham’s Scott Bailey, representing Pine State Trading. “I’ve talked to [Lumberjacks general manager] Curt Jacey and I think he has a great plan. He’s going to make it family entertainment along the lines of the [Portland] Sea Dogs.”

Dedham’s Anna Blake said she was “loving the music.”

Blake was among several fans who said having a variety of promotions and interesting entertainment during the games is more important than having a great Lumberjacks team.

“As long as the kids have a good time, that’s all that matters. If they’re happy, we’re happy,” said Blake, who joined Bailey in praising the ballpark sausages.

One of the many promotions involved having a opposing player singled out and if he struck out, spectators received half-priced soda and Miller Lite beer for the rest of the inning.

Bangor’s Heather McCarthy, coordinator of Bangor’s National Folk Festival, concurred with Blake.

“If the team wins, it’s a bonus,” said McCarthy, who is a season ticket holder.

McCarthy, who is a University of Maine alum, also said the Lumberjacks will appeal to a more diverse fan base than the Black Bear sports teams.

“UMaine teams have a smaller target audience,” said McCarthy.

Fans also know they can obtain tickets to Lumberjack games. It was pointed out that getting tickets to Maine hockey games is difficult because the games are often soldout.

Bangor’s Sean Emerson brought his wife Robin, daughter Meagan and son Johnathan to the game and said it was nice to be able to be able to watch minor league baseball “without driving to Portland.

“And it’s cheaper than a movie,” added Emerson.

The prices range from $3-8.

His 13-year-old daughter Meagan said, “I really like watching baseball and it’s much more interesting being here than it is watching it on TV.”

Waterville-born Jim Vigue, a native of St. Petersburg, Fla., whose son, John, pitches for the Lumberjacks, came to the game with friends Lester and Bob Plourde of Winslow.

All three were impressed with the atmosphere and expect it to be a successful venture.

University of Maine assistant women’s soccer coach Jackie Gebhart, who was attending the game with fellow soccer assistant Amy Quist and assistant volleyball coach Angela Hall, said she used to work for the Hickory (N.C.) Crawdads of the South Atlantic League (Class A) and that it will be a nice addition to the area.

“I worked for the Crawdads for four or five years and it was a lot of fun,” said Gebhart. “This is awesome.”

She said they had several promotions for the kids “and they really got into it.”

Stetson’s Peter Webb pointed out that “this is the best baseball in the area and it provides family entertainment at bargain prices.”

The fans were unanimous in their belief that the team would be more successful attendance-wise in Bangor than Orono. The Lumberjacks are supposed to play at the John Winkin Baseball Complex on the Husson College campus in Bangor next season.

“But I’m glad they didn’t wait until they got a Bangor facility before they played,” said McCarthy.

Several fans also indicated that the Bangor Blue Ox provided quality entertainment during their two seasons (1996-97) and that helped pave the way for the return of minor league ball.