Hundreds of people took part in the Canadian Baseball League (CBL) All-Star festivities over the weekend in Chatham.
For the first time in the league's history, the event was split over two days.
The first day saw over 1,300 people watch the best in the CBL compete in various skills competitions. This culminated with the home-run derby, which saw 197 long balls.
The second day saw the actual All-Star game, with just under 1,200 people in attendance.
Dom Dinelle, the Manager of the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers, told CK News Today he's happy that the event was as successful as it was, given all the hard work that went into planning it.
"To see the atmosphere and the smiles on people's faces and people saying, 'Hey Dom, this is so cool.' That was worth it right there," he explained.
Arguably, the biggest moment of the weekend for the Barnstormers happened during the All-Star Game. Evan Morrison, who's currently in his second year with the team, learned he had been drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 2026 MLB draft.
Dinelle explained it's moments like this that he lives for.
"This is what it's all about. I'm a development kind of guy, and I want to promote guys to the next level," he added.
Anyone who missed the All-Star festivities will have to wait a bit before they happen again in Chatham. If it were up to Dinelle, the Barnstormers would host each year.
"I would do it again [immediately], but we have to give a chance to the other [teams] to do it too," he said.
He believes there's a chance they could host again in roughly three to four years.
