Shuckers entertain Smokies this evening

The Biloxi Shuckers will be aiming for their fifth straight win this evening when they face the Tennessee Smokies, just a day after the teams met in a rain-delayed game that ran until 11:57 p.m. before the Shuckers won 3-2 with a walk-off double.

First pitch from MGM Park is at 6:35 p.m  The first thousand fans through the gates will receive a Shuckers Jersey Cooler Bag, and the evening will have a Mardi Gras theme – “we’re halfway to Mardi Gras,” the Shuckers say – and fans are encouraged to wear Carnival attire. The Blackwater Brass band is scheduled to begin performing at 5:30 p.m.

The Thursday night game was delayed two-hours and 13 minutes due to rain and didn’t begin until 8:48 p.m.

For the Shuckers, it was their fourth win in a row and ninth in their last 10 games. Biloxi remains one game behind the Mobile BayBears, in second place, in the Southern League South Division.
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Chris Harris: ‘Forget about the rain, we’re in a race’

Shuckers broadcaster Chris Harris says fans shouldn’t let a little rain keep them from the ballpark.

“We can handle probably two or three inches of rain in a day, easily, and still play ball,” Harris said this afternoon. “Last night, we had probably an inch and a half between 4 and 8 p.m., and we played at 8:48 p.m.

“Unless it’s raining for six to eight hours, we’re going to play ball, which is a credit to our stadium, our staff and our grounds crew.”

And with the Shuckers one game behind in the standings, the games take on more meaning.

“We’re in a playoff race,” said Harris, whose broadcasts are carried locally on WGCM AM-1240/FM-100.9. “We’re going to get these games in. We’re trying to win a division here.

“So, if it’s raining in Ocean Springs, that doesn’t mean it’s raining in downtown Biloxi. Plus, tonight, it’s Mardi Gras.”

Elsewhere this weekend: The Parks & Recreation Summer Movie Series event scheduled for tonight is postponed until Friday, Aug. 18, Parks & Recreation football and cheerleading registration ends Saturday and the Summer Comedy Jam will be at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.

Over at the casinos, The Isley Brothers will be at the Beau Rivage, Tanya Tucker at the Golden Nugget and Jamey Johnson at the IP Casino Resort.  
See the Summer Movie Series flyer
See the football and cheerleading flyer
See a weekend line-up

 

Plans being drawn up now for Saenger restoration

The city has made an issue of restoring downtown Biloxi, including re-introducing two-way traffic to Howard Avenue, and at the same time plans are in the works to restore one of the anchors of downtown Biloxi, the Saenger Theater.

The theater attracts between 20,000 and 30,000 people annually to events, primarily youth dance performances, but Mayor Andrew ‘FoFo” Gilich believes restoring the 1920s-era showplace will broaden its appeal to more events and bigger audiences.

As a result, the city’s 2018 budget proposal includes nearly $600,000 for Saenger exterior work, with plans to seek federal and state grants.

“The comprehensive analysis and design work of the needed repairs on the Saenger should be complete by Dale Partners by the end of the year,” said Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard.  “Once that is done, we will take bids for the exterior work around the beginning of next year.”

The work in Phase 1 will include the replacement of the roof and rooftop air-conditioning units, and repairs to the entrance awning.  The exterior brick will also be waterproofed to reduce the chance of moisture seeping into the interior walls.

Once the exterior work is complete, interior issues will be addressed.

The mayor has made it clear that restoring the Saenger is part of his downtown revitalization plan to re-introduce two-way traffic to nearby Howard Avenue and breathe new life into the downtown area.

Gilich actually held the 2017 city inauguration at the city-owned theater to draw attention to the challenges of the downtown restoration efforts. The walls of the 943-seat theater were pocked-marked where rainwater intrusion had dislodged plaster.
See video of the Saenger
See more about the Saenger Theater