Biloxi Shuckers fans were seeing something unique at MGM Park with the Biloxi squad’s homestand with the Mobile BayBears, which began last Thursday: Instead of the usual five-game homestand, the Shuckers had league permission to play a six-game homestand so the series could stretch to July 3. That was important because all Southern league teams are guaranteed either a July 3 or July 4 game each year.
It all sounded good, until the rains came.
When the MGM Park gates open at 5:30 this evening, Double-A baseball fans will see a 6:35 first pitch for a game that will be in the fifth inning, with two outs and the score tied at 2.
That’s because the Shuckers and BayBears were one out away from completing the requisite five innings before the tied game was called for rain Sunday night.
The Shuckers had planned to conclude the game Monday night before that evening’s BayBears contest, but rain struck again.
The Monday night game will be made up in August when the BayBears visit before season’s end.
And, finally, one other scheduling note: Once the resumed game is completed this evening, the Shuckers and BayBears will play a seven-inning game, two short of a typical game, in order to accommodate the Shuckers post-game Patriotic Fireworks Extravaganza, which is being presented by Merit Health Biloxi.
“We haven’t had back-to-back rain outs like this where we’ve had to figure out how we were going to get all of the games in,” said Dani Polen of the Shuckers marketing staff. “And then there was the suspended game, which has actually been delayed by rain twice now. But the great news is that the Shuckers fans are the most loyal and diehard in the league.
“And we want them to know this: We’re going to play ball tonight and we’re going to have an amazing fireworks show.”
See the Shuckers website for details and tickets
News & notes: Forecast, fireworks-free, fireboat, reminder, July 4
Forecast through the Fourth: Tonight, a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. For Independence Day and night, a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. To see the detailed forecast, click here.
Fireworks-free zone: Fireworks enthusiasts can enjoy the Biloxi fireworks show in a fireworks-free zone on the beach east of the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor all the way to Oak Street. The firework show will begin Wednesday at 9 p.m., fired from a barge inside Deer Island. To see a map of the fireworks-free zone, click here.
Fireboat smooth landing: The namesake is in Croatia marking 50 years of marriage to the Honorable Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, but the “Serena G.,” the city’s months-old fireboat named for the mayor’s wife, was on training maneuvers in the Biloxi channel today. To see video of the boat land on its floating dock at the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, click here.
Friendly reminder: The Biloxi City Council, in its first meeting of the month, gathers this evening at 6 at City Hall. To see the meeting agenda and supporting documents, click here.
Fourth of July schedule: Non-emergency municipal offices in Biloxi will be closed Wednesday for the Fourth of July.
