![Archbishop Hoban baseball players hoist up the Division II state championship trophy after beating Bloom-Carroll, 2-1, at Canal Park on Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange / Akron Beacon Journal]](https://cdn.cincylink.com/pub/content/uploads/sites/27/2021/12/Canal-Park-set-to-continue-to-host-OHSAA-baseball-state.JPG)
Why end a good thing?
The high school baseball state tournament is set to remain in Akron at Canal Park for the next three years.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association and the Akron RubberDucks announced an extension to their partnership to keep the OHSAA baseball state tournament in the Rubber City for 2022, 2023 and 2024.
"This is definitely something that I think is really cool," said coach Andrew Bonnette, who led the Archbishop Hoban baseball team to the Division II state title in June.
"We have the ability to have Northeast Ohio host one of the biggest events in baseball in Ohio. They do an amazing job at Canal Park. Them getting this tournament again just proves how good of a job Canal Park and the people who run the facility do with Jim Pfander, Sam Dankoff and Roy Jacobs. They do such a good job of taking care of the teams. This is a testament to their crew of why the OHSAA keeps wanting to come back. The OHSAA loves Canal Park."
Canal Park, a 7,630-seat stadium, was the host venue for the OHSAA baseball state tournament in 2019 and 2021. The 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This is good for Akron area baseball and Canal Park," Firestone coach Jeff Sloan said.
Added Ellet coach John Sarver: "Canal Park is in a great location with an excellent field. Canal Park has a lot of character. There are guys that play there all year who eventually will play for the Cleveland Guardians."
Pfander, the RubberDucks General Manager and COO, said in a prepared statement that the organization is "excited" to host the baseball state tournament.
"It is an honor to once again be able to bring the best high school players from all around the state to the wonderful community of Akron," Pfander said. "Thank you to Doug Ute, Emily Mason and the entire OHSAA staff for bringing this event back to Akron. After our own championship season in 2021, we are excited to see more champions crowned at Canal Park.”
![Archbishop Hoban baseball players hoist up the Division II state championship trophy after beating Bloom-Carroll, 2-1, at Canal Park on Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange / Akron Beacon Journal]](https://cdn.cincylink.com/pub/content/uploads/sites/27/2021/12/1639781836_300_Canal-Park-set-to-continue-to-host-OHSAA-baseball-state.JPG)
The OHSAA softball state tournament will also continue to be played in Akron at Firestone Stadium the first weekend in June. The baseball state tournament will be held at Canal Park the second weekend in June.
“The RubberDucks have been great hosts and we are very excited to continue working with them,” OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said in a prepared statement. “Canal Park is such a fantastic venue and our schools, communities and staff have had a wonderful experience in Akron. The stadium is a perfect fit for our state tournament, and even more importantly, the RubberDucks staff is so great to work with, and they go above and beyond to make the experience special.”
Canal Park features two of the largest dugouts in minor league baseball and indoor batting cages for teams to warm up. Beyond right field is one of the largest video boards in the minor leagues.
"This is great news for Akron and the RubberDucks," St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Anthony Boarman said. "It's one of the best venues in the state of Ohio to host games of this caliber and the RubberDucks staff and grounds crew has always been great to work with. I've had the chance to interact with several different coaches and teams in the two years that Akron has hosted championship weekend and they all have had nothing but great things to say about the overall experience."
Canal Park is scheduled to debut an upgraded seating experience with the replacement and modernization of the seating bowl in 2022.
"I'm very excited," Stow coach Aaron DeBord said. "Roy [Jacobs], Sam [Dankoff], and the rest of the staff have been excellent partners for the Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association and I'm glad to see the OHSAA decided to keep the event in Akron. My guess is the first class service they've given us at the NEOBCA was a big reason why they did. There are not many facilities in the state as beautiful as Canal Park and I thought they've been a great host so far too. I'm thrilled to keep the event in our backyard, now we just need to do the hard part and get there to be a part of it all."
Canal Park's playing surface of Kentucky bluegrass rests on top of three levels of sand, fine peat gravel and a combination of large peat gravel and drainage tiles. The infield is a mixture of sand and clay, with the track surrounding the playing field is comprised of crushed red brick.
"We are thrilled that this tournament is going to be in our backyard again," Walsh Jesuit coach Chris Kaczmar said.
"The RubberDucks staff does a phenomenal job with all of the events that they put together. Knowing first-hand, having played there in the [Division I] state tournament last year, our experience there was no different. They do a tremendous job as the host. That is one of the best venues in the United States."
Revere coach Jason Cottrell said he likes the three-year commitment from the OHSAA.
"Canal Park is a quality facility," Cottrell said. ". . . They have a nice playing surface and the stadium is suitable for a good crowd."
Michael Beaven can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.
