After the pandemic canceled last season, the Wilmington Sharks are ready to make a splash this year.

The first game since 2019 is scheduled to take place at home, Buck Hardee Field in Wilmington, on May 27 against the Morehead City Marlins.

“We want to be the place where people get to get back to normal a little bit and be all together again for the first time, hang out with their friends in a safe atmosphere,” said Allan Lusk, general manager, who spent nine seasons working in Minor League Baseball before being hired by the Sharks.

In addition to COVID-19 safety measures, fans will notice that there are 35 games this year, a higher-than-usual number, with home games every weekend in June and July, he said. The season includes split-squad games.

As part of an agreement with the city to use $15,000 worth of unpaid fees to make improvements to Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium, the Sharks plan to add a home run porch in right field with picnic tables and bleachers.

“We’ll be able to, from a safety standpoint, have more space for people to spread out,” Lusk said.

The Sharks, a collegiate summer league team with 40 players on the roster this season, is in need of families to host players. Host families get season tickets and more. More information about hosting a player is available on the Wilmington Sharks website and by contacting Tom Lamont at (910) 742-1937 or by email.

Vendors interested in providing post-game meals in exchange for promotions, such as announcements during games and signs around the ballpark, can also contact Lamont. 

Fireworks at certain games are also expected to be back on the schedule.

Lusk said he and the rest of his staff are looking forward to helping people experience a bit of normalcy and taking the responsibility seriously.

He said, "The way the last year’s been, everyone’s just so excited to be back outside again, back at a baseball game and doing the things that they’ve done in the past."