Staff Writer

The tide has turned in Old Orchard Beach.

After thousands of volunteer hours spent sprucing up the Ballpark, the town is ready for its own team: the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide.

Nearly 200 people turned out Sunday at “OOB Ballpark First Pitch” to watch team officials announce the new name of the New England Collegiate Baseball League team that will call Old Orchard Beach home.

The league, which includes the Sanford Mainers, features high-level college summer baseball throughout New England. The teams play 42 games in June and July and playoffs are in early August. 

The ceremony began as the team mascot – still wearing the team’s old jersey – led the Loranger Middle School Marching Band onto the field to perform several songs for the cheering crowd.

Lucien Huot sang the National Anthem and God Bless America, as he did 25 years ago when the Maine Guides called the Ballpark home. Former Town Manager Jerry Plante spoke about the history of the Ballpark, which opened in 1984. The Guides played in town for three years, followed by the Maine Phillies for two years. The facility also was used for concerts before sitting empty for two decades.

Doug Ayotte, team president and general manager, said there were more than 300 entries in the contest to name the team, formerly the Lowell (Mass.) All-Americans. Kathy Strohm, a baseball fan from Old Orchard Beach, received two lifetime season tickets for suggesting the name.

“I was thinking of something that would go well with the town and the beach and that gave it a little ‘oomph,’” Strohm said. “I hope they do really well here. I’m wishing the Ballpark and the team the best of luck.”

The team’s mascot Homer, a dog with long ears who loves to dance, got a new jersey and name Sunday afternoon. After Ayotte “fired” Homer because the All-Americans didn’t do well last year, Town Manager Jack Turcotte offered the canine a new gig as “Dune Doggy.”

“This is a second chance Ballpark. This is your second chance,” Turcotte said to Dune Doggy as he helped him into a new Old Orchard Beach jersey.

Dune Doggy’s name was suggested by Bobby Slattery, 11, of Old Orchard Beach. Slattery, a sixth-grade student at Loranger Middle School, said he used the beach and dunes for inspiration and submitted 35 names to the mascot naming contest. He said he was happy his idea was chosen and that he won two season tickets for life.

Despite the chilly temperature and brisk breeze during the ceremony, enthusiasm for the Ballpark’s rebirth was evident.

George Shabo, Loranger Middle School band director and baseball coach, declared “baseball is back” and said he gets goose bumps thinking about the example baseball players will set for children in the community. The players will live with host families in town and volunteer at events.

Coach Inaki Ormaechea said he and his players are looking forward to playing in a “beautiful” facility.

“It doesn’t get better than this. It’s going to be a great situation for the players and the community,” he said. “I’m very lucky and the players will feel the same way. You really don’t get stadiums like this anywhere in the league.”

Ballpark Commission Chairman Paul Crossman said the team is a good fit for the Ballpark and the town. He said the team has high-end players, great management and should be very competitive.

“This is going to be a very exciting season,” he said. “This is a nice anchor for the Ballpark.”

Town Councilor Robin Dayton said she hopes the town embraces the Raging Tide as they have the effort to revitalize the Ballpark.

“This is a new beginning and it’s a wonderful new beginning. You cannot deny the success of what (volunteers) have done here. We’ve come a long way, but we’re still just beginning,” Dayton said. “It’s a very exciting time. It shows what people can do even in the toughest of times. It’s really a testimony to the human spirit.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.