There’s a hum of excitement around V.A. Memorial Stadium as the Chillicothe Paints ready for the opening game of the 2023 season. For those of you not obsessed with Paints baseball (yet!), you should know the Chillicothe Paints took home last year’s Prospect League Championship after what has to be the greatest comeback in Paints history! The team scored 14 runs in the 7th and 8th innings to win the 2022 title in front of 1600 screaming fans. This season the Paints hope to carry that same excitement into opening night at V.A. Memorial Stadium on Thursday, June 1st when they host the Champion City Kings beginning at 7:05pm.
The Chillicothe Paints have a commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Team management has been meticulously preparing for the 2023 season, assembling yet another talented roster under the guidance of their new 2023 field manager, Michael Boswell. Boswell received his undergraduate degree in athletic administration from Tiffin University and is currently a graduate assistant at the school. Hailing from Beaver Falls, PA., Boswell is looking forward to spending his summer in Chillicothe. “I am super excited to manage the Paints this summer, I’ve always heard great things about the program,” said Boswell. “I’ve heard even better things about the community and the support the Paints receive.” As a player, Boswell left Tiffin as the school’s all-time leader in career wins, strikeouts and innings pitched and spent three seasons playing summer ball in the Coastal Plains league. “I’m excited to experience home games at the V.A. and hope to have another successful season,” added Boswell.
The facility that the Paints call home is on the campus of Chillicothe’s V.A. Medical Center. V.A. Memorial Stadium is one of the most unique and intimate ballparks in all of baseball, sporting a party deck, picnic area, group pavilion, kids zone, gift shop, and much more. In addition to Paints home games, the stadium is also the site of numerous collegiate and high school regular-season baseball and softball games. Special events and concerts are also held at the facility throughout the year.
As if the excitement of last years championship wasn’t enough, this year the team is celebrating their 30th season. “We’re extremely proud to be a part of this community for 30 seasons,” said team President Bryan Wickline. “The support we continue to receive from Chillicothe and the surrounding area has helped us become one of the top franchises, not
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only in our league, but in the country.” In honor of the 30th season, the Paints unveiled a special logo to celebrate the milestone.
The Paints are expecting to square off against a bevy of formidable Prospect League opponents again 2023. On the paints schedule are the Lafayette Aviators, Champion City Kings, Johnstown Mill Rats, Normal Cornbelters, Clinton Lumberkings, Rex Baseball, Thrillville Thrillbillies, Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp, Danville Dans, and Jackson Rockabillys. No matter who’s occupying the visiting dugout, the Paints dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship have garnered them a loyal fan base that awaits them at every home game.
2023 tickets and merchandise are now on sale at the Paints’ website at http://chillicothepaints.com. Interested in getting even more involved, consider joining the Paints Booster Club. Members get to interact with players by providing meals a few times through the season and stock the bus with snacks and drinks for away games. Boosters also help the organization by assisting with V.A. Memorial Stadium improvements and working the picnic area and gate at games. Membership is only $10 and comes with a 10% discount on all Paints merchandise! Boosters meet the 1st Tuesday of each month, April through November, at 6:30. For more information call The Paints at 740-773-TEAM
Grab your tickets, call the friends, and head to V.A. Memorial Stadium this summer to see the Chillicothe Paints in action during their 30th season of baseball, America’s most beloved pastime.