By MATT PIKE
The St. Joseph Mustangs are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America in a big way this weekend for Independence Day.
General Manager and Owner Ky Turner says the Fourth of July is special at Phil Welch Stadium for families and the players that come to play for the Mustangs.
"It's kind of like walking into the sandlot, it's literally right out of a movie when you come out here and play, just for the experience of playing on the field in the stadium in front of so many people, the crazy things we do," Turner says on the KFEQmunnity show. "But then you also have fireworks going off during the game, after the game, I have no idea how they keep focus that constant noise."
Turner says often times people have also made it a family tradition, whether it's tailgating or coming to the game. This year, Turner adds it's a chance to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America.
"So, what better way to celebrate with America's pastime," Turner explains. "So, we do honor veterans and active military with ticket promotions on both the 3rd and the fourth, the fourth typically sells out where we give them a free hot dog buffet up there on the party deck just as our small way of saying thank you, so if you are a veteran or active military and want to claim your ticket to the third or fourth, give us a call or find us on social media and send us a message, we'll get your tickets in your hand."
To claim those tickets, veterans or active military members can contact 816 279 7856, or the St. Joseph Mustangs Facebook page, or on the Mustangs website.
Turner adds several local heroes will be honored during the July 3rd game, along with other festivities happening on the Fourth of July game.
"We also have skydivers, and the whole stadium is Americana, and so it's a lot of fun," Turner says. "And then on the fourth we're also giving away a special celebration baseball to the first 100 active and retired military that has the America 250 on it, a Mustangs patriotic logo, just kind of a souvenir keepsake that they can say hey here's where we were on America's birthday and something they can go home with."
Turner says some of those baseballs will also be available to purchase on the day in the Mustangs team store.
The matchups will feature two MINK League clashes, as the Mustangs face the Chillicothe Mudcats on Friday, July 3rd, and the Joplin Jailbirds on Saturday, July 4th. Both games begin at 7pm
Interview
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.