‘We can’t wait:’ Excitement grows ahead of Kitchener Panthers home opener

It’s a welcome back to Jack Couch Park for the Kitchener Panthers, who are getting set to swing for the fences for the first time at home this season.

While it’s not the team’s first game of the season, currently sitting with an even 1-1 record after two road games to begin the year, the team is kicking off its home opener Sunday afternoon.

“We have a lot of exciting things planned for Sunday,” said President and General Manager of the Kitchener Panthers, Shanif Hirani. “We hope that we can get as many people out there to see the new additions we’ve made to the ballpark and to see our roster take the field.”

While just the third game of the season, the Panthers will already be looking for a bit of revenge, after falling 9-1 against the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers in Saturday’s contest, now getting the chance to settle the score in the second of back-to-back games against the team.

“I like our chances. I think we’re young and eager, and I think that’s a good thing,” Hirani said. “We have a lot of players who are going to be participating in their first IBL season. I’ll be honest, there are not a lot of expectations, but we have a lot of internal expectations on how we’re going to perform. I really think we’ll be able to stack up with the best teams in the league.”

Even though the 2025 season is still in its adolescence, Hirani said the team has had plenty of time to really get to know each other, saying they’re already firing on all cylinders and excited to take the field each day as a collective and unified team.

“The guys seem to be gelling very well, getting along, they’re getting to know each other better now that we’re ramping things up,” Hirani mentioned. “I think we have balance across all levels, whether that’s defensively, offensively, or our pitching staff. We’re very excited about it.”

It all comes as the team was purchased in the off-season and joined forces with the KW Titans as part of Waterloo Region Sports & Entertainment. Hirani stated that it’s a perfect blend of two regional teams, now getting the chance to pool and share their successes.

“It’s been a lot of new experiences for me and our group, being able to build off the Titans’ success and sort of translate that over into what we’re able to do with the Panthers. I feel like we’re in a great spot to provide a great product on the field as well as a great product off the field for fans and the experience they’ll have.”

“For me, it’s sort of a full circle moment to be able to now be a part of running this franchise,” said President and General Manager of the Kitchener Panthers, Shanif Hirani.

While it’s been an exciting time as the season begins to ramp up, for Hirani, it’s also a memorable return and a new change. He played previously with the Kitchener Panthers back in 2018, now getting the chance to head up the team from the top down.

“For me, it’s extremely important. I grew up playing Kitchener Minor Baseball. I was able to play for the Panthers briefly while I was in college. For me, it’s sort of a full circle moment to be able to now be a part of running this franchise.”

The Kitchener Panthers are getting set for game three of the season against the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. Tickets for the game can be found on the Kitchener Panthers website.