Wine Country Blue Jays Announce Opening Day Lineup, Festivities

ST. HELENA, CA — The Wine Country Blue Jays organization announced that its annual Opening Day ceremonies will be held Sunday, May 7, at St. Helena High School.

Opening Day festivities include adult baseball games featuring the two Wine Country Blue Jays teams: the 45+ Blue Jays and the 65+ Pioneers. Both teams are members of the Redwood Empire Baseball League — REBL — which is the local chapter of the national Men’s Senior Baseball League. The teams play a 19-game regular season from April through September, with all home games at the St. Helena High School baseball field.

The Blue Jays were formed within the REBL 45+ age division in 2018 and are the charter member of the Wine Country Blue Jays. The Pioneers joined the Redwood Empire in 2016 as the Vets, then changed their name to the Pioneers in 2022, and were invited to join the Wine Country Blue Jays organization this season.

"The beauty of this league is that we get to step on the field and feel like kids again," said Blue Jays Manager Tom Kemper.

One of the Pioneers and seven Blue Jays reside in the Napa Valley, including general manager Christopher Hill.

Both teams are enjoying a successful run, each having made the league playoffs the last four seasons. The teams are both in roster rebuilds and after a slow start, each team is looking to win its second consecutive game this Sunday. The Pioneers play the 10 a.m. game versus the Blues, and at 2 p.m. the Blue Jays face the 55+ Dragons, the first-place team in that division.

"Don’t be misled by the 65+ name of our division," said Pioneers Manager Nick Marnell. "I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the quality of baseball we play."

The Blue Jays have three players among the top 15 hitters in the division, as do the Pioneers, who also feature an 82-year-old pitcher ranked in the Top 10 in earned run average.

The festivities on Sunday include a player from St. Helena Little League throwing out the first pitch at the 2 p.m. game; a group rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and a silent auction running from noon until 5:30 p.m. Proceeds of the auction benefit the St. Helena High School athletic fund.

Attendance is free, and food and drink is available starting at noon.

"I am excited to host the community and fellow league members to this, our second annual home opener celebration!" Hill said. "That which started off as a little dream for making men’s senior league baseball a part of the community and shared experience, in the spirit of small-town charm, has already achieved a different level of experience for its players and community, compared to its peer teams. It goes to show you, that if you dream it, and work at it, it can happen."

About the Wine Country Blue Jays

The Wine Country Blue Jays is a local organization dedicated to the support of the St. Helena community. The organization promotes fitness and athletic competition among adult residents, offering a healthy setting for players and the community while fostering the bond of America’s pastime with the charm of small-town Americana.

About the Redwood Empire Baseball League

The Redwood Empire Baseball League, based in Sonoma County, California, is the premier adult baseball league in northern California. It is affiliated with the largest amateur baseball league in the country, the Men's Senior Baseball League. REBL, run by commissioner Rick Cantor, has been offering quality and competitive baseball for adults aged 18 and over for all skill levels since 1990.