Getting Ready in Jackson

Seattle's new affiliate in the Southern League is set to go.

Baseball season returns with fresh start for Diamond Jaxx

Word has it that everyone who attends the "Meet the Diamond Jaxx Players Luncheon" on Tuesday at Carl Perkins Civic Center will be given unlimited free food all season at Pringles Park.

And everyone who attends the exhibition game Tuesday night between the Jaxx and the Memphis Redbirds will receive a new car.

Wait a minute. Surely you're not falling for that on this April Fools' Day. But it is fun to realize that baseball season is here, and there's a fresh approach with the Diamond Jaxx in this 10th year of play at Pringles Park. The Jaxx are the new Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, which means different players and coaches will become part of our community. The Chicago Cubs' affiliate, formerly in Jackson, is now in Kodak, outside Knoxville, with the Tennessee Smokies.

The city of Jackson renewed its efforts to help the Jaxx this year, which led to the luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. The event is free if you just want to meet the players, manager and coaches and get autographs. If you eat, it's $6.
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The team expects to arrive in Jackson from spring training Monday and work out under the lights at The Big Chip that night.

Next comes the luncheon, which is the start of a busy day for the Jaxx organization. At 6:05 p.m., the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, will play an exhibition game against the Jaxx. Admission is only $2 for any seat in the stadium, and parking is free. There is also a pre-game concert by Memphis Jones, who plays several instruments and does impressions, while playing and singing hit tunes.

The Jaxx have Wednesday off before opening their season Thursday at Montgomery, Ala. Their first home game is at 7:05 p.m. April 16 against the Mississippi Braves.

West Tennessee is starting the season with a 10-game road trip? Wow. Welcome to AA, guys.