Mighty Mussels make long-awaited home debut

For the first time at home, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels were introduced to Southwest Florida after COVID-19 canceled the team’s initial first season in 2020.

It was a purple and gold debut that has been in the making since 2019 for the rebranded team that fans have been eager to see.

“We have waited a long time through the pandemic,” Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. “We have been very smart operating under the CDC guidelines but tonight it shows. People are everywhere they are having fun, they are eating hotdogs, and they are watching our home team the mighty Mussels do a great job.”

The night started with Sheriff Marceno throwing a heater for the first pitch, the National Anthem, and player introductions. All the familiar sights and sounds bringing fans of baseball what they’ve been craving for over 600 days.

“Hopefully it’s a sense of normalcy,” President of the Mighty Mussels Chris Peters said. “You know you to come out here and eat a hotdog and enjoy your game, see the fireworks and you know that’s something people maybe haven’t been able to do in a while.”

Fans having more to adjust to than just the new faces on the diamond that include the Minnesota Twins last two first round picks.
Inside the stadium Mask requirements remain, social distance seating, capacity limits and of course the new looks.

“I think it is a neat change really,” Mighty Mussels season ticket holder John Redding said. “Every other minor-league team has team names that are kind of unique so I thought we might as well to.”

“That purple looks good, so you know the comments I have been hearing I’ve been positive,” Peters said. “People are excited with the new look and we are excited to have it.”

But no matter the changes for those that love baseball watching the team run out onto the diamond means just one thing.

“That means it is here. It’s back you know, baseball is back in Fort Myers and we couldn’t be more excited,” Peters said.

The Mighty Mussels did drop the game two to 10 against Clearwater but will be back at home Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

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