The Boys are Back in Town

After almost 700 days, the Forest City Owls reopened their gates Thursday, May the 27th to take on the Asheboro Copperheads.

Each year the Forest City Owls are comprised of NCAA baseball players from across the nation who have decided to spend their summer perfecting their craft. This year the Owls are welcoming home six players from Rutherford County and they’re bringing 23 of their friends with them.

Chipper McGinnis, a Forest City local, grew up watching the Owls, “I remember in 2009 or 2010 they would always talk about Kevin Mahoney. I just knew that it was good baseball in Forest City so it’s pretty cool to be here.”

Due to his hard work in high school and discipline in college, McGinnis has landed a spot on the Owls roster and is set to play outfield hoping to make a few appearances on the mound as well. But he won’t be the only familiar face to locals on the diamond. Local players, Wes Reynolds, Daiquon Davenport, Kevin Gonzales, Storm Mace and Owl vet Kendall McGowin will be competing for a spot on the diamond as well, hoping to have McNair Field look a little more like Babe Owens Field.

“I know Kendall is three years older than me, but I looked up to him when we played, he’s just a really good ball player. I mean, I’m excited to play the hometown guys and making better relationships with them” said McGinnis.

Of the six hometown players, McGinnis is the only one that did not graduate from East Rutherford High School. Kevin Gonzalez, East Rutherford class of 2017 and outfielder for William-Peace University says playing for Forest City is going to make for a fun summer.

“I feel like we’re in high school again. Our relationships are coming back. It’s going to be fun.” said Gonzalez.

But these hometown guys are going to have to compete for their spot just like everybody else. This year the Owls are bringing in 21 Division I players nine of which play for Power Five schools, four belonging to number four ranked Tennessee.

Many of the players are continuing to compete for their respective schools in hopes to make a run for the College World Series. But as their seasons round out, Forest City locals will begin to see new faces.

This season the Owls will host 25 home games. Forest City’s start of the 2021 Collegiate League season is well underway for the Owls. The Owls host the Martinsville Mustangs tonight at 7:05, with a firework show afterwards. Tickets are available at 138 East Main Street until 5:00. Box office opens at 6:00.