Returning Stars<\/p>\n
There are eleven returning players from our 2025 season, and while the roster will most certainly change in the next few weeks, this is a great start. It wouldn\u2019t be an Ottawa Titans lineup without fan favourites Jackie Urbaez<\/a> and AJ Wright<\/a>. Urbaez is back holding down second base with his quick glove and boundless energy. He finished last season with a batting average of .254 and nine home runs, second only to Wright\u2019s 10 home runs and team leading 55 RBIs. Wright took on more designated hitter shifts last season, taking him out of the hot corner at third base, so we might see more of that this year, in order to keep him playing 90+ games over the summer.<\/p>\n RHP Brett Garcia is returning to Ottawa after leaving early last season to play in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. Before he left us in June, Garcia went 2-2 with three saves and a 5.74 ERA in 11 outings. Over 15.2 innings, he dished out three walks and 22 strikeouts. He\u2019s also made his Instagram thirst trap debut with a truly saucy invite to this weekend\u2019s Mothers\u2019 Day game that everyone needs to see.<\/p>\n Canadian first baseman Kaiden Cardoso is back in the red and black with his huge reach and uncanny ability to draw a walk when we really need it most (47 walks in 62 games) . Fellow Canuck Taylor Wright is in his fifth season in Ottawa, but is starting the season on the injured list for undisclosed reasons, so we\u2019ll be keeping our eye on that, since we need him on the base paths, with his team leading 18 stolen bases last year.<\/p>\n What\u2019s new in 2026?<\/p>\n This biggest shift on the field this year, is the nearly complete remodelling of the coaching staff. While Bobby Brown remains the skipper, long time hitting and pitching coaches Tom Carcione and David Peterson have both left Ottawa for new opportunities. Former Titan and Blue Jays farmhand Rodrigo Orozco joins as Hitting Coach, and Brandon Marklund will serve as both a starting pitcher and Pitching Coach in a new role for him after a successful season with the Titans last year.<\/p>\n Player-Coaches are common in Independent Baseball, and while this is a first for the Titans, Marklund is a veteran in the league, and has also represented Canada internationally. For the first time, the Titans will have a dedicated Third Base Coach in Canadian Eric Marriott, with both playing and managing experience. This is a shift in strategy from past seasons when the hitting coach would man third base, so might this mean a more aggressive base running style for the team? One can only hope.<\/p>\n Brown is excited about a new, strong outfield with New York Yankees prospect Jackson Lyon, and Cincinnati Reds draft pick Myles Smith both bringing speed and size to cover Ottawa Stadium\u2019s expansive grass.<\/p>\n For the fans, $2 hot dogs are making their debut at Titans games this season, which has been a long time coming! Starting June 2, get $2 hotdogs on Tuesday nights, and really lean into baseball culture. Nine in nine anyone?<\/p>\n Like everything else in life, unfortunately ticket prices have gone up this season, from $13 and $17 in advance last year, to $15 and $20 for the two differently priced sections. Tickets are always more expensive on game day, so be sure to get your tickets at least 24 hours in advance to save. The stadium is also going cashless, so come prepared with cards.<\/p>\n Food and Drink<\/p>\n There has been a huge shakeup on the concourse this season, with the loss of the incomparable Mr. Se\u00f1or Mexican food. Arguably the best stadium food in the city, they were a personal favourite, and this foodie is very sad to see them go.<\/p>\n In their place, the Titans have opened two new hot food concessions, Junior & The Kid Wood Fire Barbecue and ROOST Express.\u00a0 You might know Junior & The Kid from their location in Rockland, or from various pop ups and markets around town including the Ottawa Farmers\u2019 Market and Xmas Market. Their BBQ is fantastic, and is a welcome addition to the ballpark with brisket and pulled pork sandwiches for $20-$22, tacos for $9.75 each and a very interesting sounding loaded BBQ Mac & Cheese for $17.50.<\/p>\n ROOST Express is a local chicken-based food truck that has served at special games at the stadium at the past, offering chicken wraps and poutines. Specialty poutines include a Buffalo chicken poutine, and a maple chili bacon poutine, both for $19. Wraps are $18 and include a chicken club, and chicken caesar. They also offer chicken fingers, and a vegan poutine option, which is a rare vegan option for a stadium.<\/p>\n Gabriel\u2019s Pizza and a Bigfoot hot dog. Photo: Kiersten Vuorimaki<\/p>\n Gabriel\u2019s Pizza is back at the park with its concession counter, plus Lois \u2018N\u2019 Frima\u2019s ice cream, and Cappy\u2019s Kitchen for the $9.25 foot long hot dogs, $8 poutine, and $7 burgers with gluten free bun options.<\/p>\n The Titans also continue to offer\u00a0 local beers including Vimy, Beyond The Pale, and Stray Dog with featured local breweries throughout the summer both in tallboy cans at the concessions and on tap in the Hop Yard. Pints at the Hop Yard will run you around $10, from breweries like Spark, Bicycle, and Dominion City. You can also find canned cocktails, ciders, and wine around the park for $8-$10.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20220728_184923-761x1024.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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