National Mascot Day Celebrated at Dunn Field

ELMIRA, NY -- On June 17th, 2026, the Elmira Pioneers helped celebrate both Natinal Mascot Day and the birthday of their own beloved mascot Stitches at Historic Dunn Field.

Stitches, who was born way back in 1888, turned 138 years old! He was joined by his friends Dewey from the Batavia Muckdogs (Stitches's Best friend), the Texas Roadhouse Armadillo, Home Run Hawk, Ace Aviators, Officer K-9, Dirty Uncle Sam, and Big T-Rex. Stitches was super happy that he had all his friends there for his big birthday.

During the game, the mascots played musical chairs. They also went on mound visits. Dewey walked up to the home plate umpire and tried to get himself tossed but ending up tossing the umpire instead.
The umpires all loved it and laughed at the mascots being silly. 
 
Elmira players including Brandon Doubek, Jack Alyward, Brendon Hayes had to become coaches, as the Elmira coaching staff mysteriously disappeared...

The game also featured coaches from the Syracuse Salt Cats taking the field, position players pitching Ryan Gabianelli, Michael Gardner, Jack Tubman, Alex Davis,
and Caleb Delaney pitching in relief, and pitchers Kannon VanDuzer and Larsen Burch coming into pinch hit. 
 
Overall, it was a great night at the Historic Dunn field for Stitches birthday. Thank you to everyone who came to the game and helped in this big community celebration of Stitches and his mascot firends!