The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Minor League Baseball team, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, welcomes the Jax Melanin Market to its Financial Ballpark on Saturday, February 18 as part of Black History Month celebration along with the HBCU Heritage Classic.
The HBCU Heritage Classic features a baseball game between Edward Waters University and LeMoyne-Owen College as part of the Black History Month parade and the Jax Melanin Market.
The Jacksonville community, as well as supporters of both Edward Waters and LeMoyne-Owen will enjoy a great baseball game, and support minority-owned businesses and services that make up the Jax Melanin Market. The Jax Melanin Market honors minority-owned businesses’ products and services in the greater Jacksonville area. and provides a setting for fellowship with customers and the community.
As part of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s salute to Black History Month, the club is hosting both Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) members to play in the HBCU Heritage Classic game at 121 Financial Ballpark in Downtown Jacksonville.
The Edward Waters baseball team is in its second phase of its move into NCAA Division II. This past summer, the NCAA Division II Membership Committee approved EWU to enter the second of its three-year transitional period as it completes its move from the NAIA. Completing the first year affords the Tigers some big opportunities, including the chance to complete as a full member of the SIAC. EWU baseball program will be able to compete for league championships, weekly awards and all-conference honors.
Edward Waters won it’s second national championship in winning the 2022 Black College World Series last season. Its first national title was in 2011. Currently, the Tigers are picked No. 1 in Black College Nines HBCU Baseball small school Top 10 poll. The Tigers are aiming in 2023 to return to Montgomery, AL, to defend its national title.