On the Christie Hillside: CBL Odyssey: Kitchener

Jack Couch Park, Kitchener

In 2026, the Intercounty Baseball League set off on a whole new journey.

It shed its name and sailed into new waters as the Canadian Baseball League. Bigger, better, bolder.

This is also the summer of The Odyssey, already one of the blockbuster movies of the year. It's the legendary tale of one man's journey through practically every nook and cranny of the Mediterranean before finally getting home.

With all this in mind, I'm making 2026 the summer of the CBL Odyssey. I'm revisiting the league's ballparks with a fresh set of eyes. Next stop is Sausagetown aka Kitchener.

JACK COUCH PARK

GETTING THERE - from Toronto you take the 401 West. Pass Cambridge, then exit onto Highway 8. From 8 exit onto 7, then Ottawa Street. The home of the Kitchener Panthers is right off the highway, easy in/easy out. The GO Kitchener Line drops you off at Kitchener's train station. From there you can grab a bus that takes you to Ottawa Street. If not, it's a 45 minute schlep down Weber Street.

PARKING - the ballpark is part of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, which includes arenas and sports fields. The complex has a huge amount of free parking so it's never an issue.

BALLPARK VIBES - the night I visited was the Panthers' "Oktoberfest in July" game and it was a blast. The club debuted its city connect "Berlin Keg Tappers" uniforms with Alpine green hats, checkered jerseys and lederhosen-like pants and stockings. Musicians in folk attire played German music and Oktoberfest mascots roamed the park. The place was packed and festive. Panthers fans are always a lively lot. That's Panther Baseball!

Jack Couch is one of the CBL's cosiest parks. The dimensions are short, making it a sluggers' paradise. The highway is not far past the trees behind the outfield fences. Foul territory is modest, and seven sections of metal bleachers wrap around the infield from one corner base to the other, bringing fans close to the action.

Lots of Panthers merch is available inside a shipping container located behind the seating on the first base side. There are restrooms in the building behind home plate, and porta potties near the right field corner.

IN-GAME ENTERTAINMENT - plenty of contests and music between innings. Everything was German themed this night.

FREEDOM TO ROAM AND TAKE PHOTOS - with the seating so close to the field, and the outfield cut off by fencing, it's a tight ballpark. There's a narrow walkway between the seats and infield fencing but not many spots where you can stand without blocking someone's view.

BALLPARK CUISINE - Kitchener is the home of Schneiders meats and Jack Couch is the home of the best grilled sausages in the CBL. The concessions stand also offers hot dogs, pizza slices and plenty of junk food. Each week, a special menu item is added to the rotation. This night it was popcorn chicken mac and cheese in a bowl.

It's all about the sausages here. Prepared by the stadium grillmeister, they are juicy and flavourful. Whenever I visit it's one of the highlights.

BALLPARK BEER - there is no "Panthers" branded beer, but they do sell Kitchener Rangers Cream Ale from Cambridge's Four Fathers Brewing Co.. It's a nice cream ale, and they have an assortment of others available at the beer stand.

TEAM MASCOT - the Panthers do not have a live mascot, but visitors entering Jack Couch encounter a giant inflated cat perched Sphinx-like beside the merch box.

DO KIDS RUN THE BASES? - Yes they do!

OVERHEARD -

"I've been waiting all day for this."

"Best there is."

(possibly an exchange between the stadium grillmeister and the author)

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS - in recent years, the fencing between the field and seating at Jack Couch has grown to almost oppressive proportions. Chainlink fence is strung between metal posts that are incredibly tall. It's definitely one of the best parks in the CBL from a fan safety point of view, but no seat in the park has a clear view of the field. They overdid the fencing. It's like watching baseball being played inside a 10-foot steel cage.

Beyond the diamond, the food and drink options are fantastic, the atmosphere is fun, and it's an easy getaway once the last out is recorded.

WOULD I WANT THIS TO BE MY TEAM'S HOME BALLPARK? - not with those fences.