Jamestown Tarp Skunks manager Jordan Basile throws batting practice earlier this week at Diethrick Park. The Tarp Skunks open their Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League season at home tonight against Olean. Times Observer Photo by Scott Kindberg

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Arguably the most memorable photo from the Jamestown Tarp Skunks’ 2021 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League campaign was the one taken before the final regular-season home game.

It was a “selfie” that was captured by one of the players, who was joined by his teammates in shallow left field for an impromptu Kodak moment. Ear-to-ear smiles creased their faces. In the background, a large crowd filled the seats at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park. Both the “Skunks” unbridled joy and the enthusiastic fan base that evening was a metaphor for a wildly successful two months of baseball on the city’s east side.

Manager Jordan Basile, who guided the team to a West Division championship, wouldn’t mind a repeat of that experience, beginning at 6:30 tonight when the Tarp Skunks open their 2022 season against the Olean Oilers at “The Russ.”

So far, Basile likes what he sees.

“We’ve put the time and the effort in as an organization,” he said as he sat in his office at Diethrick Park earlier this week. “We had a great year last year and we expect nothing but the same. We have a great group of guys and a ton of talent on that team.

“It’s not going to necessarily be the same style as last year but, at the end of the day, I’m more excited than ever to show these guys Jamestown.”

Returning from last year’s roster are catcher Johnny Kampes, first baseman Padraig O’Shaughnessy, third baseman Mark Tucker and pitcher Ryan Rafalski, a Warren native. The other area players on the roster include pitcher Bryce Jackson (Jamestown) and infielder Nate Johnson, who both played at Jamestown Community College this year; and pitcher Tucker Fenton (Bemus Point), who just finished his high school season at Maple Grove.

Basile preferred not to single out any one player, but he did acknowledge that his 30-man roster has plenty of talent.

“I think you’re going to see a couple of guys out of here that we might see on TV someday,” he said. “You don’t necessarily know who that guy is quite yet, but I think, as a team, any of those players could shine at any time and be that ‘name’ for us.”

In their run to last season’s West Division title, the Tarp Skunks employed a lot of “small ball” to manufacture scoring opportunities. While Basile said that will still be in his bag of tricks, he acknowledged that there will likely be more pop in the lineup as well.

“I think you’re doing to see a little bit more power … see some home runs,” he said. “I think we’re going to have the same speed in the lineup, but just with a little bit more power. I have faith in the pitchers like we did last year, too.”

“We’re going to play “small ball,” we always will and we’re always going to run the bases hard, but we might be relying on three or four more guys to hit a home run in that situation than get a bunt down and move a runner over, because we have the ability to do that with the lineup that we have.”

That was made clear during batting practice Tuesday when several players launched homers that cleared the fence with ease.

“I can’t wait,” Basile said of tonight’s season opener. “It’s crazy how quickly it all happens. You’re doing one thing as a college coach (he just completed his first year as the head coach at Fredonia State) and you think, ‘Yeah, summer ball is going to come around, and here it is. Now I’m more anxious than ever. It comes up quick, but I can’t wait to see everybody back, get the season started and have a great summer.

NOTES: Tonight’s game renews the friendly rivalry between two Southern Tier teams that began in 1939 in the old PONY League. Participating in the pregame ceremonies will be three Chautauqua County residents — Art Asquith of Cassadaga, Roger MacTavish of Jamestown and John Venable of Gerry — who are veterans of the Jamestown-Olean battles in the 1950s. Asquith, 93, was a pitcher/outfielder for Olean in 1953. A retired teacher and coach, Asquith worked in the Cassadaga Valley Central School District for 50 years; MacTavish, 88, was a catcher for Olean in 1954 and 1955. A retired basketball referee, he officiated games for 65 years; and Venable was a pitcher for the Jamestown Falcons in 1955. An Arkansas native, he married a Jamestown girl and made this area his home. He is a retired contractor. … As part of tonight’s season opener, there will be a free pregame tailgate festival outside the park, presented by Pepsi, and featuring live music by the band “For The People.”