The Ottawa Titans put a fun twist on fan engagement this week with "Forget Brady Day," a promotion at the ballpark that had local baseball fans dropping off dozens of Brady Tkachuk jerseys as part of a lighthearted charity collection.
A Playful Nod to Ottawa's Hockey Heartbreak
For Ottawa sports fans, Brady Tkachuk remains a household name — the Ottawa Senators captain and one of the city's most recognizable athletes. But the Titans, Ottawa's independent-league baseball club, decided to have some fun with divided loyalties by inviting fans to bring in their old or unwanted Tkachuk jerseys in exchange for perks at the game. The event drew a strong turnout at the ballpark, with organizers reporting dozens of jerseys collected over the course of the promotion.
The idea taps into the good-natured rivalry between hockey and baseball fandoms in a city that lives and breathes the Senators during the winter months. By poking fun at a hockey icon during baseball season, the Titans found a clever way to get people talking — and get them through the gates.
More Than Just a Gimmick
While the name suggested a bit of a roast, the real purpose behind "Forget Brady Day" was charitable. Jerseys collected through the promotion are being redirected to local causes, giving fans a reason to clean out their closets while supporting the community. It's the kind of grassroots initiative that has become a signature of the Titans' approach to building a fan base in Ottawa — mixing humour with genuine local impact.
The Titans, who play their home games at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park in the city's east end, have leaned into quirky theme nights and promotions since their inaugural season as a way to stand out in a market dominated by hockey. Events like this one help the club carve out its own identity while still acknowledging just how central the Senators — and Tkachuk in particular — are to Ottawa's sports culture.
Building Baseball Culture in a Hockey Town
Ottawa has long been considered hockey territory, but the Titans have steadily worked to prove there's room for another home team on the summer sports calendar. Promotions like "Forget Brady Day" show a franchise willing to have fun with its identity while still drawing a crowd and giving back.
For fans who attended, the event offered a rare chance to combine two Ottawa passions — hockey nostalgia and live baseball — into one afternoon at the ballpark. And for those who walked away having donated a jersey to a good cause, it was a reminder that even friendly rivalries can lead to real community benefit.
The Titans continue their season with more theme nights and community events planned throughout the summer, giving Ottawa sports fans plenty of reasons to keep showing up at the ballpark.
Source: CTV News
