PURCELLVILLE — Summer baseball returns to downtown tonight as the Purcellville Cannons open their 2026 Valley Baseball League season at home against the Front Royal Cardinals. Gates at historic Fireman’s Field open at 5:30 p.m., with first pitch set for 7 p.m.
Opening Day marks the start of the Cannons’ 10th season in Loudoun County. The franchise relocated to Purcellville after the 2015 campaign, having previously played in Charles Town, W.Va., and the team has made Fireman’s Field its home ever since. The Valley Baseball League is a 12-team collegiate summer circuit sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball, drawing players from across the country and around the world who are recruited through college coaches and major league scouts.
The Cannons enter the year with postseason expectations. The club is chasing a playoff spot for the fourth time in five seasons, a stretch highlighted by a run to the VBL championship series in 2024. President and head coach Brett Fuller said he is optimistic about a roster still taking shape, pointing to a promising group of hitters joining the team this summer and hoping the Cannons play well enough to earn another trip to the postseason.
The team warmed up earlier this week, hosting the Gaithersburg (Md.) Giants of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League in an exhibition game on May 27 before turning to league play.
A Historic Home Field
Tonight’s opener unfolds at one of the region’s most storied ballparks. Sitting on a 13-acre complex in the heart of the Purcellville Historic District, Fireman’s Field offers open bleacher seating for more than 2,000 fans, along with permanent concession and restroom facilities. The grounds also include a second baseball field, the remaining “Dillon’s Woods” urban forest, and the Bush Tabernacle skating rink. Long known for hosting Babe Ruth and American Legion tournaments, the field is listed on both the state and national registers of historic places and has earned a reputation as one of the most nostalgic ballparks in the country — Purcellville’s own “Field of Dreams.”
The Cannons are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run almost entirely by volunteers, from coaching and concessions to game-day announcing and community events. Local families support the team by housing players, providing meals and turning out at the ballpark all summer long.
Promotions and Theme Nights
For a second straight year, the Cannons have built a full slate of promotional nights into the schedule. This season’s lineup includes 80s Night, Pub Takeover Night, Spirit Night, Home Run for Hunger, Family Fun Night, Teacher Appreciation Night, Summer Readers Night, Ladies Night, Fan Appreciation Night, First Responders Night, Bark in the Park, Art in the Park, Military Appreciation Night, Margaritaville Night, Christmas in July, Family Appreciation Night and Town of Purcellville Night.
Tickets
Season passes and individual game tickets are available at purcellvillecannons.org. Adult season passes are $70, while youth, senior and military passes are $30. The organization also offers information on volunteering and sponsorships through its website.
2026 Cannons Home Schedule
• May 29 vs. Front Royal
• June 3 vs. Charlottesville
• June 6 vs. Strasburg
• June 7 vs. New Market
• June 10 vs. Front Royal
• June 12 vs. Winchester
• June 13 vs. New Market
• June 17 vs. Front Royal
• June 20 vs. New Market
• June 24 vs. Covington
• June 26 vs. Winchester
• June 27 vs. Woodstock
• June 28 vs. Strasburg
• July 2 vs. Woodstock
• July 5 vs. Harrisonburg
• July 10 vs. Woodstock
• July 15 vs. Strasburg
• July 16 vs. Winchester
All home games at Fireman’s Field, Purcellville. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; first pitch at 7 p.m. Schedule subject to change; confirm dates and any playoff games at purcellvillecannons.org.
