In the mythology of baseball—and fatherhood—there are few things more potent than the image of a father playing catch with his child. From the days of yesteryear to the space age, from the West Coast to the east, fromThe Natural to Field of Dreams, it’s an enduring North American ritual steeped in near-universal nostalgia.

The simplest of games, it can be played in a backyard, a park, or a field.

However, it’s even better when you can do it in an honest-to-God professional ballpark—a rare opportunity available this Sunday (June 18) when the Vancouver Canadians host their annual Father’s Day Catch at Nat Bailey Stadium.

“The public is invited to come out and play ball on the field,” says C’s co-owner Jake Kerr, “just bring your own glove and ball, and play catch with your dad.”

Clearly aware of the ballpark’s special magic, Kerr recalls: “I went to Nat Bailey as a kid in the 1950s, and the idea of actually going out on the field was such a big deal. It still is for little guys—and, well, some big guys too!”

A lifelong baseball fan, Kerr has a great knowledge of (and obvious affection for) Vancouver’s baseball history.

“They were some phenomenal teams here in the 1950s,” Kerr notes. “Brooks Robinson was playing third base, and Ron Hanson, and a bunch of guys who really went on to be all-stars in the majors.” He also adds that the ’80s saw “some really, really good years—Tom Drees threw three no-hitters in one season.”

As for the 2017 season—which began on Thursday with a 6-1 win over Eugene—Kerr is very optimistic. “We have some good talent coming our way,” he says, including pitcher Brayden Bouchey from White Rock, who had a 2.57 ERA in the Appalachian league last year. “It’s looking like a good season. And the field at the Nat is in its best shape ever; we spent a lot of time on it this winter.”

Kerr, a former forestry executive, earned an MBA from Berkeley in 1967. When pressed about his time in San Francisco during the Summer of Love, he laughs and recounts going to the Fillmore and seeing bands, Golden Gate Park, living in an apartment next to Jefferson Airplane, and getting to know Grace Slick.

“My wife and I were newly married; we were 22, and it worked out really well. They went out and played at night and we worked during the daytime, so there was no clash there, but it was pretty fun.”

When the conversation turns back to baseball, Kerr enthusiastically outlines the team’s upcoming promotions, of which there are many.

“We’ve got eight fireworks nights, seven A&W family Sundays—where kids can get a root-beer float for a dollar—our Nooners at the Nat, and our superstar-appearance series, with David Justice, Fred McGriff the Crime Dog, and Corey Koskie. Plus, there’s sushi mascots, dancing groundskeepers, and three-foot hot dogs.”

When asked if he’s tried one of the three-foot hot dogs, Kerr laughs and admits he hasn’t.

“My partner, [A&W chairman] Jeff Mooney, who has been in the burger business all his life, prides himself on eating stuff like that. It literally takes two guys to carry it, and Mooney just thinks it’s terrific. I haven’t quite got there yet.”