Baseball, family, community, and plenty of Western. On August 28, 2026, Skip’s Western Outfitters was proud to sponsor a night with the Daytona Tortugas at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark, bringing a little Western to one of Daytona’s favorite summer traditions.

And before the first official pitch of the game, Skip’s CEO John Patsos got to throw one of his own. John is Skip’s son and was proud to represent the company at the game. With his toddler in his arms, John stepped onto the field to deliver the ceremonial first pitch, turning an already special night for Skip’s into a family moment we won’t soon forget. For a family business that has been outfitting Florida since 1979, it felt pretty fitting.

A Skip’s Kind of Night

Skip’s has grown a lot since 1979, but one thing hasn’t changed: Florida is home. Our Daytona Beach store has become an important part of Skip's story, and being able to support the teams, organizations and traditions that make this community special is something we’re genuinely proud of.

The Daytona Tortugas play their home games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, a Daytona landmark that first opened in 1914 and remains the oldest ballpark still in use in Minor League Baseball. There’s a lot of history packed into that little ballpark on City Island, and Skip’s knows a thing or two about sticking around, too.

Tecovas Brought the Western

We weren’t the only ones bringing a little Western to the ballpark. Tecovas joined the fun with giveaways throughout the night, including ballcaps for fans who showed up wearing their boots or cowboy hats. Naturally, there were plenty of reasons to come dressed for the occasion.

Tecovas also gave fans the chance to win a pair of boots, adding one more reason to keep an eye on the action both on and off the field. Seeing fans walking around The Jack in boots and hats made the night feel especially Western. 

From One Generation to the Next

Seeing John take the field with his toddler made the night feel particularly appropriate for us. Skip’s has always been about more than boots, hats and Western wear. It’s a family business built over generations, and so much of what makes Western culture special is passed down the same way.

The boots you remember your dad wearing. The first hat you pick out for your kid. The places your family keeps coming back to. Sometimes it’s the small traditions that stick with you. Throwing out a first pitch at The Jack with the next generation in your arms is one we’ll always treasure.

The Tortugas Gave Us a Game to Remember, Too

After the first pitch, Daytona took care of the rest. The Tortugas found themselves down 4–0 against the St. Lucie Mets before exploding for five runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. St. Lucie tied the game in the seventh, but the tie lasted exactly one pitch. Drew Davies sent the first pitch of the bottom of the seventh over the right-field wall for a go-ahead home run, putting Daytona back on top 6–5. That score held, giving the Tortugas a comeback win and making a great night at The Jack even better.

Not a bad night to have your name around the ballpark. We’d like to say John’s first pitch sparked the comeback, although the statistics department has advised us not to make that claim.

Boots, Baseball & Daytona

Western wear and baseball might not be the first combination that comes to mind, but they have more in common than you’d think. Both are full of tradition and bring generations together. Both are considerably better experienced in person. That’s one of the reasons supporting local events matters to us.

We want Skip’s to be more than somewhere you stop when you need a new pair of boots. We want to continue being part of the communities that have supported our family business for more than four decades. Sometimes that means a big event, sometimes it means teaming up with brands we love, and sometimes, it means spending a Friday night at the ballpark surrounded by boots, hats, baseball and a Tortugas comeback.

Proud to Call Daytona Home

A big thank-you to the Daytona Tortugas, Tecovas, the team at Jackie Robinson Ballpark and everyone who came out on August 28. Seeing fans show up in their boots and hats, watching John throw out the first pitch with his toddler in hand, and getting to bring a little Skip’s Western to one of Daytona’s most historic places made for a night we won’t soon forget. From our family to the Daytona community, thanks for having us.