Can it happen here?

That question immediately came to mind as I walked through the gates at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Pa., last Wednesday for the Slippery Rock Sliders' Frontier League debut against the Wild Things.

A crowd of more than 3,500. Carnival-type amusements to entertain kids. A picnic pavilion. Between-inning contests involving fans dancing atop dugouts, playing Let's Make A Deal, battling in sumo-wrestling suits, etc.

A community funfest, to be sure.

And, yes, it can happen here.

If we make it happen.

The Sliders make their home debut Tuesday night against the Florence (Ky.) Freedom at Slippery Rock University's Critchfield Park. This ballpark cannot hold as many people as the Wild Things' park, but 2,500 can fit comfortably into Critchfield.

Because the Sliders franchise is owned by the league and will play only a third of its 96 games at home this season, and with no more than a one-year contract to play at Critchfield Park, the situation is clear: Butler County is on an audition.

For the first time since the 1950s, there is a professional baseball team calling our county home.

No, it's not the Butler Yankees. Chances are, nobody the caliber of Whitey Ford is going to be playing here.

Jason Simontacchi, who pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2002-04, is one of the most notable players to come out of the Frontier League.

Jason Simontacchi is no Whitey Ford, but does it really matter?

The Frontier League has become a successful independent minor league. Butler negotiated with this league for a number of years in efforts to land a franchise here.

Now we have one. Whether it plays in Slippery Rock, Butler or anywhere near here beyond this season is strictly up to us.

This is not a personal plea for people to buy tickets, support this team or prove that Butler County is a viable market for this sort of thing.

Far be it from me or anybody to tell the working public how to spend its money.

This is merely to point out that we, the people, will determine the fate of this franchise.

For the Sliders to stick around, an investor or group of investors will have to buy the team and keep it here.

Nobody will do that if nobody goes to the games.

Initially, the crowds at Critchfield will probably be pretty good. Curiosity has a way of doing that.

It's up to the Sliders to get those curious patrons to come back, through either an entertaining product on the field or a night of fun in the stands.

This is a business, after all. Like any entertainment option, the Sliders have to sell themselves.

Will the team live or die after one season?

That decision is in our hands.

Minor league baseball is back in Butler County. Are you happy the Sliders are here?

Beginning Tuesday night, you'll have 32 chances to prove it.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.