Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:

It was more sun block than run block.

Still it was an appreciative crowd of about 500 who braved blistering temperatures and frightening lightning strikes at Ron Joyce Stadium to get an early glimpse of the 2008 Tiger-Cats.

With heat rays radiating off the black rubber pebbles in the new field turf, most of the crowd at yesterday’s annual Black and Gold scrimmage put more emphasis on sun screen rather than screen play.

But the fans appeared to enjoy the early season atmosphere. New Pigskin Pete (a.k.a. Dan Black) led the crowd through several rousing editions of Oskee-Wee-Wee and there were appreciative cheers when plays were made.

Club president Scott Mitchell called the first Black and Gold event at the Ron Joyce Stadium a success.

“It’s fantastic. I think we got lucky and the weather is going to hold off. It’s a beautiful day, a great turnout and the team looks very good, looks very sharp. I think most of the fans will see a noticeable difference from last year from where we were after a week of training camp,” he said.

And Jesse Lumsden, Richie Williams, Rashaun Woods and Ernest Jackson made enough solid plays to keep the crowd cheering.

After the sun mercifully hid behind thunder clouds, it was several lightning strikes that finally convinced bench boss Charlie Taaffe to order the players from the field. Spectators were asked to head into the stadium concourse for player autographs.

Prospective rush end Kori Dickerson said there was no question the players looked forward to a break from the regular practices to perform in front of the fans.

“That’s why we’re here. They pay the way for us to be here. For them to spend a Sunday out here and come out to watch us practice in the hot sun, it’s nothing but love for them. So I’m trying to do anything I can do to give back to them to let them know we appreciate them,” he said.

Jackson made some nice snags, but he praised his quarterbacks.

The former Cincinnati Bearcat admits his focus is on Thursday night when Hamilton hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their first pre-season game.

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