Tim Tebow set to play on Delmarva in May

Delmarva, set your clocks, because “Tebow Time” is coming to Salisbury.

Thursday marked Opening Day for minor league baseball, and the 2017 season features a face familiar to sports fans throughout the world.

The Columbia Fireflies, a minor-league affiliate of the New York Mets announced its opening day roster April 2, and standing out from several Mets prospects was the two-time BCS National Champion, Heisman trophy winner and former NFL quarterback — Tim Tebow.

Why does this matter? Well, from May 10 to May 12, the Fireflies will make the eight-hour drive from Columbia up to Salisbury for a date with the Delmarva Shorebirds.

Despite Tebow having zero ties to the Shore, his scheduled appearance has had sports fans excited on Delmarva. The number of tickets sold once the news of Tebow was released broke Shorebirds’ sales records, according to team officials.

READ MORE:Former Shorebirds shine on opening day for the Orioles

Tebow, who had not played baseball competitively since his junior year of high school, signed a contract with the Mets in September before taking part in three games with the Florida Instructional League.

Going 4-for-14, including a home run in his first at-bat, Tebow was awarded a second chance in the Arizona Fall League, where he had two RBIs and finished with a .194 batting average.

The former Florida Gator is listed as an outfielder and is the oldest member on the Fireflies active roster by four years. He is well known for his Christian faith and famous celebration move, “Tebowing.”

When he heads to the plate at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, he won’t be “Tim Tebow, sports star,” instead he’ll be just another batter Shorebirds’ pitchers will try to send back to the dugout.

“It doesn’t matter who comes in here or how much hype they have, our job is to keep runs off the board,” Shorebirds pitcher Matthias Dietz said.  

Picked in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, Tebow made his way around the NFL, signing contracts with Denver, the New York Jets, the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Following his termination from the Eagles after the 2015 preseason, Tebow decided to hang up his football cleats and turn his attention to baseball.

Tebow tried out in front of 28 different MLB teams before signing with the Mets, a move that was met with much criticism and scrutiny from several players and managers.

Baltimore Orioles’ centerfielder Adam Jones mocked Tebow following his announcement, tweeting, “After this @MLB season I’m going to try out for the @NFL this offseason. I haven’t played since HS, but I’ve played in a few TurkeyBowls since!!”

MORE SPORTS: Henson YMCA swimmers headed to national meet

Pending a termination in his contract, or the off chance the Mets move Tebow to their active roster, the Fireflies’ new outfielder will walk into Perdue Stadium in May with all eyes on him.