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For many, the first appearance of a robin redbreast is the traditional harbinger of spring. But for baseball fans, it's the tight spiral of red stitching on rawhide, hurtling towards the plate and hitting the pocket of a perfectly placed catcher's mitt with its trademark pop that marks the true arrival of spring. It's that time of year again. Puh-lay ball!
With Phillies fever still high after their 2008 World Series win and last year's heartbreaking loss, the 2010 season is poised to open with high expectations. Even Yankees' fans - and believe me, there's plenty of them in our area due to our central location between the two cities - are excited for the start of another campaign. Most prognosticators and preseason picks have the Phillies and Yankees squaring off again in a World Series rematch, the possible first since 1978.
And while nothing can compare to the excitement of a Major League Baseball game, nothing can quite compare to the price either. With the Phillies and Yankees moving into new homes in recent years, the cost of attending a game, especially with family in tow, has certainly risen. Luckily, our area is awash in minor league teams. From the Reading Phillies to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Trenton Thunder, baseball fans can take in America's pastime without breaking the bank.
But even beyond mere economics, the minor leagues offer a romanticism that the big leagues can't match. "You get a chance to see the stars of tomorrow before they're household names," says Tommy Viola, director of public relations and media relations for the Reading Phillies. "You can see players grow and develop before your eyes. These guys are fighting for a job and to fulfill their dream." Will Smith, the general manager of the Trenton Thunder, agrees. "There's an intimacy at this level you can't get anywhere else," he says. "The parks are smaller, and everyone is closer to the game. The players are also more accessible. A lot of our fans wait after the game and get autographs while they walk to their cars."
So if you're looking for a different kind of baseball experience this spring or summer, check out our guide to the area's minor league teams, where the off-the-field action and community ethos is just as important as what happens between the lines.
THE READING PHILLIES
About 75 miles west, the Reading Phillies are poised to launch their 43rd season as the Philadelphia Phillies' Double-A affiliate, Minor League Baseball's second-oldest
tenure. Nearly every fan favorite from the professional ranks of Philadelphia baseball over the past four decades has passed through Reading. If you had attended games only a few years ago, you would have been treated to the development of current stars such as Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels. And this year, coming off an Eastern League playoff appearance in 2009, the team is ready to take another run at their league's championship.
Another testament to the Reading Phillies'longevity is their home: FirstEnergy Stadium. Hosting its first games in 1951, the stadium represents a throwback to another era, one that recent trends in stadium building have been attempting to emulate. And while the ballpark certainly has historic charm, it also has some pretty unique amenities, offering fans just as much off the field as on. Featuring a heated pool, picnic areas and a party deck - all providing food, drinks and fun - the stadium has something for everyone. "One of our main goals is always to remain family friendly," says Viola. "We want our fans to bring the family out and have a great time. We strive to include the community in everything we do." And living up to their word, the Reading Phillies are offering their "4 for $48" promotion, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas = all for one low price. Other popular season-long promotions include pre-game happy hours weekly fireworks and numerous pre-and-post game concerts.
THE LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS
A little closer to home and just a little to our north, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs serve as the Philadelphia Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, the highest level a minor leaguer can reach before being called up to the bigs. Earning their unique moniker from pig iron, the raw iron ore used to produce steel - which fueled the area's economy for decades - the team is entering only their third season with the Phillies. And while the IronPigs may be the relative new kid on the block, they've quickly learned to provide a lot of bang for your entertainment buck.
"We try to make the entire experience focused on entertainment," says Matt Provence, director of media relations and broadcasting for the club. "Even between innings, there's something going on." The fireworks displays and theme nights - like the 60s and 70s - have proven to be a big draw.
As a Triple-A affiliate, the IronPigs can also offer some serious baseball. "Since we're so close to Philadelphia, we get a lot of big leaguers on rehab assignments after an injury," says Provence. "Last year, we had about seven or eight major appearances from Pedro Martinez to Brad Lidge and Raul Ibanez. Daisuke Matsuzaka [a Japanese pitcher from the Boston Red Sox] even made his debut in our stadium." Adding to the excitement, the IronPigs are set to host the 2010 Triple-A All Star Game, a showcase for much of the talent you'll see in the major leagues for years to come.
THE TRENTON THUNDER
Practically in our backyards, the Trenton Thunder, the New York Yankees' Double-A affiliate, play their home games along the river in Trenton. And according to Smith, that might be their biggest strength. "It's a local place. You see people from all over the community at our games," he says.
Beyond the neighborhood feel, the atmosphere reflects the true charm of the minor leagues. "The worst seat in our park is still a really good place to watch a game," Smith continues. "You're really close to the field. You can interact with the players before and after most of the games."
Like the true mark of any minor league team, Trenton relies on a plethora of attractions to get fans in their seats. This year, children eat free on Mondays; hot dogs are $1 on Tuesdays; beer specials abound on Thursdays; and fireworks light up the Saturday night sky starting in May. The club recently introduced a dance team for between-inning entertainment. However, perhaps the Thunder’s most beloved attraction is Chase and Boomer, a pair of golden retrievers. The canine father and son act as de facto bat boys, retrieving bats from the field and delivering balls when needed.
Go online at
readingphillies.com
ironpigsbaseball.com
trentonthunder.com