7 reasons why you should become a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fan

Major League Baseball may attract the most fans, but Minor League Baseball games are not to be missed — especially Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders games.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees. By checking out RailRiders games, you can see up-and-coming minor league baseball players before they move up to “the show.”

Just as important, RailRiders games are simply a lot of fun, full of promotions, good food, and wacky mascot antics. You don’t need to head to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh to catch great baseball in Pennsylvania. Make plans to grab tickets for the RailRiders’ home opener on April 2, or study the schedule to try to make as many games as you can!

SWB RailRiders games are a fraction of the price of a Major League Baseball game.

It’s always great to go to a big league baseball game, but you can catch a SWB RailRiders game for much less than you would pay to see the Phillies or Pirates. Tickets to those MLB games will cost you at least $25 each, with the best seats costing hundreds of dollars. You’ll likely pay even more if you’re purchasing from a ticket reseller. On the other hand, you can experience the thrill of America’s favorite pastime for as little as $13 when you go to a RailRiders game. Plus, if you buy tickets online for the 2024 home opener, you’ll pay just $5 for lawn and bleacher seats. You’ll have plenty of leftover cash that you can spend on Cracker Jacks!

You can see future stars of Major League Baseball…

Some of the players you catch on the SWB RailRiders roster may well be baseball’s future stars! For example, before outfielder Shane Victorino became an All-Star and World Series champion with the Phillies and Boston Red Sox, he got his start with the SWB RailRiders when the team was the AAA affiliate for the Phils.  

…Especially future stars of the New York Yankees.

The SWB RailRiders are affiliated with the New York Yankees these days, so if you’re a Yankees fan, you can catch up-and-comers before they make their Yankee Stadium debut! SWB RailRiders pitcher Will Warren is currently on the Yankees prospect list, as is pitcher Yoendrys Gómez. You may see both on the field with the Yankees sometime in 2024.

You can see fireworks and check out other fun events at RailRider games.

Just like your favorite MLB teams, the SWB RailRiders put on fun events for fans throughout the baseball season. Many games — including the home opener on April 2 — host firework shows after the final out. In addition, the RailRiders host a wide variety of promotions to attract all sorts of different fans. During the 2024 season, June 29 is “The Office” Night, celebrating the Scranton-set TV show. Leslie David Baker, who played Stanley on the hit NBC show, will make an appearance to sign autographs, and the ballpark will be giving away free Stanley bobbleheads! You can also enjoy Waggin’ Wednesdays, when fans can bring their dogs, or you can waste away during Margaritaville Night (July 6).

Photo courtesy of SWB RailRiders via X.

You can grab fun SWB RailRider merch.

One of the best parts of being a fan is showing off that you’re a fan. You can buy SWB RailRider merch through the team’s official store so that you can wear your RailRider pride. We like the colorful Margaritaville Jersey that would be perfect to wear to Margaritaville Night.

The SWB RailRiders mascot, Champ, is weird and fun.

There’s nothing quite like a minor league team mascot, and that is a rule that holds true with the SWB RailRiders. The RailRiders’ mascot, Champ, is a … well … we’re not quite sure. And isn’t that the best kind of mascot? A fuzzy, bipedal animal/monster of some sort? (Answer: Yes. See: Gritty.) You can meet Champ at RailRiders games and get your photo with him. During the 2024 season, you can celebrate your love for Champ by attending the July 28 game in honor of Champ’s birthday. And after that game, kids can run the bases!

Photo courtesy of SWB RailRiders via Instagram.

You can satisfy your appetite with the good food at PNC Field.

Just like in your favorite MLB stadiums, the SWB RailRiders’ PNC Field is host to a number of delicious food and drink options to keep you sated during a game — though the PNC Field lines are likely shorter. You can chow down on tasty food options like Pa. classic Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Philly classic Chickie’s and Pete’s fries, Central/Eastern European haluski, or even deep-fried Oreos. Plus, you can fill up on $2 Sahlen’s hot dogs during Wednesday home games! 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.