2,000 fans attend RailRidersâ?? open house

MOOSIC – About 2,000 area baseball enthusiasts looking forward to opening day visited PNC Field on Saturday during the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders' open house.

Considering the minor league ball club has a new name, brand and renovated stadium, team officials assured that attendees of this season's games will have a great fan-friendly experience. Rob Crain, president and general manager for the RailRiders, spoke confidently, saying the team's events will meet or exceed fan expectations. PNC Field is now one of the most modern, stylish and fan-friendly ballparks in the country, he said.

Fans can walk along the new 360-degree concourse and view the enormous, high-definition video board, he said. Plus the stadium provides a new, large play area for children.

In addition, fans can expect a variety of fun game-day activities, Crain added. There will be 72 separate events, something every night for each home game, he said. Fans can expect promotions such as $1 hot dogs on Mondays, Two-for-Tuesdays, Kids eat Free on Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, which include $1 beers and sodas, post-game fireworks on Fridays, giveaways on Saturdays and family funday Sundays, he said.

Crain thanked area government officials, construction companies and corporate sponsors for helping make the new, $43 million stadium possible. But most of all, he thanks the fan base for its support of the team over the years.

Although the final team roster won't be available until March, Crain said he is confident the team will be a contender in the league. Opening day is April 4.

The Yankees have always provided the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre teams with great players, he said. We've made the playoffs in five of the last six years, and we're very excited about this coming year.

Michael Tucker, of Scranton, attended the open house to purchase team memorabilia and look around the ballpark with his son, Michael, and son's friend, Kevin Mikolayczak. We really missed the team last year, Tucker said.

We attend about a dozen games each season and plan to continue this year, he added. With the stadium only 10 minutes away, it's easy to get to the games and enjoy a night out.

Son Michael added he likes the team's new name, the RailRiders, calling it very creative. His friend Kevin said he really likes the features of the new stadium.

Ticket sales are brisk, Crain noted, adding some packages already are sold out.