Tag Archives: Harrisburg Senators

Joyous Journey: The Studio celebrates 20 years with a tribute to its hometown

January 30, 2024 | by Dan Miller

The Studio performing “Centerfield.” Photo courtesy of LongShots Photography.

The Harrisburg area has been good to The Studio, which is about to mark its 20th anniversary.

In return, the Enola-based dance studio will express its gratitude this month by paying tribute to some of the things that make our area great.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, The Studio will perform a show called “Hometown Heart” at the Scottish Rite Cathedral auditorium in Harrisburg, celebrating in music and dance contributions of an eclectic group of midstate institutions, including the Harrisburg Senators, Susquehanna Art Museum, Arts on the Square, Reservoir Park, the historic Harrisburg Transportation Center and Kristy’s Whistle Stop ice cream shop in Enola.

The performance will open with a professionally staged ballet, “The Christening,” from “The Sleeping Beauty.” Seventy dancers will participate in the performance, said Jennifer Turner Long, The Studio’s owner and artistic director.

Following the ballet, the school’s musical theater students will lead the audience through the journey of the community organizations being highlighted.

“It’s just like, ‘Hey y’all, in spite of the news of the day, right here is the joy and goodness of where we live, the wonderful things about where we live,’” said Long, a Virginia native who came to the midstate from Colorado.

Without giving too much away, here are a few tastes of what to expect from the Feb. 10 show.

The performance highlighting Susquehanna Art Museum focuses on “Cocoon,” a museum exhibition by Kate Browne featuring the history of Steelton. Images from the exhibition will be projected while the dancers perform.

For Arts on the Square, dancers will perform a piece called “Masquerade.” Last October, the Studio collaborated with Arts on the Square with a performance at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg.

For “Centerfield,” the piece dedicated to the Harrisburg Senators, The Studio went to FNB Field on City Island last summer to film a portion of the choreography on site.

This will be the second time The Studio has performed “Centerfield” in public. The first was at the 2023 Pennsboro Pumpkin Festival in October—in the pouring rain.

“Centerfield” is inspired by the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), created in 1943 by Philip Wrigley, then-owner of the Chicago Cubs.

Wrigley sought to fill the void in professional baseball created after many male players in the major leagues left to fight in World War II. The AAGPBL lasted until 1954 and is considered the forerunner of women’s professional league sports in the United States.

Last summer, Long and her daughter watched “A League of Their Own,” the movie starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis, based on the AAGPBL. The Studio dancers will wear AAGPBL uniforms while performing “Centerfield.”

Long also learned of two women from the midstate who played in the league.

Helen Waddell Wyatt grew up in Lemoyne. At age 18, she tried out for a women’s softball team in Harrisburg and attracted the attention of a Wrigley scout. She then played for the Rockford Peaches in 1950 and 1951 before retiring to marry and start a family.

Betty Warfel was born in Enola and played for the Rockford Peaches in 1948 and 1949. She was a highly versatile player who pitched and played several infield positions.

Afterwards, Warfel returned to Pennsylvania, retiring from the Westinghouse Corp. in Philadelphia. She died in 1990 and is buried in Rolling Green Memorial Park in Lower Allen Township.

Long is using social media to try to locate family members of both Waddell Wyatt and Warfel, to invite them to the Feb. 10 performance.

“They were pioneers at a time when women weren’t leaders in all aspects of the word,” Long said. “It was much harder. (They) are just a great role model.”

The 20th anniversary celebration also includes an appearance by internationally known tap dancer Maud Arnold at The Studio on Feb. 11 to kick off “Love Your Body” week. Arnold is giving a tap dance class and will lead a question and answer session.

Long left a career in the corporate world to launch The Studio.

“I wanted to create this business so I could manage my own life and schedule professionally on my terms while I was integrally involved in raising our daughter,” she said.

Looking back at what has been achieved since 2004 is “quite humbling and hard to believe. The whole thing has been sort of surreal,” Long said.

“We certainly have a bright future,” she said. “We are looking forward to it, but we are most grateful for the path that we have had. It’s been joyous.”

“Hometown Heart—Exploring Harrisburg through Art” takes place Feb. 10 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral auditorium, 2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. The Studio is located at 427 N. Enola Rd., Enola (Summerdale Plaza). For more information, visit www.summerdaledance.com.

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Harrisburg to fund lighting, facility upgrades at Senators’ FNB Field

July 7, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Senators game at FNB Field

FNB Field, home to the Harrisburg Senators, will undergo some upgrades as Harrisburg has agreed to fund a number of improvements.

City Council on Wednesday voted to affirm Harrisburg’s commitment to fund Major League Baseball-required upgrades to the city-owned field on City Island.

Harrisburg will support improved stadium lighting, better practice and training facilities and improved clubhouse areas for both home and visiting teams. Renovations will also include expanding locker room areas due to the growing number of female coaches and umpires in professional baseball.

“With Major and Minor League Baseball recognizing the need to update facility standards to improve conditions for minor league players as part of their new collective bargaining agreement, the city of Harrisburg, as the owner of FNB Field, is proud to partner with the Harrisburg Senators to keep the Eastern League’s second oldest franchise in the city of Harrisburg,” said Dan Hartman, city business administrator.

In November 2022, the city was awarded a $6 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the commonwealth, which will help fund the over $11 million project.

City and Senators officials expect construction to be completed in time for the start of the 2025 season.

“We are thrilled that the city of Harrisburg has formally decided to fund the improvements necessary to bring FNB Field in-line with the new Major League Baseball facility requirements,” said Harrisburg Senators President Kevin Kulp. “City Island is among the most unique venues in the country for professional baseball and by taking these steps, the city is helping to ensure Minor League Baseball in Harrisburg for current and future generations.”

For more information about the Harrisburg Senators, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 5, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Veterans Multi-Service Center officials cut the ribbon on their new downtown Harrisburg facility.

It looks like Harrisburg will get a break from the rain this weekend, so make sure you get out and enjoy the sun. Before you head out for the weekend, catch up on our local news coverage, below.

Annual Arts Awards were announced by Theatre Harrisburg this month. In our magazine story, read about the winners, musical couple Ya-Ting Chang and Peter Sirotin and Sankofa African American Theatre Company.

The annual Harrisburg Ride of Silence will take place on May 17 to memorialize those who have been killed or injured while riding a bicycle, our online story reported. The 2.5-mile ride will end at the state Capitol for a ceremony to honor those killed on Pennsylvania’s roads in 2022.

Harrisburg, county and federal officials announced a multi-million-dollar federal grant to help battle housing insecurity, our online story reported. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded local officials with a $2.3 million check for area social service groups to assist people who are experiencing homelessness.

The Harrisburg Senators will host a “City of Harrisburg Family Day” on May 21, our online story reported. The baseball team is offering thousands of free game tickets to residents.

May brings lots of great live music to the Harrisburg area. Our columnist lets you know which shows you can’t miss this month.

Midland Cemetery was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, our magazine story reported. The historic Black cemetery’s preservationists hope the designation will help keep it from being lost to the generations again.

“Puddles Pity Party” is headed to Harrisburg this weekend for a performance at H*MAC, our online story reported. Singer and musician Mike Geier, who performs as Puddles the sad clown, has been entertaining audiences for over a decade.

In railroad towns like Harrisburg, emergency responders don’t plan for “if” derailments happen. They plan for “when,” including the possibility of an East Palestine, Ohio-style incident. In our feature story, find out how officials and agencies prepare.

Theatre Harrisburg’s “Side Show” isn’t the circus from your childhood. Our theatre columnist reviews the “revoltingly true story” of the underbelly of freak shows in the 19^th century.

Sara Bozich has a great lineup of events for what looks like is going to be a sunny weekend. Find them, here.

Veterans Multi-Service Center celebrated the opening of its downtown Harrisburg office, which provides assistance to low-income and homeless veterans, our online story reported. The Philadelphia-based organization assists over 6,500 veteran households each year across its 10 East Coast locations.

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Harrisburg Senators to host “City of Harrisburg Family Day,” give out free tickets to residents

May 2, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

(From left) Harrisburg Senators Manager Delino DeShields, Senators mascot Rascal and Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams in a promotional video posted by the city.

Get your peanuts and Cracker Jacks, because the Harrisburg Senators are taking local residents out to the ballgame.

Harrisburg announced on Tuesday that the baseball team would host a City of Harrisburg Family Day on May 21, offering thousands of free tickets to city residents.

“We are so thrilled to partner with the Senators on this exciting event for our city,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “There is no better way to spend a Sunday in the city than at the ballpark, and I really want to thank Senators team President Kevin Kulp for making this possible.”

The Sunday game will be played on City Island’s FNB Field against the Erie Seawolves and will start at 1 p.m., with Williams throwing the first pitch.

All city residents are eligible for a complimentary ticket voucher, good for two free tickets, to be exchanged at the box office on game day. Seats will be selected once a ticket is exchanged at the box office.

Ticket vouchers are available to pick up at the following Harrisburg locations:

The MLK City Government Center, 10 N. 2^nd
Camp Curtin YMCA, 2135 N. 6^th
Allison Hill Community Center, 1524 Walnut St.
Boys & Girls Club, 1227 Berryhill St.

Pickup times for each location are dependent on business hours, and will be available until the close of business Friday, May 19.

“The Harrisburg Senators have called City Island home for more than 35 years, and none of that is possible without the people and the families of Harrisburg,” said Kulp. “If you’ve never been out to a Senators game, you’re missing one of the best shows in baseball. Hopefully, City of Harrisburg Family Day attracts a new generation of Senators faithful.”

For more information on the Harrisburg Senators visit their website.

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Additional Harrisburg projects slated to receive state redevelopment funds

November 1, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Harrisburg Senators play at FNB Field.

Three more Harrisburg projects will receive state redevelopment grants, as the commonwealth today announced additional award recipients.

Leading off the list, the city will receive $6 million for upgrades to FNB Field, the city-owned stadium that hosts the Harrisburg Senators minor league baseball team.

According to the application, work will include new field lighting, renovation of locker rooms, a new home team clubhouse, expansion of the existing boardwalk and scoreboard replacement. This would be the first significant upgrade to the stadium in about 15 years, when the city embarked on a two-phase project.

The grant fully funds the city’s request of $6 million for the project under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a matching grant, reimbursement program that helps fund the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

The two other projects announced today are:

Harrisburg University, $1.75 million, to construct new facilities for applied research, education and workforce development focused on emerging technology sectors in food, agriculture and environmental science. These facilities will house the HU Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability, featuring education and workforce development programs alongside industry-oriented applied research and technical innovation.
Pennsylvania STEAM Academy Rooftop Playground, $1.5 million, to transform a portion of the rooftop of its Midtown Academic Building at 1500 N. 3rd St. into a rooftop playground to provide an indoor play area for its elementary and middle school students. A canopy of solar panels will provide filtered light and generate solar energy to partially power the school building.

“I am thrilled to announce these RACP grants that will benefit the region,” said state Rep. Patty Kim, who represents Harrisburg. “Such significant funding means we can continue to invest in Dauphin County, which also means investing in everyone who lives here.”

Last week, the commonwealth announced the first group of RACP award recipients in Harrisburg. These projects included:

$3 million to Reily GreenWorks for the development of a 155-unit apartment building with neighborhood-oriented retail on the ground floor at a proposed project at 320 Reily St.
$1.5 million to Harrisburg Events Center to complete extensive renovations at the King Mansion at 2201 N. Front St.
$2.75 million to Harristown Enterprises for the renovation of the Harristown Agriculture Building, a proposed project at 221-223 Market St.
$ 1.6 million to Millworks Historic Campus Preservation for the rehabilitation of 1321 N. 4th St., the planned site of the relocated Millworks Brewery.

Several other projects in Harrisburg applied for funds, but did not receive grants in this round. The commonwealth sometimes announces a second round of RACP funding later in the year or early the following year.

Click here to download a spreadsheet to see all the projects that applied for and received grants in this funding round.

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Harrisburg announces plans for July 4th festival, including food trucks and fireworks

June 28, 2022 | by Ellen Frantz

Mayor Wanda Williams announces the July 4th Food Truck Festival at a press conference on Tuesday.

Harrisburg will celebrate the Fourth of July this year with a bang.

The city will host its annual July 4th Food Truck Festival and Fireworks event, Mayor Wanda Williams announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Downtown Harrisburg is going to be a party for the 4th of July and I can’t wait to celebrate,” Williams said. “Harrisburg is at its best on days like this, when families can experience our city together. We really can’t wait to see the fun they’re going to have when they come to Riverfront Park.”

From 1 to 9 p.m. on Monday, July 4, over 45 food trucks will line N. Front Street. Harrisburg festival classics, such as funnel cakes and Farm Show milkshakes, will be offered, but new food options will be available as well. Additionally, there will be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Beer and wine gardens will feature drinks from five different breweries and vineyards.

Local businesses such as Yellow Bird Café, JB Lovedraft’s Micropub, Stock’s on 2nd and others will also offer unique items that can only be found for the holiday weekend.

Six musical acts will perform on the Capital Blue Cross Live Music Stage, including groups like Big Sky Quartet and Big Fat Meanies. This year, the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast will be performing onstage between Liberty and State streets beginning at 2:15 p.m.

For families with small children, there will be a Kids Zone where children can get free balloon animals and face painting.

City Island businesses will also be open for anyone who wants to take a ride on the railroad, play a round of Water Golf, or cruise the river on the Pride of the Susquehanna.

To conclude the evening, at around 9:15 p.m., the city will shoot off fireworks, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The show, produced by Bixler Pyrotechnics, will last 15 minutes and include 2,000 shells. The city’s fireworks display will commence after the Harrisburg Senators’ own fireworks display following their game against the Erie Seawolves.

At 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and by candlelight at 8 p.m., a John Harris Jr. re-enactor will read the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion.

Street parking is free during the holiday. Parking on City Island will cost $5 and Market Square Garage parking from 1 p.m. to midnight will be $10. Handicapped parking is available on State Street, and free bike parking is available at Walnut Street. Front Street will be closed from 9 a.m. to midnight, and the Market Street Bridge will be closed westbound from 6:30 p.m. to midnight.

For more information on Harrisburg’s July 4th celebration, visit their website.

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Stepping Out: TheBurg Podcast, May 2021

May 13, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

Do you have a spring in your step?

Harrisburg’s street dining is back, with Saturday Nights in the City. Todd Vander Woude, executive director of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District explains how dining alfresco may become a regular thing, post-pandemic, in the capital city.

The return of minor league baseball is major news for many. Kevin Kulp, president of the Harrisburg Senators talks about what it means to play ball once again.

May is when we see an uptick in tick activity. Whether you’re venturing out in your backyard or hitting the trails, your chance of coming into contact with a tick carrying Lyme disease is unfortunately on the rise in PA. Amy Tiehel of the PA Lyme Resource Network has tips on how to stay safe this spring and summer.

Plus: Lawrance Binda, editor of TheBurg, casts his vote for May’s “Most Harrisburg Thing.”

Because “there’s more to the story,” this episode expands several stories from the pages of May’s magazine: Dining to Return to Harrisburg Streets / Back in the Swing of Things / Lyme Lessons

DYK? TheBurg Podcast recently received two prestigious awards:

First place, Excellence in Journalism Award, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter

Honorable mention, Keystone Media Award, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by Karen Hendricks, a lifelong journalist who also dabbles in PR/Marketing. Visit her website here.

TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pa.; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor.

Interested in sponsoring TheBurg Podcast? Contact Lauren (lmills@theburgnews.com).

Meet some of the Harrisburg area’s most fascinating people, and hear their own authentic stories, expanded from every month’s magazine, on TheBurg Podcast—because there’s always “more to the story.”

Back in the Swing of Things: The pandemic battered Minor League baseball, but the Harrisburg Senators are stepping up to the plate

April 30, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Photo courtesy of the Harrisburg Senators.

Pam MacNett started walking from her house in downtown Harrisburg to games on City Island when she was just 8 years old.

It was one of the few fun things to do in the city at the time, she said. From then on, it stuck. She has held Senators season tickets every year since 1999 and has even hosted players at her home during the season.

“I’m pretty dedicated,” she said. “It’s a very large part of my life.”

It was no surprise to hear that MacNett already had her season tickets for 2021. She was eager to return to her happy place—beer in one hand, hot dog in the other. After all, the pandemic had deprived her of baseball in 2020 when the minor leagues cancelled its season. It was the first time in years that she missed a season.

“Being able to have something back that has been such a big part of my life for the last 20 years is super exciting,” she said.

Really Tough

Senators fans, players and officials are all ready to get back into the swing of things, and, this month, they will.

“We are so happy to be able to play again,” said Senators President Kevin Kulp. “We live for game day.”

They kick off the season on May 4 against the Patriots at Somerset, N.J., and play their home opener on May 11 against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. In total, the Senators will play 120 games, 60 at home and 60 away.

The season starts a month late due to COVID restrictions at spring training complexes, but will extend two weeks longer than usual.

The team will play six-game series, Tuesdays through Sundays. They’ll play almost every team in the league, facing the same team for six games in a row. Kulp said that this will help reduce travel time and costs—a great benefit.

With the 2020 season cancelled, the Senators revenue decreased by over 90% compared to the 2019 season, Kulp said.

“We went a year and a half with no revenue—that is not how minor league teams are supposed to support themselves,” he said. “We don’t make a lot of money in the best of years. The last 20 months have been really tough.”

Things aren’t going to magically get better when the 2021 season starts either, Kulp said. They will be operating at about 30% capacity in the stands to accommodate for social distancing.

However, Kulp was quick to say that this doesn’t mean fans won’t experience the usual fun, family atmosphere.

“We are not going to skimp on what fans can expect when they come to the ballpark,” he said.

Time for Celebration

MacNett and others can still buy their game day essential foods. Families will also be able to participate in kids’ activities in a safe way. Most importantly, fans can cheer on their team as they play.

As excited as fans are, players like Rhett Wiseman are even more ready to suit up and step onto the field, after months of missing the diamond.

“I’m excited to be able to get out on the field and play the game that I love,” said Wiseman, who played for the Senators in 2019. “If there’s anything COVID showed me, it’s that I love the game.”

At the same age MacNett started regularly watching baseball games, Wiseman began regularly playing in them, since he was 8. Again, 2020 was the first one he missed.

Minor league players found out on the first day of spring training in 2020 that the season was cancelled. They were told to pack up their bags and head home.

“You realize all this training you put in is going to go to waste,” Wiseman said. “It was tough.”

For the year off, players were left to find a way to continue to practice and stay in shape. Wiseman connected with a group of players in his hometown of Nashville, Tenn., playing backyard pickup games and training together. He knows not everyone had the same experience, though.

Wiseman predicts that there will be some rust the players will need to shake off, but he feels prepared to play, with whichever team he’s on.

“I feel like these guys are going to make sure their minds and bodies are ready for the season,” Kulp said. “It’ll be impressive to see how they rebound.”

It’s not just the players who are hoping to rebound, but the Senators as a whole. Kulp stressed that the team needs fans to head to City Island, now more than ever.

“We are here as an outlet for affordable family entertainment, and we need the community’s support now,” he said.

For the hardcore sports fan and those who just go for the food or entertainment, baseball marks another sense of normalcy as society approaches post-pandemic life. May 11, the Senators’ first home game, can’t come soon enough.

“It’s going to be a very emotional day,” Kulp said. “It’ll be a time for celebration.”

Tickets for the Senators’ 2021 season are being sold in pods of two, three, four or six to allow for social distancing. May tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit the Harrisburg Senators’ website.

Swing Batter!

The Senators’ 2021 home schedule:

Tuesday, May 11 through Sunday, May 16 – Richmond Flying Squirrels

Tuesday, May 18 through Sunday, May 23 – Altoona Curve

Tuesday, June 1 through Sunday, June 6 – Portland Sea Dogs

Tuesday, June 15 through Sunday, June 20 – Reading Fightin Phils

Tuesday, June 29 through Sunday, July 4 – Somerset Patriots

Tuesday, July 13 through Sunday, July 18 – Akron RubberDucks

Tuesday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 8 – Erie SeaWolves

Tuesday, Aug. 10 through Sunday, Aug. 15 – New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Tuesday, Aug. 24 through Sunday, Aug. 29 – Hartford Yard Goats

Tuesday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 12 – Bowie Baysox

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 3, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Harrisburg’s Saturday Nights in the City outdoor dining event has been extended through August.

The coronavirus pandemic continued to have a major impact on local news this past week. Some stories showed progress in our gradual reopening, while others demonstrated the continuing destructive effect of the disease. In case you missed any of our coverage, we have it all summarized and linked below. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Blake Lynch related his personal story of growing up as a Black man in America, part of TheBurg’s “Voices of our Community” feature. Read Blake’s compelling account in our July magazine or click here to read it online.

COVID-19 cases ticked up in the past week, though daily cases continued to be far below the early April highs in PA. Get the latest data from our weekly summary.

Harrisburg City Council began debate on a proposed citizen’s police advisory board. The discussion centered around how powerful the new board should be, as our online story reports.

Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival began this past week in a virtual format. The viewing experience may be different than usual, but the quality remains high, as our magazine story relates.

Harrisburg Senators threw in the towel on a 2020 baseball season, as Major League Baseball cancelled the minor league schedule. The Senators promised to be back next year, better than ever, as our online story details.

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center will re-open next week after being closed to the public since March. Per our online story, the city still encourages residents to avoid visiting unless unnecessary and to employ safety measures if they do.

Independence Day is this weekend, and the city has numerous events planned. Therefore, we’re relinking to our story from last month so that readers are reminded what’s happening in Harrisburg for the Fourth.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority lost another of its original members this past week. The resignation underscored the friction between Harrisburg and its state-appointed financial oversight board, which, according to our story, has been escalating over time.

Jeff Woodruff has stepped down after many years as executive director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Our feature story explains what’s next for him and for the organization he led.

Middletown’s Press & Journal printed its final issue this past week, ending a publishing tradition stretching back more than 160 years. In a blog post, our editor paid tribute to the venerable weekly, which fell victim to several forces of destruction.

“Out in Central Pennsylvania” tells the history of the Harrisburg area’s LGBTQ+ community and its struggle for equality. To get the gist of the new book, we covered Midtown Scholar’s virtual author talk, which was held recently.

Resilience is a key trait for muddling through these difficult pandemic times. Our magazine feature interviews therapists and families who offer advice on how to cope with this huge disruption to our lives.

Sara Bozich has the skinny on the July 4 weekend, with many special events planned in her weekly to-do list. So go out, but mask up and be safe, she says.

Saturday Nights in the City has been extended throughout the summer. Our online story states that Harrisburg cited the success of the outdoor dining event in announcing the extension.

TheBurg distributed our July issue this past week, revving up the printing press once again as most our of delivery locations reopened. You can find a copy at hundreds of locations around the Harrisburg area or read it online here.

TheBurg’s editor welcomes our readers to the July issue with his editor’s note, with the welcome news that life seems to be creeping back to some sense of normalcy, even if it is a strange new kind of normal.

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The Senators make it official, announce cancellation of 2020 season

June 30, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The Harrisburg Senators last year at FNB Field.

There will be no baseball on City Island this year.

Today, Minor League Baseball officially cancelled its 2020 season, ending any lingering hope that the Harrisburg Senators still could squeeze out a small part of their season.

In a statement, the Senators confirmed that they would not play this year, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic “created too many impediments.”

“In the end, there were just too many obstacles to overcome,” said Kevin Kulp, team president.

The Senators, who play at FNB Field on City Island, are the AA-class affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Only Major League teams are planning to play this year in a shortened, 60-game season that starts later in July.

Kulp said that the Senators are now looking forward to the 2021 baseball season.

“We’re very sad about this news, and there will be many hurdles to overcome between now and opening day 2021 in April,” he said. “However, I assure you, the Harrisburg Senators will persevere and be ready for next season. We are proud of the role we play in the central Pennsylvania community, and, from this day forward, we will be working to make the 2021 season very special.”

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