The grass is cut, the lines are striped and a young, starry-eyed hurler is about to throw the first heater of the new season.
Or . . . the beer is flowing, the grill is fired up and friends are talking and laughing at the newly redesigned First Base Plaza.
Or . . . it’s bobblehead night, the Cowboy Monkeys are in town and the fireworks are about to shoot off.
Maybe you attend a Harrisburg Senators game for the baseball—or for the socializing—or for the family-friendly promotions. Regardless, the long winter is finally done, and the home team is set to take the field against the Bowie Baysox on Thursday, April 4.
Like many of you, I hike across the Walnut Street Bridge for all three reasons, though, as a baseball fan, I tend to focus on the balls and strikes.
Over the past few seasons, baseball nerds like me have been in heaven, as some of the best young prospects in a generation have made their way through Metro Bank Park. So, what could possibly beat watching potential Hall of Famers like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper in the infancy of their careers?
How about watching potential stars like Anthony Rendon or Brian Goodwin?
Fortunately, the Washington Nationals farm system remains stocked with players on their way up to the big leagues, and their substantial talents will be on display for at least some of the year on City Island.
“We’re looking really good this year,” said Senators Manager Matt LeCroy, adding that the team is rich with Major League prospects. “This is probably the youngest group of players in Harrisburg for a long time.”
Youth, speed, ambition—these qualities should keep the baseball exciting through the year and, with a little luck, into another post-season.
In addition, Harrisburg always benefits from its proximity to D.C., which means that we often see genuine Major League players on rehab assignments from injuries. Do you think that, years from now, I’ll still be telling the story of how I saw Strasburg playing in Harrisburg after elbow surgery? You bet I will.
But maybe you’re not in it primarily for the action on the field. That’s fine with team President Kevin Kulp, who has spent the off-season planning ever-better ways to attract folks who don’t attend primarily for the baseball.
A few years ago, Metro Bank Park underwent a significant upgrade. Now, Kulp is tweaking the plan, this year redesigning the First Base Plaza, the area behind the stands along first base.
The plaza now has a stage, an open-air grill and new tables, umbrellas and landscaping. Some of the most popular concession stands, formerly beneath the stands, will relocate to this area.
Kulp expects the plaza to be a new place for people to meet and socialize, enjoy a freshly grilled hot dog and a beer, and where bands will perform before games—sometimes even during play.
“In the off-season, we did a lot of meeting and discussing what works and what doesn’t, so we can make the experience new and different and more exciting,” said Kulp.
For families, the Senators’ promotions are always a big part of the experience. Kulp said the team will hold more promotional events this year than ever before. Almost every game will feature a reason (other than the baseball, of course) to visit the stadium.
Bobbleheads, T-shirts, posters, jerseys—giveaways will be held throughout the year, many times per month. Do you prefer your promotions on the livelier side? On 16 nights, fireworks will cap off the evening. Come July, the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders will shimmy into the stadium and, yes, boys and girls, the Cowboy Monkeys will be back, riding bareback on a few doggies.
Plan now for an exciting year at the stadium. And, if you see me, say hi. I’ll be the guy actually watching the game.
For more information on what’s in store for this season and to order tickets, visit www.senatorsbaseball.com.
