RailRiders 2023 Season Schedule The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce their schedule for the 2023 season. The RailRiders will open their season on March 31 with a three-game homestand and conclude their second straight 150-game schedule on the road on September 24, split evenly with 75 games at home and 75 on the road. “While we watch an exciting end to the 2022 season, we are also thrilled to start planning for 2023,” said Katie Beekman, the RailRiders General Manager. “The schedule release now gives our fans a chance to watch some great games over the month ahead while thinking about the next wave of talent ready to represent Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the New York Yankees. It also gives us the momentum to start thinking about how we can make the 2023 season even better than what we experienced this year.” The 2023 schedule is comprised of 24 six-game series and two three-game sets. The RailRiders will play 132 games against teams from the International League’s East Division and 18 against clubs from the West. The RailRiders meet teams from the old iteration of the IL North for 117 games out of the 150 scheduled. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre plays Buffalo (Toronto affiliate) 21 times and has 24 games apiece against Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia), Rochester (Washington), Syracuse (New York Mets) and Worcester (Boston). The RailRiders will host Omaha, marking the first trip to Moosic for the Kansas City affiliate since 1990, and Norfolk (Baltimore) for six-game sets while traveling to St. Paul (Minnesota) for the second straight year and hitting up Charlotte (Chicago White Sox) and Columbus (Cleveland) for the first time since 2019. Highlights of the 2023 regular season schedule include: March 31 thru April 2: Opening Weekend at PNC Field against Buffalo April 18 thru 30: A 12-game road trip to St.Paul and Worcester. The RailRiders will visit the Saints for the second straight season. May 2 thru 14: A two-week homestand with Rochester and Omaha coming to town, marking the first time the Kansas City Royals Triple-A affiliate plays in Moosic since 1990. May 16 thru 21: First SWB trip to Charlotte since August 2019 June 6 thru 11: Norfolk returns to PNC Field for the second straight season as Baltimore boasts one of the top farm systems in baseball. June 28 thru July 3: Six-game series at Syracuse ending on Monday, July 3 July 4 thru 9: Lehigh Valley heads to PNC Field starting a set on Independence Day July 14 thru 16: The RailRiders post-MLB All-Star break series takes the club to Norfolk for a three-game set. August 1 thru 13: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hosts Rochester and Syracuse in a two-week homestand. August 22 thru 27: The IronPigs return to Moosic for the final IronRail series of the season and the second-to-last homestand of the regular season. August 29 thru September 10: SWB heads to Rochester and Columbus for the last long road trip of the season. September 12 thru 17: The RailRiders host Buffalo in the final homestand of the season. September 19 thru 24: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s final road trip brings the regular season to a close in Syracuse.
RailRiders Sweep Weekly International League Awards The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders swept the International League awards for the week of June 27 through July 3. Outfielder Estevan Florial and left-handed pitcher Matt Krook were tabbed by Minor League Baseball as the best-of-the-best for their efforts as the Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Florial hit .550, playing in all six games with 11 hits over 20 at bats. He his four home runs, including two on Saturday night, drove in seven, scored ten times and stole three bases while helping pace the RailRiders’ offense to a series sweep against Buffalo. Florial, 24, was signed by the Yankees in 2015 and made his Major League debut in 2020. This season, the Barahona, Doinican Republic native sports a team-best .311 batting average with nine home runs, a team-high 28 runs batted in and leads the international league with 28 stolen bases. Krook pitched 7.2 perfect innings on Friday evening as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre beat Buffalo 8-1. The lefty struck out 10 and didn’t allow a hit until an infield single in the eighth. Krook, 27, is a native of Hillsborough, CA, and was selected in the Triple-A phase of the 2020 Rule 5 Draft from the Tampa Bay Rays. He has gone 4-6 this season with a 4.01 ERA. The southpaw has 90 strikeouts over 74 inning pitched, good enough for second among all International League pitchers this season. Florial and Krook are the first Scranton/Wilkes-Barre players to be honored by the International League this season. The RailRiders are on the road in Worcester this week. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre returns to PNC Field on Tuesday, July 12, to host the Louisville Bats. Tickets and promotional information can be found on www.swbrailriders.com.
RailRiders Bring Back READing RailRoad Program The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the return of their READing RailRoad program this spring and summer courtesy of Red Robin. READing RailRoad allows children aged 4-13 the chance to read five books and be rewarded for their work with a free ticket to an upcoming home game at PNC Field and a coupon from Red Robin. “The READing RailRoad is a simple way to keep your child reading outside of their school,” stated Jordan Steiner, the RailRiders Director of Community Relations. “We all know how rewarding sitting down with a book already is and this is a great way to add some fun and incentive plus a sense of accomplishment doing just that!” Printable bookmarks are available on the Community tab of swbrailriders.com or physical copies are available at any of the participating libraries in the area. Those libraries are: Abington Community Library Osterhout Free Library Clymer Library Pike County Public Library Hazleton Area Public Library Pittston Memorial Library Hoyt Library Taylor Community Library North Pocono Public Library Tunkhannock Public Library Parents/Guardians must register their child or children by sending their name, their child’s name, phone number, and mailing address to communityrelations@swbrailriders.com. As each book is finished, the reading log on the bookmark must be completed and the parent/guardian must initial each numbered box. When all five books are read, parents must send a completed copy or photo of the bookmark to communityrelations@swbrailriders.com. The ticket link to redeem one free Field Reserved ticket per participant will be emailed to the parent/guardian once the child has completed the five books and submitted proof. Additional tickets for friends and family will be available for purchase through the link. All tickets are digital and there is a limit of one (1) Field Reserved ticket per child who participated. There is also a limit of one (1) bookmark per child this season. The ticket voucher is redeemable for any 2022 regular season home game – tickets and seating are subject to availability. The coupon for Red Robin is good for a free kid’s meal with the purchase of any adult item. For more information or to print the bookmark, visit swbrailriders.com.
First Responder Friday Tickets Available Now As a small token of gratitude, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are giving away 50 complimentary tickets to our area’s great first responders every Friday home game during the 2022 season at PNC Field. These brave men and women have protected and served us beyond measure over the years and we are thrilled to welcome them into the park.Tickets are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are limited to four per week per first responder.First responders can register for tickets by filling out the form on the First Responder Friday page on swbrailriders.com. Our Community Relations department will contact the first responders that will receive tickets in advance of each Friday home game this season with information regarding the seats and to make further arrangements.For more information, please contact Jordan Steiner, the Director of Community Relations for the RailRiders, at jsteiner@swbrailriders.com or by calling (570) 558-4616.
RailRiders Announce 2022 Pinstripe Pals Program Participants The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, in conjunction with US Foods, are pleased to announce the ten leagues that have been selected for the 2022 Pinstripe Pals program. The winning leagues and districts are: -Forest City Baseball & Softball Association -Wallenpaupack Area Little League -Wyoming-West Wyoming Little League -Wilkes-Barre City Little LeagueMilton Little League -Millville Little League -Greater Carbondale Miss C Softball League -Valley View Little League -North Scranton Little League -Dunmore Little League 2022 marks the seventh season of the Pinstripe Pals program. Each of the ten leagues selected will receive a $500 sponsorship from the RailRiders to assist in league expenses, as well as a $500 gift card courtesy of US Foods, which can be used to help teams pay for concession stand products and supplies. Each league selected will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-game parade at PNC Field before a RailRiders home game and the opportunity for RailRiders assistance with league fundraising. Selected leagues will have a photo of their choice placed in the GuideRail game day program on their league’s night and one of the teams in each league will serve as the “Field of Dreams” club on that night and take the field with our players. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL or visit swbrailriders.com.
RailRiders University Community Series The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the Sixth Annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each spring, the RailRiders welcome local high school and special needs teams onto PNC Field to showcase their talents. 2022 RailRiders University Community Series April 31:00 P.M.The West Scranton Invaders, managed by Brian Minich, take on the crosstown-rival Scranton Knights, managed by Jamie Higgins.April 54:30 P.M.The Scranton Knights will be back at PNC Field to take on District 2-5A Champions Abington Heights Comets, led by manager Billy Zalewski.April 64:30 P.M.Division 3 powerhouses square off against each other as the Mid Valley Spartans, managed by Ryan Kropa, take on the Holy Cross Crusaders, managed by Sandy Menichetti.April 84:30 P.M.Two perennial conference champions battle as the North Pocono Trojans, skippered by Brian Jardine, host the Holy Redeemer Royals, managed by Chris Ristick.April 912:30 P.M.We welcome two new teams to PNC Field as District 4’s Athens Area Wildcats, managed by Charles Havens, play the Sayre Redskins, managed by Jamie VanDuzer.April 184:30 P.M.One of the area’s biggest rivalries hits the diamond as the Valley View Cougars, managed by Jason Munley, take on Abington Heights. May 1TBDAfter the RailRiders play Lehigh Valley, come and catch a Wyoming Valley Conference rivalry game with District 2-6A Champs. The Hazleton Area Cougars, managed by Russ Canzler, play the Crestwood Comets, led by Sean Foley.May 56:30 P.M.District 11 rivals meet at PNC Field as the Pocono Mountain East Cardinals, skippered by Matt DelGuidice, host the Stroudsburg Mountaineers, managed by Phil Stokes.May 71:00 P.M.DOUBLEHEADER- District 2- 6A champion Hazleton Area plays 6A State Champions La Salle College High School, managed by Kyle Werman. Game two features the District 2-AA Champion Riverside Vikings, managed by Sean Hughes, against the Dunmore Bucks, managed by Sid Hallinan. There is no parking or admission fee for any of the 2022 RailRiders University Community Series games. The RailRiders are also proud to host the Wyoming Valley Challenger League as part of the Community Series on May 15, June 5, 19 and July 17. RailRiders University is offering Spring Training Clinics in April. The clinics run from 9-11 A.M on April 3 and 24. One clinic session is $60.00, but participants can do both dates for $110.00 and each includes tickets for a 2022 RailRiders game and a clinic t-shirt. The RailRiders University Spring Training Clinics staff now includes former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ray Black, as well as high school and college coaches and players. Contact Robby Judge at (570) 558-4612 or rjudge@swbrailriders.com for additional information. The RailRiders University Community Series is presented by Geisinger as part of their continued commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL.
RailRiders Set Custom Jersey Nights For 2022 Season As the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders prepare for the 2022 season, the team is pleased to unveil its custom jersey nights slated for the upcoming schedule. The season begins on the road on April 5 with the home opener one week later at PNC Field. In addition to the daily promotions already announced, the RailRiders will wear five custom jerseys this season and each will be auctioned off to benefit local charities.As part of a celebration of our Armed Forces, SWB will wear red, white and blue tops over Memorial Day weekend. The players will wear these jerseys again in July and the custom tops will be auctioned off over Independence weekend. Villains be warned! Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond Night is June 3 at PNC Field. The RailRiders will wear custom Captain America-themed jerseys plus Captain America himself will be patrolling the concourse.Pride Night is slated for June 16 with a jersey auction after that Thirsty Thursday game.Paradise is found at PNC Field on July 15. That RailRiders will once again wear Margaritaville-inspired Hawaiian jerseys. Waste away and search for that lost shaker of salt with us and be sure the fireworks are to blame after the final out.Calling all Super Heros! The RailRiders return to Marvel Universe on August 6 with custom Thor jerseys. The Asgardian God of Thunder will also make a guest appearance on the concourse for fan photos.All jersey auctions in 2022 will be online through the Minor League Baseball auction site.Ticket memberships, including full, half and partial season plans, as well as a wide range of mini-plans, are on sale now and single-game tickets are available online at swbrailriders.com beginning at 10 A.M. on March 8.
Follow March Madness and Win with the RailRiders It’s nearly tournament time and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are marching on towards their 2022 season with the return of a fan-fav ticket promotion. The RailRiders are giving fans the opportunity to pair ticket packages purchased with teams from the NCAA men’s college tournament field for a chance to win. Each new Full Season Ticket Membership purchased through March 16 will be paired with FOUR NCAA men’s tournament participants. Each Half Season Ticket Membership purchased will be paired with three teams. A Partial Plan purchase will net two teams in the tournament and any Mini-Plan will be assigned one corresponding team in the big dance. The team assignments will be done on Monday, March 14, after Selection Sunday via a random lottery pick system. Teams will be assigned on a per-seat basis rather than being limited to one per account. If your designated team advances, you will be given the following prizes based on performance: Advance to the round of 32 to receive the FULL Legends Race Bobblehead Series (Both the Mantle & Munson Bobblehead AND the DiMaggio & Martin Bobblehead); advance to the Sweet 16 to receive a team hat with the classic SWB logo; advance to the Elite 8 to receive four tickets to Yankee Stadium (2 vouchers) and four Standing Room Only tickets to the Geisinger Champions Club level for a RailRiders game of their choice this season; advance to the Final 4 to receive a Roger Clemens autographed baseball, $25 gift certificate to theSWB Station Team Store and a game-worn RailRiders jersey. One person will ride their team’s success all the way to the title. If your randomly-assigned team wins the NCAA Championship, you will take home an autographed Legend’s Series bat, a personalized RailRiders jersey, 50% off RailRiders suite May through September and a $100 gift card to the SWB Station Team Store. The 2022 season opens on April 5 in Syracuse with the home opener on April 12 against the Norfolk Tides at PNC Field. Season ticket memberships and mini-plans are available now on www.swbrailriders.com and single-game tickets will be available beginning at 10 A.M. on March 8.