Saturday, October 30, 2021

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER RailRiders Raise Over $1k for the Women's Resource Center The RailRiders present a check for $1,065.52 to the Women's Resource Center in Scranton for the funds raised from their online memorabilia auction held in July during the team's Domestic Violence Awareness Night. The initiative was done in partnership with the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation with major support from Topps locally. Pictured: Jordan (Maydole) Steiner - Director of Community Relations SWB RailRiders, Peg Ruddy - Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center, and Amy Everetts - Director of Development for the Women's Resource Center RailRiders University Fall Baseball & Softball Clinics! Register now for our RailRiders U Fall Baseball & Softball Clinics in our indoor training facilities at PNC Field! Receive excellent training from our elite coaching staff! Contact Robby Judge at rjudge@swbrailriders.com or 570-558-4612 to register! DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION BATTING CAGE RENTAL BATTING CAGE RENTAL NOW OPEN FOR NOVEMBER 2021 - FEBRUARY 2022! Contact Robby Judge at rjudge@swbrailriders.com or 570-558-4612 to register to rent out our batting cages at PNC Field! TEAMS: take advantage of our weekly rental option and SAVE! See more details on the form HERE or contact Robby for more info! Ballpark Hackathon at PNC Field The RailRiders are excited to announce our first ever Ballpark Hackathon event at PNC Field in partnership with the NEPA STEM Ecosystem and their Celebration of STEM in Industry week-long event! The event is open to all high school students in the local area and will take place at PNC Field on Saturday, November 6th from 8:30am - 3pm. The event is not open to the public. Teams Register HERE RailRiders CommUNITY Visit the "COMMUNITY" tab on the RailRiders website to find more on: · Community Mascot Appearances (Non-Profit events, birthdays, etc.) · Donation Requests (fundraisers, auctions, tournaments, etc.) And MORE!  If your organization has important information to share with the community via this newsletter, contact our Director of Community Relations here. COMMUNITY PAGE Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | 235 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507

Thursday, October 14, 2021

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT COLLABORATE TO LAUNCH “MARVEL’S DEFENDERS OF THE DIAMOND” PROGRAM Storytelling giant to develop content for Syracuse Mets Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced a three-year partnership with Marvel Entertainment, one of the world’s most prominent storytelling brands, for an exciting event series that will play out in ballparks across all levels of MiLB starting in 2022. Today’s announcement was made at the “Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes” exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, which celebrates Marvel history with more than 300 artifacts including original comic book pages, sculptures, costumes and interactive displays. “MiLB’s new partnership with Marvel Entertainment brings together two storied brands who create memories that are passed down from generation to generation,” said Kurt Hunzeker, Major League Baseball’s Vice President of Minor League Business Operations. “The possibilities with this partnership are endless and we look forward to some incredibly creative content, merchandise, and promotions.” The new partnership will feature 96 MiLB teams participating in an event series called “Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond” during the 2022 through 2024 baseball seasons. The deal was facilitated by AthLife, Inc, Marvel’s longtime sports representative. In each of the three years of the partnership, all 96 participating MiLB teams will host at least one Marvel Super Heroä themed game as part of the “Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond” campaign, where teams will wear special edition Marvel Super Hero-branded jerseys on field during the game with other Marvel-themed activities and promotions taking place throughout the game. Fans may visit milb.com/marvel for the latest updates on the “Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond” series. “Over the past few years, we have seen the fans of Minor League Baseball truly embrace Marvel-themed games, so having a nearly league-wide partnership will allow us to take creativity and storytelling to the next level,” said Mike Pasciullo, Marvel Entertainment’s Vice President, Product Development and Marketing – Brand, Franchise & Sports. “And it wouldn't be Marvel if we did not have a few major surprises to unveil along the way!” As part of the wide array of custom content it will create for the new initiative, Marvel will create a “Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond” comic book for MiLB fans that will be distributed in participating MiLB ballparks throughout the partnership. Co-branded merchandise and other surprises will be unveiled in 2022. “The Syracuse Mets are all about affordable, family fun and the opportunity to partner up with Marvel for the next few years is a sure way to bring more fun to our fans at historic NBT Bank Stadium,” said Syracuse Mets General Manager Jason Smorol. Teams participating in the Marvel partnership include: Aberdeen Ironbirds, Albuquerque Isotopes, Amarillo Sod Poodles, Arkansas Travelers, Asheville Tourists, Augusta GreenJackets, Beloit Snappers, Biloxi Shuckers, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Birmingham Barons, Bowling Green Hot Rods, Buffalo Bisons, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Charleston RiverDogs, Charlotte Knights, Chattanooga Lookouts, Clearwater Threshers, Columbia Fireflies, Columbus Clippers, Corpus Christi Hooks, Dayton Dragons, Daytona Tortugas, Delmarva Shorebirds, Durham Bulls, El Paso Chihuahuas, Erie SeaWolves, Eugene Emeralds, Everett AquaSox, Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Fresno Grizzlies, Frisco RoughRiders, Great Lakes Loons, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Greenville Drive, Gwinnett Stripers, Harrisburg Senators, Hartford Yard Goats, Hickory Crawdads, Hillsboro Hops, Hudson Valley Renegades, Indianapolis Indians, Inland Empire 66ers, Iowa Cubs, Jersey Shore BlueClaws, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Lake County Captains, Lake Elsinore Storm, Lansing Lugnuts, Las Vegas Aviators, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Louisville Bats, Lynchburg Hillcats, Memphis Redbirds, Midland RockHounds, Modesto Nuts, Montgomery Biscuits, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Norfolk Tides, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Omaha Storm Chasers, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Portland SeaDogs, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Reno Aces, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Rochester Red Wings, Rocket City Trash Pandas, Rome Braves, Round Rock Express, Sacramento RiverCats, Salem Red Sox, Salt Lake Bees, San Antonio Missions, San Jose Giants, Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Somerset Patriots, South Bend Cubs, Spokane Indians, Springfield Cardinals, St. Lucie Mets, St. Paul Saints, Stockton Ports, Sugar Land Skeeters, Syracuse Mets, Tampa Tarpons, Toledo Mud Hens, Tri-City Dust Devils, Tulsa Drillers, West Michigan Whitecaps, Wichita Wind Surge, Winston-Salem Dash, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and Worcester Red Sox.

Monday, October 11, 2021

Syracuse Challenger Baseball to receive $1,100 donation as part of MiLB Homers That Help Campaign JJ Potrikus of Blink Fitness and the Syracuse Spartans matching MiLB’s $550 donation for a total of $1,100 SYRACUSE, NY – Syracuse Challenger Baseball is receiving a $1,100 donation thanks to Minor League Baseball’s Homers That Help campaign and JJ Potrikus of Blink Fitness and the Syracuse Spartans. As part of the Homers That Help campaign, each home run hit by the Syracuse Mets during the ten-game Triple-A Final Stretch led to a $50 donation to a local charity selected by each team. The Syracuse Mets selected Syracuse Challenger Baseball as the local Syracuse charity. The Mets hit 11 home runs for a total of $550. JJ Potrikus of Blink Fitness and the Syracuse Spartans matched the $550 donation, so Syracuse Challenger Baseball is receiving $1,100. “Having Major League Baseball take an interest in our community is so refreshing,” said Syracuse Mets General Manager Jason Smorol. “I am so happy that MLB is engaging with all the cities affiliated with them. I am looking forward to more of this over the coming years.” “Syracuse Challenger Baseball is immensely grateful to the Syracuse Mets and Major League Baseball for their selection of our program to be the beneficiary of funds from the “Homers that Help” community initiative,” Syracuse Challenger Baseball Executive Director Dom Cambareri said. “Their generous donation will continue to provide jerseys, equipment, trophies, and other benefits to our special needs children and adult ballplayers at no cost to them and their families.”

Friday, October 8, 2021

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders To: edwardctownsend@yahoo.com Sun, Oct 3 at 4:05 PM THANK YOU, FANS! To Our Valued Fans, After a difficult year and canceled season in 2020, what a great feeling it was to welcome you back to PNC Field this year! We're grateful for your support and we can't wait to spend this off-season in the office planning an even better 2022! Enjoy your off-season as we countdown to April 12th, our 2022 Opening Day at PNC Field! In the meantime, keep up with the latest RailRiders news, events, deals, and community updates via our e-newsletter and on our social media pages! Facebook ‌ Twitter ‌ Instagram ‌ LinkedIn ‌ 570-969-2255 2022 SEASON SCHEDULE SEASON TICKET MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | 235 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507

Friday, October 1, 2021

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (72-52) vs. Rochester Red Wings (49-74) LHP JP Sears (6-0, 2.64 ERA) vs. RHP Steven Fuentes (0-4, 17.31 ERA) | Game 125 | Road Game 61 | Frontier Field | Rochester, NY | October 1, 2021 | First Pitch 6:05 p.m. | RECORD BREAKING SEASON: In the most unusual season in modern minor league baseball history, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have done their part to re-write the franchise record book, breaking seven team single game or season-long records despite the shortened schedule. Here is a list of the known team records broken: Longest 9 inning game 4:09, 5/6 @ Syracuse Most Errors, single game 6, 9/29 at Rochester (tied) Most No-Hitters thrown, single season 2 (7/21 vs Rochester & 8/19 at Worcester) Most Strikeouts, single game (offense) 18, 8/5 vs Worcester (tied) Most Stolen Bases, single game 7, 6/29 at Worcester (tied) Most Stolen Bases, season 145 Most Walks, single game (pitching) 16, 7/28 @ Syracuse (tied) SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD: When Greg Allen stole second base in the sixth inning of game one of the doubleheader on September 25 with Syracuse, he recorded the 140th stolen base of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, setting a new franchise record. In only 120 games, the team surpassed the previous record of 139 held by the 2000 SWB Red Barons, who needed 145 games to set the mark. Through 122 games, the RailRiders have stolen 145 bases in 184 attempts in the 2021 season (78.8% success). The pace of thievery has ticked up in September, with SWB currently 38-for-45 in steal attempts in 24 games during the month (1.58 steals/game). Andrew Velazquez leads the team with 29 stolen bases in 77 games, and Greg Allen (25) and Socrates Brito (23) have also recorded 20-or-more steals. With one more steal, Velazquez can become the first SWB player with 30 steals in a season since Brett Gardner stole 37 with the 2008 SWB Yankees. STOP HITTING ME!: A prevailing trend around professional baseball has been an uptick in hit batsmen this year, and the RailRiders hitters have not been immune. SWB batters have been plunked 96 times this season, the most of any Triple-A or Double-A team this year. Greg Allen leads the team with 18 HBP in 256 PA, while Rob Brantly and Derek Dietrich are tied for second with 14 each (in 257 and 160 PA, respectively). Max McDowell has been plunked 11 times in only 152 PA. An individual RailRiders batter has been hit by a pitch twice in a game six times this season, including Allen twice, a feat which ties a franchise record and had not been accomplished since 2016 (Cesar Puello, 4/27 vs Lehigh Valley). OFFENSIVE MARKS: At the end of the 2021 regular season, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders had a combined team on-base percentage of .353, which is the best mark in franchise history. It narrowly beats out the .351 OBP posted by the 2019 RailRiders, despite the team’s batting average being 23-points lower in 2021. This is only the fourth time in the 31-year history of the franchise that SWB has posted a team OBP of greater than .345. HOMERS THAT HELP: As part of The Final StretchTM, Minor League Baseball has announced that it will be donating $50 for each home run hit by each club to a charity within that club’s local community. The RailRiders are hitting home runs to benefit the Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball. Through five Final StretchTM games, the RailRiders have hit nine home runs for a total donation thus far of $450. The Triple-A team which hits the most home runs during the final stretch will receive a $5,000 bonus for their designated organization. CLOSE CALLS & BLOWOUTS: The RailRiders have played an extraordinary number of close games this season, with 59 of SWB’s 124 games being decided by one or two runs (47.6%). Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has performed approximately average in these close contests, going 15-16 (.484) in one-run games and 16-12 (.571) in two-run games. However, the RailRiders have also participated in their share of extreme blowout games, decided by eight-or-more runs. In 13 such contests, SWB is 11-2 (.846) on the season, and is part of the reason why the team is +139 in run differential this season, the third-best mark in Triple-A East. EYES ON THE FINAL STRETCHTM PRIZE...WHATEVER IT IS: Unlike all other classifications, Triple-A does not have playoffs this year, with instead every team playing 10 extra games in the Triple-A Final Stretch. The Triple-A Final Stretch is a 10-game, 2-week “postseason tournament” which has already seen SWB host Syracuse for five games and concludes with the current series at Rochester. The team with the best overall record over the 10-game period will be dubbed the Final Stretch Champion and receive a prize that MLB has unbelievably still not announced despite the fact that Triple-A’s Final Stretch ends on Sunday. Team and individual statistics achieved during the Triple-A Final Stretch will be counted toward regular season numbers, making The Final Stretch a Schrödinger’s Cat paradox where it is both the postseason and the regular season at the same time.