Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Events Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival A star-studded lineup will perform at PNC Field on Friday, June 16, and tickets go on sale this week. Bert “The Machine” Kreischer announced today he will be starting the party back up this summer with his second annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival in June at sixteen of the most iconic ballparks and arenas across the country.NEPA’s biggest comedy event of the year will feature a “Fully Loaded” line-up including Bert Kreischer, Tiffany Haddish, Dave Attell, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder and Tammy Pescatelli.Promoted by Outback Presents, Presale begins Wednesday, March 8 at 10 A.M. with the full on-sale to the public set for Friday, March 10, at 10 A.M.“Fully Loaded is the best ticket you can buy in entertainment this summer – Indoors, outdoors, baseball stadiums, arenas, and The Gorge,” said Kreischer. “The Fully Loaded lineups are top to bottom the best talent to have ever graced stand-up stages. An absolute no-brainer for any comedy fan.”The concept for the Fully Loaded Comedy Festival was conceived during Bert’s 2020 Hot Summer Nights Tour while performing at drive-in venues during the pandemic. He fell in love with the unconventional aspect of outdoor comedy shows, which sparked the idea to create a top-tier showcase that had never been done before. Having fond memories of the original Lollapalooza, Bert founded his own comedy version that would encompass everything he loves: comedy, the outdoors, good times, and drinking with friends to give fans an experience they will be talking about for years to come.This year the festival will partner with the charity Comedy Gives Back. They are an organization founded as a safety net for comics by providing them with financial crisis relief, mental health support and more to those that need help.Kreischer’s career has evolved from earning Rolling Stone’s 1997 “Number One Partier in the Nation,” to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business. In 2022, Pollstar listed Bert as #4 in the “Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours”, performing to sold-out arenas around the globe. He is currently on his 2023 Tops Off World Tour.As one of the best storytellers of his generation, Kreischer seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood while showing his ability to prove “that there’s a way to take his [party-boy] antics into middle-age,” (Forbes) On March 14, he will release his highly anticipated fifth stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless — and shirtless — as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids and the explosive end to his family’s escape room outing. His stand-up specials Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are currently streaming on Netflix.As if that wasn’t enough, Kreischer tops off this summer as the star in the Legendary/ Sony picture film, The Machine, exclusively in theatres across the country May 26. Set 23 years after the study abroad experience he chronicled in his 2016 Showtime stand-up special, the movie follows Kreischer as the Russian mafia finally catches up with him after all these years and seeks retribution for the crimes that he committed in their country as a rowdy, drunken college student.In additional to a successful stand-up career, Kreischer has made himself a household name in the podcast world with several top comedy podcasts including Bertcast and Two Bears One Cave that he co-hosts with Tom Segura. He also hosts the popular YouTube cooking show, Something’s Burning.FULLY LOADED COMEDY FESTIVAL 2023:06/14/23 – Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium06/15/23 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena06/16/23 – Moosic, PA – PNC Field06/17/23 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion06/22/23 – Traverse City, MI – Turtle Creek Stadium06/23/23 – Fort Wayne, IN – Parkview Field06/24/23 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center06/25/23 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena07/06/23 – Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater07/07/23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center07/08/23 – Memphis, TN – AutoZone Park07/09/23 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center07/12/23 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena07/13/23 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Arena07/14/23 – Boise, ID – ExtraMile Arena07/15/23 – George, WA – Gorge AmphitheatreLineup varies by market and is subject to change. Additional special guests to be announced. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders to Participate in Copa de la Diversión The Scranton/Wilkes Barre Railriders will be participating in the Copa de la Diversión® (Fun Cup™) event series. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will be Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Vejigantes Puerto Rican Folkloric Character. The Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) unveiled the schedule of games and the 95 on-fieldHispanic identities for this season’s Copa de la Diversión® (Fun Cup™) event series. Continuing its annual expansion into more communities, eight new teams joined Copa de la Diversión (“Copa”) this season, with four teams returning with rebranded personas.The 405-game event series will kick off April 6 in Columbus, Ohio, with Nationwide returning as the Official Insurance Partner of the Copa initiative.The eight MiLB teams joining Copa for the first time include the Augusta GreenJackets, Beloit Sky Carp, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Fredericksburg Nationals, Lynchburg Hillcats, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Rocket City Trash Pandas, and Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Four teams – the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Daytona Tortugas, Durham Bulls, and Reno Aces – return with all-new identities, while the Chattanooga Lookouts, El Paso Chihuahuas, and Fayetteville Woodpeckers are back with rebranded looks. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs added an additional Copa identity for 2023.Five clubs playing in MLB Partner Leagues will be part of the Copa fun in 2023, with the Boise Hawks, Gateway Grizzlies, Milwaukee Milkmen, Rocky Mountain Vibes, and Tri-City ValleyCats joining the program.Through the success of the Copa program, now in its sixth season, MiLB has solidified its commitment to the long-term growth of its U.S. Latino/a communities and its diversity and inclusion efforts across the country. During the first five seasons of the initiative, Copadesignatedgames had a nearly 20% higher average attendance than non-Copa games, as teams extended their reach into local communities and partnered with more than 200 local Latino/a organizations on various events and charitable endeavors.“The Copa de la Diversión initiative allows our teams to connect with the Latino/a population in their community in an authentic manner,” said Billy Bean, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Special Assistant to the Commissioner. “Thecontinued growth of this initiative reinforces the importance of connecting with our Latino/a fans and the Latino/a community, creating a deeper and more meaningful fan experience.”“Nationwide is proud to support MiLB’s continued efforts to showcase the unique on-field Hispanic identities of the 95 participating clubs around the league, including our hometown Veleros de Columbus,” said Jim McCoy, associate vice president of Sports Marketing for Nationwide. “As an Official Partner of the Copa initiative, it’s great to see the continued expansion and elevation of the program that celebrates Hispanic culture at the ballpark and in the community.”At the end of the season, a panel comprised of industry experts and civic leaders will recognize the top-performing teams in several categories, including ballpark experience, community engagement, and philanthropic impact, and one team will be named the overall Copa de la Diversión champion with an award presented by Nationwide. Previous winners include the Mariachis de Nuevo México (2018 and 2019), the Wepas de Worcester (2021), and the Soñadores de Hillsboro (2022). Last season, Nationwide included a $5,000 donation to Hillsboro to further amplify their efforts in the community.For more information on Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative and to purchase tickets or official merchandise, visit MiLB.com/copa.MLB Partner League team. The MLB Partner Leagues are comprised of the American Association, the Atlantic League, the Frontier League, and the Pioneer League.
RailRiders Extend Partnership with Bold Gold Media Group The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have agreed to a two-year extension of their radio broadcast partnership with Bold Gold Media Group through the end of the 2024 International League season. All 150 RailRiders regular season games will be heard on “The Mothership” and its network of five frequencies across NEPA.Scranton/Wilkes-Barre games can be heard locally on 1400 WICK-AM (Lackawanna & Luzerne Counties), 1440 WCDL-AM (Lackawanna County & Pocono Lake Region), 93.5 FM (Scranton & Northern Lackawanna County), 106.7 FM (Wayne & Pike Counties) and 107.9 FM (Lackawanna County). In addition to radio broadcasts heard across the region, all RailRiders games will be streamed live on the web with links available through swbrailriders.com and boldgoldradionepa.com. The broadcasts are also streamed through Bold Gold’s free RadioBOLD app and MiLB’s First Pitch app.Adam Marco enters his sixth year as the “Voice of the RailRiders,” having joined the franchise in 2018. Last November, he was honored as Ballpark Digest’s Minor League Broadcaster of the Year.Emily Messina will join the broadcast team for the 2023 season. She spent the past three seasons as the lead broadcaster and Media Relations Manager of the Reading Fightin Phils, the Philadelphia Phillies Double-A affiliate. Previously, Messina broadcast games for the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League. She has also had stints in the Arizona Fall League and with the Lynchburg Hillcats in the Cleveland Indians minor league system. In the offseason, Messina calls a variety of sports including field hockey, basketball and swimming. She is a 2019 graduate of the Catholic University of America, where she was a four-year varsity athlete.Each RailRiders’ radio broadcast begins 20 minutes prior to first pitch. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-2255.
RailRiders 2023 Promotions, Giveaways & Themes Announced Opening Day at PNC Field is 29 days away and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are thrilled to unveil their 2023 promotional and giveaway schedule. Later this month, the RailRiders begin a home schedule that currently features 16 giveaways, 12 fireworks nights, six custom jerseys, four Copa de la Diversión games and much more! 2023 Promotional Calendar Highlights:Opening Day is March 31 against the Buffalo Bisons. Gates will open at 5:30 P.M. with a magnetic schedule giveaway courtesy of Highmark BCBS for the first 2,000 fans. First pitch is slated for 6:35 and, after the final out, pyrotechnics will light up the sky with our first fireworks show of the season.During the year, fans can enjoy 11 additional post game fireworks extravaganzas. Friday Night Fireworks begin on May 26 and will follow every Friday home game for the rest of the season. Plus we have added a Saturday show on August 12!Copa de la Diversión is back for a fourth year with dates scheduled for May 5, June 22, July 6 and August 10, all presented by La Tolteca.Replica Jersey Giveaways on April 15 and September 16 are set to honor two of baseball’s legendary players. The RailRiders will give away a “42” replica home jersey in April honoring Jackie Robinson and a replica alternate jersey in September paying tribute to Roberto Clemente. The “21” jersey is presented by La Tolteca.On May 6, this is the way to fun as Star Wars Night returns to a galaxy close to you. The RailRiders will don custom jerseys set to be auctioned off to benefit NEPA Inclusive. Gates open at 3 and the first 2,000 fans will get a pair of custom SWB socks. During the game, galactic agents of good and evil will patrol the concourse for photo opportunities.May 10 and 24 are STEM School Days, presented by Penn State Scranton, Hazleton, and Wilke-Barre. First pitch on each date is set for 11:05 A.M., but prior to the games, students from across NEPA will have the chance to participate in our annual trebuchet competition.Military Appreciation Day is May 27 with a 4:05 P.M. first pitch. Gates open at 3 with a RailRiders boonie hat giveaway courtesy of MetLife.Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond return to PNC Field on June 9 with custom jerseys to be auctioned off benefitting the Ronald McDonald House.This season’s bobblehead lineup features three can’t-miss giveaways for the first 2,500 fans. Help celebrate manager Shelley Duncan’s return to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 10 with a Bobble Gnome Giveaway courtesy of PNC Bank.June 11 is our first-ever Sensory Friendly Day. We will provide a sensory-safe environment for fans of all ages as the team takes on the Worcester Red Sox with a 1:05 P.M. first pitch, including reduced ballpark sounds, ZENsory Zone on-hand with sensory-friendly activities and much more.June 22 is the RailRiders Open with a golf towel giveaway. Be the ball and enjoy a golf-inspired night with your best scramble to the ballpark.Celebrate our nation’s independence at PNC Field on July 4. Lehigh Valley is in town for a 6:35 P.M. first pitch that night and we will have an extended fireworks show after the game as we honor America courtesy of the PA Lottery!If you are looking for something for the kids, check out our exclusive Kids-Only giveaway dates on July 9 and August 27. July 9 is CHAMP’S birthday and the first 500 kids 12 & younger will receive a replica jersey honoring everyone’s favorite mascot, presented by Casey Dental. On August 27, the first 500 kids 12 & younger get a paintable CHAMP figurine.Level up on Retro Video Game Night July 22 with an Anthony Volpe Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 2,500 fans. Plus the team will wear custom jerseys to be auctioned off, benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters, as we honor the classics from the golden age of video gaming. Waste away at Margaritaville Night on August 15 with a Hawaiian Shirt Giveaway and custom jerseys auctioned off to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at the Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville, presented by Giant.We all know that there ain’t no party like a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre party, so don’t miss our Office Olympics Night on August 12. Gates at 5 P.M. with an Oswald Peraza & Oswaldo Cabrera Dual Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 2,500 fans, games that would make any office proud and maybe even a celebrity fun run plus post game fireworks!Throw it back old school style on 90s Night August 26. The first 2,000 fans will receive a fuzzy bucket hat and the players will wear custom jerseys to be auctioned off benefitting the American Red Cross. All giveaways are for the first 2,000 fans this season unless otherwise noted.All promotions, theme nights and giveaways remain subject to change. More details and appearances will be announced as the 2023 season approaches.Single-game tickets go on sale March 4 at 11 A.M. online at swbrailriders.com.2023 Giveaways and Theme NightsMarch 31 Opening Day! Magnetic Schedule Giveaway presented by Highmark; Post Game FireworksApril 1 Clear Tote Bag GiveawayApril 15 RailRiders “42” Replica Home Jersey GiveawayMay 5 Copa de la Diversión presented by La ToltecaMay 6 Star Wars Night with a Custom Jersey Auction benefitting NEPA Exclusive;SWB Socks GiveawayMay 10 STEM School Day presented by Penn State Scranton, Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre;May 13 Fleece Blanket GiveawayMay 14 Mother’s Day at PNC Field with #1 Mom Coffee Mug Giveaway for the first 500 MomsMay 24 STEM School Day presented by Penn State Scranton, Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre;May 26 Post Game FireworksMay 27 Military Appreciation Day with a RailRiders Boonie Hat Giveaway presented by MetLifeJune 9 Defenders of the Diamond Night with a Custom Jersey Auction benefittingRonald McDonald House; Boy Scout Night;Post Game FireworksJune 10 Shelley Duncan Bobble Gnome Giveaway courtesy of PNC BankJune 11 Sensory Friendly DayJune 22 Pride NightJune 23 Copa de la Diversión presented by La Tolteca; Post Game FireworksJune 24 RailRiders Open with a Golf Towel GiveawayJuly 4 Independence Day Celebration with an Extended Post Game Fireworks Extravaganzapresented by the PA LotteryJuly 6 Copa de la Diversión presented by La ToltecaJuly 7 Post Game FireworksJuly 9 CHAMP’S Birthday with a Custom Jersey Giveaway for the first 500 kids 12 and youngerpresented by Casey DentalJuly 21 Post Game FireworksJuly 22 Retro Video Game Night with an Anthony Volpe Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 2,500 fans; Custom Jersey Auction benefitting Big Brothers Big SistersAugust 4 Faith & Family Night; Post Game FireworksAugust 5 Margaritaville Night presented by Giant with a Hawaiian Shirt Giveaway and a Custom JerseyAuction to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network; Girl Scout NightAugust 10 Copa de la Diversión presented by La ToltecaAugust 11 Post Game FireworksAugust 12 Office Olympics Night with an Oswald Peraza/ Oswaldo Cabrera Dual Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 2,500 fans; Post Game FireworksAugust 25 Post Game FireworksAugust 26 90s Night with a fuzzy SWB Bucket Hat Giveaway and a Custom Jersey Auction benefitting the American Red CrossAugust 27 Paintable Champ Figurine Giveaway for the first 500 kids 12 and youngerSeptember 15 Post Game FireworksSeptember 16 SWB “21” Replica Jersey Giveaway honoring Roberto Clemente courtesy of La ToltecaSeptember 17 Fan Appreciation Day
RailRiders University Community Series Begins April 5 Annual series puts local high school and special needs teams on PNC Field 13 times this year.The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the seventh annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each year, the RailRiders welcome local high school and special needs teams onto PNC Field to showcase their talents. 2023 RailRiders University Community SeriesDate Time Game Details April 5 4:30 P.M. Wyoming Seminary High School vs. Holy Redeemer High SchoolDoubleheader A battle of first-year head coaches starts the schedule when Kyle Ofier and the Blue Knights take on Ryan Knowles and the Royals.Riverside High School vs. Holy Cross High SchoolRailRiders University instructor Sean Hughes leads the Vikings against the defending District 2 Champion Crusaders, led by Sandy Menichetti. April 6 4:30 P.M. Hanover Area High School vs. Greater Nanticoke High SchoolEric Spencer’s Trojans and Todd Kolbicka’s Hawkeyes return to PNC Field. April 10 3:00 P.M. Western Wayne High School vs. Mid Valley High SchoolWildcats John Bonyl takes on RRU instructor Ryan Kropa’s Spartans. April 17 4:30 P.M. Delaware Valley High School vs. North Pocono High SchoolRRU instructor Brian Jardine and the Trojans host Sean Gilbin and the Warriors, who are making their PNC Field debut. April 21 4:30 P.M. Panther Valley High School vs. Abington Heights High SchoolThe Comets and RRU’s Billy Zalewski, host the Panthers from District 11.April 24 4:30 P.M. West Scranton High School vs. Scranton High School Jamie Higgins, a RRU instructor, and the Knights host Brian Minnich and the Invaders in this classic rivalry match-up.Triple-A Affiliate of theScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersPNC Field 235 Montage Mountain Road Moosic, PA 18507 570-969-2255 www.swbrailriders.commedia advisoryApril 28 4:30 P.M. Blue Ridge High School vs. Mid Valley High SchoolThe Spartans host coach Rob Dibble and the Raiders. May 1 4:30 P.M. Valley View High School vs. Abington Heights High SchoolAnother great rivalry game that pits the Cougars, led by Jason Munley, against the Comets. May 7 TBD Crestwood High School vs. Dallas High SchoolAfter the RailRiders host the Rochester Red Wings, Sean Foley’s Comets and Mike Viglione’s Mountaineers wrap our Community Series with a rivalry clash. There is no parking or admission fee for any of the 2023 RailRiders University Community Series games.The RailRiders are also proud to host the Wyoming Valley Challenger League as part of the Community Series on June 11, 25 and July 9. RailRiders University will host three camps this summer – June 27-29, July 25-27 and August 15-17. Save the dates now and be sure to book your six to 14 year-old once registration begins. Contact Robby Judge at (570) 558-4612 or rjudge@swbrailriders.com for additional information.The 2023 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.
Scranton/Wilkes Barre Railriders Tickets On Sale March 4 The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will put single-game tickets for the 2023 season on sale Saturday, March 4, beginning at 11 A.M. The RailRiders will commemorate this first chance to buy individual game tickets with a Preseason Preview at PNC Field from 11 A.M. until 2 P.M. Individual tickets for any game will be available online only beginning at 11 A.M. at swbrailriders.com.The RailRiders start their season at home on March 31 against the Buffalo Bisons and host 75 games at PNC Field this season, including games on Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend and July 4! Make plans to prepare for 2023 with chances to win big discounts and prizes during the Preseason Preview! Beat-the-ClockStarting at 11 A.M. on March 4, fans can once again Beat-the-Clock and save big on Opening Day tickets at the PNC Field Box Office.Starting at 11, get Field Reserved tickets for Opening Day for $1.00 at the box office until 11:59:59 A.M.From noon until 1 P.M., Opening Day Field Reserved tickets are just $2.00. From 1-2, those same tickets will be $3.00 each! This ticket offer is only valid in-person at the box office and the ticket discount is limited to eight tickets per person. Ticketing at PNC Field is all digital. Treasure HuntNavigate PNC Field searching for clues to find treasure! This can’t-miss scavenger hunt will take you around the park and could lead to prizes, memorabilia and special offers if you find your way.BP & Swing for Savings!Take your Spring Training cuts with a round of batting practice. All ages are welcome to take some practice hacks in the RailRiders home batting cages.Triple-A Affiliate of theScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersPNC Field 235 Montage Mountain Road Moosic, PA 18507 570-969-2255 www.swbrailriders.commedia advisory This year, fans can Swing for Savings with a great offer on a new full season ticket membership. Take three swings and your highest velocity will be your discount on a full season membership. Hit a home run and you’ll get $150 off a full season ticket plan plus a free 2023 membership for the Toyota Power Zone (the new game day HitTrax club at PNC Field). A $50 ticket membership deposit is required to Swing for Savings.CHAMP’S Kids Club Membership Pick-upCHAMP’s Kids Club members can pick up their official membership cards and gifts in the Geisinger Champions Club between 11-2. If you aren’t a member of CHAMP’S Kids Club, presented by Casey Dental, click here or sign your kids up during this preseason preview! Trivia ChallengeStop by the Geisinger Champions Club at 11:30 or 12:30 and test your knowledge will the RailRiders Trivia Challenge. Each game will last about 15 minutes, making sure you have time to enjoy everything going on at the ballpark. You’ll have the chance to win great prizes, like an Aaron Judge RSVLTS shirt, gift cards and autographed memorabilia.Each game will consist of three rounds of trivial questions: SWB Baseball, Classic MLB and Name that Tune! VIP ToursGet a personal tour and see what we have to offer at PNC Field!The RailRiders Team Store will be open from 11-2. Plus… Some new 2023 ballpark food options and beverages will be available for purchase.Make plans to join us on Saturday, March 4, for the RailRiders Preseason Preview at PNC Field!
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Announce Field Staff Shelley Duncan’s first SWB field staff features five returnees from the 2022 staff and three newcomers The New York Yankees have announced the field staff for each of their minor league affiliates. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Manager Shelley Duncan will be joined in the dugout by Pitching Coach Graham Johnson, Hitting Coach Trevor Amicone and Athletic Trainer Jimmy Downam, each of whom returns for their second season at Triple-A.José Javier joins the field staff this season as the club’s new Defensive Coach. Additionally, Ryan Williams is the new Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sullivan Lyons will be the team’s new Video & Travel Assistant. Jim Billington and Nick Loeffelholz both return to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the same roles they held last season. Billington is the RailRiders’ Home Clubhouse Manager while Loeffelholz is the Advance Scouting Analyst. New York announced Manager Shelley Duncan’s return to the organization on January 20. Duncan was drafted by the Yankees and appeared in 905 games while a Yankees’ farmhand. 2023 marks the fifth season in Duncan’s managerial career and the first at Triple-A for the 2009 International League Most Valuable Player. Johnson, 37, served as the RailRiders Pitching Coach in 2022, providing tutelage to a staff that finished with an International League-best 3.89 ERA and the third-most strikeouts. He spent several seasons in the Houston Astros organization as a pitching coach in the lower levels of Minor League Baseball before joining the Yankees farm system last year. Johnson played at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO, before becoming a graduate assistant at Lindenwood University, completing his Master’s of Education with an emphasis in strength and conditioning degree in 2010. After a stint with Western Illinois University, he joined the staff at Morehead State. Johnson was the pitching coach for the Eagles from 2012-17 and also served as an assistant head coach, overseeing field maintenance and the academic development of all student-athletes involved in the baseball program. Amicone, 35, also returns to the role he held in 2022 with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The RailRiders hit .249 last season with 173 home runs, though the club had the second-best batting average and fourth-best on-base percentage over the final 95 games of the 150-game slate. Amicone joined the Yankees organization in 2020 and spent last season with New York’s Dominican Summer League team. The Sandy, Utah, native has served as an assistant coach and camp coordinator for the Dixie State baseball program as well as the head baseball coach at Woods Cross High School in Utah. He has also worked privately with hitters at the professional, college, high school and youth levels. His father, Marc, is the General Manager of the Salt Lake Bees in the Pacific Coast League. Javier, 30, will serve as the Defensive Coach for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was initially signed by New York as a non-drafted free agent in 2010 and played six seasons in the Yankees’ minor league system. 2023 will be Javier’s seventh season as a coach in the organization, having spent time at each level, including serving as the Defensive Coach for the Hudson Valley Renegades last year.2023 marks Downam’s eleventh season with the Yankees as an Athletic Trainer and his second straight year in Triple-A. He joined the Yankees in 2013 as the trainer for Staten Island and also spent three seasons with Charleston from 2014 through 2016. Downam spent five seasons as New York’s Double-A trainer between time in Trenton and Somerset. He attended Liberty University, where he received his B.S. in Athletic Training in 2009 and an M.S. in sports administration in 2012.Williams has spent the last two seasons with the Somerset Patriots as their Strength & Conditioning Coach. He is a 2019 graduate of Limestone University and interned at both the University of South Carolina Upstate and Campbell University. Williams also served as a strength & conditioning coach at Cressey Sports Performance before joining the Yankees organization. Please direct all interview requests to Adam Marco, the Director of Communications for the RailRiders. He can be reached at (570) 558-4637 or via email at amarco@swbrailriders.com. The RailRiders’ 2023 season begins at PNC Field on March 31 against the Buffalo Bisons. Season ticket memberships, including full, half, partial and flex plans, are available now. Visit www.swbrailriders.com for more information.
RailRiders Announce Promotions and New Hires The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are excited to announce key promotions and additions to their front office staff. Opening Day is March 31 and the team is gearing up for the new campaign with several promotions and hires across multiple departments. “The 2023 season will be here before we know it and we are thrilled to promote several staff members while also adding talent to our staff,” said Katie Beekman, General Manager of the RailRiders. “Any new season in Minor League Baseball always brings some change in every front office. We believe these promotions will put our staff in a tremendous place to succeed. Our new hires are primarily focused on expanding our ticket and premium sales departments to improve customer service and make it easier for fans to enjoy a game at PNC Field.” In December, Matt Hamilton was promoted to the role of Assistant General Manager. Kristina Knight was promoted to Senior Director, Partnership Management & Marketing. Ryan Long has been promoted to Senior Director of Stadium Operations and Dustin Spiegel is now the team’s Manager of Field Operations. Hamilton joined the RailRiders staff before the 2022 season as the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. He graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2010 and spent seven years as a news reporter and anchor before a transition to media sales. He joined the Amarillo Sod Poodles in 2018. In three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate, Hamilton advanced from serving as a corporate partnerships executive to leading the department. In his new role with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Hamilton’s responsibilities will include overseeing corporate partnerships, premium sales, group sales and ticketing. Knight joined the RailRiders front office team in January 2006 as a Ticket Account Executive. After the announcement of the New York Yankees affiliation, she was promoted to Group Sales Manager. After one year in Group Sales, she was named Sponsor Service Manager. She was then promoted to the position of Senior Sponsor Service Manager. In addition to handling sponsorship accounts and activations, she will oversee the RailRiders Marketing and Game Day Entertainment. She is a 2001 graduate of Riverside Jr./Sr. High School and in 2005 earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Bloomsburg University. Long joined the RailRiders staff in January 2021 as Director of Ballpark Operations. He attended Lackawanna College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Sports Administration. He then went on to Misericordia, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Management. Long has over 15 years of experience, serving in buildings such as Comerica Park in Detroit, the American Airlines Center in Dallas and the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Spiegel has been with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since the 2019 season as the Assistant Groundskeeper. Before joining the RailRiders, he spent three years in the same role for the Lexington Legends in the South Atlantic League. Spiegel is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Turfgrass Management. In addition to these promotions, the RailRiders have added seven staff members to the front office over the last few months. Patrick Cawley has rejoined the RailRiders front office as the Director of Finance. He is a 2002 graduate of Pittston Area High School and a graduate of Misericordia University. During his time at Misericordia University, he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2007 and went on to complete his MBA in 2010. Cawley worked for SWB as their Senior Accountant from October 2020 through December 2021. Mark Ambrose joined the RailRiders in December as an Account Executive in Season Ticket Sales. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Recreation Management in 2021 and will finish his masters in Business Administration in 2023, earning both degrees from Keystone College. Ambrose, a Honesdale, PA, native was a member of the men’s basketball team as a walk-on from 2018 through 2021. Colby Emma has been hired as a Group Sales Executive. He grew up in Scituate, Rhode Island. He attended Clarkson University, where he received his bachelor’s degree, as well as attending Northeastern University, where he received his master’s degree in Sports Leadership. Spencer Barberree joins the staff as an Account Executive in Premium Sales. He is from Carlsbad, California, and after high school attended Texas A&M at Galveston, graduating in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies. During the 2022 season or shortly after, Anthony Daniel, Krista Lutzick and Dan Ross were added to the front-office roster in full-time positions. Daniel joined the RailRiders last summer as Account Executive in the Season Ticket Sales department. A native of Easton, PA, he attended East Stroudsburg University and majored in Sports Management. After graduating in 2021, he went on to work for Kevin Garnett’s Big Ticket Sports as their event operations intern. Lutzick was a Community Relations Intern at the beginning of the 2022 season and was hired as the Community Relations Manager in August. Originally from Northeast Pennsylvania, she moved to Nashville in 2013 to attend Belmont University to study the music business. She graduated from Belmont University in 2016 and worked in the music industry for seven years. Lutzick will graduate with her Master of Science in Sport Management from Liberty University this spring. Ross joined the franchise’s front office in January 2022 after serving as a sales intern for the 2021 season. In October, he was hired full-time as the Ticket Operations Manager. He is a native of Stroudsburg and attended East Stroudsburg University. Ross graduated from ESU in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Management. For more information on these personnel moves or the upcoming season, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-2255 or visit swbrailriders.com.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders Announce New Manager The New York Yankees have announced that Shelley Duncan has been named as the new manager for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Duncan re-joins the organization that drafted him and will lead the franchise that he won the International League MVP Award with in 2009. “We are extremely excited to bring Shelley Duncan back to the organization where he began his professional journey – and specifically back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he had tremendous success and was part of the 2009 International League Championship club,” said Kevin Reese, the Director of Player Development for the New York Yankees. “Shelley’s knowledge as well as his experiences growing up in the game, as a player and as a coach will serve our players well.” Duncan, 43, was drafted by the Yankees in 2001; a second-round selection out of the University of Arizona. He reached Triple-A with Columbus in 2006 and spent portions of three seasons in an SWB Yankees uniform. Duncan appeared in 272 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre between 2007 and 2009. In ‘09, he hit .277 with 30 home runs and 99 runs batted in over 123 games, garnering the nod for IL MVP. His Major League career spanned 330 games for the Yankees, Cleveland and Tampa Bay over seven years. “It means the world to me to return to the New York Yankees,” Duncan said. “The way I was taught the game of baseball at the professional level is the Yankee way. The values that have been instilled in me on how to play the game were established pretty much day one after I got drafted. Everywhere I have gone since my time with New York, I have taken those values and details on what makes a winning baseball player with me. I let them shape who I was as a player or who I am as a manager. To be able to come back to the organization is extremely special. Not only do I feel nostalgic about it, but it gives me a good feeling inside to go back to a place that matches all of those values that make me who I am as a baseball person.” “In the years since I left, the Yankees have evolved at a completely different level than any other team in baseball,” Duncan added. “In an era where we are being inundated with tons of data and information. Where technology is taking over the game with cameras all over the ballpark, being able to measure absolutely everything on the field, the Yankees are leading all of baseball in this evolution. This is something I’m so excited to be a part of; to learn things and see things I haven’t seen before from an organization that is leading the way in innovation.” Duncan managed in the Arizona Diamondbacks system between 2015 and 2018, leading teams in Hillsboro, Visalia and Jackson. He led the Hops to the Northwest League title in 2015 and the Generals to the Southern League crown in 2018. Duncan’s managerial record stands at 231-199 over four seasons. Since leaving the Diamondbacks organization, he has served as the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Field Coordinator and as an Analytics Coordinator for the Chicago White Sox. “We are thrilled to welcome Shelley back to NEPA and into the RailRiders dugout,” stated Katie Beekman, the team’s General Manager. “He was a fan-favorite when he played here and we haven’t forgotten his energy and passion for the game. This addition absolutely adds to the building excitement as the 2023 season approaches.” Please direct interview or photo requests to Adam Marco. The remainder of the RailRiders 2023 field and support staff will be announced at a later time. Opening Day is March 31 at PNC Field against the Buffalo Bisons. Ticket packages for the 2023 season are available now. To purchase tickets, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact a ticket sales representative at (570) 969-BALL.
SWB RailRiders’ Pinstripe Pals Program The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, in partnership with US Foods, are pleased to announce that the Pinstripe Pals program has returned in support of area youth softball and baseball leagues. Applications are being accepted now and 10 youth leagues will be selected for the program this year. League representatives are encouraged to fill out the Pinstripe Pals application form and submit a 500-word (or less) essay describing why their league should be chosen. 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. Applications are due by March 3. 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 designated night. One of the teams in each league will serve as the “Field of Dreams” club on that night and take the field with the RailRiders players. Applications can be found on our website under the Community tab or upon request. Completed applications can be emailed to Robby Judge at rjudge@swbrailriders.com, faxed to (570) 963-6564 or mailed to: SWB RailRiders Attn: Pinstripe Pals 235 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507 Winning leagues will be announced on March 10. For more information on the Pinstripe Pals program, presented by US Foods, please contact Krista Lutzick or Robby Judge at (570) 969-2255. The 2023 season begins on March 31 at PNC Field with a three-game weekend set against the Buffalo Bisons. Season ticket memberships and mini-plans are available now on www.swbrailriders.com.
Score Big Prizes with RailRiders Football Squares Promotion With Super Bowl LVII only weeks away, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are bringing back a fan-favorite promotion with the chance to win great prizes. Fans can purchase flex plans, partial, half or full season memberships to get involved in the RailRiders Football Squares promotion with the opportunity to win big on February 12.Chances to win occur with the score at the end of each quarter and at the end of the game. The scores will reward you with fun prizes and experiences in 2023. Squares correspond with the nuber of packages purchased, so buy multiple plans or memberships for more chances to win!With the purchase of one flex plan, you will receive one square. If you purchase a partial season plan, you will receive two squares. A half-season plan will receive three squares and any full-season membership purchased will net four squares. All squares are placed at random. Winners are determined by looking at the last number in each team’s score at the end of each quarter and then matching those numbers on the grid and seeing which square intersects those two numbers.Winning Outcomes:Match the score at the end of the first quarter and win a RailRiders Beach Package including two beach chairs, two beach towels, two coolers, two Hawaiian Shirts and a $25 gift card to the SWB Team StoreMatch the score at the end of the second quarter and you’ll receive a RailRiders Bobblehead Package featuring SIX bobbleheads- Nestor Cortes, Nick Swisher, Derek Jeter, Aaron Judge, Thor, and a Joe DiMaggio and Billy Martin dual bobblehead- PLUS a $25 gift card to the SWB Team Store.Match the score at the end of the third quarter and win a RailRiders Legends Package that includes four tickets to a New York Yankees game, four Geisinger Champions Club tickets for April or May, a game-worn jersey, an autographed Legends Series bat and a $25 gift card to the SWB Team Store. • Match the score at the end of the fourth quarter and win the RailRiders Champions Package which includes four tickets to a New York Yankees game, four Geisinger Champions Club tickets for April or May, a game- worn jersey, a Ron Guidry autographed baseball and a $100 gift card to the SWB Team Store.Should the game go to overtime and your square matches the final score after OT, you will win all four of the packages listed above.*Add With Super Bowl LVII only weeks away, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are bringing back a fan-favorite promotion with the chance to win great prizes. Fans can purchase flex plans, partial, half or full season memberships to get involved in the RailRiders Football Squares promotion with the opportunity to win big on February 12. Chances to win occur with the score at the end of each quarter and at the end of the game. The scores will reward you with fun prizes and experiences in 2023. Squares correspond with the number of packages purchased, so buy multiple plans or memberships for more chances to win! With the purchase of one flex plan, you will receive one square. If you purchase a partial season plan, you will receive two squares. A half-season plan will receive three squares and any full-season membership purchased will net four squares. All squares are placed at random. Winners are determined by looking at the last number in each team’s score at the end of each quarter and then matching those numbers on the grid and seeing which square intersects those two numbers. Winning Outcomes: Match the score at the end of the first quarter and win a RailRiders Beach Package including two beach chairs, two beach towels, two coolers, two Hawaiian Shirts and a $25 gift card to the SWB Team Store Match the score at the end of the second quarter and you’ll receive a RailRiders Bobblehead Package featuring SIX bobbleheads- Nestor Cortes, Nick Swisher, Derek Jeter, Aaron Judge, Thor, and a Joe DiMaggio and Billy Martin dual bobblehead- PLUS a $25 gift card to the SWB Team Store. Match the score at the end of the third quarter and win a RailRiders Legends Package that includes four tickets to a New York Yankees game, four Geisinger Champions Club tickets for April or May*, a game-worn jersey, an autographed Legends Series bat and a $25 gift card to the SWB Team Store. Match the score at the end of the fourth quarter and win the RailRiders Champions Package which includes four tickets to a New York Yankees game, four Geisinger Champions Club tickets for April or May*, a game-worn jersey, a Ron Guidry autographed baseball and a $100 gift card to the SWB Team Store. Should the game go to overtime and your square matches the final score after OT, you will win all four of the packages listed above. *Additional terms, restrictions and conditions may apply. Please ask your sales representative to clarify any concerns. Tickets packages for the 2023 season, both season ticket and flex plans, are available now and Football Squares are on a limited, first-come, first-served basis until Friday, February 10. For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact a ticket sales representative at (570) 969-BALL.
