Big milestone for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League): the team has already drawn more fans to PNC Field than in all of 2011, before ballpark renovations began.
A crowd of 7,294 yesterday pushed the team past the 2011 total. The team played on the road last season while the ballpark was being renovated.
“This demonstrates the incredible support we have gotten from our friends and neighbors in NEPA,” said RailRiders president and general manager Rob Crain. “The word has spread about the quality, affordable, fun, family entertainment we put on each night. I would like to give sincere thanks those who have shown faith in us, and invite those that have yet to experience our show to come on out as we continue to grow.”
In 2011, 298,098 fans paid to see the then-SWB Yankees play in Moosic. Yesterday’s total brings the 2013 figure to 304,470. With more end-of-the-week games and far improved weather conditions over the season’s first few months, attendance has been on the rise. Since Thursday, May 23, the franchise has averaged more than a fixed-seat sellout of 7,140 per game in a park that boasts a total of 7,115 seats. More than half of the team’s home dates since May 23 have been fixed-seat sellouts.
The RailRiders still have 20 home dates remaining between now and their final regular-season home game on Aug. 29.
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