READING — Excitement filled the air as fans lined up more than three hours before game time Monday — the day playoff tickets went on sale for the Eastern League-leading Reading Phillies.
With a 64-33 record before last night's game, the Phillies have the best record in all of Double-A baseball.
For the 34th consecutive season, the Reading Phillies are the Class-AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They play at GPU Stadium; a classic stadium built in 1950, since renovated to give it a more modern feel. As a AA franchise, the Phillies are responsible for the development of players trying to make it to The Show.
Current big leaguers Pat Burrell and Scott Rolen made their mark on Reading history years after All-Stars Darren Daulton, Ryne Sandberg and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt patrolled the field.
There are gimmicks such as giveaways, fireworks on Thursday nights and theme nights, which provide an atmosphere that everyone seems to enjoy.
Free Reading Phillies backpacks put smiles on the faces of the first 2,000 kids in attendance on this particular night. Christine McKee of Denver, Pa., went to the game with her two young sons.
"This is such a great place to bring kids because it's fan friendly and the kids like seeing Screwball," she said of the team's mascot.
Because of the classic atmosphere at GPU Stadium, fans have been flocking to Reading Phillies games in record numbers for the past two seasons. After all, it was the Phillies who won the 1999 Larry McPhail Trophy for the Best Promotional Team in the Minor Leagues and Philadelphia Magazine tabbed it "the best sports experience for kids."
That could be why the 1999 season saw a record average of 6,405 people per game and in 2000 an average attendance of 5,976.
A major draw of Class-AA baseball is the potential to see future stars play before they make it to the majors.
"Honestly, I come to the games to see the visiting teams play," said Bernie Kulkusky, a Harrisburg native and Penn State alumnus from the Class of 1992. "I like getting autographs of different players."
During the game, fans also have chances to win prizes such as free Papa John's pizzas, T-shirts and playoff tickets. Phillies fanatics can also enjoy $1 train rides around the outfield before the game.
Stephen Royer (junior-elementary education) of Lititz usually goes to games at Reading with a group of friends and enjoys sitting in the outfield bleachers for the best view of the field. On a pure baseball level he prefers Reading more than the major leagues because of the attitudes of the players.
"I like to go because the players actually seem to care about what they're doing rather than just playing for the money like the major leaguers do," he said.
Whether it is the giveaways, mascots, or the cheap Yuengling Lager on tap in the outfield deck bar, people keep coming back again and again. Of course, there are other reasons besides the cheap beer bringing fans back to Reading. Said Kulkusky: "I think winning has a great deal to do with the success here, too."
