You may or may not know that I lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for a few years. If you know anything about Harrisburg, you’ll know that it may be the capital of Pennsylvania, but there’s not a ton going on there. Harrisburg is a pretty small city–that was definitely growing while I was living there–so when I found something fun to do it quickly became a repeat event.
Luckily for me (and everyone in the surrounding area), Harrisburg is home to a minor league baseball team! The Senators. They’re a feeder team for the Washington Nationals and I very much appreciate the themed team names. Now for those of you who don’t know, minor league baseball games are very different from major league games. And as much fun as I have going to Nationals Games, I actually like minor league games better.
First, minor league games are beyond cheap. A $20 ticket at a Nats game will get you nosebleed seats, but $20 at a Senators game gets you right behind home plate or right over the home team dugout. Food and drinks are infinitely cheaper too–and the food is all local restaurants so it’s actually really good! This means that Brandon and I spent many a summer night (or weekend during the afternoon) at the ballpark, watching the games and silly gimmicks, and drinking cheap beer.
That brings me to the second thing I love about the minors: the silly things that happen between innings (or even in the middle of innings if we’re being honest). I’m talking about “Harrisburg’s Only All-Male Dance Team” made up of the men of the grounds crew dressed in neon suits doing choreography to the latest viral song. I’m talking about the races in the outfield where they put fans in giant inflatable hamster balls and have them race. About the couples relay races that involved popping balloons with various body parts. About the cowboy monkey rodeo where monkeys rode on the backs of sheepdogs to herd the goats that were released into the outfield. Truly wild and hilarious mini-shows that all add to the experience of a minor league baseball game.
Also, if you’re actually a baseball fan and not just using it as an excuse to sit in the sun, drink beer, and eat french fries like I am, the players can actually be amazing. We got to watch Wilmer Difo (my fave) play for the Senators before he got called up to play in the big leagues for the Nats. Bryce Harper used to play for the Senators (because he was drafted by the Nats)–along with his older brother! So it’s not like you’re watching bad baseball. Just baseball with lower stakes and more fun (in my opinion). And the players are super nice and more approachable. They would sign pictures or hats for the kids who hung out over the dugout and throw their used baseballs to the kids in the stands between bats. When I celebrated my birthday at a game they tossed me a ball between innings too! (Even though I wasn’t a little kid.)
Honestly, along with the super cheap rent, these games are the thing I miss the most about Harrisburg. Hopefully some of you live close enough to a minor team that you can experience the joy of cheap beer and cheap baseball.
xoxo,
J
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