Akron RubberDucks: Celebrating 25 years of family fun
By Patricia Nugent
The Akron RubberDucks are lighting things up this season at Canal Park, celebrating their 25th anniversary with a full slate of special events, celebrity visits, amazing giveaways, fantastic food items and a talent-heavy squad that’s intent on repeating their winning 2021 season.
“Winning the league championship was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, and for many,” says Promotions Coordinator Kyle Hixenbaugh. “In honor of that victory, one of our first giveaways in April was a beautiful replica of the championship rings the players earned. The fans were blown away.”
The stadium is usually packed with lots of families. To keep their hometown crowd coming back year after year, Kyle says they keep their prices in a budget-friendly range. Ticket prices start at $5 apiece and you can always get a $2 hot dog at any game.
Paying Homage to Baseball Traditions
The team has always given a nod to its rich history. Kyle reports that one of the more interesting events will be “A Salute to the Negro Leagues” on Saturday, July 9.
“Back in 1933, our Akron Black Tyrites were members of the Negro National League,” he says. “Our players will wear old-fashioned jerseys from that time and we’re giving away replica jerseys to the first 1,000 fans through the door that night.”
On Saturday, September 17, they are celebrating women in professional softball by welcoming actress Tracy Reiner, who played Betty Spaghetti in the movie “A League of Their Own.” The team will honor the theme by wearing peach jerseys.
The Best Ballpark Eats in Town
Fans report the amazing fare at Canal Park is a home run this year. Three new tantalizing, out-of-the-box specialties are Another Cheesy Canal Pork Dog, PopCONE Chicken and Never Sausage a Thing.
“Whoever would imagine fried popcorn chicken in a hot-honey sauce would taste so incredible served in a waffle cone,” says Kyle. “The Never Sausage a Thing is deliciously over-the-top, too, with a jumbo hot dog smothered in coleslaw, green onions and barbecue sauce served in a baked potato bun. And the Cheesy Canal Pork Dog is a foot-long dog topped with pulled pork, friend onions and Stouffer’s mac and cheese.”
A Post-Championship Mentality
Coming off a championship win last year, the Ducks have many returning players on this year’s roster who were part of that big season-long effort.
Catcher Bo Naylor reports they look forward to continuing to play at that caliber. “Going into this season, seeing the lineup that we have, this is a powerhouse that’s going to give everything that we’ve got,” he says.
Kyle says another player tossing up some impressive numbers is outfielder and left-handed hitter Will Brennan, who, at press time, leads the league in hitting.
“And a top prospect in our bullpen is Daniel Espino, whose fastball flirts with 100 MPH,” says Kyle.
Catch them live while you can before they may be bumped up to the Cleveland Guardians. As part of the Eastern League, affiliate to the Guardians, you never know when one of your hometown players will get the call. There are nearly 40 home games scheduled (about 70 overall) from now until the end of the last game of the season on
Sunday, September 18, followed by the playoffs.
A Smashing Events Lineup
Every game is special at Canal Park, with fireworks shows after Friday night home games, premium giveaways to the first 1,000 fans on Saturday games, Wellness Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays with $2 beers and sodas, and Family FUNdays on Sundays, with the kids playing pre-game catch on the field and running the bases post-game.
Kicking off next week is a slate of don’t-miss themed games:
- Sunday, July 3 — The Let Freedom Ring event includes a viewing of the “Space Jam” movie and fireworks afterward. Tickets are $5.
- Monday, July 4 — Independence Day Fireworks
- Saturday, July 30 — A Night at the Ballpark (like “A Night at the Roxbury” but better), don’t miss comedian Chris Kattan from SNL. He’ll make a live appearance and so will 1,000 bobbleheads of him.
- Friday, August 12 — Honoring the brave patients from the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Disorders, during this game, the players will wear jerseys that are designed by a patient. After the game, they are auctioned off to benefit the center.
- Saturday, August 27 — Cleveland Football Night. Get an Eric Metcalf bobblehead by being one of the first 1,000 fans.
A slew of events is planned throughout July, August and September. Check out the entire lineup at AkronRubberDucks.com.
The Akron RubberDucks season runs through mid-September. Canal Park is located at 300 South Main Street in downtown Akron, less than five minutes off I-77. Visit AkronRubberDucks.com for a schedule of games and special events or call 330-253-5151.