While the 2020 RubberDucks season has been a swing and a miss, they are determined to score safe fun for fans
By Patricia Nugent
The uniforms might be a little smaller, and the guys at the plate years younger, but Canal Park is serving up its sweet spot of baseball the best way it knows how.
In true the-show-must-go-on fashion, after Minor League Baseball’s decision to cancel the 2020 season was announced in June, the Akron RubberDucks came up with a full slate of properly socially distanced games for local travel baseball teams and high school teams. They also hosted a challenge tournament for amateur teams from all over the Midwest.
“We appreciate how brutal it was this spring for high school seniors to forego their last season,” says Promotions Coordinator Kyle Hixenbaugh. “So, we created the Senior Spotlight Games, inviting teams and their families and fans to come play. Needless to say, we’ve seen some pretty amazing, and emotional, baseball games. In essence, we’re giving them back their lost spring season, but in a professional ballpark. There have been some wonderful rivalry match-ups such as Archbishop Hoban versus St. Vincent-St. Mary, and Alliance versus Walsh Jesuit.”
He says that since these games will be the last time participants on the teams play together, they host a ceremony with the players and their families to celebrate and commemorate them.
“In addition to families, we’re seeing lots of fans who are hungry for baseball sit in the park and watch, which is really fun,” says Kyle, who notes the park’s protocol follows all of the CDC safety standards. “If we’ve learned anything these past three months, it’s the immense popularity of sticking to our roots and providing experiences that are all about baseball.”
He said since the games have been so well attended, they are planning to beef up the schedule in the fall.
Safety First, Special Events
“The news that we would not have RubberDucks baseball at Canal Park this summer was devastating,” says General Manager Jim Pfander. “However, because of the immense value we place on the safety of our fans, players, staff and partners, we fully support the decision to cancel the season. We will continue to bring affordable family fun to our community through safe and socially distanced events while we wait for RubberDucks baseball in 2021. Akron has always been resilient in the face of adversity and we look forward to opening day next April.”
Staying Relevant on Social Media
Kyle has spent the past few months thinking outside the box to keep fans engaged on social media.
The results are interactive and personality packed. For instance, the 47,000-plus Twitter followers are privy to a lineup of hysterically funny content, memes, photography, contests and promotions.
Still Potential for Players to Get “The Call”
As the Double-A Minor League Affiliate to the Cleveland Indians, since Major League Baseball is still being played, any of the RubberDucks players are eligible to be called up.
“With the MLB taxi squad, some of our players are hopeful to play this season,” says Kyle. “Obviously, they are continuing practice and a rigorous training schedule in anticipation of that happening, as well as to stay sharp for the next season. There’s a boatload of talent at every position on our team.”
Looking Ahead to Next Season
The myriad of reasons fans love to come out to Canal Park—giveaways, amazing fare, celebrity visits, fireworks and themed events—are still on tap for next season.
“Every year we come up with new ideas for promotions so we can stay at the forefront of providing the family-friendliest fan experience in town,” says Kyle. “All of the promotions we had planned for 2020 will reappear next season, including Celebrity Nights hosting quirky stars such as Farmer Fran from the movie Water Boy; and Jaleel White, better known as Steve Urkel from the television show Family Matters.”
They will also host movie nights and Fourth on the Field Fireworks.
“This is an unprecedented time and we’d just like to thank our loyal fans for continuing to come out and support us,” says Kyle. “We’ve always honored our relationship with our fans, and will refund tickets purchased for this season, or they can use them for next season as well.”
The Akron RubberDucks will take the field next April at Canal Park, 300 South Main Street in downtown Akron, less than five minutes off I-77. Visit AkronRubberDucks.com for a schedule of current events or call 330-253-5151.