Batter up! Baseball season is in full swing, and there’s no better time to enjoy America’s pastime than at Pennsylvania’s many ballparks. Whether traveling to Williamsport for the International League World Series or looking for a fun-filled and affordable day watching one of the many minor league teams in Pennsylvania with the family, we’ve got something for you. So, grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and cheer on your favorite team!
1. Little League World Series
Celebrate Little League Baseball at the World of Little League®: Peter J. McGovern Museum in Williamsport where every year the top 20 Little League baseball teams from throughout the world gather to compete for the Little League World Series championship title. This year’s championship is set for Aug. 14-25. Whether attending the game or simply passing through town, be sure to visit the museum and store. Designed around a six-inning theme, the museum features artifacts and archival materials from games past. Take a self-guided tour complete with a catcher’s station and home plate or book a group tour in advance.
2. PONY Baseball
Little League isn’t the only name in the game when it comes to youth baseball! PONY Baseball also fields youth baseball and softball leagues and tournaments throughout the world for more than 500,000 youngsters, with many of today’s professional players first learning the game on a PONY team. Watch as young players “swing for the fences” at this year’s DICK'S Sporting Goods PONY League World Series set for Aug. 9-14 in Washington, PA where the league got its start more than 60 years ago. Be sure to visit the PONY Baseball and Softball International Headquarters Museum, showcasing memorabilia from games past.
3. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs
It’s time to play ball! The Lehigh Valley IronPigs Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies take to the field for their 16th season at Coca-Cola Park. Paying homage to Lehigh Valley’s steelmaking past and the pig iron that was a crucial component in steel production, their porcine mascots, Ferrous and FeFe, (derived from “ferrum,” the Latin word for iron) invite you to spend a fun and delicious day at the park with their bacon-centric goodies, famous Aw Shucks corn on the cob, and fun events and promotions throughout the season making it a must-attend baseball game in PA!
4. The Reading Fightin Phils
The city of Reading has hosted countless baseball teams for much of the past 150 years with today’s Reading Fightin Phils continuing that long tradition. Watch the Fightin Phils take on their latest rival and enjoy yummy fare from the wide variety of concession stands at FirstEnergy® Stadium, “America's Classic Ballpark,” which has been delighting baseball fans for more than 70 years. Join the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor with his pet ostrich Rodrigo and the team’s mascots Screwball, Bucky, Blooper and Change-Up, as they “root root root for the home team” at a fun-filled ball game!
5. The Altoona Curve
Named after the nearby historic Horseshoe Curve of railroading fame (with a wink and a nod to baseball’s “curveball” pitch), the Altoona Curve is a Double-A Pittsburgh Pirates-affiliate team that is sure to provide a fun time at the Peoples Natural Gas (baseball) Field! Snack on some gobs and enjoy a delicious Curve Burger at this minor league baseball game in PA as you join the Curve’s beloved mascot, Loco, in cheering on the team as they try to best their latest rival.
6. The Erie SeaWolves
Erie’s Double-A Minor League Baseball team, the Erie SeaWolves, is an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, but ‘twas not always so. When the team first joined the ranks of professional baseball almost 30 years ago, it was as an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and hence the name “SeaWolves,” another name for “pirate.” Ay Mateys! Hoist your sails and travel to UPMC Park for a rousing game entertained by C. Wolf, the team’s mascot, and fun promotions all season long as you down some delicious grub and grog from the park’s concession stands!
7. The Harrisburg Senators
Despite its name, political affiliation does not matter when the Harrisburg Senators step up to the plate at FNB Field on Harrisburg’s iconic City Island. Located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s state capital, the Senators, a Washington Nationals’ Double-A affiliate, have been delighting baseball fans (and non-fans) for close to 40 years. Enjoy a great game of minor league baseball in PA, hang out with the team’s friendly mascot, Rascal, and the ubiquitous mayflies that seem to show up at every game and can be considered the team’s biggest and most loyal fans, all while enjoying fun promotions and delicious ballpark fare!
8. The Williamsport Crosscutters
The Williamsport Crosscutters have the distinction of being one of only six teams comprising Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Draft League. Showcasing MLB-draft eligible baseball players from across the U.S., the league features a split season with amateur players taking the field in the season’s first half and “professional,” paid players in the second half. Here’s your chance to see some great baseball as the Crosscutters aim to “shred” the competition, eager to impress MLB scouts for a shot at the majors. Games are played at Muncy Bank Ballpark at the nearly century-old Historic Bowman Field, the second oldest Minor League Baseball stadium in the U.S., with the team’s name and logo honoring Williamsport’s prominent logging heritage and its crosscutting lumbermen.
9. The State College Spikes
The State College Spikes are PA’s second MLB Draft League team, one of just six teams that comprise the league, which showcases MLB-draft eligible baseball players from across the U.S. The league’s split season features amateur players taking the field in the season’s 30-game first half and “professional,” paid players in the 50-game second half. Catch an exciting game at Lubrano Park’s Medlar Field where the Spikes’ young players live up to their name, which alludes to the undeveloped antler of a white-tailed deer known as a “spike” symbolizing the young players who hope to one day play in the majors.
10. The Washington Wild Things
Located near Pittsburgh, The Washington Wild Things are a professional MLB-partnered Frontier League baseball team. In 2022, the Wild Things celebrated their 20th season of baseball in the longest-running independent baseball league in history. Enjoy an evening with the family at Wild Things Park or catch a concert throughout the summer!
11. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Fun is the name of the game when it comes to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (aka, the SWB RailRiders). With their mascots, Champ and Quills, this Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees makes it their mission to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment along with some great baseball at PNC Field in Moosic. The pride of Lackawanna County, their season is packed with fun promotions and giveaways, post-game fireworks extravaganzas, great food, and beverages, and even a giant bounce house for the kids! And why are they named the “RailRiders”? The name pays recognizes the region’s importance as home to the first trolley system in the U.S.
12. The York Revolution
Celebrating their “Sweet 16” season, the York Revolution are planning for a great season of baseball filled with fun promotions and events at WellSpan Park. Playing in the Atlantic League (a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball), join the team’s mascot DownTown Yorkie, or simply “DownTown,” with his fun and entertaining antics as he cheers on the Revs to victory each game. The 2024 season will be packed with fun theme nights like Taylor Swift Night, Star Wars Day, and High School Spirit Night! Dog lovers can even bring their favorite pooch to “Woof, Woof, Woof, for the Home Team” on select Wednesdays with a Woof Pack ticket good for Bark in the Park games.
13. The Lancaster Barnstormers
From Kreider Farms Kids’ Park to the Broken Bat Craft Beer Deck, attending a Lancaster Barnstormers is packed full of activities for everyone to enjoy. If having the league’s championship team isn’t enough, Clipper Magazine Stadium where the team plays also has champion status, voted Independent Ballpark of the Year by Ballpark Digest. Join Cylo, the Barnstormers mascot, and cheer on the team all season long as they go for another league championship!
Enjoy a day at the ballpark with even more baseball games in Pennsylvania by checking out the VISIT PA website. Follow us on Facebook, X, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state.