Scary Seawolves in a Sleepy Town (From August 5)

Erie, Pennsylvania is a sleepy town.

There’s not much to see there, and for what it’s worth, the people seem to be happy with that status.

John Frey, the general manager of the Erie Seawolves, caters to the town’s needs and attitudes by making Jerry Uht Park a natural attraction to locals and baseball fans alike. Erie’s front office focuses on balancing in-game promotions with allowing the fans to watch the talent on the field.

“The people of Erie love a good deal,” said Frey. “We established Buck Night to give the fans what they want at a very reasonable price.”

Buck Night at the park consists of $1 hot dogs, drinks, beers, snacks, and formerly, $1 tickets to the game. The turning economy has driven Frey to raise the ticket prices to a whopping $3, but Buck Night still drives fans to the park nonetheless.

When it is not Buck Night, the low prices on food and drink still exist, with happy hour prices lasting up to the first pitch. The deals that the town’s population is proud of reflect the down-to-earth atmosphere that calls itself home in Erie..

The regular in-game events are seen during the night, including the hot dog mascot race, t-shirt tosses, and dancing on dugouts. With the park’s $4 million upgrade a few years ago bringing the fans closer to the field and the game, Frey’s staff wanted a way to keep them involved with the play. Fans can play Bingo throughout the game, using different plays to correspond with the bingo cards that are handed out before the first pitch.

It is the unique approach that has the Erie Seawolves setting themselves apart in the world of AA baseball. Everyone who works at the park is passionate about their profession, and the game that is their job. The ushers will adamantly tell a fan where the best seat in the house is, even if their ticket is for lesser value. The vendors will make a sausage right in front of you rather than pulling it out of a foil pouch. And the players themselves are happy to stick around to sign autographs or chat with a fan for a few minutes, adding to the experience that is rarely found in professional baseball