Baseball Team Celebrates Father’s Day Weekend with Local Families
As a kickoff to Father’s Day weekend, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders visited families at the NICU at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. On June 17, RailRiders players and their mascot, Champ, had a meet-and-greet with the families and NICU staff.
“This is probably one of the hardest things a family could go through,” said right-handed pitcher Reggie McClain. “We come out here and try to put some smiles on some faces and maybe make the day a little bit better for them in any way or shape possible that we can.”
The families also received autographed baseballs and a four-pack of tickets to RailRiders home games.
The Tambur Family NICU at Geisinger Wyoming Valley is Luzerne County’s only NICU providing specialized care for infants. The visit gave families something to brighten their day during a difficult time.
“I personally have some family and friends who have experienced being in the NICU,” said Jordan Steiner, Director of Community Relations for the RailRiders. “It means a lot to me personally because I know how much the families go through and how difficult it is.”
The visit was part of a New York Yankees initiative called HOPE Week, which stands for Helping Others Persevere and Excel. As the Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees, the RailRiders have spent the week supporting and recognizing causes throughout NEPA. Earlier this week, players and staff visited Camp Freedom in Carbondale, gave out swag at the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center in Scranton and held a Pride Night at the ballpark.
“It means a lot because we’re kind of transplants in the area, but we do spend six to eight months in the area,” said Zachary Greene, right-handed pitcher. “Getting out in the community and making it our home is so beneficial. It makes us feel more comfortable, and any time we can expand the RailRiders outreach into the community, it’s a win-win.”
HOPE Week will continue this weekend at PNC Field. During Saturday’s game, the RailRiders will honor the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. They will also recognize Valley View High School as the top fundraiser for Coaches Versus Cancer. Then on Sunday, they’ll welcome the Wyoming Valley Challenger Little League to play at PNC Field before the game.
Visit the RailRiders’ website for a game schedule, ticket information, news and more.
