MOOSIC, Pa. — Crews were at work early on Tuesday, sprucing up the stadium for the return of baseball fans at PNC Field: The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders home opener.
John Adams, the RailRiders president, wasn't always sure this day would go as planned.
"Last year at this time, we didn't know when we were going to play, how many seats were going to be allowed in the stadium. We had no answers to give our fans," Adams said.
Last year's season ended up getting delayed, and we all remember what happened the year before that.
But this year, finally, a traditional start to the season.
"I was really concerned. If you would've asked me this question back in January, but as the numbers with COVID started to subside, our sales have picked up on the sponsorship side and on the ticket sales side. Things have been going really, really well the last couple of months," said Adams.
Festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. with a pre-game FanFest, which will include games, food, a DJ, and a dunk tank.
The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the first pitch is at 6:35 p.m., kicking off a six-game series against the Norfolk Tides.
"Knock on wood, because I'm afraid to say anything too loud, but things seem normal. The fans are responding, and I think everyone's just excited to get back out here."
Newswatch 16 will have live coverage from PNC Field starting at 4 p.m.
CLICK HERE for this season's RailRiders schedule.
Watch Jim Coles throw out the opening pitch:
A look back at the beginnings of Minor League Baseball in our area in the Newswatch 16 Video Vault: