Edmonton's home run draw: Riverhawks baseball flying high with crowds
Record-breaking crowds and a stellar view, the home of the Riverhawks is the site of an Alberta revival of the pleasure of the $3 hotdog — and the third-highest outfield wall in professional baseball.
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In three short years since its formation by a group of baseball-loving investors, the summer collegiate team based at Remax Field has shattered records to splinters like bats in the hands of Mariano Rivera.
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Over three summers, the Riverhawks have made a grand slam, besting West Coast League attendance records, Those tallies include a sell-out crowd of 9,200 on Canada Day. Even a Tuesday-night contest of wooden bats can draw 7,000 — wild for a weeknight.
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The iconic 30-foot-tall 'Green Monster' takes its name from the Red Sox outfield wall. It's the third-tallest in professional baseball, so Riverhawks have to find their homers on the road at the 27 away games.
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In the field's history, only three players — Matthew LeCroy, Michael Cuddyer, and Todd Sears — have 'knocked one outta the park.'
FANS FIRST, FUN FIRST
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When the Riverhawks club was born three years ago, key organizer and investor — and former Edmonton Oilers defenceman — Dr. Randy Gregg envisioned his own field of dreams wedged into the North Saskatchewan River Valley.
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With views of the Walterdale and High Level bridges spanning the North Saskatchewan River beyond the outfield walls, it's 'arguably the second-best baseball stadium in all of Canada, behind Rogers Centre in Toronto.'
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For Gregg, it was critical that when it was time to show him the money, fans didn't have to break the piggy bank to take themselves out to the ball game.
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That means a $20 general admission grandstand ticket — and a $3 hotdog.
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The beer is cold — and it's not $15.
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To engage fans new to the love of the game, unique promotions aim to get butts into stadium seats.
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