This promises to be a very special season for the Williamsport Crosscutters when they open their season against the State College Spikes this Friday, June 15 at Historic Bowman Field.

According to Gabe Sinicropi, Vice President and Director of Marketing for the Crosscutters, 2018 will mark the Williamsport Crosscutters 20th season, and the team is planning to celebrate this milestone in a number of fun ways this summer.

It was 1999 when the Williamsport Cubs changed affiliation from the Chicago Cubs to the Pittsburgh Pirates and took on the new Crosscutters moniker. The change included new team colors, logos, and a new mascot, Rusty Roughcut. Many changes have taken place over the past 20 seasons, most notably the affiliation change to the Phillies in 2007, followed by the total overhaul of the Crosscutters brand in 2008. This rebranding included updating logos and uniforms to the Cutters current look, and the introduction of popular mascot Boomer, after it was announced that Rusty Roughcut was retiring as a baseball mascot and joining the professional Lumberjack competition circuit.

In celebrating 20 seasons of Cutters Baseball, Thursday home games will take on a whole new meaning at BB&T Ballpark.

The team will celebrate Throwback Thursdays, presented by UPMC Susquehanna. Cutters players and coaches will sport throwback style uniforms in an ode to those worn during the 1999-2007 seasons. The game-worn throwback jerseys will be auctioned off to fans at the conclusion of the season.

Every Thursday game will feature plenty of throwback-themed fun. The Cutters will be bringing back retired on-field promotions that fans will remember from the past 20 seasons and have special appearances from former mascot Rusty Roughcut, along with throwback apparel giveaways for the first 1,000 fans each Thursday including:

• Cutters to the Majors T-shirt Giveaway on June 28
• Throwback Logo T-shirt Giveaway on July 12
• Throwback Replica Jersey Giveaway on July 19
• Rusty Roughcut T-shirt Giveaway on August 2
• 2003 Championship T-shirt Giveaway on August 9

Other exciting and outstanding promotions include: The giveaway of a bobblehead of current Phillies young star and former Crosscutter, Rhys Hoskins on June 30, a retro bobblehead giveaway on July 28, a “Director of Smiles”, Rhashan giveaway on July 21, a retro cap giveaway on August 4, Team Photo giveaway on August 27 and Replica Ballpark giveaway and a performance of Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act on August 28. The appearance of two interesting and colorful former major leaguers is also planned. Former slugger, Jose Canseco will be on June 17 and the major league’s last 30-game winner, Denny McClain will appear on July 21. And a Caribbean Cruise Giveaway will take place on June 20.

There will be the usual daily specials and promotions that will be presented such as “Military Mondays,” “Bogo Ticket Tuesdays,” “Kids Eat Free Wednesdays,” “Thirsty Thursdays,” “Friday Night Fireworks,” “Free Stuff Saturdays,” and Sundays are “Free Kids Stuff Sunday” and kids will also get to participate in “Boomer’s Mad Dash Around the Bases.”

Safety features have been enhanced to help make the ballpark experience a safe one. Safety netting has again been upgraded to eliminate the four poles installed last season. The netting is now suspended via cabling improving everyone’s sight lines!

Some other special events the Crosscutters will be putting on are the Cutters 5K on June 23rd to benefit the Children’s Development Center. Register at PARunners.com.

And the Dominican Plate Dinner on July 10 at the Genetti. A night of Dominican Dining and Entertainment with the Cutters to benefit ACES North America

Of course not to be forgotten is the great baseball you will see on the field. You will get a chance to see future major leaguers as they are just starting out. Currently, on the Phillies team, 11 players once saw action as Williamsport Crosscutters. And there is a virtual who’s who of current major leaguers who once saw action against the Crosscutters at Bowman Field. A few of them include C.C. Sabathia, Nick Markakis, Johan Santana, Gregory Polanco, Josh Harrison, Robinson Cano, Gary Sanchez and Jonathan Papelbon.

These are just a few of the exciting things going on at the ballpark this year. You might even see some baseball.

Hope to see you at the ballpark!

(Editor’s Note: Jimmy wanted me to let you know that he will be back next week. He’s been busy with Hunter’s graduation and getting him up to UConn and getting Jimmy settled in Olean, NY for his summer baseball season. ~ Steph)