The sights and sounds of exciting minor league baseball will ring out again as the Williamsport Crosscutters begin a new season of competition in the New York-Penn League with their home opener at 7 p.m. this Friday, June 14 at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Officials of the Crosscutters are excited at all they have to offer this year.

“We are very excited to begin the 26th season for our franchise and the 21st as the Crosscutters,” Gabe Sinicropi, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the Crosscutters, told Webb Weekly.

Former World Series MVP Pat Borders will again be at the helm as manager of the Crosscutters for the fifth consecutive season. No other manager in Williamsport’s professional baseball history can match Borders for his longevity as a local skipper. He exceeds the mark of four seasons held by two previous managers, Harry Hinchman (1923-26) and Glenn Killinger (1928-31). He will be joined by pitching coach Hector Berrios returns for his fourth season with the team. Joining them will be coach Greg Brodzinski who saw time in five games with the Cutters in 2015 and hitting coach Joel McKeithan.

As usual the Cutters have a snappy promotions schedule for this year.

“We love giving our fans the chance to see unique entertainment acts in addition to meeting some celebrities up close and personal. The access the fans have at a minor league ballpark, especially ours, can provide a very unique and memorable experience.”

Some of the most notable Acts and Appearances include:

June 22 – Field of Dreams Night featuring actor Dwier Brown, who portrayed Kevin Costner’s father, John Kinsella, in the movie.
July 11 – Xpogo- The extreme pogo team
August 3 – MARVEL Super Hero Night featuring Spider-Man
August 11 – The Phillie Phanatic
August 31 – Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act
One promotion that fans are always anxious and enthusiastic about will be the bobblehead giveaways.
“We are incredibly excited about our Local Legends Bobblehead Series. In addition to the bobbleheads being given away, many of the local legends being honored will be at the ballpark on their night meeting fans and signing autographs, which will make it extra special,” said Sincropi.
Fans can collect the Local Legends Bobblehead Series on the following dates;
June 16 – 2018 World Series MVP Steve Pearce, who began his career with the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2005. He will be depicted in his Crosscutters uniform from ’05.
June 23 – Loyalsock Basketball Coach Ron “CI” Insinger, who recently won his 1,000th high school basketball game. Insinger will be appearing at the game to meet fans and sign autographs.
July 6 – Indiana Pacers forward Alize Johnson, who will be featured in his high school uniform. Johnson, a native of Williamsport, played high school basketball for St. John Neumann Regional Academy and will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.
July 25 – 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Mussina. The Cutters will honor this Montoursville native with a bobblehead giveaway featuring a special Hall of Fame uniform. In addition, Mussina will be at the ballpark meeting fans and participating in a special charity autograph signing. For information on the charity autograph signing visit crosscutters.com.
August 4 – Cutters Director of Smiles Rhashan! Talking Bobblehead. This popular annual bobblehead giveaway will feature Rhashan singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”.
August 23- Lyco the Lumberjack Bobblehead. Lyco is the new mascot of the Lycoming County Visitor’s Bureau.

“Our bobblehead giveaways will all be very popular night. We have Mike Mussina fans from all over the country buying tickets to the July 25th game,” Sinicropi said. “One fan is flying in from California just to attend the game and the autograph signing. We are very appreciative of Mike’s help and cooperation in making this night possible as well has CI and Alize for their nights. They’ve all been great to work with.”

A total of 9 fireworks shows dot the schedule including every Friday home game, starting Opening Night.

Sinicropi said while there have been no major ballpark renovations ahead of the 2019 season, we are preparing for multiple projects that will begin just after the seasons concludes. They include; renovation and expansion of the visitor’s clubhouse, renovation and expansion of the press box and the installation of a new HD Videoboard. Those improvements will be completed in time for the 2020 season.

Opening Night 2019 will feature Free schedule magnets for all fans.

Fireworks will take place after the game. Pregame ceremonies will include a celebration of the 244th birthday of the U.S. Army, a special swearing in ceremony for new area Army recruits and a special presentation by Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner.

See you Opening Night!