What to know about attending a River Cats game in 2022
Apr 04, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Shaun Holkko, sports editorA young River Cats fan and his father pose for a photo with a Joey Bart sign during the 2021 season at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Photo courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – As the weather begins to warm up, many Sacramentans are beginning to search for activities to do this summer.
One activity that could be fun for the whole family is going out to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for a River Cats game. The Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants kick off a new season tomorrow night.
It has been a dramatic last three years for the River Cats organization. In 2019, the last “normal” Minor League Baseball (MiLB) season played before the COVID-19 pandemic, Sacramento stood atop the Triple-A world as champions.
Next in 2020, the River Cats were unable to immediately defend their crown as the entire 2020 MiLB season was cancelled because of the pandemic. Then in 2021, the minor leagues returned and Sacramento was unable to repeat as champions.
For fans who have been unable to attend a game since 2019, there are a few differences at the home of the River Cats, aside from the name of the venue shifting from Raley Field to Sutter Health Park.
“Definitely a lot has changed in the world and over here at Sutter Health Park (since 2019),” said Troy Loparco, Vice President of Ticket Sales & Marketing. “Some of the main things you would notice that would be different (is) we’re doing mobile ticketing. So that’s going to be in the parking lot as well as tickets are going to be all digital. We are a cashless facility as well. Our clear bag policy would be the other big change that we have.”
Sutter Health Park will be accepting payments via debit and credit cards as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. For those fans who are tech savvy, you can now order food on the MiLB at-bat app allowing yourself to order food from your seat before receiving an alert via text message letting you know that your order is ready.
RELATED: River Cats’ 2022 season begins Tuesday night
For those who may be old school, preferring physical tickets and cash money, fear not as employees at Sutter Health Park are ready and willing to help.
“We do have mobile ticketing assistance,” Loparco said. “As you’re coming up, you’ll see there’s a mobile ticketing booth that we’ll have out there if anybody does have any extra questions before they get to the ticket window or before they’re coming into the stadium. So, we do have other avenues of help as well.”
However, the mobile ticketing booth is not your only source of assistance when attending a River Cats game.
“Of course in advance if they ever wanted to email into [email protected] or even call into our “HITS” line which is 916-371-HITS (4487) with any questions before they come out, we’re always happy to help in advance to make it as smooth as possible,” Loparco said. “And we’re always going to be sending out ‘know before you go’ information as well.”
When last season began, Sutter Health Park sold tickets in pods to follow local health guidance. Although, when the state of California reopened in June 2021, the ballpark followed suit opening back up to 100% attendance, as it will be for the 2022 season.
“We are an outdoor, open-air facility,” Loparco said. “What we’ve been doing is just staying up to date and as accurate and timely with any CDC guidelines that we have in the state and county.”
The River Cats have 25 fireworks nights planned on the 75-game 2022 home schedule. The first fireworks show will be on Friday, April 8, which is also Solon Bobblehead Giveaway night. The Solons were a minor league baseball team that played in Sacramento off and on from 1903 to 1976.
Single game and ticket packages can be purchased over the phone at (916) 371-HITS, email at [email protected] or online at rivercats.com.
“Our main goal is to be the best facility to come have a family friendly time out here at the ballpark,” Loparco said. “Come enjoy River Cats baseball and everything that we have going on in the community.
“I think after the last two years, people are really looking for a fun time to spend with their friends, their families, in a safe, fun, clean environment. I think that’s what we provide out here at Sutter Health Park. As long as everybody comes out smiling, happy and ready to cheer on the River Cats, I think they’ll be ready to go.”