Don't "Sleep" On The Mill Rats, Get To Johnstown And Great Baseball

Moments before the Johnstown Mill Rats hit the field on Saturday, June 1.

By Thomas Leturgey

On a picture-perfect night in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Johnstown Mill Rats hosted their first block party on Johns’ Street. Inside the affordable ticket window immediately outside of Sargeant’s Stadium at the Point, staffed by a couple of quality representatives and friendly ticket takers, a couple of Manager Josh Merrill’s players stood behind a folding table, took photos, and signed autographs for a line of young fans.

A small, well-staffed concession stand provided snacks and drinks before the action was set to begin. Wearing crisp and familiar white, yellow and brown uniforms, the home team’s starting nine ran onto the field to start a 7 p.m. game against the Lafayette Aviators.

The first pitch of the night straight-on plunked the Aviator’s lead-off batter square in the small of the spine. But it was simply an opening-inning error, and the Mill Rats quickly got out of the first inning jam.

With “Polka Fest” music playing across Washington Street at the Bottle Works, and mascot Milton taking photos with everyone in the ballpark, the first Saturday Night of the Mill Rats season provided an All-American family outing.

More than 530 people, including dozens of youngsters racing up and down the steel grandstand (the young season’s most well-attended game), took in America’s Past Time as it should be…wholesome.

The Mill Rats, each batter introduced by an enthusiastic, country-accented public address announcer—who sometimes couldn’t be heard over introductory music—took a quick 2-0 lead on this night. Play on the field was small ball but effective.

The temperature, which hovered in the seventies during the afternoon, dipped into the mid 60’s, and the atmosphere was ideal for Pioneer League, or any other baseball.

A quick walk around the park showcased t-shirts, hats, novelty baseballs and other merchandise. A game-time hot dog was cooked and tasty (oftentimes, these perfunctory foodservice items are cooked poorly and gross, but not here).

Between innings, young patrons take part in simple games like trivia, stacking boxes, tug-of-war contests, or races while wearing impromptu “taco” costumes. It’s all done with an engaging host and other staffers eager to provide fun.

These games are well-paced and efficient. Everyone involved on the field, from the coaches and umpires to those physically playing the game, are professionals. At the ending of nine innings on Saturday, the Mill Rats were victorious and at least momentarily undefeated at home (the team lost on Sunday afternoon).

Early in the season, the Mill Rats have played all but two of their games at home. Their two games in Chillicothe, Ohio featured a total of more than 4,700 fans, against a total of 1,590 fans in four games.

Baseball in Johnstown is rich in history. Babe Ruth played there, and the AAABA has been an institution for the city.

The Johnstown Mill Rats are winning and should be a candidate for the playoffs. Baseball fans new and old need to attend as many games as possible. The Mill Rats are doing their part and providing quality for Cambria County and beyond.