The Akron RubberDucks season is well under way, with up-and-coming star players and gastronomic delights making headlines

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Akron RubberDucks games are an easy and affordable way to enjoy a summer night out with the family. On Saturday, June 22, the event Halfway to Christmas Night will feature an appearance by Santa along with fireworks. (Photography: Francis Angelone)

By Patricia Nugent

“If you ain’t first, you’re last.” —Ricky Bobby, Talladega Nights

While this quote may not be technically correct, to the Akron RubberDucks—who are in first place at the time of this writing—it makes perfect sense.

“It’s been a thrilling spring down at Canal Park, with some unbelievable baseball being played,” says General Manager Jim Pfander. “We’re about one-quarter through the season and have won 12 of 23 games, which puts us a game-and-a-half up on the number two team.”

Ducks fans have enjoyed a front-row seat to some major talents that may be on their way up I-77 to join the Guardians sometime soon.

“There’s a lot of buzz around Chase DeLauter, who hit over .500 in spring training with the Guardians,” says Jim. “On the mound, Andrew Walters is tossing some serious heat, with pitches around 100 mph; Ryan Webb leads the team with 35 strikeouts; and Doug Nikhazy, who started our season opener, is performing beautifully. Leading the home run charge is Kahlil Watson with four.”

Check out Emmett’s The Pit Boss presented by ESPN Cleveland, a meat sundae that includes pulled chicken, smoked brisket and a quarter rack of ribs served over coleslaw with a cherry on top.

Only in Akron
There are lots of unique idiosyncrasies that come with being from Akron (and Jim should know since this is his hometown), so management decided to celebrate an “Only in Akron” series of two games.

“We’re rebranding ourselves as Barberton Fried Chicken and Hot Rice on Friday, June 21, and Akron White French on Friday, July 19,” he says. “These are two institutions that if you travel outside of Akron, and you mention them, no one knows what you’re talking about. Our players will wear special caps and jerseys for these two nights only.”

WONE HomeRocker is a half-pound, footlong hot dog covered in buffalo chicken mac and cheese, a hot honey sauce and ranch drizzled on top. Get it at the Dog Pound concession stand.

Two Words: Meat. Sundae.
No one does extreme food like our dear Duckies. This summer look for four enticing new delights:

• WONE HomeRocker is a half-pound, footlong hot dog covered in buffalo chicken mac and cheese, a hot honey sauce and ranch drizzled on top. Get it at the Dog Pound concession stand.
• Chicken and Waffle Sandwich is a double-decker with chicken tenders, bacon, onion rings, pimento cheese spread, and a bacon habanero jam served on freshly toasted waffles with powdered sugar and maple syrup. It’s available at Tater’s concession stan on the concourse.


• WAKR Hawaiian Burger is a 4-ounce patty topped with smoked pulled chicken, Canadian bacon and pineapple rings with a teriyaki glaze. Find it at the Pineapple Under the C grill. (One dollar of every burger sale is donated to the Salvation Army.)
• Emmett’s The Pit Boss presented by ESPN Cleveland is a meat sundae named after radio personality Emmett Golden, including pulled chicken, smoked brisket and a quarter rack of ribs served over coleslaw with a cherry on top. Get it while you can at the Bier Garten concession stand down the first-base line.

Chicken and Waffle Sandwich is a double-decker with chicken tenders, bacon, onion rings, pimento cheese spread, and a bacon habanero jam served on freshly toasted waffles with powdered sugar and maple syrup

Akron RubberDucks Hot Stove Banquet
Don’t miss this annual fundraiser for the Akron RubberDucks on Saturday, July 13, at 4:30 p.m., at Hilton Garden Inn, with special guests Mike and Sharon Hargrove. According to GM Jim Pfander, this event usually takes place in the winter, but when they found out they could invite Mike Hargrove to headline, they switched it to summer.

“This is going to be a fantastic evening to share old and new baseball stories with a legend of the game,” says Jim. “The event also features a silent auction for autographed items. Plus, everyone in attendance will receive a baseball autographed by Hargrove.”

Get your tickets at MILB.com.

Mark Your Calendar!
Every game is special at Canal Park, with fireworks after Friday and Saturday home games and Sunday FUNdays, when families enjoy pre-game catch on the field, reading with the Akron RubberDucks and post-game running of the bases.

Here are a few not to miss:
• Tuesday, June 18 - Over the Line!! Bowling Night, first 1,000 fans get a T-shirt.
• Wednesday, June 19 - Teacher Appreciation Night and Los Perros Calientes, when the team dons uniforms and transforms their identity to the Calientes.
• Thursday, June 20 – Your Mom, honoring the World’s Greatest Moms.
• Saturday, June 22 – Halfway to Christmas Night, Santa makes an appearance along with fireworks.
• Sunday, June 23 – Youth Sports Day honoring future sports legends, also marks the first half of Minor League Baseball season.
• Wednesday, July 3 - Independence Day Eve, fireworks after the game.
• Thursday, July 4 – The park opens for Fourth on the Field Fireworks Show, with concessions, bring your own blanket or enjoy the show from the stands. A family movie will be shown before the fireworks.
• Saturday, July 20 – “What are you in for?” The Shawshank Redemption actor Gil Bellows and bobblehead giveaway with a meet and greet.

Check out the entire lineup at AkronRubberDucks.com.

The Akron RubberDucks is the Class AA affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The season runs through late September. Canal Park is located at 300 South Main Street in downtown Akron, less than five minutes off I-77. Visit AkronRubberDucks.com for a schedule of games and special events or call 330-253-5151 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays to buy tickets.

Categories: Greater Akron Arts & Entertainment