Check out the best value in outdoor family entertainment, located in outer East Portland, at the next Portland Pickles baseball game …
In the outfield of Charles B. Walker Stadium, in the Lents neighborhood, members of the Portland Pickles Baseball Club warm up for their home opening game.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The “boys of summer” had a beautiful evening for baseball on June 4, as the Portland Pickles warmed up for their season-opening home game.
The stadium stands filled, and folks found their seats in the grassy berm areas of a ballpark where more than 64,000 fans attended Portland Pickles games last season – making them the #1 attended “wood bat” team in the whole Western USA.
Portland Pickles Baseball Club owner, and operating partner, Alan Miller says they’ll have a great season of baseball this summer.
“We’re ready for season four, after months of hard work by our incredible staff – who’ve spent countless long days and late nights working to bring amazing new things to the park for our fans,” enthused new owner Alan Miller, operating partner of the Portland Pickles Baseball Club.
“Although this is my third season with the organization, we took over the operations part of the business in February; so, tonight you might say, is our is our ‘coming-out party’, where fans will see our remarkable new merchandise, and enjoy our new areas – including Dillon’s Hideaway [an adult refreshment stand, behind the outfield fence] and an expanded Deschutes Area,” Miller told East Portland News.
During the National anthem, played by the “One More Time Around Again” band brass ensemble, team mascot Dillon – and the Portland Pickles’ starting players – stand reverently.
Royal Rosarians Prime Minister Don Thacker throws out the first pitch.
Asked what he’s looking forward to most, this season, Miller didn’t hesitate – responding, “I’m looking forward to winning! Last season was great, but we came up a little short. I feel like our coaches and team members are ready to win!”
In the stadium, showing off a Pickles Pizza with barbecue sauce, sausage, onions – and yes – pickles, is Trebin Jenkis of the Atlas Pizza restaurant nearby, on SE Foster Road.
The Portland Pickles play in the “West Coast League”, a summer wood-bat league for college-eligible student-athletes, based here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. “We have all the right people here to make it work, and win some games,” Miller exclaimed.
Their games are truly family-friendly events, the manager observed. “Attending a game is one of the least expensive things people can do for entertainment this summer in Portland – $5 beer; inexpensive, local food; and tickets as low as $8 – all that makes this a great destination.”
The man who became the opening game’s winning pitcher, Brad McVay, winds up to deliver another fastball.
Pickle’s infielder Kai Perreira-Alquiza swings and connects with a pitch.
Gabe Skoro, a Pickles infielder, makes a run for third base.
The home opener went well, with the Pickles picking up runs in the 4th, 6th and 7th innings – beating their rivals, the Port Angeles Lefties, three to nothing in front of a crowd of 2,213 fans.
So far this season, they’ve won three of their first eight games – and they definitely seem to be energized by the fans cheering them on at Walker Stadium during the home games.
Stadium seats usually sell out in advance of games, but lawn seating on the berm is available most evenings.
For more information, schedule and to purchase advance, discount tickets, visit their website: CLICK HERE. By the way, Walker Stadium is located in Lents Park, along SE 92nd Avenue; the entrance is across from SE Schiller Street.
© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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