SEE THE ON-THE-BALL VIDEO | Back again, outer East Portland’s ‘Pickles’ provide a great evening of baseball at the Walker Stadium ballpark in Lents …
Outside the fence at Charles B. Walker Stadium, a record crowd lines up as the Portland Pickles Baseball Club season gets underway.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
They win some and lose some – but the action is fast and the atmosphere is fun when the Portland Pickles Baseball Club (Pickles) plays home games at Charles B. Walker Stadium in the Lents neighborhood, as they did at their home opener on June 2.
Since 2016, with a year off during the COVID-19 pandemic, baseball fans – and friends who like to party with them – have enjoyed this summer pastime in the northeast corner of Lents Park.
Along the eastern berm, Portland Pickles mascot Dillon makes a new friend.
> To read about the first-ever Pickles game, CLICK HERE.
The Portland Pickles club is part of the West Coast League a “summer collegiate wood bat” league.
These teams recruit the best college baseball players to play for them in the summer; many of them whom have later gone on to professional baseball careers.
Excited about the 2023 season is one of the team’s owners, Jon Ryan.
“Already, just as the season is starting, we’re breaking records for the most fans ever to gather here at Walker Stadium,” Jon Ryan, one of the team’s owners, told East Portland News.
Fans and friends inside the stadium load up on beverages, brats, and burgers (and pickle pizza) before the game begins.
“These young men, these collegiate league players, are incredible athletes,” observed Ryan. “Just watching them on the field and seeing their skills is special, in every game!”
Get the feel of what it’s like to attend this party, disguised as a baseball game: Watch this video!
As the Kelowna Falcons warmed up for the game against the Pickles, fans were lined up outside the stadium awaiting entrance.
Opera star Camille Sherman belts out a fabulous rendition of our National Anthem – her last performance here before moving to Switzerland to join a European opera company.
The Portland Pickles doff their hats (Dillon can’t; he says it’s glued to his head) during the National Anthem.
“Fans can look forward to a lot of new stuff going on in the stands and at the Stadium,” confirmed Ryan. “We have a lot of great promotions lined up. Every night that you come, you’ll be in for a unique experience that you’ve never seen before at a ballgame.”
The Portland Pickles team huddles as the game begins.
On the mound, left-handed pitcher Nathan Shinn winds up to throw another strike.
At bat, pitcher Kyler Stancato smacks the ball into the outfield.
Some of their matchless promotional themes have been “Picolas Cage Night”, “California People Moving to Portland Night”, and “Portland Tap Water Appreciation Night”. That one took place on June 29th.
Upcoming themes include:
- Tattoo Tuesdays
- Woof Wednesdays
- Rockin’ the Walk Fridays
- Keep Portland Weird Night
- National Hotdog Day
“Coming to see the Pickles play is a baseball game and more; so much more!” enthused Ryan. “Come for the baseball, and stay for the entertainment, because it’s going to be great!”
As the sun goes down, and the stadium lights come on, this game continues.
The Pickles are live-streaming, free, all their home games. Check it out, buy tickets, and for more information – it’s all on their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2023 David F. Ashton ! East Portland News™
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