Lackawanna County Stadium was paid for and is owned by the residents of Lackawanna County. It opened its gates for the first time in April 26, 1989 when professional baseball returned to NEPA after a 30 year absence.
The stadium, which cost $25 million to build, is located on a 50 acre parcel on scenic Montage Mountain in Moosic and is easy accessible by Interstate 81. With a seating capacity of 10,000, Lackawanna County Stadium is the largest stadium in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Perhaps what the stadium is best known for is the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Triple-A baseball franchise. The International League club - once known as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons - was an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1989 through 2006.
On September 21, 2006 the New York Yankees announced they would be the new affiliate beginning in 2007. The announcement had an immediate impact on the franchise with 47,000 tickets being sold that day and almost 250,000 in one week. In mid-December the club officially changed its name from Red Barons to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
In its first 18 years of life the stadium was a multi-purpose facility hosting a variety of events including high school football, amateur baseball, field hockey and marching band competitions. The new affiliation agreement with the New York Yankees also brought with it the news of a natural grass surface being installed for 2007. This announcement is a huge improvement for baseball enthusiasts, but limits the use of the stadium surface.
In February 2007, PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. acquired the naming rights for Lackawanna County Stadium. Starting on April 5, 2007, The Yankees home will be called PNC Field.
CLICK HERE to visit the new Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees website.
|
