In Our Blood: Celebrating Belated Father's Day in Baseballtown
As one of the most anticipated events each season in Baseballtown, The Reading Fightin Phils Belated Father's Day game on Sunday is a great day for fathers and their children to share a memorable day at the ballpark. Baseballtown is the perfect place to celebrate this holiday, and to ring it in, some of the Fightins staff have shared their stories of either working side by side with their fathers, being influenced by them, or growing up around the Fightin Phils. I personally have had an experience that is one of a kind and it began twelve years ago.
I was a nine year old girl who sat collecting bats, balls, and running into the clubhouse every other inning just to get more seeds. I was also there because I loved spending time with my father, Gary Varsho, who at time was the manager of the club. Since Fathers' Day has just passed, it has allowed me to reminisce on the years that I have been involved with the Fightin Phils.
My dad was with the Phils for three years, which means I was dragged to Reading, Pennsylvania every summer to experience another three months of baseball. The best part for me was being able to go to the ballpark with my dad almost on an everyday basis. This involved batting practice before the players arrived, sitting in my dad's office, and of course running around the stadium with my siblings. Back then, I even helped in the ticket office with some of the same staff that is still working with the team.
I was very fortunate to experience all these things at such an early age, and there is a sense of déjà vu sitting at the ticket window this summer when I help customers out nightly. The only difference is that I am not used to all the new renovations that the stadium has to offer. The stadium that I remember just put in the pool, there was no Crazy Hot Dog Vendor, and the plaza area was unimaginable. Because of the memories they instilled in me throughout my childhood, I always wanted to come back and work for the Reading Fightin Phils. After being away from Reading for twelve years, it is great to be back to relive my memories of being the bat girl and the manager's daughter.
Scott Hunsicker, the general manager of the Fightin Phils, has been around FirstEnergy Stadium for twenty-two years. People in the area have gotten to know Hunsicker by seeing him either on the big screen, hosting events, or just hearing his distinct voice in the plaza or the grand stands.
What many fans and people of Reading may not know is that his dad is involved in all these events as well. His dad has portrayed the mascot Change-Up at the stadium, including playing the bongos in Mascot Band for thirteen years. As Scott prepares not only for the season, but for the community and homestands, he works with his father side-by-side, providing fans and family with long-lasting memories.
These 13 years have been a thrill for both of them to experience. Both have had the opportunity to work at FirstEnergy Stadium before the renovations and they have put on a performance every game that doesn't disappoint. Their ability to connect with a crowd is evident and their personalities are a big part of why the atmosphere at First Energy Stadium is one-of-kind.
The Fightin Phils Director of Public Relations has also had an inspiring father that shares a very similar passion. Eric Scarcella, our mastermind of postgame interviews, and his dad Rich are both involved in sports, one for us at the Fightin Phils, and the other for the Reading Eagle.
Since he was young, Eric has shared a passion with his dad for Penn State football, eventually landing at PSU as an undergrad just like his father. Eric studied Advertising/Public Relations and after college, he returned to his hometown to work with some of Reading's local sports teams.
As a reporter with the local paper, Rich has covered a variety of sports, but mainly has focused on Penn State college football for over 25 years. This passion for sports has brought them close and influenced Eric to become involved with athletics outside of the college level. Because their occupations are similar, they are able to share ideas and help each other out when questions arise professionally. These two organizations wouldn't run the same if this father-son duo was not involved in conversing with the athletes and communicating their thoughts to the public. They definitely have public relations and reporting running through their veins, and we are very fortunate to have Eric involved with the Fightin Phils organization.
We have the opportunity for you to make memories with your children this Sunday. It is our belated Father's Day game, where fathers and their children can play catch and experience a first pitch together. This will be a chance for you to tell your story over a great experience of being able to play the game we all love at FirstEnergy Stadium; America's Classic Ballpark.