A Look Back at Taylor Swift's Journey
(Reading, PA) - This weekend, renowned singer and songwriter Taylor Swift will take the stage in Philadelphia, at Lincoln Financial Field, in front of over 70,000 fans. Swift's rise to fame has been an incredible story to follow. But, what many may not know, is her ascend to one of
(Reading, PA) - This weekend, renowned singer and songwriter Taylor Swift will take the stage in Philadelphia, at Lincoln Financial Field, in front of over 70,000 fans.
Swift's rise to fame has been an incredible story to follow. But, what many may not know, is her ascend to one of the greats began about 90 minutes west of Philadelphia. Reading, Pennsylvania, home of the Fightin Phils, but also home to Taylor Swift. Her journey kicked off at a Reading Fightin Phils game.
The first time Swift appeared at a Reading game was completely unplanned. She was at the game as a part of a youth acting group, that was performing the show "Grease" in Reading. Reading was hosting a 50s theme night and the group came out that night dressed as the characters from "Grease". Prior to the game, the group sang songs from the production behind home plate.
But, that same night the scheduled anthem singer did not show up. About two minutes before the anthem, Fightin Phils General Manager Scott Hunsicker was talking with Swift and her parents when they realized there was no anthem singer. At that time, Swift has never performed the anthem, but she quickly ran through it with her mom, then decided to give it a shot. Swift crushed the anthem and it wouldn't be the last time she sang at a Reading game as she returned to sing later that season.
Swift came back the following year and sang the anthem again and then the following year the R-Phils helped her book and promote her first ever solo concert in a large venue. Over the years, she would continue to come back and sing the anthem.
From there, Swift hit it big and the rest is history. She had sent the R-Phils multiple platinum albums to thank them for helping launch her career. The last time she sang the anthem at an R-Phils game was in 2007, when she was 18. She also sang the anthem at Citizens Bank Park prior to game three of the 2008 World Series.
Now, just across the street from Citizens Bank Park, she'll spend three nights performing to a total of 200,000 fans. Her rise to stardom has been incredible to follow and it all began in our backyard, here in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Also, join us for Swifties Night on Saturday, July 1, when Reading takes on the Richmond Flying Squirrels at 6:45. It will be an awesome night recognizing Taylor Swift and all of her accomplishments, featuring plenty of Taylor Swift music and a Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks Show, the largest fireworks display in stadium history. The night will conclude with a Taylor Swift theme post-game concert with local singer-songwriter Stephanie Grace, Tickets to that game remain available!
So many more local singers look to get their start at FirstEnergy Stadium each night and you can come out to catch many local singers and the R-Phils in action. Get tickets to all games, including Saturday night's Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks Show at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in-person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.
The 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.
Reading and Binghamton Rained Out Tuesday Night
(Binghamton, NY) - Tuesday night's game between the Reading Fightin Phils and Binghamton Rumble Ponies has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as a part of a doubleheader on Saturday, with the first game beginning at 12 p.m. Both games will be seven innings. Wednesday
Fightin Phils Partnering with Berks County Agriculture for Cup Giveaway on June 18
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are excited to partner with Berks County Agriculture, who will sponsor the America's Classic Ballpark Commemorative Cup for the first 2,000 adults, on Wednesday, June 18, against the Hartford Yard Goats. First pitch for the game is
Felix Reyes Walk Off Homer Give Fightin Phils Extra Inning Win
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (7-18) took the final game of the series against the Harrisburg Senators (13-14) 4-3 in a walk off win. The Reading Fightin Phils took the early lead in the bottom of the first with a lead-off home run from Robert Moore.
Harrisburg Downs Reading in Rain Shortened Game
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (6-18) fell to the Harrisburg Senators (13-13) 9-1 in a six-inning rain-shortened game. Harrisburg came out strong in the top of the first inning. Phillip Glasser got things started with a single on a ground ball to right field. Yohandy Morales
Fightin Phils Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in Loss to Harrisburg
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (6-17) fell to the Harrisburg Senators (12-13) 6-4 in the fourth game of the series. The Harrisburg Senators took the early lead in the top of the first. Nick Schnell doubled on a sharp fly ball to center field and then
Fightins Snap Skid with One Run Win over Harrisburg
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - Home runs from Robert Moore and Leandro Pineda led the Reading Fightin Phils (6-16) to a 5-4 win over the Harrisburg Senators (11-13) on Thursday night, snapping Reading's 10-game losing streak. Reading struck first early on thanks to a solo home run from Leandro Pineda
Chace Strong on Mound as Reading Drops Game Two to Harrisburg
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-16) fell to the Harrisburg Senators (11-12) 6-3 in the second game of the series. The Fightin Phils got themselves on the board first in the bottom of the fourth inning. Aidan Miller and Hendry Mendez both singled during their time
Late Reading Rallies Come up Short in Game One Defeat to Harrisburg
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-15) fell to the Harrisburg Senators (10-12) 9-7 in the opening game of the series. After two hitless innings for both teams, the Harrisburg Senators were the first on the board thanks to a solo home run from Daylen Lile in
Fightin Phils Take on the Harrisburg Senators in Upcoming Home Series
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, are back in town to take on the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The series kicks off on Tuesday, April 29 at 6:45 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium. Tuesday, April 29 through Thursday, May 1
Reading and Portland Rained Out for Second Straight Game Sunday
(Portland, ME) - Sunday's game between the Reading Fightin Phils and Portland Sea Dogs has been postponed due to rain. Saturday and Sunday's rained out games will be made up as part of doubleheaders on Wednesday, May 21 at 5 p.m. and Friday, May 23 at 4 p.m., when the
Reading and Portland Rained Out Saturday
(Portland, ME) - Saturday's game between the Reading Fightin Phils and Portland Sea Dogs has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up at a date to be determined when Reading visits Portland from May 20-25. Sunday's game will remain as a schedule single game at 1
Gabe Mosser Shines as Fightins are Walked Off by Sea Dogs
BOX SCORE (Portland, ME) - A walk-off home run from Tyler Miller in the bottom of the ninth led the Portland Sea Dogs (11-6) to a 2-1 win over the Reading Fightin Phils (5-14) on Friday night from Delta Dental Park. With the win, Portland clinches this week's series as
Chuck King's Career Best Outing Not Enough as Fightins Fall
BOX SCORE (Portland, ME) - Five-shutout innings from Chuck King was not enough as the Reading Fightin Phils (5-13) fell 4-3 to the Portland Sea Dogs (10-6) on Thursday night from Delta Dental Park. With the loss, Reading has dropped the first three games to Portland this week and have
Fausnaught Fires Five Strong Frames as Fightins Fall
BOX SCORE (Portland, ME) - Five-strong innings from Braeden Fausnaught wasn't enough as the Reading Fightin Phils (5-12) fell 5-1 to the Portland Sea Dogs (9-6) on Wednesday night from Hadlock Field. With the win, the Sea Dogs jumped out to a 2-0 edge in this week's six-game series. After
Late Portland Push Downs Reading in Game One
BOX SCORE (Portland, ME) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-11) fell to the Portland Sea Dogs (8-6) 9-8 in the first game of the series. Reading took the early lead in the top of the first when Aidan Miller singled on a sharp ground ball to left field and then
Miller Has Two Knocks as Reading Falls in Finale to Binghamton
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-10) fell to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (7-6) 3-2 in the final game as Binghamton took the series 4-2. The Rumble Ponies struck first with a lead off solo home run from Jeff McNeil which put Binghamton up 1-0. They extended
Fightin Phils Drop Third Straight to Binghamton
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-9) dropped their third straight game to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (6-6) 6-1 in the fifth game of the series. The Rumble Ponies struck first in the top of the first inning. Both Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez singled which was then followed
Late Rally Not Enough as Fightin Phils Drop Second Straight
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-8) fell to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (5-6) 6-5 in the fourth game of the series. Binghamton got on the board first in the top of the third inning. Jett Willams walked after his time at bat. Francisco Alvarez made it
Fightin Phils Drop First Game of Series to Rumble Ponies
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-7) fell to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (4-6) 6-2 in the third game of the series. The Rumble Ponies got themselves on the board first with a lead off home run from Jett Williams, making it 1-0. Reading was able to
Miller Knocks Three Hits as Fightin Phils Down Rumble Ponies
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (5-6) defeated the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-6) 7-4 in the second game of the series. The Rumble Ponies got off with a similar start as the previous game. Nick Morabito doubled on a ground ball to left field which was then
Fightins Home Run Barrages Downs Rumble Ponies in Series Opener
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (4-6) took the series opener against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-6) 12-2. Binghamton took the early lead in the top of the first inning. Nick Morabito walked after his time up at bat and was followed by Ryan Clifford who doubled
Top Prospects Clash as Rumble Ponies Come to Town
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Fightins Rally Late Again to Split Series with Somerset
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McGarry Strong Again as Fightins are Swept in Doubleheader
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Fightin Phils and Patriots Postponed on Friday Night
(Bridgewater, NJ) - Friday night's game between the Reading Fightin Phils and Somerset Patriots has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. Both games will be seven innings and there will be an approximate 30-minute break