Miners continue to create sense of community for fans

The Sussex County Miners will host community events at their games to draw bigger crowds this year while remaining a spot for local fans.

From appreciation nights to festivals, theme nights to giveaways, the minor league baseball team will continue to offer a place for Sussex County residents to gather.

The team will play its first game of the season Friday, May 12 in Joliet, Ill. The first home game is Tuesday, May 16 at Skylands Stadium in Augusta.

Kevin Fenlon has been a county resident for more than 20 years.

“Without a doubt, I love that they host community events. It’s an awesome community partnership that the Miners have invested into promoting baseball.”

He attended a recent Food Truck Festival at Skylands Stadium, featuring food trucks, live music, carnival games and more.

Fenlon said he is a fan of the Miners because the team focuses on much more than baseball.

“It’s a social event for not only kids but adults too. It’s really a great family night out.”

Kate King, 18, shares that sentiment.

She praised the Miners for providing her and her family and friends with an opportunity to enjoy evenings out in Sussex County for the past seven years.

“When I was a child, I loved going to the baseball games and doing all of the activities. I even went down on to the field in between innings and did one of the competitions and won. That’s where my love for the Miners began.”

The presence of local sports, such as the Miners, affects her every day. After attending numerous games, she decided that she wanted to cover local sports, which has doing with sports teams at High Point Regional High School since the ninth grade.

As a graduating senior, King plan to attend Liberty University to major in digital media and journalism. She now runs a sports and event videography account on Instagram under the name @king.filmss.

New general manager

This year, fans may expect even more community events at games.

The recently hired general manager, Vinnie Sangemino, hopes to involve the community even more than in previous years.

“(Sangemino’s) been to a handful of Miners games at Skylands Stadium and said that, while he enjoyed them, he sees great potential to turn them into bigger “community events” that will draw bigger crowds than ever,” according to a statement on the team’s website.

In May alone, the Miners are hosting six different promotional events, including Nurses Night on Thursday, May 18, sponsored by Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, which will include a special pregame to honor nurses, and a Memorial Weekend Celebration on Saturday, May 27, including fireworks, giveaways and “In Memoriam” announcements.

Special events will continue throughout the summer, including Sussex County Night on June 9, which will include local vendors, an auction to benefit Ginnie’s House and giveaway prizes.

Other signature events expected to return are Star Wars Night on July 22 and Bobblehead Night on Aug. 12.

Such events allow fans to come together and create memorable experiences.

“Six years ago, on Star Wars Night, I began my journey as Miner Man,” said Sean Sandage of Hopatcong. “My wife and daughter painted my face. ... My daughter said I looked pretty cool and that I should paint my face every game. At that moment, I realized I could take my fandom to a whole new level.

“The paint has changed to masks and I have made so many great memories with my Miners family!” he added.

Fans like Sandage are excited and hopeful for the new season.

“I always look forward to meeting new fans, seeing our die-hard season-ticket holders and all of the amazing staff,” he said.

“However, I am excited to welcome our new GM, team manager and new players and see what they can do to bring a Frontier League Championship to Miner Nation and Sussex County.”