Edmonton Riverhawks welcome thousands of kids for school field trip game

Thousands of students headed to Re/Max Field on Wednesday to watch the Edmonton Riverhawks play a school spirit themed game.

Thousands of kids from across the capital region filled the seats of Re/Max Field on Wednesday to watch the Riverhawks take on the Victoria HarbourCats.

The stadium was booming with enthusiasm from the crowd, many of whom were at their first-ever game.

“It has not stopped screaming since we started our game,” said Riverhawks marketing game day director Maddie Murdoch. “The energy is really awesome … we encourage the noise.”

Grade 2 teacher Jennifer Radtke said the game was a great experience for the kids, despite the precarious weather.

“They’re excited. Rain or shine they’re ready to be here,” said Radtke

The School Spirit game started at 11:05 a.m. and had a science show courtesy of the Telus World of Science Edmonton as well as a local mascot parade.

“We love our baseball, but it’s all about the fan experience,” said Riverhawks’ fun advisor Steve Hogle. “It’s an absolute blast and we build community in the process.”

Kids were led through the game with PA announcements, telling them the number of strikes, outs, hits and runs.

“These kids commonly haven’t been to a baseball game before … so you have to guide them through the experience so they learn a little bit about the game in the process.”

Wednesday was just one of the Riverhawks’ themed nights this week. Other themes include “The Theatre Kids are Taking Over,” “Baseball goes Bollywood,” and “We’re Going to the Cottage: Pride Night.”

“We really want to be different each and every game, that’s what I think is a big part of our personality and we want people coming down here not knowing what to expect,” said Hogle.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti