Since early June, a question was raised regarding the future of the Fightin Phils in Reading. The Phillies minor league club has been working with the state to secure funding for the necessary repairs and upgrades. The 70 year old ball park located in Berks County has until 2023 to improve FirstEnergy Stadium. General Manager Scott Hunsicker has stated that they have “no intention of ever leaving Reading.”

Good news came this week, with the city of Reading granting $3 million of the estimated $15 million needed to upgrade FirstEnergy Stadium to keep the R-Phils in town. The Fightin Phils are majority-owned by the Phillies and the ballpark is owned by the city of Reading. They have been an affiliate of the Phillies since 1967.

City council voted in a clean sweep of 6-0 to contribute the funds needed to upgrade the stadium. Major League Baseball sent out new requirements for MiLB stadiums to meet such as locker rooms for females and larger weight rooms, clubhouses, etc. FirstEnergy Stadium did not meet these; and would take up a whopping estimated $15 million to follow through with these requirements at the risk of moving from the city.

With these upgrades hopefully taking place over the off-season, the longest running minor league affiliation in baseball will hopefully stay put for the distant future.

As for the Phillies, they are back from the All-Star break today as they take on the Miami Marlins in a doubleheader. First pitch is at 4:05pm. Second pitch will be at 7:30pm. Matt Moore and Zach Eflin are on the mound for the Phillies as they look to get above .500 for the first time since early in the 2021 season.

Mandatory Credit: Berks Weekly