Struggling baseball teams throughout are finding it tough, yet the Stormers manage to draw in crowds consistently
Lancaster Stormers: A Community-Focused Baseball Team
The Lancaster Stormers, a staple in the Atlantic League, have been making waves in the world of independent baseball. Under the leadership of President and General Manager Mike Reynolds, who has been with the team since 2016, the Stormers are not just a sports team, but a community center.
Reynolds' vision for the Stormers is to foster connections and create memories at Penn Medicine Park, the team's home ground. This approach seems to be working, as the gates to the park are almost always open, inviting fans to join the Stormers' community.
Speaking of fans, the Stormers have been drawing large crowds. Last season, they set a league single-game attendance record with 8,636 fans, and they consistently average around 4,000 fans per game, second only to the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League.
At the heart of the Stormers' success is their manager, Ross Peeples. A long-time fixture in Lancaster, Peeples spent 10 seasons pitching with the team before immediately transitioning to the coaching staff. Last year, he managed his 1000th game with the Stormers, a testament to his dedication and passion for the team.
Peeples, who initially thought he would never leave the South, has grown to love Lancaster. He expressed his gratitude for being with the Stormers, stating he's loved every minute of it.
The Stormers' philosophy focuses on building speed and defense, rather than pursuing power bats. This strategy, combined with their community-centric approach, has led to success in the league's new era. The Stormers have won back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.
The Atlantic League is seeing a shift towards younger players, a result of Major League Baseball slashing big-league affiliation and shortening the amateur draft in 2021. This trend is reflected in the Stormers' roster, as more players are going straight from college to independent leagues.
The Stormers' home, Penn Medicine Park, has undergone some changes as well. Artificial turf was installed ahead of the 2024 season, and this year, the USL-W's Lancaster Inferno began play at the stadium.
In addition to baseball, the stadium hosts various events like kickball leagues and youth sports clinics, further cementing its role as a community center. As the Stormers continue to thrive on and off the field, they remain a beacon of community spirit in Lancaster.
