FirstEnergy Stadium-Home of the Reading Phillies Baseball
The Reading Phillies are the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies organization and play their home games at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, just 5 miles from the Homewood Suites Reading / Wyomissing hotel.
Click here for an interactive driving map to FirstEnergy Stadium from the hotel powered by Google.
The Reading Phillies provide baseball excitement every year from April through September. This Eastern League Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies are the oldest Phillies minor league team in the system. And the stadium is America's Classic Ballpark! Be sure to take in a game while you are in the Greater Reading area.
Completed in 1951, FirstEnergy Stadium is now the oldest home in the Eastern League. While the facility has undergone a series of renovations over the years, the original seating bowl, dugouts and exterior brick wall have all remained and continue to provide tangible links to the past.
Below is a timeline of the significant improvements made to the ballpark over the years:
- October 1987-January 1989: Main grandstand seats changed to individual seats, roof erected over 1,500 seats, press box expanded.
- October 1989-September 1990: Third base picnic area added.
- 1991-1992 Season: Right field food court completed.
- Summer 1992: Left field bleachers razed and new grandstand erected.
- October 1992-March 1993: Park's front façade enhanced, team offices expanded, souvenir shop added.
- Summer 1993: Playing surface improved, field irrigation system installed, batting tunnel built behind third base bleachers, left field deck constructed providing "home run" seats and bar.
- Fall 1994: New drainage system implemented (dropped number of rainouts per season from average of 10 to 3)
- 1996: 483 individual seats and eight private boxes added to the deck.
- October 1997: Boardwalk added to the left field deck area, state-of-the-art video scoreboard and video cameras installed providing the capability for showing color video during games.
- 1999 Season: Radar system and speed of pitch indicator added, giant dog tags statue placed outside main entrance in a special rededication ceremony to honor the county's veterans.
- September 2000: Pool pavilion beyond the right field fence includes 1,000 sq ft heated pool, picnic buffet area for fans, umpires' locker rooms, a weight room and storage space.
- March 2001: The Power Alley Pub was built and became an extension of the left field deck.
- Before the 2002 season, GPU Stadium was renamed FirstEnergy Stadium, giving the ballpark its third title in 53 years.
- Fall/Winter 2002-2003: Individual seats in left field deck replace by four-tiered picnic area and the Classic Café was constructed beneath the first base bleachers.
- 2003-2004 Offseason: New Daktronics ProStar video board installed that is three times the size of the earlier board; marquee on Route 61 erected, home clubhouse renovated and expanded; a new batting/pitching tunnel - Baseballtown Academy - erected for Phillies prospects and hosting camps, clinics and private lessons year-round.
- Winter 2004-2005: Exploding train that comes alive when the Phillies have runners in scoring position added in right-center field above the fence; expanded the right field food court.
For a schedule of games and more information on the Reading Phillies and FirstEnergy Stadium, click here to visit their official website.
The Homewood Suites by Hilton® Reading hotel offers the largest suites and most value added amenities to guests visiting the Greater Reading area. While you are visiting and taking in a Reading Phillies game, you will find our spacious suites, complimentary high-speed Internet access, complimentary Suite StartTM hot breakfast and friendly staff make us the ideal Greater Reading all-suite hotel accommodations. Book your reservations online today from this website and you are guaranteed the best Internet rate available.
