Gwinnett Stripers: A winning team in Triple-A baseball and family fun

BY BETH SLAUGHTER SEXTON STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Living almost within earshot of Coolray Field, the Skidmore family of Lawrenceville has cheered on the Gwinnett Stripers for years. They remember the excitement of watching construction at the ballpark and were among the first fans to attend a game when the stadium opened in 2009.

“We just love it,” Kathy Skidmore said after attending a recent Stripers game with her family. “It is so much fun to see how our grandchildren enjoy baseball and this is just a great experience for them.” Her husband, Chip and sons Corey and Carson all grew up playing baseball—especially Corey who pitched, played outfield and lettered in baseball at Collins Hill High School. Now Corey’s sons are following the favorite family pastime with seven-year-old Carter in his third season as he plays with the Pirates in Dacula’s Bogan Park. The first-grader likes to tap his bat on home plate like he’s seen the Stripers and Braves players do. While his three-yearold brother Cameron is not yet on a team, he enjoys throwing the ball and cheering for his big brother along with their mother Lisa and baby sister, Sophie.

Taking their grandchildren to see the Stripers has created special memories and fun family time for the Skidmores. For its part, the team offers an exceptional program of special promotions, events, activities and exciting games, all geared to celebrate the Stripers and bring families together at the ballpark.

The Gwinnett Stripers are now in their 14th season as the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 2022, the team hosted 216,177 fans over 73 home dates at Coolray Field, the largest single-season attendance since 2016, and an increase of 53,683 over the 2021 season. Gwinnett’s season-high attendance of 9,069 on July 30, for the first of five Braves World Champions Replica Ring Giveaways was the team’s first crowd of 9,000-plus since August 2019. The team schedule this season includes 75 home games.

In addition to exciting baseball games featuring the future stars of the Atlanta Braves, the Stripers also host a slate of special nights and promotions throughout the season. Fireworks follow each Friday night game, weather permitting. Dozens of fan giveaways and specials include clear fanny pack giveaways; free dog admissions on Wednesdays with one paid owner; food buffet specials; hat giveaways; hotdog and dessert specials; bobblehead giveaways and many special emphasis nights, such as Star Wars Night featuring favorite characters and where the first 500 kids get a glowsaber.

The Little Anglers Kids Club is open to all Stripers fans ages 12 and younger. For $20, members get a membership card, Kids Club item, one general admission ticket to all Sunday home games and more.

There are a number of updates and new additions fans will experience this season at Coolray Field, which is located at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. Through a new partnership with the all-in-one digital personal finance company, SoFi, Coolray Field’s premium location for groups of 100 will now be known as the SoFi Super Suite. The entire space has been updated with SoFi’s vibrant turquoise colorway and includes sleek, modern furniture.

The Stripers have partnered with another innovative Georgiabased brand--Pontoon Brewing Company, to introduce the Pontoon Brewing Boathouse. Located behind Section 105, the Boathouse is a social space for baseball fans and craft beer enthusiasts to enjoy the game along with one of Pontoon Brewing Company’s craft beer selections. The Boathouse will also have a menu of premium food options, including Pontoon Wings, the Cuban Sandwich, Crab Cake Sandwich and Fish Tacos.

The Stripers and concessionaire Professional Sports Catering have teamed up with several new partners on updated concession stands and new specialty foods. All the Fixins featuring “downhome Southern fare with a local flair” will add to its menu sweet tea, Bacon Onion Jam Footlong Hotdog; BBQ Sundae, Catfish Basket, Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, Blooming Onion Petals and Strawberry Shortcake. New items and updates have also been made to concessions and specialty foods at Grab ‘N Go, Oatly, Rachetti’s Café & Pizzeria, Sahlen’s Hot Dogs, Shiner Bock Bar and Sweet & Boozy Ice Cream.

After a successful roll-out to patrons in the Cutwater Club last season, the Stripers are making mobile ordering and in-seat delivery available to fans throughout the Coolray Field seating bowl. QR codes on the backs of seats will direct fans to the Ordr app, where they can purchase items and have them delivered directly to their seats.

To buy tickets to an upcoming Stripers game or for more information on the Stripers schedule and special promotion dates at Coolray Field, visit www.GoStripers.com.