On the Road: Hagerstown's team spirit
The Hagerstown Suns play in a small market and operate out of a facility, Hagerstown Municipal Stadium, that is nearly 90 years old. As a result, they regularly place at or near the bottom in South Atlantic League attendance. But in any Minor League community -- whether beleaguered, thriving or somewhere
The Hagerstown Suns play in a small market and operate out of a facility, Hagerstown Municipal Stadium, that is nearly 90 years old. As a result, they regularly place at or near the bottom in South Atlantic League attendance.
But in any Minor League community -- whether beleaguered, thriving or somewhere in-between -- there are fans who go above and beyond in support of their team. In Hagerstown, this dedication is epitomized by Judy Baker and the volunteer organization over which she presides.
Hagerstown Municipal Stadium, home of the South Atlantic League Suns.
Baker, a retired fifth- and sixth-grade teacher, is president of the Hagerstown Suns Fan Club. This group of ardent boosters supports the Class A Washington Nationals affiliate on a year-round, grassroots level. Recurring Suns Fan Club activities include bat raffles, picnics, clothing donations, offseason get-togethers and, perhaps most notably, sponsoring an annual theme jersey.
On any given night at Hagerstown Municipal Stadium, Baker can be found watching the game from a standing position behind the first base dugout. A folded red blanket, placed on the dugout roof, provides a slight cushion for forearms and elbows over the course of the ballgame. It's a remarkably close vantage point from which to take in the action, indicative of Municipal Stadium's exceedingly intimate environment. The ballpark, consisting of a covered grandstand and bleachers on the first and third base sides, was built in 1930 over an approximately six-week span. Truly, they don't make them like this anymore.
Suns Fan Club president Judy Baker, wearing 2019's Fan Club-sponsored jersey.
"I've been coming here since the '80s," said Baker during Aug. 30's ballgame against the Lakewood BlueClaws. "My daughter [Heidi] was a ballgirl and then she was a batgirl for the Suns during the years that the Orioles were [the Major League affiliate]. She started when she was 9 and, of course, now you can't do that. That's when [manager] Don Buford Sr. was here, and his guys. They were awesome, and I was here all the time. Rain, snow, whatever happened."
Baker's regular ballpark presence led to her getting involved with the Suns Fan Club, which in turn led to her taking on the role of president. Money for the group's activities often comes through game-used-bat raffles. These bats, which in Baker's words are "usually cracked," are often repaired by Fan Club member (and Hagerstown Convention and Visitors Bureau president) Dan Spedden.
"He'll take them home and kind of glue them back together into something presentable and then we send them down [to the clubhouse] to have them signed," said Baker. "It depends on the crowd what kind of money we make. Sometimes it's not a lot, but we don't have a lot invested in it, either. And it's so much fun when you see kids win it. They get so excited."
A portion of the bat raffle proceeds helps to fund the purchase of cold-weather clothing, distributed largely to Latino players who are not used to the snow and freezing rain that can be prevalent during the early months of the season.
"April can be kind of nasty," said Baker. "So I just start watching for sales and have just a big tub of [clothes] and [the players] can pull what they need."
Putting together an annual theme jersey, which is worn by the Suns throughout the season, is one of the Fan Club's most unique and enduring initiatives. The jerseys are a self-perpetuating endeavor; they are auctioned off at the end of the season, with the proceeds funding the purchase of jerseys for the following year.
"We try to tie [the jerseys] into something historical," said Baker. "We've done different anniversaries, like the 10th anniversary of the Nationals [affiliation]. Next year, we'll probably do a 40th anniversary jersey, because it's been that long since [the Suns] came back to the city and started up again."
The 2019 theme jerseys were an homage to the Hagerstown Packets, who competed in the Piedmont League in 1954-55. The name was a reference to the C-82 Packet military transport plane, which was manufactured in Hagerstown by the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation (the city's largest employer at the time). The bright red jerseys featured a stylized red, white and blue "H" on the front and a Hagerstown Packets commemorative logo on the right sleeve.
The Suns wore their Fan Club-sponsored jerseys throughout the 2019 campaign.
"They've been wearing it all season long, just whenever they want to," said Baker. "The previous homestand they wore it, I think, three nights in a row. It's light. It's comfortable."
The Suns wore their Fan Club-funded Packets jerseys for the final time on Aug. 31. As fans entered the ballpark, just after receiving bobbleheads of Hagerstown baseball icon Paul "Ears" McNeal, they encountered a table displaying the jerseys as well as related historical information. Upon the conclusion of the evening's contest -- a victory over the BlueClaws -- the players gamely stood by as the jerseys were auctioned off one by one to fans sitting in the first base bleachers. It was a long process, aided and abetted by the able auctioneering efforts of Suns community relations manager Tom Burtman. In the end, $3,900 was raised. This money will go toward next year's jerseys and, thus, the cycle continues.
Never seen this before:
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) September 1, 2019
Tonight’s @HagerstownSuns theme jerseys, sponsored by the team’s fan club, are being sold to the highest bidder in a live postgame auction. pic.twitter.com/q5vELBJaKE
It all comes down to the ultimate goal of always being a source of support for the players.

"You see how hard these guys work, and such a small percentage of them actually get to reach that dream of playing in the Majors," said Baker. "Their work ethic is amazing and, I think, a great example for the kids. If you really want something, you have to put the time and effort in."
That philosophy shows in the efforts of the Suns Fans Club, as well as all who dedicate themselves to supporting teams that play in less-than-ideal facilities and circumstances.
"Minor League Baseball gets in your blood," said Baker. "Once you get started, it's hard to pull away from it."
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter.
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring