Meet the Triple-A East Northeast Division
The 2021 season begins in just 12 days! This year, the Omaha Storm Chasers are part of a new Triple-A league, Triple-A East. Triple-A East is one of the new leagues in Minor League Baseball formed as a result of the contraction of Minor League Baseball following the renegotiation of
The 2021 season begins in just 12 days! This year, the Omaha Storm Chasers are part of a new Triple-A league, Triple-A East.
Triple-A East is one of the new leagues in Minor League Baseball formed as a result of the contraction of Minor League Baseball following the renegotiation of the Professional Baseball Agreement after its expiration in September of 2020. Triple-A East includes teams that previously played in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, the Triple-A International League, the Double-A Southern League, and the independent American Association. Triple-A East includes 20 teams and is divided into three divisions: Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast. There will be limited inter-divisional play in 2021 to mitigate travel. The Omaha Storm Chasers will only face teams in the Midwest Division during the 2021 season.
While the Storm Chasers won't face any of the six teams in the Northeast Division this season, here's a primer to get to know some of Omaha's future foes.
BUFFALO BISONS
The Buffalo Bisons are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and have been since 2013. In addition to previously being members of the International League from 1998-2020, the Bisons were members of the American Association from 1985-1997.
Omaha has an all-time record of 89-119 (.428) against Buffalo across 208 regular season meetings between 1985 and 1997. The two teams also met in the postseason in 1995, when Buffalo defeated Omaha in the American Association Division Series, 3-1 in a best-of-five series.
The Bisons play their home games at Sahlen Field, which welcomed the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2020 season.
LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, located in Allentown, Pa., are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and play their home games at Coca-Cola Park. The franchise has been a Phillies affiliate since 2007, but spent the first season of their partnership playing their final season at Ottowa Baseball Stadium in Ottowa, Ontario, Canada. The franchise, then known as Ottowa Lynx, became the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2008 when the frachise moved to Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
While Omaha and Lehigh Valley have never faced, the Storm Chasers have previously played at Coca-Cola Park. In 2013, the Storm Chasers faced off against the Durham Bulls at Coca-Cola Park in the 2013 Triple-A National Championship Game, defeating the Bulls 2-1 to claim the franchise's first Triple-A National Championship.
ROCHESTER RED WINGS
The Rochester Red Wings are the new Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals after having been affiliated with the Minnesota Twins from 2003-2020 and play their home games at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y. When the St. Paul Saints became the new Twins' Triple-A affiliate following the 2020 season, Rochester signed on with the Washington Nationals, which had previously been partnered with the Fresno Grizzlies.
The franchise was founded in 1899, making it the oldest continuously operating sports franchise in North America below the Major League level. They've been named the Red Wings since 1929, and had been members of the International League since 1912 prior to the shift to Triple-A East.
Rochester and Omaha overlapped briefly during the Triple-A alliance years from 1988-1991, with Omaha holding an 8-7 edge all-time. The two teams also squared off in the 1990 Triple-A Classic, which pitted the American Association champion against the International League champion. The Omaha Royals defeated the Rochester Red Wings, 4-1, in a best-of-seven series, which included a 12-inning, 5-4 win at Silver Stadium in Rochester in Game 3.
SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE RAILRIDERS
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees and play their home games at PNC Park in Moosic, Pa.
The franchise has been affiliated with the Yankees since 2007, after serving as a Phillies affiliate from 1989-2006. The team arrived in Pennsylanvia in 1989 after relocating from Orchard Beach, Maine, where the franchise played for five seasons as the Maine Guides.
Omaha holds a 7-5 all-time record against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre across 12 meetings from 1989-1991 and a 3-2 all-time record against Maine across five games in 1988, the Guides' final season.
The RailRiders also lay claim to the longest team name in Minor League Baseball at 29 letters.
SYRACUSE METS
The Syracuse Mets are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets and have been since 2019. The franchise has been affiliated with nine other Major League teams since its inception in 1961, including Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minnesota, New York (AL), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Toronto, and most recently, Washington.
Omaha squared off with Syracuse in 17 regular-season matchups between 1988-1991, holding a dominant 14-3 (.824) all-time record. Syracuse, however, owns postseason bragging rights from the 1970 Junior World Series, defeating Omaha 4-1 in a best-of-seven series. After the first four games of the series were played in Syracuse, Game 5 was played a Rosenblatt Stadium and saw Syracuse win 5-3 in 11 innings to clinch the series.
WORCESTER RED SOX
The Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, are in their first season in Worcester, Ma. after spending the previous 46 seasons playing at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. as the Pawtucket Red Sox.
While Omaha has yet to face the Worcester franchise, the Omaha went 10-6 against Pawtucket in 16 regular season matchups from 1988-1991. The Storm Chasers also defeated Pawtucket, 4-2, in the 2014 Triple-A National Championship Game held in Charlotte, N.C.
Storm Chasers fall to Louisville in Extra Innings, Split Series
PAPILLION, NEB. - The Omaha Storm Chasers couldn't quite complete the comeback on Sunday afternoon, falling 7-5 in the final, ten-inning game of a six-game series against the Louisville Bats. Omaha starter Luinder Avila had a rough first inning, giving up an early two runs. The Storm Chasers answered in
Chasers Shut Out by Bats 4-0
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers suffered their first shutout loss of 2025, as the Louisville Bats claimed the penultimate game of this week’s series with a 4-0 score over Omaha Saturday afternoon. After throwing a 1-2-3 first inning, Storm Chasers starter Chandler Champlain was tagged for three runs
Guerrero Throws Five Perfect Innings in 8-2 Win over Louisville
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won a third straight game over the Louisville Bats, a 8-2 victory Friday at Werner Park, with the pitching staff carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning and a shutout into the ninth inning. Starting pitcher Tyson Guerrero set the tone from the
Devanney Walks Off Bats With Two-Run Homer
PAPILLION, NEB. – Cam Devanney hit a two-run walk-off home run as the Omaha Storm Chasers claimed a 5-3 win over the Louisville Bats Thursday at Werner Park. Omaha starting pitcher Thomas Hatch set the tone early in his Royals organization debut, holding the Bats to one run with six
Waters Hits For Cycle as Omaha Tops Louisville 12-6
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers outfielder Drew Waters hit for the cycle in a 12-6 win over the Louisville Bats Wednesday afternoon, the first Omaha batter to hit for the cycle since May 2014. Waters legged out an infield single in the first inning, then tripled in a run
Avila Strikes Out 11 but Omaha Drops Home Opener to Louisville
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers starting pitcher Luinder Avila struck out a career-high 11 and took a shutout into the sixth inning, but the Louisville Bats spoiled Tuesday’s home opener, as Omaha fell to Louisville 7-3 at Werner Park. Avila retired his first 12 batters, opening the game with
Tyler Tolbert Makes MLB Debut With Kansas City Royals
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers utility player Tyler Tolbert made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals on Monday, March 31, 2025, in their game at American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers, the second Storm Chaser to debut in the Major Leagues this season and the first
March 30 Storm Chasers Game Postponed
DES MOINES, IOWA – The Omaha Storm Chasers’ road game against the Iowa Cubs has been postponed today – Sunday, March 30th – due to inclement weather. No makeup date has been set for the postponed game. With the postponement, Omaha and Iowa split this weekend’s series, one win each.
Omaha Scores 10 Unanswered Runs to Win First Game of 2025
Des Moines, Iowa – The Omaha Storm Chasers earned their first win of the season Saturday afternoon, scoring 10 unanswered runs to beat the Iowa Cubs 12-7. Omaha was first onto the board, as Harold Castro opened the top of the second inning with a double, then came around to
Storm Chasers Drop Season Opener in Iowa
DES MOINES, IOWA – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the 2025 season opener to the Iowa Cubs, 6-3 Friday night at Principal Park. Iowa was first onto the scoreboard, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run homer off Omaha starting pitcher Tyson Guerrero for
Storm Chasers Reveal 2025 Breaking Roster
PAPILLION, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers, in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals, announced their Breaking Roster for the 2025 season on Thursday ahead of the season opener on Friday, March 28 in Des Moines, Iowa, against the Iowa Cubs. The active roster of 28 players includes 20 players
Storm Chasers Baseball Returns to News Talk 1290 KOIL in 2025
PAPILLION, Neb. – News Talk 1290 KOIL will once again serve as the radio home of the Omaha Storm Chasers during the 2025 season, the organization and NRG Media announced today. Fans will be able to listen to a minimum of 120 games through their radio on 1290 AM with
Nick Badders Honored with Royals’ Matt Minker Award
PAPILLION, Neb. – The Kansas City Royals announced today that Omaha Storm Chasers Play-by-Play Broadcaster and Media Relations Manager Nick Badders has been awarded the Matt Minker Dedication and Leadership Award. Each year, the Royals bestow the Minker Award upon a Minor League employee who exemplifies qualities of leadership and
Storm Chasers Continue With Autism Action Partnership in 2025
PAPILLION, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers are excited to continue working with Autism Action Partnership for the 2025 season. Autism Action Partnership is a long-time partner of the Omaha Storm Chasers. They provide sensory kits at Werner Park that can be checked out at the Velocity Clinical Research Fan
Storm Chasers Reveal 2025 Promotional Schedule
PAPILLION, Neb. –The Omaha Storm Chasers have announced the promotional schedule for the upcoming 2025 season, with the home opener at Werner Park slated for Tuesday, April 1 at 6:35 p.m. against the Louisville Bats. The promotional schedule features daily promotions, giveaways and theme nights throughout the 75-game home schedule.
Storm Chasers Announce 2025 Front Office Promotions and Additions
PAPILLION, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers are excited to announce several promotions and additions to the front office staff ahead of the 2025 season. “I’m incredibly excited for the internal promotions we’ve made recently and have enjoyed welcoming new members of the Chasers Family to Werner Park,” said Storm
2025 Storm Chasers Single Game Tickets Now on Sale
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Jackie Robinson Scholarship Applications Open for 2025
PAPILLION, NE – Applications for the 20th annual Jackie Robinson Scholarship presented by The Weitz Company are currently open and due by March 21, 2025. The Chasers Charities-Robinson Athletic Scholarship program is administered by the Omaha Storm Chasers in order to recognize local high school athletes for their hard work,
NEST529 “Why I Want to Go to College” Writing Sweepstakes Now Open
LINCOLN, NE – Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese and the Omaha Storm Chasers today announced the 23rd annual “Why I Want to Go to College” writing sweepstakes. Entries must be postmarked by Monday, March 31, 2025. Students are asked to reflect on the value of education and what they hope
Manager Mike Jirschele Returns as Storm Chasers Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
PAPILLION, NE – The Kansas City Royals announced today the 2025 Omaha Storm Chasers coaching staff, headlined by manager Mike Jirschele returning for his 17th season at the helm of the Triple-A Omaha franchise. The 2024 International League Manager of the Year, “Jirsch” will be joined on the Storm Chasers
OMAHA STORM CHASERS WIN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
PAPILLION, NEB. – With a 7-3 win over the Columbus Clippers Thursday at Werner Park, the Omaha Storm Chasers won the franchise’s first International League Championship, securing a best-of-three series two games to one, the club’s eighth Triple-A league title and fourth trip to the Triple-A National Championship Game since
OMAHA STORM CHASERS WELCOME DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS AS NEW OWNER
PAPILLION, NEB. – Sept. 24, 2024 – Alliance Sports, owner of the Omaha Storm Chasers, announced today they have entered into an agreement to sell the team to Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), a company that owns and operates select Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB).
NSAA State Baseball Championships to Remain at Werner Park Through 2028
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers, University of Nebraska Omaha and the Nebraska School Activities Association have signed a contract to continue holding the NSAA State Baseball Championships in Sarpy County and Omaha for the next four years, through the 2027-28 season. The Championships will be held May 16-23,
2024 Storm Chasers Season Summary
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL PDF OF THE 2024 STORM CHASERS FINAL NOTES RECORD SETTING SEASON Omaha's 89 wins in 2024 set a single-season franchise record, while the team's .601 winning percentage sits as the 2nd-best in the 56-season history of the Triple-A Omaha club. - The 2024 Chasers broke
Omaha Storm Chasers Highlight 2024 Community Service Efforts
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers and Chasers Charities have announced highlights of community service efforts for the 2024 season, with over $250,000 of monetary and in-kind donations raised by the club throughout the season. In a year that saw an increase in community service opportunities, the Storm Chasers