Summer league baseball team building a brand throughout the county

The Ridgefield Raptors, after a strong baseball season on the field in 2022, are also having a quality offseason.

The team got positive reviews after asking ticket holders to answer a survey in an effort to improve operations in the future. 

More than 600 surveys were returned to the team. Gus Farah, the team’s general manager, said the Raptors are listening and making some changes.

They also are thrilled with one of the team’s biggest priorities. They are proud to be from Ridgefield, to have Ridgefield in the team name, Farah said, but they also want to make sure that they are Clark County’s summer baseball team.

“We want to know if the brand is expanding throughout Southwest Washington. Is it being loved by more than just Ridgefield,” Farah asked. “The answer is yes.”

He said that almost 50 percent of ticket holders are from Vancouver, 33 percent from Ridgefield, and the rest from other communities throughout the county.

“That’s a positive for me,” Farah said.

Fans also appreciate the special promotion nights, the ones for charity. The Raptors, for example, donated to Kindness 911 after First Responders Night and also made a donation to the Pink Lemonade Project after a cancer awareness night. Those donations alone went for close to $20,000, Farah said.

According to the survey, fans were inspired by those efforts.

The team’s success on the field helped, too. The Raptors had a huge crowd with an unscheduled home playoff game this past summer. Farah did want to point out that there will be some down seasons, too, on the field. He and the organization wants to make sure fans get the most for their dollar, win or lose.

“This is about affordable community entertainment,” Farah said. “The fans appreciate the quality of entertainment and not necessarily how many games we win or lose every season.”

Don’t take that the wrong way. Farah and the Raptors want to win. However, it is the Raptors’ responsibility to take care of the fans regardless of the score.

Which is why the team is in the process of making changes for a couple of items that required their attention, according to the surveys.

The line at the concession stand can get lengthy, especially on the weekend dates or other big-attendance games. 

Plus, there is more demand for Raptors merchandise than supply. The temporary tent that is set up for home games does not have the capacity to showcase all of the gear.

Farah said the Raptors are building a permanent fixture in the park that will be bigger and have more products. 

“Fans will have more options,” he promised. 

The team is also looking to expand its food operations.

“We are now at the point where we need to add another concession outlet for the bigger games that will offer a little bit different menu offering but also take the pressure off the main concession,” Farah said.

Single-game tickets for the 2023 season will not go on sale until March, but season tickets, as well as 5- and 10-game packs are available now. So, too, are group rates. Farah said those make great stocking stuffers, if one is in the gift-giving mood this December.

A point of emphasis for the Raptors marketing team this year will be group sales or company outings. Farah wants to get the word out that a night at the baseball park is a great place for a company party.

“They’re looking to reward their employees,” Farah said. “This is a nice night out that isn’t overly expensive. We can give them recognition throughout the park by including them in some of the promotions throughout the game.”

The Raptors open the 2023 season on June 1. The regular season runs through Aug. 6. The Raptors have 31 home games on the schedule.

For more information, go to: https://ridgefieldraptors.com/