They Did it Again:Healdsburg Prune Packers heading to '23 State Championships!

To local baseball fans, Healdsburg fans, and crackerjack fans alike, a night at the century-old Rec Park, listening to the crack of a leather baseball as the Healdsburg Prune Packers slide into home plate, symbolizes summer. This year, at the end of their 102nd season, the Packers are heading to the State Championship with a whopping 39 wins and 9 losses. Hot off of their last win, The Packers made it to the Northern Division Championship Game, and because they are first seed (top of the league) the division playoff game will be held Wednesday August 2nd, at 6pm, right here in town, at our very own Rec Park.

The winner of this Wednesday’s game will move on to the playoff , playing against the team that has secured the Southern Division Championship for the title of State Champion. However, the final Championship game will take place in Southern California, making tomorrow the last chance to watch 2023 “Baseball in the’ Burg.”

Tomorrow, you’ll find us at Rec Park to root (root-root) for the home team, and hope you’ll join us. Here is everything you need to know about The Prune Packers as they slide into their home stretch.

The Healdsburg Prune Packers are a wood-bat championship-winning local baseball team and registered 501(c)(3) community nonprofit organization. It provides family-friendly, affordable, top-tier baseball in the heart of Healdsburg, California every summer from June through July. Its mission is to develop future professional baseball players, and mentor and inspire local youth, particularly disadvantaged youth, to participate in sports whether on the field or off in supportive roles including sports journalism and media.

This year marks a decade at the helm of brilliant Head Coach, Joey Gomes, a Sonoma County born baseball player turned Head Coach and General Manager of the team. Gomes has led the Packers to back-to-back championship wins for the last two years with a focus on player development in a competitive atmosphere.

 Having won the Northern Division for the last five years, (and State Champions, twice in that timeframe) The Prune Packers have captured the eye of Big-League scouts.  Every year numerous Packers players get drafted to the Majors and this year five players are headed to professional teams across the country, including, two local, Sonoma County-born and raised players.  Jared Sundstrom hails from Gualala, and will be playing for the Seattle Mariners next year. Sam Brown was born and raised in Petaluma and will be playing for the Los Angeles Angels. A full list of Packer Pros can be found on the Prune Packers website at prunepackers.org, along with player testimonials highlighting the positive experiences had In Healdsburg every summer.

Left: Jared Sundstrom, Right: Sam Brown

Even some die-hard Packers fans, might not be aware of just how deep the Prune Packers legacy runs. Founded 102 years ago, and named for what was then the area’s primary agricultural product, prunes, the original team was comprised of men that would meet at the diamond and play ball, after long days at the factory packing prunes. For a detailed recap of Prune Packers' history, visit the team's history page where local historian Michael Von der Porten has captured the team's Incredible legacy: https://www.prunepackers.org/history. You can also swing by the Healdsburg Museum or visit their web page to learn more about the team and even flip through historic team photos! https://www.healdsburgmuseum.org/

 Today, the legacy of hard work, good sportsmanship and home runs continues at Rec Field (a stadium built for the Packers!) . Several days a week in the summer, the public is invited to watch games.  Locals are selected to sing the national anthem, and to throw the first pitch. Each week different, local food vendors take turns filling our bellies, from the Wurst to Wicked Slush,and local brews from The Healdsburg Brew Company are available for purchase along with Prune Packers merchandise. Tickets are $8 and children under 12 are free. Longtime local and Prune Packers' Board President, Richard Bugarske, can be found in the beautiful wooden grandstands announcing each game. Kids are often invited to meet players and even get autographs of their baseball heroes after every game, making for a unique and memorable experience.

Join us to root for Jared, Sam, and the rest of the Prune Packers at their last home game of the season starting this Wednesday! Tickets can be purchased at the Prune Packers box office https://prunepackers.hometownticketing.com/embed/all to guarantee a seat. If seats are still available, tickets will be available for purchase at the gate, but we recommend reserving tickets online for this one!