Beware! York's 'Panic at the Ballpark' opening Friday
The event opens this Friday at the ballpark in York.
Legend has it that the ghost of York Revolution player Jed Stickman — who died mysteriously in his rookie year with the club about a decade ago — still lives at the park, and doesn't like to be disturbed.
Ol' Jed is particularly upset that the club has decided to open the park for Halloween, with its inaugural Panic at the Ballpark event, in an attempt to capitalize on his good name. On Friday, Jed's wrath will be brought to bear on any unfortunate soul that dares venture inside the park's doors, bringing to life the old phrase, "The Stickman's gonna get you."
Jed, a fictitious character, will welcome patrons at the York Revolution's Halloween event, which kicks off Friday at PeoplesBank Park, according to Cal Weary, owner of Weary Arts Group. The ball club hired Weary's company to construct the event's set pieces, supply the actors and map out its storyline.
"This has a definite storyline attached to it," Weary said. "We're messing around with a legend (Jed Stickman) that we shouldn't be."
Adam Nugent, director of special events for the club's entertainment arm, known as Eventive, said the experience at Panic at the Ballpark will be fully immersive.
"I would describe it as coming to a professional baseball game, entering the gates and realizing that something has gone terribly gone," he said. "It should be a lot of fun."
Nugent said the concept for the event was developed by a combination of the ball club's desire to stay busy in the off-season and the realization that there are few major Halloween events close to the city.
He said it was a no-brainer to choose Weary Arts Group to design and construct the set pieces, as the York-based company has a proven track record of working with the club on other events in the past.
"His motto is 'arts for all,'" Nugent said of Weary. "He's got a really great crew."
A news release on the Panic at the Ballpark website describes the event as three attractions in one.
"The largest event of its kind in the city, the twisted spin on baseball will feature maniacal theatrical performances, chilling special effects, and interactive audio and visual media and quickly prove that, in this game, no one is safe."
Once inside, patrons can choose to start at any of the three attractions – Head Basher’s Hideout (featuring “misguided” tours), the Dismemberment Shop, or Dead Man’s Play Land – which the club says are best suited for patrons ages 12 and up.
Food and beverages, including craft and domestic beers, will be available at the park and the skybox-level suites will be available to groups and large parties, including corporate events such as office Halloween parties, the release states.
Contact reporter Ted Czech at 717-771-2033.
If you go:
Panic at the Ballpark will open to the public Saturday, October 8, and run the Fridays and Saturdays of the following three weekends, October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29. Gates will open at 7 p.m. each night. A select audience will be invited to a soft opening on October 7.
Tickets are $19 in advance, $24 at the gates, and $14 per person for groups of 12 or more. They are on sale at www.panicattheballpark.com.