Reading Fightin’ Phils sold to Harrisburg Senators owner

READING, Pa. (WHTM) — A Pennsylvania minor league has new ownership, and they’re no stranger to baseball in the Keystone State.

The Reading Fightin Phils, the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies have been sold to Diamond Baseball Holdings, Craig Stein announced Wednesday.

Stein has owned the team since 1987 and will continue to serve as an advisor.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to the City of Reading and Fightin Phils fans for their unwavering support over the years,” Stein said. “For almost 40 years, I have had the privilege of being the steward of the Reading baseball franchise. It’s been a dream come true. I am confident that DBH will continue touching people’s lives, not only at ‘America’s Classic Ballpark,’ but through charitable work in the Reading community.”

Diamond Baseball holdings owns several minor league teams, including the Harrisburg Senators, Altoona Curve, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

They will retain the front-office staff, including general manager Scott Hunsicker, who has been with the Fightin’s for 34 seasons so far, starting as an intern. He called it “a bright new chapter for the R-Phils.”

“Our front office family is excited to partner with DBH and continue to strive to provide the best possible fan experience,” Hunsicker said. “We’re confident that the combination of our staff’s experience, continued affiliation with the Phillies, and DBH’s leadership will further strengthen our connection with our fans and ensure a vibrant future for baseball in Reading.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Fightin Phils to the DBH family and begin our partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies by building on Reading’s rich baseball legacy,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, Executive Chairman and CEO of DBH, respectively. “The Fightin Phils offer one of the best experiences in all of Minor League Baseball at FirstEnergy Stadium. It is truly a community cornerstone which blends endless historic charm with thoughtful, modern upgrades, including the amazing new Redner’s Event Center.”

MLB must approve the sale, though DBH has already added the Fightin’s to their website.

Since FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Reading opened in 1950, 17 million fans have visited the ballpark. The team adds that 90% of the front office began as interns with the team.

DBH owns more than 40 baseball clubs nationwide.