Springfield Drifters Fan Fest & Media Day Returns for Second Year
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Drifters are thrilled to announce that Drifters Fan Fest & Media Day is returning for its second year on Thursday, May 28, at Hamlin Sports Complex. This free, family-friendly event will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is a fantastic opportunity for fans to get their first look at the 2026 Springfield Drifters players and get excited for the team's fifth season of baseball in Springfield.
The gates at Hamlin Sports Complex will open at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday. All fans in attendance will receive a free hot dog and soda, with additional concession items available for purchase. This will also be the first opportunity to purchase new 2026 Drifters merchandise. Beginning at 6:10 pm, Drifters players will take the field for the first time this summer, and fans will have the opportunity to watch a short 20-minute open practice.
At the conclusion of practice, fans of all ages are welcome onto the field to play catch and run the bases. Drifters players will stick around to sign autographs and take photos. Rapid, the Drifters' mascot, will also be running around taking photos during the event.
Media members will be able to capture content during practice, and players will be available for interviews during the meet-and-greet period following practice.
“The Drifters are so excited to welcome fans back to the ballpark this summer and celebrate our fifth season of baseball in Springfield,” Drifters General Manager Jake Willard said. "Coach Lyle has been working hard to put together our roster, and the entire Drifters front office has put a lot of effort into planning an exciting lineup of special events, giveaways and theme nights. We can't wait to see everyone at Hamlin Sports Complex soon."
The Drifters will kick off their fifth season of baseball the following day on Friday, May 29, as they begin a three-game road series against the Bend Elks. On Tuesday, June 2, the Drifters return home for Springfield Night against the Yakima Valley Pippins. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free 2026 magnet schedule courtesy of Team Springfield. This is the first of many exciting new giveaways and theme nights scheduled for the season.
In 2025, the Drifters' Fourth of July fireworks show marked the first-ever sell-out in the team's history. The show returns again on Thursday, July 2, as the team prepares to celebrate America 250. The fireworks don't stop there, with two more shows scheduled for Saturday, June 6, and Saturday, August 1. The Drifters will also be hosting their first-ever drone show, sponsored by Springfield Utility Board, on Friday, June 19, as they take on one of their West Coast League rivals, the Portland Pickles.
The Drifters are also excited to offer their first-ever bobblehead giveaways in the team's history this season, with a Rapid bobblehead giveaway scheduled for Saturday, July 11, and a mystery Drifters player set to be given away on Friday, July 31. The first 500 fans in attendance at each will walk away with bobbleheads.
You can view the full schedule here, with the full promotional schedule available here. Season tickets are now on sale at driftersbaseball.com with single-game tickets available here.