Quick Answer
The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team based in Sacramento, California. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The River Cats play their home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, the River Cats have a home game scheduled against the Reno Aces. First pitch for today’s game is set for 1:05 PM Pacific Time.
When Do the River Cats Usually Play?
The Sacramento River Cats’ regular season typically runs from early April through early September. During the season, they generally play 6-7 games per week at home at Sutter Health Park.
Weekday home games (Tuesday-Friday) normally start at 6:35 PM or 7:05 PM. Weekend games usually begin at 1:05 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. There are occasional early 12:05 PM starts, as well as some night games on Sundays at 6:05 PM.
The River Cats also host day games during the week when they have camp days for school kids. On those camp days, first pitch is often 11:35 AM or 12:05 PM.
In 2022, the River Cats had 71 regular season home games at Sutter Health Park. They played 10 weekday day games, 38 weekday night games, 12 Saturday games, and 11 Sunday games.
River Cats Schedule for October 15, 2023
Even though the minor league regular season is over, the River Cats are currently hosting the Triple-A National Championship Game against the Reno Aces on Sunday, October 15. This one-game playoff decides the champion of Triple-A baseball.
Here are the key details about today’s game:
- Opponent: Reno Aces (Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Location: Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
- Game Time: 1:05 PM Pacific Time
- Gates Open: 11:30 AM
- Promotion: 2023 Triple-A National Championship Game
This championship game is a special one-day event beyond the normal River Cats schedule. It provides an opportunity for Sacramento fans to see top Giants prospects on the River Cats roster compete for a title.
Checking the River Cats Schedule
If you ever need to find the start time for a River Cats game on a specific date, there are a few easy ways to check their schedule:
- Visit the River Cats website at RiverCats.com. Their full schedule and ticket information is available online.
- Check the River Cats mobile app, available for iOS and Android. It contains their full schedule and lets you buy tickets.
- Follow the River Cats on social media, including Twitter and Facebook. They post reminders about game times.
- Call the River Cats ticket office at 916-371-HITS to speak with a representative who can confirm game times.
- Stop by the Sutter Health Park box office, which is open on game days and can provide schedules.
The River Cats schedule can vary from season to season, so checking annually for the latest game times is recommended. But their web site, mobile app, and social media accounts always have the most up-to-date schedule information.
About the Sacramento River Cats
For some background, the Sacramento River Cats are a Triple-A level minor league baseball team located in West Sacramento, California. Here are some key facts about the franchise:
- Founded: 1978 as the Sacramento Solons, team moved to West Sacramento and renamed River Cats in 2000.
- League: Triple-A West, affiliated with Major League Baseball
- Parent Club: San Francisco Giants
- Home Ballpark: Sutter Health Park (capacity: 14,680)
- Mascots: Dinger and Dozer
- Team Colors: Black, orange, gray, and white
- Championships: 3 Triple-A National Championships (2002, 2003, 2019)
Notable Sacramento alumni who went on to MLB stardom include Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, and Madison Bumgarner, all key members of the Giants’ three World Series championship teams.
The River Cats have led Triple-A baseball in attendance during most seasons since moving to West Sacramento. Their family-friendly ballpark provides fun for baseball fans of all ages.
River Cats Roster and Players to Watch
The River Cats roster consists of top prospects working their way up to the Majors, along with veteran players signed to provide depth for the Giants. Here are a few players to watch on the River Cats during the 2023 season:
- Joey Bart – Catcher and #2 ranked Giants prospect. 2018 first round pick impressed during call-ups in 2022.
- Marco Luciano – Shortstop and consensus top prospect in Giants system. Power bat with quick hands primed for Majors.
- Kyle Harrison – Left-handed pitcher was dominant in Class-A before promotion to Triple-A late in 2022 season.
- Heliot Ramos – Outfielder has raw power and speed. Hit 24 homers in Triple-A last season.
- Sean Hjelle – Tall righty pitcher hopes to make MLB debut in 2023. Excellent command at 6’11”.
The River Cats roster is subject to change throughout the season as the Giants promote top prospects to the big leagues or send players down for development work.
Buying River Cats Tickets
If you want to attend a Sacramento River Cats game in person, there are a few different options for purchasing tickets:
- Online at RiverCats.com – Convenient way to choose exact seats and print tickets at home.
- River Cats mobile app – Download from the App Store or Google Play Store to buy on your phone.
- In person at the box office – Open on game days at Sutter Health Park.
- By phone – Call 916-371-HITS and speak to a ticket representative.
You can also buy tickets through third-party sites like StubHub that resell River Cats tickets. However, purchasing directly from the team website or box office is best to avoid inflated resale prices.
Ticket prices vary based on seat location and promotions:
Seating Area | Typical Price Range* |
---|---|
Field MVP | $18-30 |
Field Reserve | $16-25 |
Lower View | $13-23 |
Upper View | $8-15 |
Berm/Grass | $8-13 |
*Prices are approximate and depend on day of week, opponent, promotions. Premium seating is also available.
Buying tickets in advance is recommended, as River Cats games often sell out during the summer months. Overall, attending a game at Sutter Health Park is an affordable and fun minor league baseball experience for Sacramento-area sports fans.
Getting to the Ballpark
Sutter Health Park is located in West Sacramento, just across the river from Sacramento:
- Address: 400 Ballpark Dr, West Sacramento, CA 95691
- Parking: Lots surrounding ballpark, $10-20 for cars
- Public Transit: Close to Sacramento Regional Transit light rail
- From Sacramento: Cross Tower Bridge into West Sacramento
The best parking is in the lots immediately surrounding Sutter Health Park. Prices range from $10-20 depending on proximity. Carpooling is a great option to save on parking costs.
Public transportation is another convenient way to get to River Cats games. The ballpark is a 12 minute walk from the Sacramento Valley Station transit center, served by Amtrak, light rail, and several bus lines.
No matter how you get there, be sure to arrive early on game days to enjoy the atmosphere around the ballpark before first pitch.
Food and Entertainment at Sutter Health Park
In addition to River Cats baseball, Sutter Health Park features great food, drinks, and entertainment options to enjoy:
- Traditional ballpark concessions like hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and more
- Specialty stands with barbecue, tacos, sushi, Hawaiian food
- Wide selection of local craft beers on tap
- Toyota Home Run Hill with splash pad for kids
- Interactive games and activities around the concourse
- Fireworks shows after Saturday night games
- Promotions like bobblehead giveaways, theme nights
New at Sutter Health Park for 2023 is the Branded Canopy Bar down the left field line. It offers pre-game drink specials and views of the Sacramento River and Tower Bridge.
The best way to experience everything the ballpark has to offer is arriving when gates open, usually 90 minutes before first pitch. Come hungry and ready to cheer on the River Cats!
Joining the River Cats Fan Community
River Cats fans are some of the most loyal and enthusiastic supporters in minor league baseball. Here are a few ways to join the fan community and stay up to date on the team:
- Follow on social media – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
- Subscribe to email newsletters on RiverCats.com
- Listen to radio broadcasts all season long
- Join the River Cats Advisory Board fan group
- Buy season ticket memberships and mini-plans
- Bring friends and family to games to introduce new fans
The River Cats pride themselves on providing affordable, family-friendly entertainment for Sacramento. With a loyal fanbase, exciting prospects to cheer for, and a fun ballpark atmosphere, attending a River Cats game is a perfect summertime activity.
Conclusion
To summarize, the Sacramento River Cats have a 1:05 PM game today, Sunday, October 15, 2023 against the Reno Aces. This special playoff game decides the Triple-A National Championship.
Sutter Health Park provides a fantastic setting to catch exciting Giants prospects and enjoy a beautiful day or night out at the ballpark. Get your tickets, arrive early to explore the stadium, and cheer on the River Cats as they compete for a title! With an enthusiastic fan community, Sacramento strongly supports its hometown minor league baseball team.