Visalia Rawhide Announce Senior Club, Belle of the Ballpark

With the 2023 baseball season just around the corner, the Visalia Rawhide have announced that the Rawhide Rustler Senior Club will be back for its third season.

Established in 2019, the Rawhide Rustler ticket package is available to anyone 55+ and features a ticket to every Wednesday game during the season. For $30, participants receive a ticket for 11 games to watch some of baseball's top young talents get their start.

Rustler Senior Club members also get to enjoy ballpark hot dogs and award-winning brats. Bingo is played every Wednesday, with numbers announced after every batter.

When the weather gets too hot, members can upgrade their tickets into the air-conditioned Michelob Ultra Club.

In addition to the tickets, members of the Rawhide Rustler Senior Club receive a free t-shirt, exclusive giveaways and invitations to private events at the ballpark.

The Rawhide Rustler Senior Club has been popular among those 55+ in the community.

"We love going to the games," said Mary Zwetzig of Orosi. "It gets us up and moving and the whole staff keeps everything interesting. I've even won bingo a few times!"

For more information, call Rawhide Ticket Operations Manager Dalila Palacios at (559) 732-4433, ext. 101.

Belle of the Ballpark

This season, the Visalia Rawhide baseball team will bring back one of its most beloved promotions – the Belle of the Ballpark Pageant.

The pageant, a competition for Tulare County ladies 65+, features a unique take on a traditional beauty pageant. Contestants for the 2023 edition will compete in challenges such as "Best Runway Walk (or Roll)," "Cheek-Pinching Contest" with Rawhide players, and "Best 'Yo Mama' Joke."

On Wednesday, April 12, a new "Belle" will be crowned at Valley Strong Ballpark, based on the votes from local public figures and, of course, the fans.

The concept of the pageant started with a 1950s newspaper article about beauty pageants at Recreation Ballpark. That idea became the foundation of the modern Belle of the Ballpark and on May 21, 2011, the first pageant was held.

Four contestants, all over the age of 70, participated in that inaugural event, showcasing their talents and personality through friendly contests such as decorating a Rawhide t-shirt, a runway walk, and doing their best cheer/chant. The first Belle crowned was 96-year-old Doris Newcom of Quail Park Retirement Village.

After a three-year hiatus, this year's Belle of the Ballpark will take place on Wednesday, April 12, at Valley Strong Ballpark.Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

To nominate a contestant or for more information, call Rawhide Ticket Operations Manager Dalila Palacios at (559) 732-4433, ext. 101.