Spectator sports in Rochester (New York)
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A true hometown team
The Red Wings used to be owned by the St. Louis Cardinals?that's how they got their name, in fact. But in 1956, the Cards decided not to continue that relationship. Rochester businessman Morrie Silver organized a drive in which 8,222 shareholders each purchased a share of the team, saving it from relocation or folding. Rochester Community Baseball owns the team to this day.
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It may not be the first city people think of when it comes to sports, but few other cities have as wide a variety, or as long a winning tradition, as Rochester does. The city is consistently ranked among the best cities in the country for minor-league sports, which means you can see some very talented players in some great, intimate venues for a very reasonable price.
Rochester Red Wings (baseball), 1 Morrie Silver Way (Plymouth Ave just north of the Inner Loop), ☎ +1 585 454-1001 (TTY: +1 585 325-4245) ( , fax: +1 585 454-1056), . Apr-Sep. A Rochester tradition since 1899, the Red Wings are the AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Frontier Field is a beautiful ballpark situated downtown with convenient and cheap ($5) parking. On the 4th of July and certain other summer nights, there are free fireworks shows with admission. Your food options are a bit better than the average?there's the usual hot dogs and beer (white hots and Genny, since this is Rochester, after all), but maybe you'd like to try the roast beef sandwiches, barbecue platters, spicy popcorn chicken, or sweet and savory crepes. $7.50-11.50. �
Rochester Americans (hockey), 1 War Memorial Sq (W Broad at Exchange Blvd), ☎ +1 855 GO-AMERKS (462-6375) (fax: +1 585 454-3954), . Oct-Apr. Known fondly as the "Amerks", Rochester's storied hockey team is the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial is an old building, but it was renovated in the 90s and is now a fine downtown hockey arena. One of the oldest and most successful teams in the league, the Amerks are working to overcome recent struggles, but hockey night in Rochester is still a fun time. $11-18. �
Rochester Rhinos (soccer), 460 Oak St (W Broad St past Frontier Field), ☎ +1 585 454-5425, . Apr-Oct. The Rhinos are in the USL Pro League, a second- or third-tier soccer league in the U.S. They have a relatively new soccer-specific facility currently known as Sahlen's Stadium less than a mile northwest of Frontier Field, and there's not a bad seat in the house. Food options are not quite as good as at the baseball stadium, but the selection is focused on local favorites like Bill Gray's cheeseburgers, Abbott's frozen custard, and Red Osier roast beef. $10-20. �
Rochester Knighthawks (lacrosse), 1 War Memorial Sq (W Broad at Exchange Blvd), ☎ +1 585 454-HAWK (fax: +1 585 454-3954), . Jan-May. The K-Hawks are a top-tier indoor lacrosse team, featuring some of the best talent in the world. If you've never seen an indoor lacrosse match, a K-Hawks game is a great introduction. The team has several future Hall-of-Famers on the roster; you simply won't find better, more exciting lacrosse being played anywhere. (And if the opponent is Buffalo or Toronto, you're in for a real treat!) $16-23. �
Rochester Rattlers (lacrosse), 460 Oak St (W Broad St past Frontier Field), . May-Aug. The Rattlers are back after a two-year hiatus and playing top-level outdoor lacrosse at Sahlen's Stadium. $20-25. �
Rochester Razorsharks (basketball), 1 War Memorial Sq (W Broad at Exchange Blvd), ☎ +1 585 232-9190 (fax: +1 585 232-8086), . Jan-Apr. The Razorsharks, in the Premier Basketball League, are the latest in a long line of successful basketball teams in Rochester. With four championships in just six seasons, they're one of the top minor-league teams in the country. $5-25. �
Western New York Flash (soccer), 460 Oak St (W Broad St past Frontier Field), . Apr-Aug. Women's Professional Soccer comes to Rochester, with the promotion of a Buffalo-area team to the top women's soccer league in the U.S. Brazilian superstar Marta is on the roster, along with several other international-caliber players. $13-25. �
RIT Tigers (hockey), 51 Lomb Memorial Dr, Henrietta (RIT campus on Rt 252), ☎ +1 585 475-4121, . Oct-Mar. Who needs football? Rochester Institute of Technology has hockey! Rochester's only Division I college team plays a hard-hitting and very successful brand of hockey and has already made waves in just five years at the top level, including a Frozen Four appearance. The Frank Ritter Ice Arena is an intimate (okay, small) venue, but it lets the fans sit right on top of the action. The legendary Corner Crew cheering section harasses opposing goalies all night, every night. This classic college hockey atmosphere is worth experiencing. $10. �
Wegmans LPGA Championship (golf), 2000 Jefferson Rd, Pittsford/Henrietta (Locust Hill Country Club: Rt 252 between Winton and Clover), ☎ +1 585 427-7100 (fax: +1 585 427-7029), . Early Jun (4-10 Jun 2012). Since 1977, the best women golfers in the world have come to Locust Hill Country Club in the southern suburbs for the annual Wegmans LPGA tournament. Rochester golf fans always turned out in droves for this event, making it a favorite stop for the players; this support was rewarded in 2010 by substituting the LPGA Championship major tournament for the annual tour stop. That promotion will continue into 2011 and perhaps beyond. $35 daily; $95-$135 weekly. �
Buffalo Bills Training Camp (football), 3690 East Ave, Pittsford (St. John Fisher College: Rt. 96 or I-490 to Rt. 31F), ☎ 1-877-BB-TICKS, . Late Jul - late Aug. The closest the Rochester area gets to major-league team sports is the Bills' annual summer training camp, held since 2000 in northern Pittsford. There's lots to do besides just watch practices, too; you can participate in interactive games, peruse the merchandise, or try to get some autographs. You can get a lot closer to the players here than at the stadium in Buffalo! Free (parking shuttle $1). �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Rochester (New York)
