Quakes, Storm and 66ers ready to put on a show as Minor League Baseball returns

Baseball is back in swing in the Inland Empire, bringing zany mascots, theme nights and giveaways to the Inland Empire’s three minor league stadiums this spring.

The season opens Friday, April 4, with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes welcoming the Lake Elsinore Storm to LoanMart Field. The Inland Empire 66ers, based in San Bernardino, start the season on the road in Visalia.

As always, the teams have packed promotional rosters, including fireworks shows, heritage nights and discounted concessions on some dates.

Players for the 66ers, the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, kick started their season Tuesday, April 1, with Fan Fest at the San Manuel Stadium. Players met with fans to sign shirts and hats, and Bernie the mascot dropped by to say hello.

The Storm, the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, invites fans to a three-day carnival beginning Friday to celebrate the 2025 season. Sip N’ Swing features carnival rides, live performances, food trucks, tours of the stadium and more from 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Diamond Stadium.

The real action starts Friday, when the Quakes, the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, open their final season in Rancho Cucamonga. Diamond Baseball Holdings is buying the Quakes and moving the Dodgers affiliate to Ontario, where a new ballpark is under construction.

The move is one of several DBH announced last year. The Angels’ affiliate will move from San Bernardino to Rancho Cucamonga to play as the Quakes, while the Single-A Seattle Mariners’ affiliate will leave Modesto for San Bernardino to play as the 66ers. Once those changes are complete, the Inland Empire will be home to four minor league teams.

Play ball

Here’s when the teams host their home openers this season:

Inland Empire 66ers: 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at San Manuel Stadium, 280 S. E St., San Bernardino

Lake Elsinore Storm: 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at Diamon Stadium, 500 Diamond Drive, Lake Elsinore

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes: 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, at LoanMart Field, 8408 Rochester Ave., Rancho Cucamonga

Family fun

The teams are planning theme nights, giveaways, fireworks and more. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:

Inland Empire 66ers

• April 24: Mexican Heritage Night featuring Los Cucuys, the 66ers’ alter ego
• May 23-24: Military appreciation weekend with jersey giveaway and fireworks
• June 27: My Baseball Era Night, a nod to Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, and Kittens weekend kickoff
• Aug. 6: Reggae Night with live music

Lake Elsinore Storm

• April 25: 951 Night, celebrating the community and the only professional sports team in Riverside County
• June 1: Juneteenth Celebration featuring pre-game performances and more
• July 19: Star Wars night with Star Wars characters and giveaways
• Aug. 2: Family campout night with post-game snacks, activities, and breakfast the next morning

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

• April 5: Gold jersey giveaway, celebrating the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series win
• April 16: Bark in the Ballpark offering pet-friendly seats for fans and their dogs
• May 17: Star Wars night with photo opportunities and crafts
• July 11: Joe Kelly Chaquetas bobblehead night, celebrating the popular former Dodgers pitcher