The Dayton Dragons are a Class A minor league baseball team affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. They play in the Midwest League at Fifth Third Field. The Dragons came to Dayton in 2000. They were previously a franchise based in Rockford, Illinois and were called the Rockford Expos (1988-1992), Rockford Royals (1993-1994), Rockford Cubbies (1995-1998), and Rockford Reds (1999).

DAYTON DRAGONS TICKETS EVENT DATE AVAILABILITY West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons Tickets 4/4 Apr 04, 2025 Fri, 6:35 PM West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons Tickets 4/5 Apr 05, 2025 Sat, 2:00 PM West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons Tickets 4/6 Apr 06, 2025 Sun, 2:00 PM Dayton Dragons vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps Tickets 4/8 Apr 08, 2025 Tuesday Dayton Dragons vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps Tickets 4/9 Apr 09, 2025 Wednesday

2008 Chiefs-Dragons Brawl

On July 24, 2008 the Dayton Dragons and Peoria Chiefs were involved in a brawl at Fifth Third Field. The game had gotten heated after multiple players were hit by pitches. Dragons' manager Donnie Scott complained to the home plate umpire. Chiefs interim manager Carmelo Martínez came out and the two managers were yelling at each other. When Martinez pushed Scott the benches cleared and then Chiefs pitcher, Julio Castillo, threw a ball toward the Dragons dugout. The ball was high and wide and hit a fan in the second row. The fan was injured and taken to the hospital. Castillo was arrested for felony assault by the Dayton City police. The brawl delayed the game 69 minutes; fifteen players and both managers were ejected. After discussions Midwest League president George Spelius reversed all the ejections. Each team would have had to place pitchers in the outfield for the remaining eight innings of play.

Fifth Third Field

The team's home park is Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio.

During its first season the Dragons set a class A baseball attendance record of 581,853. That record was broken in 2003 when 590,382 fans — ranking seventh in all of minor league baseball — went through the turnstiles.

The Dragons average 8,375 fans per game, or 116% of capacity. The Dragons have been the top Class A team in attendance every year of their existence, and have set and re-broken the record for Class A attendance three times. ^[1] On April 17, 2007, the Dragons enjoyed their 500th consecutive sellout, at the time the longest current streak in professional sports. ^[2] Opening Day 2009, April 9, was the club's 636th consecutive sellout; all other home games for 2009 were already sold out before the season began (with a season ticket waiting list of over 9,000), guaranteeing the club of selling out all 70 home game for the 10th consecutive year (which will bring their streak to 705 games). ^[3] Though the Dragons still hold the longest current sellout streak, the all-time professional record is 814 games, set by the Portland Trail Blazers from 1977-1995. ^[4]

Facts

• The Dragons are the first (and only) team in minor league baseball history to sell out an entire season before it began.
• They have sold out nine consecutive seasons.
• Voted as one of the top ten hottest tickets to get in ALL of professional sports by Sports Illustrated. ^[5]

In 2008, the Dragons: ^[6]

• Had a total attendance of 601,531
• Ranked sixth (6th) in attendance out of 160 Minor League teams
• Earned the 2008 "Ongoing Excellence" Award from Ballpark Digest.

Personnel

thumb Some notable pros who have played for the Dayton Dragons are Austin Kearns, José Acevedo, Adam Dunn, Edwin Encarnacion, Todd Coffey, John Koronka, Stephen Smitherman, Ray Olmedo, Rob Madritsch, Brian Reith, Wily Mo Peña, Josh Hall, Howard Eugene Gallub, Samone Peters, Ryan Snare, William Bergolla, Chris Denorfia, Miguel Perez, Chris Booker, Dustin Moseley, Johnny Cueto, Jay Bruce, and Homer Bailey.

The Dragons have had five managers in their history: Freddie Benavides (2000), Donnie Scott (2001–2003, 2007–2008), Alonzo Powell (2004–2005), Billy Gardner, Jr. (2006), and Todd Benzinger (2009).

The Dragons are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1410, with Tom Nichols and Owen Serey as the broadcasters.

Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers -- Henry Arias 12 Derrik Conatser 15 Daniel Guerrero 17 Jeremy Horst 12 Jeff Jeffords 33 Matthew Klinker 26 Joeseph Krebs -- Kyle Lotzkar 39 Luis Montano 31 Curtis Partch 21 Joshua Ravin 34 Tyler Rhoden Zachary Stewart		Catchers 30 Jason Bour 10 Devin Mesoraco Infielders 4 Angel Caberera 1 Zachary Cozart 25 Kevyn Feiner 13 Michael McKennon 9 Logan Parker  28 Brandon Waring Outfielders 20 Anthony Gressick 2 Keltavious Jones 7 Brandon Menchaca 27 Denis Phipps 5 Justin Reed (baseball)		Manager -- Donnie Scott Coaches -- Darren Bragg (hitting) -- Doug Bair (pitching) † Disabled list * On Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster ‡ Reserve list § Suspended list updated 2008-06-24

References

1. Press release "Ten Hottest Tickets"
2. Hottest tickets in sports
3. Today’s Game To Be 636th Straight Sellout
4. Portland Trail Blazers - Hoopedia
5. Title Unavailable
6. Title Unavailable