Aviators Open New Ballpark in Front of 11,036, Introduce Mascots

The Las Vegas Aviators (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) opened their new ballpark in Summerlin (NV) Tuesday night in front of a crowd of 11,036. They also introduced two new mascots — Spruce the Goose and Mr. Aviator. Read more and watch news report here. Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com is in Vegas to experience the stadium, so we expect some great professional coverage from his visit. Stay tuned!

We’re the two best friends that anyone could have! 😉⚾️✈️ pic.twitter.com/ufpJ8D0IA2

— Spruce the Goose (@SpruceLV) April 10, 2019

I'll have a lot more to say about the color scheme here at @theLVballpark, but for now, the orange on the underside of the roof is brilliant. @AviatorsLV pic.twitter.com/dFmW6Jr7Cg

— Joe Mock (@baseballparks) April 10, 2019

Sod Poodles Open New Ballpark in Front of 7,175 Fans

The word echoing among the 7,175 fans at Monday’s inaugural Sod Poodles home game was “excited.” Fans packed the seats, the concourse and the executive suites, excited for a game that has been in the making since 52 percent of Amarillo voters approved the multipurpose event venue in 2015.  Read more and view gallery here.

The first National Anthem at @Hodgetown. @SodPoodles @Populous @MiLB pic.twitter.com/TwMhBJ2ott

— Joe Mock (@baseballparks) April 9, 2019

Start-Up Expedition League Opens Inaugural Season

The start-up Expedition League (Summer Collegiate) kicked off its inaugural season Friday night with home openers in Hastings (NE), home of the Hastings Sodbusters (read more and view photos here), Spearfish (SD), home of the Spearfish Sasquatch (watch news report here), Aberdeen (SD), home of the Hub City Hotshots (read more and view photos here), and Casper (WY), home of the Casper Horseheads (read more and view photos here).  The HotShots reported 1,138 in attendance.

Dogs Open Inaugural Home Stand in Front of Packed House

There is now professional baseball in Rosemont (IL), courtesy of the Chicago Dogs (Independent Professional, American Association). The team’s inaugural home opener at the new $60 million Impact Field stadium was Friday night in front of a crowd of 6,317.  Read more and view photo gallery here.  Watch news report here.

Chicago Dogs Inaugural Home Opener Tonight

The Chicago Dogs (Independent Professional, American Association), which began their season on the road last Friday, will be hosting the franchise’s inaugural home opener Friday, May 25, at 7:05 p.m. at the new Impact Field in Rosemont (IL).  Read more view photo here.  Watch news report here.

Yard Goats Open New Ballpark in Front of 6,850

After two years of construction, two canceled opening days, $10 million in cost overruns, an ongoing lawsuit against the city and an entire season played on the road, Dunkin’ Donuts Park has opened with the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Eastern League) first-ever game in the capital city.  Read more here.  View photo gallery here.  View more photos here.

Tentative Date Set for Opening of SunTrust Park

The Atlanta Braves will reportedly open their new ballpark in Cobb County (GA) on April 13 against the San Diego Padres.  Read more and view construction photo here.

Sounds Open New Ballpark

The Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) opened their new Sulphur Dell ballpark in front of a capacity crowd of 10,459. Read more and view news report here.  View photo gallery of First Tennessee Park’s inaugural home opener here.

Kenosha Kingfish Reel in 3,218 Fans for Inaugural Home Opener at Renovated Simmons Field

The summer collegiate Kenosha Kingfish (Northwoods League) dropped their inaugural home opener 11-7 in extra innings to the Mankato MoonDogs, but that didn’t spoil the fun for the sellout crowd of 3,218 who showed up to watch their new team and experience the impressively renovated historic Simmons Field.  Read more here.  Compare this to the one-year-and-gone indy pro Kenosha Mammoths (Frontier League) game we attended at Simmons back in 2003.  View our photos here.

Inaugural home opener at renovated Simmons Field, Kenosha Kingfish Facebook photo

Awesome Bambino boat deck during home opener, Kenosha Kingfish Twitter photo

Inaugural Home Opener Tonight for New Charlotte Ballpark

It will be a sold-out show for BB&T Ballpark in uptown Charlotte (NC) Friday night, as the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (International League) play their first game in their new 10,000-seat baseball stadium.  Read more and watch news report here.