Tacoma Rainiers Season Home Opener - Play Ball!
Seattlest loves the Mariners. And Seattlest loves Safeco Field. That being said, there’s nothing like the smaller game of minor league baseball. Fortunately, our neighbors to the south in Tacoma boast the Rainiers, the only team to continuously play in the Pacific Coast League since 1960 (plus a brief stay in the league back in 1904-1905). Over their 45 years the Tacoma Rainiers have shared affiliations with seven major league teams including their current partnership with our beloved Mariners. The Rainiers field is in the barebones and classically unpretentious Cheney Stadium, erected back in 1957 in a mere 14 days. There is no instant replay or computerized hydroplane race, the wooden seats are all original, you’re guaranteed to be close enough to risk a foul ball clocking you in the nose, and the outfield lights remind you of the old days.
The Rainiers provides the feel of the game before steriods and mega-million dollar salaries. These players are playing for very modest livings and a chance at the big leagues. Sometimes you get slop, sometimes you get brilliance, and sometimes you get a future star, as we did a decade ago when Alex Rodriguez wore a Rainiers jersey in 1995-96. And there’s no lack of excitement, such as when this Seattlest writer witnessed his first in-park home run, happily by the home team.
Currently the Rainiers sport a respectable 3-3 record and are a half-game out of first place. Their home opener is this Friday, April 15th and includes a fireworks display. Seattlest recommends a treck to T-Town to see baseball without the traffic, the egos, and hype of the big leagues at least once during the Rainier’s season. If you go for the cheap five dollar general admission seats like we do, grab a hotdog, a Rainier beer, and then head to right-field for the best action.
