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El Paso Chihuahuas first baseman Trenton Brooks had a quick, simple comparison to what the first day of the baseball season is like.
"The feeling never fades, it's an exciting day, the first day, every year," said the 29-year-old Brooks, who celebrated his 10th opening day as a pro with two home runs against the Salt Lake Bees. "I look forward to it, I have some jitters, let's go play.
"It's like the first day of school."
More: PCL standings
Not everyone at Southwest University Park Friday night shared that last sentiment.
"This is more fun," 13-year-old Isaiah Sosa said. "There's no work. "
Said 14-year-old Jesus Reyes: "This is funner because you get to see teams play. That's more fun than school."
What the 8,211 fans at Southwest University Park agreed on was that Friday night was a good time, and they might have felt that way even if the Chihuahuas hadn't laid a 10-3 pasting on the Bess that made all their predictions of having a better offensive team look good.
The 6:35 p.m. first pitch against the Bees ended 194 days of hibernation for Chihuahua fans and marked the 11th opening day in the franchise's 12-year history (no baseball in 2020). It also marked their ninth opening day win in that span.
"The time between seasons seems like a long time," said Terry Dunavant, who started the line in front of the Durango Street entrance with her husband Pete around 4:20 p.m., more than an hour before the 5:30 p.m. opening of the gates. "We always come early to get in line. I was so happy to be back."
Pete Dunavant was practical about getting in line so early.
"It means I can get a seat with my wife in the WestStar Club," said Dunavant, who along with his wife hasn't missed an opening day dating back to 2014, when Southwest University Park opened a month into that season. "We've been here for all the seasons and we'll continue being season ticket holders as long as we can."
Toni Sustaita, who was one of the first people in with her adult daughter Janae, both wearing Padres-theme ponchos (Janea's in the color of a Mexican flag), had a head start on most of the fans to see the Chihuahuas. Former San Diegoans, the Sustaitas caught some Cactus League games earlier this month in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria.
"We went to spring training so we're excited to see them in action," Toni said.
Said Janae: "We're ready. We're ready to go get some drinks."
There were new drink options for all the fans to choose from and a few new concession items, including a return of chili dogs with stadium-made chili.
"This is our 12th year for opening up this beautiful park," said Chihuahuas general manager Brad Taylor. "We have an 80-degree day, what's not to like about getting going again?
"It's the thrill of the goosebumps of getting started again. So many people have been waiting over the winter and the long spring. Here we are getting ready to kick off, get going.
"We have an exciting team this year, hopefully a little more offense. It's a chance for people to get out of hibernation and see baseball."
This is a day that couldn't get here quickly enough for the voice of the Chihuahuas, Tim Hagerty. He has called every Chihuahuas game in their history, and games in Tucson and Portland before MountainStar Sports bought the team and moved them to El Paso.
"Opening day is so exciting here," Hagerty said. "I love seeing faces I haven't seen in months. Fans are excited, everyone has their Chihuahua gear on. Every team across the country is so optimistic on opening day, they are sure they are going to be in the playoffs. Some will, most won't.
"I do think the Chihuahuas have a good team this year so a lot of reason for optimism."
March is all about optimism in baseball as this 150-game season took its first step.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'It's like the first day of school': Chihuahuas kick off 2025 season
Continue reading...
"The feeling never fades, it's an exciting day, the first day, every year," said the 29-year-old Brooks, who celebrated his 10th opening day as a pro with two home runs against the Salt Lake Bees. "I look forward to it, I have some jitters, let's go play.
"It's like the first day of school."
You must be registered for see images attach
More: PCL standings
Not everyone at Southwest University Park Friday night shared that last sentiment.
"This is more fun," 13-year-old Isaiah Sosa said. "There's no work. "
Said 14-year-old Jesus Reyes: "This is funner because you get to see teams play. That's more fun than school."
What the 8,211 fans at Southwest University Park agreed on was that Friday night was a good time, and they might have felt that way even if the Chihuahuas hadn't laid a 10-3 pasting on the Bess that made all their predictions of having a better offensive team look good.
The 6:35 p.m. first pitch against the Bees ended 194 days of hibernation for Chihuahua fans and marked the 11th opening day in the franchise's 12-year history (no baseball in 2020). It also marked their ninth opening day win in that span.
You must be registered for see images attach
"The time between seasons seems like a long time," said Terry Dunavant, who started the line in front of the Durango Street entrance with her husband Pete around 4:20 p.m., more than an hour before the 5:30 p.m. opening of the gates. "We always come early to get in line. I was so happy to be back."
Pete Dunavant was practical about getting in line so early.
"It means I can get a seat with my wife in the WestStar Club," said Dunavant, who along with his wife hasn't missed an opening day dating back to 2014, when Southwest University Park opened a month into that season. "We've been here for all the seasons and we'll continue being season ticket holders as long as we can."
Toni Sustaita, who was one of the first people in with her adult daughter Janae, both wearing Padres-theme ponchos (Janea's in the color of a Mexican flag), had a head start on most of the fans to see the Chihuahuas. Former San Diegoans, the Sustaitas caught some Cactus League games earlier this month in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria.
You must be registered for see images attach
"We went to spring training so we're excited to see them in action," Toni said.
Said Janae: "We're ready. We're ready to go get some drinks."
There were new drink options for all the fans to choose from and a few new concession items, including a return of chili dogs with stadium-made chili.
"This is our 12th year for opening up this beautiful park," said Chihuahuas general manager Brad Taylor. "We have an 80-degree day, what's not to like about getting going again?
"It's the thrill of the goosebumps of getting started again. So many people have been waiting over the winter and the long spring. Here we are getting ready to kick off, get going.
"We have an exciting team this year, hopefully a little more offense. It's a chance for people to get out of hibernation and see baseball."
This is a day that couldn't get here quickly enough for the voice of the Chihuahuas, Tim Hagerty. He has called every Chihuahuas game in their history, and games in Tucson and Portland before MountainStar Sports bought the team and moved them to El Paso.
"Opening day is so exciting here," Hagerty said. "I love seeing faces I haven't seen in months. Fans are excited, everyone has their Chihuahua gear on. Every team across the country is so optimistic on opening day, they are sure they are going to be in the playoffs. Some will, most won't.
"I do think the Chihuahuas have a good team this year so a lot of reason for optimism."
March is all about optimism in baseball as this 150-game season took its first step.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'It's like the first day of school': Chihuahuas kick off 2025 season
Continue reading...
