TL1 San Antonio Missions

Missions, fans crack open new season

by Marc Viquez
Published on May 26, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions


To me, there is nothing else better than to catch a baseball game on the opening day of the season. The quintessential right of passage signals the beginning of warmer weather in most parts of the country and requests our attention from the doldrums of time since football season ended.

However, not everyone at opening night in Nelson Wolff Stadium, home of the Texas League champions San Antonio Missions, was there for this purpose. I found out soon that there were a myriad of reasons that are very common in today's minor league parks across the nation.

This was my first game at San Antonio since 1992, back then the team played on the campus of St. Mary's at the venerable V.J. Keefe Stadium where Mike Piazza was a promising future Hall of Famer behind the plate. I do not remember much of the ballpark that I visited as a teenager, but the stadium was more suitable for college baseball. However, the times were changing throughout the game and within two years the Missions had their beautiful new stadium all to themselves.

How many folks are coming out to watch the baseball game itself? How many of the 5,500 fans on opening night were lured to the stadium on a baseball emphasis only? I have visited many ballparks and talked to many wonderful people (and usually get the same abundance of answers on why they are in attendance), but here there were so many of them that I had to take special notice.

"It's just baseball, this is the grassroots and this is where it all starts," said Chris Votel who has traveled to other Texas ballparks in Round Rock and Corpus Christi. "I've been doing this since the mid-80's."

That was one fan's reaction who loves the game of baseball, but it was Dollar Days at the ballpark and fans were lined up by the plenty with anticipation of three dollars getting them a beer, hotdog and a slice of pizza. In fact, if you were waiting in line, you were probably spending a good amount of time away from the game. This was the case for a few University of Texas-San Antonio students were there in a group of twelve. A mixture of genders was camped out on the grass lawn seats with plenty of food around and extra bills in their pockets. The tickets were only $5.50 and for a few dollars more you got fed pretty well.

There were quite of variety of ages in the lawn seats and many either had blankets, lawn chairs or watched their kids run around the area. Ryan Martinez thinks there is no better place in the stadium to watch a game.

"I love sitting in the lawn. You can bring your own chairs and you are not crammed like you are in the bleachers."

A few more folks responded that they had received free tickets at work and decided to do something different. They were not baseball fans and most likely would not pay for a ticket in the future. Oh, well, I guess you cannot please them all, but there were many who will make it out to future games with friends and co-workers.

"The variety of people, the excitement and the fun of being able to watch these guys before they get up to the next level" added Dave Sillins.

San Antonio does have something indigenous to the area, the puffy taco, and if you have not tried one to eat, then perhaps you have not seen one dance either. Henry the Puffy Taco (sponsored by a local restaurant) comes out to dance between innings and then can be found floated throughout the concourse with an entourage of young fans. Henry is also assisted by another native creature, Ballapeño, who is a dancing jalapeño that has his share of fans.

"I can take my boy here," said Mike Gonzalez who averages about ten games a season. "We like the puffy taco and other entertainment."

There was one gentleman who was wearing an old wool Missions jersey with a crusty cap to match who did not say much, but did reveal that he is there to watch the game itself.

I am not sure when I will make it back to San Antonio, it had been 16-years since the last time I stepped foot in the Alamo City. My visit complete at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, conversely, was a rejuvenation of ballpark passion. I am sure this euphoria was felt in other cities throughout the Texas League tonight, but it was San Antonio where I began a new season of baseball. I can only hope my next venture will be as pleasurable.

Check out the San Antonio Missions Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 26, 2008


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