Bees Players Discuss Meaning Of Final Opening Day At Smith’s Ballpark
Apr 2, 2024, 10:48 AM
Smith's Ballpark before the Salt Lake Bees open the finale season for the Ballpark.
SALT LAKE CITY— Opening Day represents so many things. It signals the end of winter and gives fans across the country hope for sunshine, warmth, and another glorious summer at the ballpark. Every team is 0-0, and every player believes this is the year dreams are realized.
“My favorite two words in baseball, other than ‘strike three,’ probably,” Bees lefty Kenny Rosenberg said when asked about what Opening Day means to him. “It’s amazing. To be the last home opener. To pitch that game and stand out there wearing the black and yellow. Anytime that you get an opportunity to put on a uniform, no matter where you are, it’s a blessing, and it’s not lost on me.”
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Smith’s Ballpark and its double-decker stands form a comforting bowl around the mostly informal practice. Nearly fifteen thousand pale green seats expectantly wait to be filled on the first night of fireworks.
The sun shines down, highlighting the game and its players. The pop of leather as teammates throw in the outfield; pitchers and coaches chatter in the bullpen while the latest technology records a throwing session. One group after another rotates through on-field batting practice, dutifully laying down a bunt or two before launching balls into the Salt Lake afternoon. Players, coaches, team staff, and media mill about the home plate area, careful not to trod on the perfectly manicured playing surface or stray in unforbidden territory on the bright green and lush foul grounds grass.
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We are so back pic.twitter.com/veiTk54V50
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) March 28, 2024
“A sigh of relief,” ninth-year Bees manager Keith Johnson quipped when asked about shifting the focus to Opening Day. “All the work, all the thought process from an organization standpoint. Putting together rosters and going through spring training, getting these guys ready for the season… It’s just a great feeling to finally, actually go out there, put it on the line, and see where we are.”
A fresh season represents a clean slate; the ballpark is where the artists get a daily opportunity to show their work.
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“It’s like the first day of school,” second-year Bees outfielder Jordyn Adams said. “You go through the offseason thinking about Opening Day. You go through your work and spring training thinking about Opening Day. Then, one day, you open your eyes, and it’s Opening Day. The excitement is always going to be there for me because that’s the start of the season, and that’s when you display what you’ve been working on all offseason.”
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Salt Lake opens its final season at Smith’s Ballpark against the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate, Tacoma Rainiers, on Tuesday, April 2. The Bees and Rainiers will play a six-game series from April 2 through Sunday, April 7.
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