Rainier’s opening day game of 2012
Published: Monday, April 16, 2012
Updated: Monday, April 16, 2012 17:04
 "Photo: Photo By Dickson Kwong")
Photo By Dickson Kwong
Fox Matt (32) throws out the first pitch for the Rainier’s home season against Salt Lake Bees in the new Cheney Stadium Thursday, Apr. 5.
 "Photo: Photo By Dickson Kwong")
Photo By Dickson Kwong
During the opening ceremony the forth parachutist warm-ups the crowd with Old Glory.
As warm up bats clinked within Cheney Stadium on April 5, eager fans lined up outside the gates awaiting the official start of the Tacoma Rainiers 2012 baseball season. Fans talked about this year’s lineup and what they expected to see while children held baseballs and gloves they hoped to have signed. As the gates opened and fans poured in, the stadium came to life for yet another season.
As the teams took to the fields, fans cheered not only for the Rainiers, but also for their opponents, the Salt Lake Bees. Children could be heard chanting “hey batter batter” while vendors hollered “cracker jacks here, get your cracker jacks.” Between innings, Rhubarb made appearances eliciting cheers from children and putting smiles on the faces of adults while fans bantered back and forth about which team was better.
The Bees took the lead early on but that did not damper the enthusiasm found within the stadium. Overall, even with a loss for the Rainiers, opening day 2012 was a success and an enjoyable start to the baseball season.
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