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Opening Night in Myrtle Beach |
The Myrtle Beach Pelican’s Opening Night truly was a dream come true – especially for the diehard baseball fans who have been teamless for several years. Fans were lining up at the gates early in the afternoon and tailgating in the parking lot, even though the gates didn’t open until 6 pm.
The sellout crowd showed unabashed enthusiasm for their team throughout the entire evening. From the player’s entrance onto the field through a smoking cornfield (ala the movie Field of Dreams) to the fireworks display at the end of the game, fans couldn’t contain their excitement about having a minor league team back in Myrtle Beach.
Fun and entertainment was the name of the game, with a variety of mascots and on-field antics and events. The food was everything you would expect at the state-of-the-art stadium, and the Pelican’s store was practically sold out by the seventh inning. Those fans that were lucky enough to get a ticket for opening night helped set the pace for the season to come. Oh, by the way, the baseball was very good, too.
(Click on the photos for a larger view)
The sign announcing Coastal Federal Field, the home of the Pelicans |
The calm before the stomr in the Pelican’s store |
If you look closely you will see a player walking through the smoke |
Splash, the Pelican’s mascot, shares his ride with feathered friend |
Another famos mascot, Sport, dropped by to help celebrate the home opener |
Opening night was a sell out |
Warming up under the bright Myrtle Beach sun |
The view from the box seats behind home plate |
The cover from the inaugural program |
