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You Might Still Have Time To Make The Tacoma Rainiers Home Opener

Update: no you don't! It's sold out. Go on Saturday.

Sure, the Mariners may or may not get a game in against the Royals tonight, but the Tacoma Rainiers may or may not get a game in against the Sacramento River Cats as well, and that's a more special occasion, because it'll be the Rainiers' 2011 home opener.

Ordinarily that isn't such a big deal, but this'll be the first game in the newly renovated Cheney Stadium, which you can read about here. Among other improvements, there's a brand-new sexy entrance, a new restaurant, twice the concession stands, and seating along a grassy slope in right field. They also renovated the bathrooms, which meant the end for the big silver urinal trough behind third base. Part of me is going to miss getting to pee in a trough. It affords a certain freedom you don't get in many places anymore.

The game tonight is at 7:20 (pre-game festivities begin earlier), with Chaz Roe going up against Yadel Marti, and that's a pitching matchup you wouldn't be able to forgive yourself for missing. Additionally, there'll be fireworks, and the ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by former Tacoma Giant Eddie Fisher, who also threw the first real pitch in Cheney 51 years ago. I understand that weather could end up being a problem tonight, but still, it's worth checking in to see if there are any tickets left if you're in the area.

And even if the home opener isn't in the cards, you should probably make a point of visiting Cheney at least once this year, if only to be able to stand in the same stadium where Sean Kazmar stands. Half the time it feels like we're watching minor league baseball anyway, so you might as well check out a sharp venue where that level of play is acceptable.