Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- The Salt Lake Bees debuted their new stadium at America First Square in South Jordan.
- Fans praised the ballpark's design, with many admiring its mountain views and atmosphere.
- Bees won 13-10 against Reno Aces, marking a successful opening with a grand slam.
SOUTH JORDAN — About everything went perfectly for the Salt Lake Bees Tuesday evening.
A boisterous crowd lined up outside the different entry points into the Ballpark at America First Square, eager to check out the team's ritzy new ballpark. And as the National Parks finished up their folksy rendition of the national anthem, a KC-135 tanker plane streaked across the clear sky on a warm April evening.
One of the only problems? So many milestones happened in a row that the team couldn't catch up with documenting history.
Bees outfielder Gustavo Campero slapped the first hit inside the team's new stadium after shortstop Zach Neto reached base on a lead-off walk.
As an official fumbled around looking for an authenticator for the first ball hit into play, J.D. Davis cranked the stadium's first homer, a grand slam as the team's first five batters reached base on their way to a 13-10 win over the Reno Aces.
If that's the only flaw, the Bees will take it.
Neto, who remains with the Bees as part of a rehab assignment for the Los Angeles Angels, said before the game that it was "special" to be one of the first players to play on the new field. He and the rest wanted to provide fans with a show in the home opener.
"There's a lot of pressure on us to get that first win," he told reporters before the game.
With the large early lead, many fans took advantage to further explore the new ballpark, which construction crews raced to complete in time for the first pitch. Many milled around the stadium, snapping photos and taking in the new stadium backdrop.
Sal Fazzah was among those admiring the "great mountain views" of the new ballpark, while others were blown away by everything they saw.
"I've never been to a stadium before that is this amazing," added Adam Shaft. "It feels like a major league stadium ... and it's incredible."
Contributing: Andrew Adams
