It had been nearly two weeks since the Major League Baseball season got underway and created much of the excitement from baseball being back.
Still, the Fresno Grizzlies’ first home game of the season proved to be worth the wait for many fans who came out Tuesday night.
An announced crowd of 8,794 at Chukchansi Park hollered, stood up and cheered throughout the night, especially while trying to assist the Grizzlies down the stretch of a 5-4 loss to the Stockton Ports.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Fresno mayor Jerry Dyer throws out the first pitch as the Fresno Grizzlies played their home opener for the 2023 season, the first in a six-game series against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
A group of children shouted “Play Ball” into the microphone to kick off the home season.
There even was a lengthy fireworks show after the game.
Because after all of the challenges that the Grizzlies have endured since the franchise’s inception, surviving 26 seasons has been no easy feat.
And simply getting to enjoy another year of minor league baseball in Fresno perhaps should always be celebrated.
Children shout out “Play Ball!” into the microphone as the Fresno Grizzlies begin the 2023 season home opener against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. The Grizzlies lost the first game 5-4 to the Ports, the first in a six-game home series. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
The Grizzlies, who operate these days as the Colorado Rockies’ Single-A affiliate, came up just short against the Ports in their home opener.
Fresno stranded the tying run on third base, as well as the winning run on second to end the game.
The Grizzlies fell in a 5-0 hole after allowing three runs in the fourth and two more runs in the fifth.
Fresno leadoff hitter and second baseman Andy Perez batted 3 for 5 with a double, two runs and an RBI.
Teammate catcher Kody Huff added two RBIs.
But beyond the Grizzlies’ final score and watching prospects develop, many Fresno fans left the downtown ballpark excited again simply because baseball was back.
Left-handed Fresno Grizzlies pitcher Caleb Franzen throws against the Stocton Ports in the home opener for the 2023 season Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fans shout after a play as the Fresno Grizzlies played their 2023 home opener against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
A contestant licks peanut butter during a game between innings for the Fresno Grizzlies 2023 home opener against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fresno Grizzlies fans cheer the team in the 2023 season home opener against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fresno Grizzlies Andy Perez, right, scores a run in the 8th inning in the 2023 home opener against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fresno Grizzlies played their home opener for the 2023 season, the first iParker Kelly singles in the 9th inning against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fresno Grizzlies Parker Kelly, center, celebrates after scoring in the 9th inning against the Stockton Ports Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Fresno. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
Fireworks color the sky at Chukchansi Park following the Fresno Grizzlies 2023 season home-opener against the Stockton Ports Tuesday night, April 11, 2023 in downtown Fresno. The Grizzlies lost the first of the six-game series 5-4 to the Ports. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published April 12, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
Bryant-Jon Anteola is a multimedia reporter for The Fresno Bee, writing stories and producing videos about sports, news and random topics relatable to those in the Fresno area. He’s won a McClatchy President’s Award and received honorable mention by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He enjoys sports because of the competition, camaraderie and energy, and views sports as a microcosm of society.
