It’s Opening Day for the Wilmington Blue Rocks.
The Rocks welcome the Potomac Nationals to Frawley Stadium for their first game of the 2016 campaign Thursday night.
Wilmington is coming off a season that saw it reach the Mills Cup Carolina League championship series and its parent club, the Kansas City Royals, win the World Series.
General Manager Chris Kemple says the fact the Royals won the title probably doesn’t sell any extra tickets, but it does help reinforce one reason to come see the Blue Rocks.
“It helps us with the idea that these players, some of them – not all of them, will make it to the big leagues. I think we had 11 former Blue Rocks [on the Royals last year], some of them contributing in a major way to winning a World Series," said Kemple. "That’s something we can look at and be very proud of, knowing these guys trained here, liked it here , lived here and they went on to win a World Series.”
And when fans come to see the latest set of Royals prospects at Frawley Stadium, they see a major difference at the 24 year old facility - new seats put in over the off-season.
The main seating sections now all feature seat backs. The only bleacher seats remaining are in the general admission section above the concourse. Kemple says it’s a noticeable upgrade.
“We just wanted to bring the stadium to a more modern look. So, we got the new seats and we’re really excited about it, " said Kemple. "It brings a whole new look to the facility. It really makes it look sharp and its something we’re awfully proud of .”
First pitch Thursday night at Frawley is scheduled for 6:35, though Mother Nature may not cooperate. Showers are in the forecast all day and into the evening.
