Saint Paul Saints First Game at CHS Field – If Fun is Good. This is Great.

Teams line up for Saints Opening Day and inaugural game at CHS Field.

Thursday night (May 21), I was lucky enough to attend the Saint Paul Saints (independent American Association) home opener – which also marked the Saints’ first game and their brand new, downtown Saint Paul, CHS Field ballpark. (I was also at the 1993 first-ever Saints’ – this version – game and, thanks to a computer ticket printing glitch, even got to sit next to Bill Murray (yes, THAT Bill Murray) for awhile. My brother Bob still has the photo, ticket and autographed program, but that’s for another post. Let’s get back to the 2015 opener.)

This post – taking a look at my Saints-CHS Field experience may be of most interest to Minnesota BBRT readers.  To others, if you are ever in the area, you’ll want to take in a Saints game.  As Saints co-owner Mike Veeck would say “Fun is Good!” and, if that’s the criteria, the Saints and CHS Field are great!

Now, there was some concern among long-time Saints Fans that the fancy new digs – replacing aging Midway Stadium – might dampen the Saints’ penchant for quirkiness, irreverence and just plain fun.  Let me assure you, it is still all “fun and game(s)” at a Saints game.  CHS Field is a beautiful ballpark, set in Saint Paul’s Lowertown – the site lines are great, the facilities and concessions top notch and the staff accommodating and friendly.

The fire dancers, as they say, were hot.

The inaugural game also provided solid evidence that the character of the franchise will not change.  There was the familiar Saints (pig) mascot – this year named Pablo Pigasso.  You could still get a haircut at the ball game. There were mimes, fire dancers, “usher-tainers” and the Saints’ trademark host of zany between innings entertainment, most directly involving fans (like a giant game of spin the bottle, cow tipping, and a “real” tire race). On opening night, there was even a Mardi Gras-style parade (with a band playing, of course, “When the Saints Go Marching In” and a drone “flyover” (actually a fly around).

The usher-trainers were back in full force.

The Saints’ family atmosphere also carried over from Midway Stadium, as Saints grandstand regulars greeted each other with plenty of hugs, handshakes and high-fives.  Game one of 2015 was a bit of a reunion for this loyal group, who also go out of their way to welcome new fans to the Saints’ experience.  Saints co-owner Mike Veeck (see more on Veeck at the end of this post) also was personally greeting fans as he walked the concourse – embracing old friends and clearly making new ones.

Great sight lines no matter where you are in this very “walkable” park.

So, there was plenty of fun – and there was plenty of “game” as well.  On opening night, the Saints sent the crowd home smiling (actually, we were smiling all night) with an 8-7 win over the Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks.  The game – before 8.592 fans – provided plenty of excitement: including five home runs (three by the Saints); multiple ties and lead changes; four stolen bases; some sparkling defense (as well as a trio of errors – made by a pair of Saints’ third basemen).  I’ll get to some game action and stats, but first a few observations on CHS Field and the Saints’ fan- and fun-friendly approach to the national pastime.

• This is a truly “walkable” ballpark. BBRT highly recommends that you walk the entire concourse.  The views are great, especially from the left field berm (where you get a nice panoramic view of the St. Paul city skyline).
• All the seats are close to the action. The sight lines are great. (And the tickets reasonably priced – basically from five-dollars on the left field berm to $18 for home plate reserved. (There are some premium seats, suites, skuyboxes, etc.)
• There are plenty of tasty concessions. BBRT can testify to the quality of the Cuban Panini (from the Yum Power Sandwich Lot). Fans I talked with also had great things to say about The Saints Blue Burger (Burger Depot); The Fajita Dog and Chicago Dog (The Dog Park); the malts from Snuffy’s; and the cupcakes from the Gingko cart. And, I’m just touching the surface.  On my list for the rest of the season are: the “Mudonna” Memphis-style pulled pork (Mud’s BBQ); five-patty Grand Slam Burger (Gallery Grill); Walleye Fingers (Fries and Pies): Philly Cheesesteak (Steakadelphia); Burrito (Salsa cart). Of course, there also are all the traditionals – hot dogs, fries, pizza, peanuts and the like.
• What goes together better than beer and a ball game? How about a local craft beer and a ball game? More than a dozen craft brew houses are offering their best in the left field Craft Brew Corner.

Art with a purpose. Empowered Percussion (308 Prince Street, Studio 312, St. Paul) was exhibiting and demonstrating its hand-built cajon drums on Opening Day.  empoweredpercussion@gmail.com

CHS Field and the Saints honor Saint Paul’s Lowertown artists’ community with a special outdoor gallery (in the concourse behind home plate) that will feature work from various members of the St. Paul Arts Collective at each home game – a total of 100 artists over the course of the season.

• The Saints mascots “Mudonna” and Pablo Pigasso are on hand, as are a host of “usher-tainers.” There is never a dull moment between innings.
• The Saints have also scheduled their usual diverse slate of “nights.” To give you some idea of the range – July 9 is “Pink It Up Night – A Salute to Jackie Kennedy”; July 20 is Larry Doby Night (first player to break the American League “color line”); and September 7 will see the Fan Appreciation Night Monster Food Truck Rally. Check the schedule, I’m sure the Saints will have a night made just for you.
• For pre- and post-game fun, the Lowertown neighborhood offers a wide range of bars and restuarants – great places to socialize in the atmosphere of your choice – from hip and trendy to old school.  Get to the neighborhood early and take in the ambiance.
• Parking is not the problem some predicted. Despite the capacity crowd, I parked just three blocks from the ballpark for $5.  (I did get there ninety minutes before game time, but there is plenty to do in the neighborhood.)

So, there’s my CHS Field experience.  My recommendation – get down there to a ball game as soon as you can.  It will truly be “fun and game(s).”

BBRT Note: Two minor criticisms. 1) As regular readers know, it’s a BBRT tradition to rate the Bloody Mary’s at each ballpark I visit.  Despite a number of alcohol serving locations on the main level, Bloody Mary’s, I was told, are “not on the menu.” 2) The Saints Store and gift stands offered no items commemorating the inaugural game/date (I heard several fans requesting just such an item).

Now, here are a few stats/facts from the game for you first-game trivia buffs (yes, as always, a complete and accurate score card was a BBRT priority).

CHS Field firsts:

• First run scored – Red Hawks 2B Frank Salerna, top of the 1^st
• First base hit – Red Hawks CF Chad Mozingo, top of 1^st, single
• First RBI – Red Hawks 1B Stefan Gartrell, top of the first on a sacrifice fly
• First Saints run scored – DH Ian Gac, bottom of the 2^nd
• First Saints RBI – C Vinny DiFazio, bottom of 2^nd, on a single
• First home run – Vinny DiFazio, bottom of the 4^th
• First pitcher’s strikeout – Red Hawks Brandon Mann (Saints’ Sam Maus in 1^st)
• First Saints pitcher’s strikeout – Pedro Hernandez (Red Hawks’ Chris Duffy in 2^nd)
• First pitcher’s victory – Saints’ Dylan Chavez
• First four-hit game – Saints DH Ian Gax (four-for-four, HR, 2B, two singles)
• First multi-homer game – Red Hawks RF Joe Dunnigan (two homers)

Mike Veeck – Fun IS Good – just ask him.

When it comes to the Saints, blending baseball and fun are a family tradition. For those not familiar with the Saints, one of forces behind the team (and one of its owners) is Mike Veeck – whose grandfather was president of the Chicago Cubs and whose father Bill Veeck made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an owner of the Saint Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. As an owner, Bill Veeck gained a reputation for innovation, irreverence (tweaking the baseball establishment), championing social justice and bringing his own version of “play” and “fair play” to life and to the ball park. (For more on Bill Veeck, check out the review of Paul Dickson’s book “Bill Veeck – Baseball’s Greatest Maverick” here.) Mike Veeck brings those same qualities to his own extensive business and baseball resume – and to the Saints. (Check out his book “Fun is Good – How to Create Joy and Passion in Your Workplace and Career.”) If fun is good, then the Saints are great!

BBRT note; Another Saints co-owner, actor Bill Murray is listed in the Saints Yearbook as the “Team Psychologist.” That should tell you something.

It’s the Saints – It wasn’t all PC.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT